Description

Department of Health and Human Services

National Institutes of Health | Clinical Center

Chief Nurse Officer, Nursing Department
Lead clinical research nursing at the world’s leading research hospital

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, invites outstanding nurse executives to apply for Chief Nurse Officer of the Clinical Center Nursing Department (CCND). The NIH Clinical Center (CC) is the largest hospital in the world totally dedicated to clinical and translational research. The Clinical Center is now a Magnet®-designated hospital with Distinction, recognizing its commitment to nursing excellence and high-quality patient care. The hospital maintains a 200-bed capacity that supports the intramural research programs of Institutes and Centers across the NIH. The hospital provides care to an extensive range of patients who are research participants with long-standing relationships with their research teams.

As a senior executive and advisor to the Clinical Center’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO), the incumbent will lead a department of about 600 full-time equivalent employees and contract staff, providing direct patient care and patient support services on 14 inpatient units, including behavioral health, plus 20 outpatient clinics and 3 day-hospital units within the CC.

Why this role is distinctive
       Clinical research nursing at the center of the NIH mission: The CC is the epicenter for intramural research and collaboration at NIH, providing a unique environment in which nursing practice directly supports clinical and translational research.

       Research practice and innovation: The Chief Nurse Officer will have the opportunity to foster a research practice environment that supports innovation and scholarly activities leading to increased patient safety, optimal clinical outcomes, and achievement of clinical research goals.

       High-reliability healthcare: The role supports the principles of high reliability in healthcare while integrating scientific goals and objectives into the practice of clinical research nursing.

       Broad clinical scope: The Nursing Department provides direct patient care and patient support services across inpatient units, outpatient clinics, behavioral health, and day-hospital settings.

What the Chief Nurse Officer will lead
As Chief Nurse Officer, the incumbent will provide executive leadership for clinical research nursing and patient care operations while advising senior Clinical Center leadership and supporting the hospital’s clinical research mission.

       Lead, consult, and advise a diverse clinical research nursing workforce in a complex hospital setting.

       Oversee nursing and patient care operations across the Clinical Center’s inpatient, outpatient, behavioral health, and day-hospital environments.

       Integrate scientific goals and objectives into the practice of clinical research nursing.

       Participate in the clinical care and implementation of Clinical Center research protocols.

       Establish and implement nursing practice standards and policies in medical treatment and research settings.

       Develop nurses working in both medical treatment and research environments.

       Partner across disciplines and provide sound guidance at all levels within a complex clinical research setting.

Requirements

The ideal candidate
The successful candidate will bring demonstrated executive leadership, strong communication skills, and the ability to lead collaboratively across a complex clinical research environment. Competitive candidates will have:

       Demonstrated experience leading a clinical research program and proven academic excellence.

       Experience managing the operations of a nursing department in an academic medical center.

       Documented executive leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration.

       Exceptional communication skills and the ability to provide guidance at all organizational levels.

       Experience establishing and implementing nursing practice standards and policies.

       Experience recruiting, mentoring, and developing nurses in medical treatment and research settings.

       A Ph.D. in Nursing, a doctoral degree in another relevant scientific area, or a Doctorate of Nursing Practice.

Benefits, location, and application
Salary is commensurate with experience and accomplishments. A full Civil Service package of benefits is available, including retirement, health, life, and long-term care insurance and the Thrift Savings Plan. The position is located at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. All applicants will be subject to a background investigation.

Applications must be submitted through USAJOBS: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/886963100 (NIH-CC-DH-26-13076971). 

Applications will be accepted from 10/27/2026 to 11/05/2026. Please include a cover letter outlining your interest in the position and your vision for CCND. In your 2-page CV, include a brief description of your duties, prior appointments, and mentoring experience. For questions, contact OHR CSD Branch E Service Desk at OHRCSDBRANCHESRVDSK@od.nih.gov

DHHS and NIH are equal opportunity employers. Visit NIH Equal Employment Opportunity site for more information.