Director of Nurses

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Employee Benefits:

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

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Functional Title: Director of Nurses
Job Title: Public Health Nurse IV
Agency: Dept of State Health Services
Department: Region 11
Posting Number: 22049
Closing Date: 12/31/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Management
Salary Range: $6,377.50- $8,036.82
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-26
Shift: Day
Additional Shift:
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 20%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt
Facility Location:
Job Location City: HARLINGEN
Job Location Address: 601 W SESAME DR
Other Locations: Cameron; Harlingen
MOS Codes: 290X,46AX,46FX,46NX,46PX,46SX,46YX,66B,66C,66E,66F,66G,66H,66N,66P,66R,66S,66T,66W

Brief Job Description:

Under the supervision of the Regional Medical Director (RMD), serves as the Regional Director of Nursing for Public Health Region 11 (PHR-11). Performs highly advanced nursing and administrative work directing regional public health nursing services, nursing staff, and clinical operations. Responsible for the planning, development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of public health nursing programs and services to ensure delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care that supports agency priorities, regional objectives, and regional community health needs. Provides administrative and clinical leadership to nursing personnel, including the Public Health Nursing Program, Immunization Program (Vaccine Clinics), the Tuberculosis & Hansen's Disease Program and other nursing personnel involved in regional public health programs. Collaborates with program managers and regional leadership to integrate nursing services across communicable disease, immunization, health education, occupational health, and other public health programs. Provides clinical consultation and guidance to nursing staff, including professional nursing oversight of congenital syphilis prevention and response activities through a collaborative relationship with communicable disease program leadership. Coordinates with the Division for Regional and Local Health Operations Director of Public Health Nursing and Occupational Health Leadership to promote consistent nursing practices, support workforce development, strengthen clinical quality standards, and ensure alignment with agency priorities, policies, and public health nursing standards. Provides oversight for regional nursing practice, including clinical competency assessment, nursing policy development, Standard Delegation Order (SDO) implementation, quality assurance activities, professional development, and adherence to professional nursing standards. Establishes and promotes standards of nursing practice, workforce development initiatives, regulatory compliance, and performance improvement activities to ensure consistency and excellence in public health nursing services throughout the region. Oversees policy implementation, program evaluation, quality assurance, program compliance, strategic planning activities, clinical emergency preparedness initiatives, and collaboration with healthcare providers, local health departments, community organizations, and other stakeholders to improve health outcomes and achieve public health goals. Works under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Safe operation of either a state-owned or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business, and an acceptable driving record must be maintained in accordance with DSHS policy and applicable state requirements.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Directs Public Health Nursing Programs and Services (45%)
• Oversees Regional Public Health Nursing Program, Immunization Program (Vaccine Clinics), and Tuberculosis & Hansen's Disease Program operations to ensure delivery of quality, evidence-based public
health services.
• Ensures program policies, procedures, standards, guidelines, and performance measures are implemented and followed.
• Oversees the coordination of tuberculosis prevention and control services for individuals with active, latent, and suspected tuberculosis disease, including cohort reviews, surveillance activities, audits, and
case management oversight.
• Directs and evaluates quality assurance and quality improvement activities, including clinical record reviews, audits, corrective action plans, and follow-up activities.
• Analyzes program performance data and implements evidence-based improvements to strengthen regional clinical, operational, and public health outcomes.
• Oversees development and annual review of program work plans and monitors progress toward established goals and objectives.
• Coordinates with communicable disease, immunization, health education, occupational health, epidemiology, and other public health programs to ensure attainment of state and federal goals.
• Ensures timely preparation, review, and approval of program reports, performance measures, work plans, and other documents prior to submission to leadership, partnering agencies, or stakeholders.
• Serves as a liaison and resource between public health nursing services, state program staff, local health departments, healthcare providers, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Participates in regional and statewide public health nursing initiatives, program meetings, case reviews, strategic planning activities, and public health response efforts.
• Ensures compliance with Class D Pharmacy license requirements and applicable agency policies and procedures.
• Represents Public Health Region 11 nursing programs in meetings, workgroups, and collaborative public health activities.

Directs Regional Nursing Practice and Supervises Nursing Staff (35%)
• Serves as the Regional Director of Nursing and provides leadership, management, and direct supervision to the Tuberculosis & Hansen's Disease Program Public Health Nurse III, Public Health Nursing
supervisory staff, and other assigned personnel.
• Plans, assigns, reviews, and evaluates the work of direct reports to ensure accountability and achievement of organizational goals and objectives.
• Performs personnel management activities in accordance with agency and regional policies, including recruitment, selection, onboarding, performance evaluations, employee recognition, corrective and
disciplinary actions, leave management, and travel review and approval.
• Establishes and promotes regional public health nursing standards in compliance with state and federal laws, regulations, agency policies, and professional nursing standards.
• Collaborates with the Regional Medical Director to review, implement, revise, and maintain Standard Delegation Orders (SDOs) in accordance with Texas nursing and medical practice laws and professional
standards.
• Oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of nursing protocols, clinical procedures, and nursing practice guidelines in collaboration with Regional and Local Health Operations and program
leadership.
• Provides clinical consultation, guidance, and technical assistance to nursing staff and serves as a regional subject matter expert on public health nursing.
• Ensures orientation, competency assessment, continuing education, workforce development, and professional growth opportunities for nursing staff.
• Evaluates workforce needs and develops strategies to support recruitment, retention, succession planning, and staff engagement.
• Provides consultation, mentoring, coaching, and performance feedback to supervisory and professional nursing staff.
• Promotes consistency in nursing practice across regional programs and clinic locations through competency monitoring, policy implementation, professional development, and performance management.
• Oversees nursing practice compliance and identifies opportunities to improve nursing performance,clinical competency, and workforce effectiveness.
• Fosters a culture of professionalism, accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, and excellence in public health nursing services.

Provides Administrative, Budgetary, and Strategic Program Support (10%)

• Coordinates with regional programs, including Tuberculosis & Hansen's Disease, Public Health Nursing, Communicable Disease, Immunization, Health Education, Occupational Health, and Epidemiology, to
ensure effective and efficient utilization of resources and achievement of regional, state and federal goals and performance measures.
• Participates in budget planning and fiscal management activities to support delivery of quality, evidencebased public health services.
• Monitors expenditures and resource utilization and makes recommendations regarding funding needs, staffing requirements, equipment, and operational priorities.
• Oversees nursing-related budget, contracts, agreements, and deliverables and ensures compliance with applicable agency requirements and program expectations.
• Coordinates with executive management through the preparation and submission of briefing documents, reports, presentations, performance measures, and other administrative reports.
• Reviews, analyzes, and utilizes programmatic and operational data to identify trends, evaluate performance, and support strategic decision-making.
• Collaborates with the Division for Regional and Local Health Operations Director of Public Health Nursing, Regional Medical Director, program managers, and other leadership staff to support statewide
nursing initiatives and regional public health priorities.
• Represents Public Health Region 11 nursing services during internal and external meetings, committees, workgroups, and stakeholder engagements as assigned.
• Supports strategic planning initiatives and development of regional goals, objectives, and performance
measures.

Maintains Professional Accountability and Agency Compliance (5%)

• Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
• Maintains compliance with DSHS policies, procedures, and standards and ensures adherence to applicable state and federal laws, regulations, and agency requirements.
• Maintains a valid Texas driver's license and complies with DSHS Fleet Operations and Management policies and procedures. Safely operates state-owned or personal vehicles in the conduct of official state
business.
• Maintains required professional licensure, certifications, and continuing education necessary to perform assigned duties.
• Maintains compliance with DSHS occupational health and immunization requirements.
• Protects the confidentiality and security of client, employee, and agency information in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and agency policies.
• Demonstrates professionalism, ethical conduct, accountability, and stewardship of public resources in all aspects of work performance.
• Maintains effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders and supports agency initiatives, special projects, committees, and workgroups as assigned.

Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

• Actively participates in emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and Continuity of Operations (COOP) activities in support of agency, regional, and statewide public health priorities.
• Serves in a leadership or support role within the Incident Command System (ICS) during public health emergencies, disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and other emergency response activities.
• Provides nursing leadership, clinical consultation, and operational guidance to staff during emergency response activities and public health incidents.
• Participates in emergency drills, exercises, trainings, and after-action improvement activities to strengthen regional preparedness capabilities.
• Maintains required training and certifications necessary to support emergency response responsibilities, including completion of applicable National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) courses.
• May be required to work hours other than normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, alternate schedules, and deployment to alternate work locations in response to public health
emergencies or agency needs.
• Participates in special projects, workgroups, committees, regional assignments, and other duties as assigned to support agency and regional priorities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Required):

KNOWLEDGE
• Principles and practices of public health nursing and population health.
• Nursing leadership, supervision, and program management.
• Public health laws, regulations, and standards governing nursing practice and communicable disease control.
• Epidemiology, surveillance, infection control, and case management principles.
• Tuberculosis, Hansen's disease, immunization, and communicable disease prevention and control.
• Quality assurance, quality improvement, and performance management processes.
• Standard Delegation Orders (SDOs), nursing protocols, and clinical practice guidelines.
• Emergency preparedness and public health response activities.

SKILLS
• Leadership, supervision, and staff development.
• Strategic planning and program management.
• Clinical assessment, consultation, and decision-making.
• Policy and procedure development and evaluation.
• Quality improvement and performance monitoring.
• Data analysis and problem-solving.
• Effective written and verbal communication.
• Public speaking and presentation.
• Building collaborative partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Use of computers and standard business software applications.

ABILITIES
• Lead and manage multiple public health nursing programs and initiatives.
• Establish goals, priorities, and performance expectations.
• Plan, assign, direct, and evaluate the work of supervisory and professional staff.
• Interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, and nursing standards.
• Analyze complex clinical and operational issues and develop effective solutions.
• Communicate effectively with healthcare providers, community partners, leadership, and the public.
• Develop and evaluate policies, procedures, and clinical protocols.
• Maintain effective working relationships using tact, diplomacy, and professionalism.
• Respond effectively during public health emergencies.
• Travel throughout the region to support program operations.

Licensure, Certification or Registration (Required)

Licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in Texas or a state the recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact. Must possess a valid Class C Texas driver license, or equivalent license from another state.

Current certification in Basic Life Support for Healthcare providers from approved source.

Initial Search Criteria

Currently licensed to practice and in good standing with the Texas Board of Nursing (RN license with BSN required, MSN, MPH, MBA, MHA, Nursing administrative certificates recommended ).

Application documents direct management experience at least 3 years’ supervising nursing staff, nursing supervisors, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams, increasing progressive leadership roles (required).

Application documents experience with quality assurance, quality improvement, program evaluation and regulatory compliance activities ( required ).

Application documents experience developing, implementing, and evaluating nursing policies, procedures, protocols, clinical standards, and medical orders ( required ).

Application documents experience managing or overseeing public health, healthcare, or nursing programs and program performance ( preferred ).

Application documents experience budget/finance planning and resource allocation ( preferred ).

Application documents experience in public health nursing, communicable disease control, immunization programs, tuberculosis programs, or population health initiatives ( preferred ).

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at View phone number on aiapply.co or via email at View email address on aiapply.co.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 form