Director of Nursing (DON)

The Director of Nursing (DON) plays a pivotal role in the strategic oversight and operational management of nursing services within long-term care facilities. Tasked with ensuring the delivery of high-quality resident care, the DON adheres to federal and state regulatory frameworks while providing effective leadership to nursing staff. This position encompasses hands-on interaction with staff, residents, and families to promote optimal care outcomes.

Key responsibilities of the Director of Nursing include, but are not limited to:

- Oversight of all nursing operations to guarantee safe, effective, and compassionate care delivery. - Implementation of comprehensive assessment protocols, care planning, and evaluation processes for resident care.

- Monitoring of resident outcomes, with proactive engagement in quality-of-care concerns.

- Collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, including physicians, therapists, and other healthcare professionals.

- Supervision of the nursing workforce (RNs, LPNs, CNAs, and nurse managers), fostering professional development and positive teamwork.

- Recruitment, onboarding, training, scheduling, and performance evaluation of nursing personnel.

- Management of staff performance issues, including disciplinary action when warranted.

- Assurance of compliance with local, state, and federal regulations (e.g., CMS guidelines).

- Preparation for and participation in various surveys, inspections, and audits.

- Development and implementation of policies and procedures aligning with regulatory standards.

- Leadership in quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) initiatives.

- Commitment to ongoing staff education, training, and competency evaluation in line with best practices in long

-term care nursing.

- Promotion of infection control measures, safety protocols, and risk management strategies.

**Qualifications Required:**

- Strong servant leadership principles and decision-making capabilities.

- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills; ability to serve as a positive role model within the organization.

- In-depth understanding of long-term care regulations and standards.

- Proficiency in multitasking and performance under pressure.

- Robust organizational and problem-solving abilities.

- Active Michigan Registered Nurse License (Verified by Nursys).

- Associate Degree in Nursing (required); Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (highly preferred).

- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

- Prior experience as a Director or Assistant Director of Nursing (required).

- Minimum of 3 to 5 years of nursing experience (required).

- Infection Preventionist Certification (or ability to obtain within six months of hire, with complimentary program available through CMS).

- Familiarity with Matrix EMR (highly preferred).

**Certification Requirements:**

- ACLS certification - BLS certification

**State License Requirements:** - Active licensure in the state of Michigan.