Director, Nursing

Director of Nursing (DON)

Heritage Behavioral Health Center (HBHC) is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) providing comprehensive, integrated behavioral health and primary care services to individuals and families across central Illinois. We are seeking an experienced, hands-on nursing leader to serve as our Director of Nursing (DON) and lead nursing practice across Heritage's integrated care system, including behavioral health, primary care, residential recovery, crisis services, and Medication Assisted Recovery (MAR).

The DON owns day-to-day nursing operations across the organization — staffing, scheduling, competencies, and direct leadership of the nursing managers — and provides coaching and development to nursing leaders at every program and site. This role reports to the Senior Director of Medical & Nursing Services and is a core member of a strengthened medical and nursing leadership team, giving the DON both real authority over nursing operations and strong support and advocacy at the leadership table.

This position is ideal for a nurse leader who values collaboration, accountability, and innovation; who thrives on building strong teams and workable systems; and who is passionate about improving outcomes for individuals with behavioral health and substance use needs. If you want your leadership to directly shape how nursing care is delivered — and to see the results in your teams and your patients — this role offers that opportunity.

Core

Responsibilities Include:

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide direct supervision and support to nursing leaders, including Program Managers and Coordinators, through regular supervision, coaching, and performance development.
• Lead hiring, onboarding, and performance management processes
• Foster a team-based care model across nursing staff
• Support leadership development and succession planning
• Promote accountability, professionalism, and a positive team culture

Clinical Oversight & Quality of Care

• Oversee nursing practices to ensure safe, effective, and patient-centered care across all service lines.
• Ensure adherence to nursing standards, policies, and best practices
• Support interdisciplinary care planning and coordination
• Provide guidance on complex clinical situations
• Perform direct care as needed to support operations

Operations & Program Management

• Own daily nursing operations across programs, ensuring appropriate staffing, workflow efficiency, and service delivery.
• Ensure appropriate staffing, scheduling, and competency management across programs
• Support coverage planning, including call-offs and vacancies
• Oversee key operational areas such as infection control, medication processes, lab coordination, and supply management
• Maintain visibility and responsiveness to 24/7 operational needs

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure all nursing services meet regulatory, accreditation, and organizational standards.
• Ensure compliance with state, federal, CARF, and organizational standards
• Maintain readiness for audits and inspections
• Support development and implementation of policies and procedures
• Monitor documentation quality, timeliness, and accuracy

Strategic Planning & Continuous Improvement

• Partner with the Senior Director of Medical & Nursing Services and clinical leadership to advance nursing practice and support organizational goals.
• Participate in program development
• Identify opportunities for workflow improvement and system efficiencies
• Support implementation of new initiatives and care models, including eMAR and EHR workflow enhancements
• Stay current with industry trends and regulatory changes

Performance Expectations / What Success Looks Like:

• Nursing leaders across all programs feel supported, coached, and equipped to lead their teams effectively
• Clinical quality metrics, documentation standards, and compliance requirements are consistently met across all sites
• Operational continuity is maintained, including staffing coverage, infection control, and medication management
• The Senior Director, executive leadership, and interdisciplinary teams viewthe DONas a reliable, solutions-oriented partner
• Staff retention and engagement within nursing teams reflect a positive,…