Director of Nursing

Cottonwood Healthcare is seeking an experienced and compassionate Director of Nursing to lead clinical operations for one of our skilled nursing communities in Montana. The Director of Nursing is responsible for building a strong nursing team, maintaining high standards of resident care, supporting regulatory compliance, and creating a culture where staff feel supported and residents feel cared for.

This is a key leadership role for someone who is organized, accountable, team-oriented, and passionate about improving outcomes in a skilled nursing setting.

The Director of Nursing will:

• Lead and oversee all nursing services within the facility.
• Ensure residents receive high-quality, compassionate, and individualized care.
• Supervise, support, and develop nursing leadership, including RNs, LPNs, CNAs, and clinical managers.
• Partner closely with the Administrator and leadership team to drive clinical, operational, and financial performance.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including Montana skilled nursing requirements.
• Prepare for and lead clinical components of surveys, audits, plans of correction, and quality reviews.
• Monitor clinical outcomes, including wounds, falls, infections, rehospitalizations, weights, behaviors, psychotropic use, and other quality measures.
• Ensure proper documentation, charting, care planning, assessments, and follow-up are completed timely and accurately.
• Lead clinical meetings, including morning meeting, risk meetings, QAPI, and other interdisciplinary reviews.
• Support census growth by helping maintain strong clinical systems and positive hospital/provider relationships.
• Recruit, train, coach, and retain nursing staff.
• Promote strong communication between nursing, therapy, social services, dietary, activities, business office, and administration.
• Create a positive, accountable, and resident-centered nursing culture.
• Manage staffing levels, schedules, agency usage, and labor costs in partnership with facility leadership.
• Investigate incidents, concerns, grievances, and clinical changes to ensure timely follow-up and resolution.
• Serve as a clinical resource and mentor to nursing staff.

• Current Montana RN license in good standing, or ability to obtain Montana RN licensure.
• Prior nursing leadership experience in a skilled nursing, long-term care, or post-acute setting strongly preferred.
• DON, ADON, Unit Manager, or comparable leadership experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of skilled nursing regulations, survey readiness, clinical documentation, and quality measures.
• Ability to lead teams, hold staff accountable, and develop strong nursing systems.
• Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with residents, families, staff, providers, and leadership.
• Commitment to resident-centered care and a positive workplace culture.

The ideal candidate is a hands‑on clinical leader who is comfortable being visible on the floor, supporting staff, solving problems, and building trust with residents and families. We are looking for someone who can balance compassion with accountability and help lead the facility toward strong clinical outcomes and a healthy team culture.

At Cottonwood Healthcare, we believe great care starts with great leadership. We are focused on supporting our teams, improving resident outcomes, and building facilities where staff are proud to work and residents are proud to live.

• Health, dental, and vision benefits
• Paid time off
• Leadership support and development
• Opportunities for growth within Cottonwood Healthcare
• Supportive regional and executive leadership team

Full‑time leadership position. Availability may be needed outside of regular business hours based on facility needs.

Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and join Cottonwood Healthcare as we continue building strong clinical teams across Montana.