Director of Nursing

Summary

The Director of Nursing (DON) oversees and coordinates all nursing services to ensure high-quality, person-centered care for residents in both the Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living settings. This position develops, implements, and evaluates nursing policies, programs, and practices in accordance with state and federal regulations and the organization’s mission. The DON leads, empowers, and mentors licensed nurses and nursing assistants to provide compassionate, compliant, and efficient care that supports residents’ physical, emotional, and psychosocial well-being.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provides clinical supervision to RNs, LPNs, MedTechs, MedAides, and CNAs.

Essential Functions

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of nursing services to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations and professional standards.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate nursing policies, procedures, and standards of care consistent with the organization’s goals and resident-centered philosophy.
• Recruit, select, train, supervise, and evaluate nursing staff; ensure appropriate staffing levels and staff competency to meet resident care needs.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and professional development among RNs, LPNs, MedTechs, MedAides, and CNAs.
• Oversee resident assessment and care planning processes, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate interdisciplinary care, collaborating with physicians, therapy, social services, dining, and other departments to ensure continuity and quality of care.
• Lead or participate in quality assurance, infection control, and risk management programs to ensure continuous improvement and resident safety.
• Monitor nursing department budgets, staffing patterns, and supply usage to ensure cost-effective operations.
• Respond promptly to resident, family, and staff concerns, promoting positive communication and service excellence.
• Participate in facility committees and contribute to strategic planning and policy development.
• Maintain current knowledge of best practices, industry regulations, and innovations in long-term and post-acute care nursing.
• Ensure resident rights, dignity, and confidentiality are upheld at all times.
• This position is designated as essential to the operations of the organization. Team members in this role may be required to report into work (on-site at the community) during emergencies, inclement weather, or other situations when the organization remains operational.
• Comply with all company policies, procedures, and applicable laws, including HIPAA and the Code of Conduct, completing required training and reporting concerns promptly.

Physical Demands

• Always required to stand, walk, and assist residents or staff throughout the community.
• Frequently required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Frequently required to bend, reach, push, pull, and perform fine motor tasks.
• Occasionally required to lift or assist in lifting individuals over 100 pounds with team or equipment assistance.
• Occasionally required to kneel or crouch.
• Visual acuity to observe resident condition, read charts, assess clinical documentation.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment

• Always works indoors in resident-living areas or office environments.
• Frequently exposed to bodily fluids and communicable diseases; PPE provided.
• Frequently works near residents experiencing physical or emotional distress.
• Frequently experiences high activity levels and multiple priorities with competing deadlines.
• Occasionally exposed to strong odors, cleaning chemicals, and medical waste.
• Occasionally works in noisy environments due to equipment and alarms.
• Rarely works outdoors or in non-clinical areas.

Requirements

Qualification Requirements

• Associates Degree in Nursing
• Graduate of accredited Nursing Program, required.
• Actively registered with the North Carolina Board of Nursing (or compact state), and in good standing, required.
• Current CPR certification (or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire).

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing
• Minimum of three years of progressive nursing leadership experience in long-term care, assisted living, or a related healthcare setting.
• Prior Director of Nursing or Assistant Director of Nursing experience.
• Knowledge of MDS, care planning, infection control, and quality improvement processes.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of nursing principles, long-term care regulations, and clinical best practices.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills with the ability to motivate and mentor multidisciplinary teams.
• Knowledge of the North Carolina Nursing Practice Act and current standards of geriatric and rehabilitative care.
• Proficiency in clinical assessment, care planning, and quality assurance processes.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, identify trends, and implement effective improvement strategies.
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills, particularly in complex or emergency situations.
• Ability to develop and manage department budgets and staffing plans effectively.
• Commitment to professional ethics, resident-centered care, and continuous learning.