Director of Nursing (DON)

Limitlessli

At Limitlessli, we specialize in recruiting, hiring, and managing high-caliber staff for dynamic and growing healthcare facilities.

The Opportunity:

The Director of Nursing (DON) is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and clinical oversight of the nursing department within a skilled nursing facility. This role ensures the delivery of high-quality resident care, compliance with federal and state regulations, and the effective management of nursing staff to support positive clinical outcomes and operational excellence.

This position oversees nursing operations for a 158-bed skilled nursing facility with an average census of approximately 105 residents.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction to all nursing staff, fostering a culture of clinical excellence, accountability, and resident-centered care.
• Oversee the planning, coordination, and evaluation of nursing services to ensure quality care and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, including CMS and Maryland Department of Health requirements.
• Develop, implement, and monitor nursing policies, procedures, and clinical standards.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate nursing management, including Assistant Directors of Nursing, Unit Managers, and licensed nursing staff.
• Collaborate with the Administrator, Medical Director, and interdisciplinary team to achieve quality, operational, and financial goals.
• Monitor quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) initiatives and implement corrective action plans as needed.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels and effective workforce management to meet resident care needs.
• Participate in survey readiness activities and lead the nursing department during regulatory surveys.
• Investigate resident concerns, incidents, and clinical issues while implementing appropriate corrective measures.
• Promote staff development through education, coaching, and ongoing competency assessments.
• Manage departmental budgets, labor utilization, and resource allocation in collaboration with facility leadership.
• Foster positive relationships with residents, families, physicians, and community partners.

Qualifications

• Required

• Active and unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of Maryland (or eligibility for licensure by endorsement).

• Minimum of five (5) years of leadership experience as either an Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) or Director of Nursing (DON) in a skilled nursing facility or long-term care setting.

• Thorough knowledge of federal and Maryland state regulations governing skilled nursing facilities.

• Demonstrated leadership, team development, and staff management experience.

• Strong clinical assessment and decision-making skills.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced healthcare environment.

• Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN); Master's degree in Nursing or Healthcare Administration is a plus.

• Experience leading successful state and federal surveys.

• Knowledge of electronic health record (EHR) systems and quality improvement programs.

• Preferred Competencies

• Strategic leadership and operational management

• Regulatory compliance and survey preparedness

• Quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI)

• Staff engagement, mentoring, and retention

• Clinical excellence and resident advocacy

• Strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills

• Effective collaboration with interdisciplinary teams

Work Environment

This position is based onsite at a skilled nursing facility in Maryland serving approximately 105 residents within a licensed 158-bed community. The Director of Nursing is expected to provide visible leadership, participate in an on-call rotation, and support the facility as needed to ensure the delivery of exceptional resident care.