Director of Nursing (DON) - Inpatient Med/Surg & Telemetry

Job Description

Director of Nursing (DON) - Inpatient Med/Surg & Telemetry

Location: Tucson, AZ


Employment Type: Direct Hire | Full-Time


Compensation: $97,000 - $150,000 annually


Relocation Assistance: Available for qualified candidates based on distance and experience


Position Overview

Wheeler Staffing Partners is seeking an experienced Director of Nursing (DON) to lead Medical/Surgical and Telemetry services within an acute care hospital environment. This leadership role is responsible for overseeing clinical operations, patient care quality, staffing, financial performance, regulatory compliance, and employee engagement across assigned inpatient units.


The ideal candidate is a proven nursing leader with experience managing hospital operations, developing nursing teams, and driving quality and performance improvement initiatives.


Key Responsibilities

• Provide operational and clinical leadership for Med/Surg and Telemetry departments.
• Ensure delivery of safe, high-quality, patient-centered care and positive patient outcomes.
• Manage staffing plans, scheduling, productivity, and labor utilization.
• Monitor departmental budgets, financial performance, and resource allocation.
• Lead quality improvement initiatives and track key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Supervise and develop nurse managers, supervisors, and nursing staff.
• Support recruitment, retention, succession planning, and employee engagement efforts.
• Collaborate with physicians, executive leadership, and interdisciplinary teams.
• Ensure compliance with Joint Commission, CMS, state regulations, and organizational policies.
• Maintain readiness for accreditation surveys, audits, and regulatory reviews.

Qualifications

Required

• Active Registered Nurse (RN) license (or ability to obtain Arizona RN licensure prior to hire).
• BSN, or Associate Degree in Nursing with a Bachelor's degree in a healthcare-related field.
• Acute care hospital leadership experience.
• Experience managing staff, departmental operations, staffing plans, and budgets.
• Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.

Preferred

• MSN, MHA, MBA, or related Master's degree.
• Previous Director-level nursing leadership experience.
• Experience leading Med/Surg and/or Telemetry units.
• Experience with Joint Commission surveys and regulatory compliance initiatives.

Knowledge & Skills

• Medical/Surgical and Telemetry nursing operations.
• Quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.
• Staffing, productivity, budgeting, and financial management.
• Joint Commission, CMS, and state regulatory requirements.
• Performance management, employee development, and succession planning.
• EMR systems and healthcare technology platforms.

Why Work With Wheeler Staffing Partners

Wheeler Staffing Partners connects healthcare leaders with organizations dedicated to delivering exceptional patient care. We provide opportunities that support career advancement, leadership growth, and long-term professional success.

Meet Your Recruiter

Cody Mirander