18 Nov Job Spotlight: Chief Nursing Informatics Officer (CNIO)
As the healthcare industry finalizes its transition to computer-based records keeping and patient care, the need for IT-fluent clinicians continues to rise. One particular position is gaining in importance and demand: the Chief Nursing Informatics Officer.
The American Nurses Association (ANA) states that nursing informatics is a career specialty within the nursing field that is a combination of nursing science, computer science, and information science. It is used to manage and communicate data – the technical hard numbers, the organization’s system functionality, as well as individual patient information — in nursing practice. Nursing informatics is a practice that uses technical data and a nurse’s unique knowledge of provider systems to help ensure informed decision-making for improved patient outcomes.
Chief Nursing Informatics Officers are highly skilled and experienced nurses who gravitate to information technology. Are you a nurse who loves IT? Be sure to check out our job postings to discover which companies are hiring right now, or work directly with a recruiter by calling (972) 999-1677.
Job Description
The CNIO serves as a bridge between nursing and information technology, working at a leadership level to ensure all voices are represented in decision making and planning. A nurse with training in IT may start as a director of nursing informatics before being promoted to the level of a Chief Nursing Informatics Officer. The CNIO usually reports to the Chief Nursing Officer or Chief Nurse Executive. The expected job responsibilities include:
- Understand the operational and strategic vision of the organization.
- Use technology integration to improve patient safety, quality care, and positive outcomes.
- Ensure that the design and build of the EHR is interdisciplinary, with sufficient end-user input.
- Troubleshoot for errors and unintended consequences.
- Engage other nurse leaders to promoting clinician adoption.
- Work closely with the CMIO to ensure clinical decision support is placed at strategic points in the workflow to best support evidence-based patient care.
- Ensure HIT aligns with the nursing strategic goals of the organization.
- Work closely with the chief nursing executive (CNE) or CNO to integrate different nursing perspectives to further clinician efficiencies and improve patient care.
- Represent nurses and other clinicians at the executive level to ensure their input is incorporated in project planning, design, and implementation.
Qualifications
The basic qualifications you’ll need for this role start with an RN. A few companies might accept a Bachelor’s degree, but not many. Nurses pursuing this position need a Master’s degree in nursing informatics and in some cases a PhD. Specifically, you’ll need:
- Master’s degree
- Certification in Informatics or related field
- Licensure as a registered nurse
- Ten years of experience
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
A successful CNIO will have a nursing degree and significant IT training. Many CNIOs reached this position by starting as nurses, then getting advanced degrees in informatics and information technology.
Salary & Benefits
Academic institutions and large integrated health systems are the main organizations hiring CNIOs today. A Chief Nursing Informatics Officer at a large system can expect to make from $200,000 to $250,000 in base pay annually. Typical benefits include:
- Highly competitive pay
- 401(k) plan
- Direct deposit and weekly pay
Some companies may offer:
- Continuing Education Reimbursement
- 100% premium coverage for comprehensive health insurance
- Licensure reimbursement
- Flexibility of work schedule, guaranteed hours
- Assignment completion bonuses
- Mileage reimbursement
1st Solution USA: Matching The Right Talent to the Right Job
If your health system is seeking a quality CNIO, partner with 1st Solution USA to find the best candidates. If you are a nurse with IT qualifications, we want to hear from you! Upload your resume, or try searching our healthcare IT job board.
Questions? We are available at (972) 999-1677 or you can contact us online.