Director Nursing Services; DNS​/DON

Title: Director Nursing Services (DNS/DON)
Status:Full-Time, Exempt
Reports To:Executive Director/Administrator
Pay Range: $180k-$200k annually

You will lead with both heart and discipline. That means keeping every patient's clinical and behavioral outcomes at the center of decisions, staying ahead of state and federal psychiatric regulations, and creating a workplace where psychiatric nurses and mental health techs want to stay. Patients, families, and surveyors will see a well‑run clinical operation – and you will be the reason.

• THE FOUNDATION
  • Current, unencumbered
    Registered Nurse (RN) license issued by
    the State
    .
  • License in good standing with no active probation or substantiated violations.
  • Graduate of an accredited nursing program (BSN preferred).
• THE JOURNEY
  • Minimum3 years of nursing experience in a skilled nursing or long‑term care inpatient setting.
  • Minimum2 years as a Director of Nursing, Assistant DON, or Nurse Manager as a RN.
  • Proven track record of improving clinical quality measures, improving patient outcomes).
  • Experience managing a nursing department budget, staffing, and payroll.
  • Successfully led survey processes with minimal deficiencies.
• THE CRAFT
  • Deep fluency in
    CMS Conditions of Participation, Title 22, and
    applicable state regulations
    .
  • Strong understanding of assessment, intervention, and de‑escalation techniques.
  • Staff development: train, mentor, and retain RNs, LPNs, and CNAs.
  • Proficiency with electronic health records and documentation systems.
• THE CHARACTER
  • Calm, authoritative presence during a crisis, survey, or regulatory audit.
  • Treats all clinical and non‑clinical staff as equal partners in patient care.
  • Handles family and patient concerns with empathy, sound judgment, and informative communication.
  • Passion for building a culture of safety, recovery, and respect for every patient and staff member.

• Oversee all clinical departments:.
• Lead and mentor nurses and CNAs.
• Manage state, federal, and Plans of Correction as needed.
• Collaborate with the Administrator and Medical Director on budgets, staffing, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Monitor clinical metrics (seclusion/restraint rates, patient falls, medication errors, readmissions) and drive improvement.
• Ensure timely and accurate documentation for all evaluations, treatment plans, and discharge summaries.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures that align with recovery‑oriented, trauma‑informed care.
• Coordinate with community providers, crisis teams, and case management for continuity of care.

We offer a competitive package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• And much more (details provided upon offer)

As the Director of Nursing in a behavioral health inpatient setting, you are the clinical leader and must be available to respond to urgent matters at any time. That is the nature of the role. At the same time, we believe in a healthy boundary between your personal pursuits and professional responsibilities. You will receive a
dedicated work phone
and
laptop
– so you never have to use your personal devices for work. When an issue arises, you use the work phone. When there is no active issue, you are not expected to monitor your personal devices for work. This separation allows you to be fully responsive when needed, without work bleeding into your personal space or privacy.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

The expected pay range for this role is as stated above.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.