Director of Nursing (DON)

Primary Responsibilities and

Duties

• Provide leadership and direction to the nursing department, including Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), and other nursing staff, to ensure the delivery of safe, effective and compassionate care of the residents.

• Oversee the development and implementation of nursing policies, procedures, and standards of practice, in accordance with regulatory requirements, evidence-based guidelines, and best practices in nursing care.

• Collaborate with team members, including physicians, therapists, social workers, and administrators, to coordinate resident care, address complex medical needs, and optimize outcomes.

• Monitor and evaluate nursing services and resident care outcomes, including resident assessments, care planning, medication management, and infection control practices, to identify areas for improvement and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

• Provide clinical supervision, mentorship, and support to nursing staff, including ongoing education, training, and performance feedback, to promote professional growth and development.

• Oversee the recruitment, hiring, orientation, and retention of nursing staff, ensuring adequate staffing levels and skill mix to meet resident needs and maintain quality of care.

• Educate employees on job expectations, all applicable and current company procedures, polices, and federal, state and local regulations.

• Assign tasks and ensure quality work and exceptional resident care is being done.

• Provide feedback to employees on their performance.

• Establish working hours, schedules, time off, and vacations while ensuring each shift has proper coverage.

• Set an example by maintaining professionalism and a positive demeanor in the workplace.

• Participate in quality assurance and performance improvement activities, including root cause analysis, incident reporting, and regulatory survey readiness to identify trends, implement corrective actions, and drive quality outcomes.

• Act as a liaison with residents, families, and responsible parties to address concerns, provide support, and ensure open communication regarding resident care and service delivery.

• Manage nursing department budget, resources, and equipment, in collaboration with facility administration, to optimize operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

• Stay informed about current trends, regulations, and best practices, in nursing care, participating in professional organizations, continuing education, and networking opportunities to maintain clinical expertise and leadership skills.

• Perform all other duties assigned.

Requirements

Job

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state where work is performed.

• Minimum of 1 year of nursing experience, in a leadership position in a healthcare or long-term care setting.

• Strong clinical knowledge and expertise in nursing, including assessment, care planning, medication management, and regulatory compliance.

• Excellent leadership and management skills, with the ability to inspire, motivate, and empower nursing staff to achieve clinical excellence and resident satisfaction.

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with team members, residents, families, and external stakeholders.

• Knowledge of federal, state and local regulations governing nursing practice and long-term care facilities, including Medicare and Medicaid requirements.

• Commitment to resident-centered care, quality improvement, and continuous professional development.

• Ability to build rapport with residents through a compassionate and caring demeanor.

Physical

Requirements

• Work performed in a medical setting due to the need to work directly with residents and staff.

• Must be able to sit, stand, bend, reach, talk, hear, stoop, kneel, crouch, stretch, and twist.

• Required vision includes close, vision, distance, peripheral, and the ability to adjust focus.

• Capability to lift and transfer residents safely, with proper body mechanics and assistance as needed.

• Maintain regular attendance and timeliness as set forth within the work schedule designated by the department supervisor/manager.

• Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.

• The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.

• The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

• Proficiency in performing tasks that require manual dexterity, such as using medical equipment, writing reports, and typing on a computer keyboard.

• The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.

#rnlpnvegas