Director of Nursing

The DeKalb County Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is looking for a Director of Nursing who wants their leadership to matter. As a county-operated facility, we answer to the residents, families, and neighbors we serve. You'll shape the standard of care for short-term rehabilitation and long-term care residents and build a nursing team that takes pride in it.

This is a seat on the senior leadership team. You'll work alongside the Administrator, Medical Director, and interdisciplinary team to set the clinical direction for the entire building.

• Set the standard for resident care. Oversee person-centered nursing across rehab and long-term care, from wound care and fall prevention to dementia care, palliative care, and everything in between.
• Keep us survey-ready, every day. Lead compliance with federal and Illinois regulations, guide the team through state and federal surveys, and turn findings into real improvement.
• Drive quality. Use QAPI, MDS quality measures, and Five-Star data to spot trends, reduce readmissions, and improve outcomes.
• Build and mentor your team. Lead the Assistant Director of Nursing, Unit Managers, MDS Coordinator, Infection Preventionist, Staff Development Coordinator, and our RNs, LPNs, and CNAs. Recruit well, develop talent, and foster a culture of respect, teamwork, and accountability.
• Steward the nursing budget. Manage staffing, labor, and supplies responsibly while protecting quality of care.
• Be a trusted partner. Connect residents, families, physicians, hospitals, pharmacies, and therapy teams, and present to the County Board or its committees when needed.

Required

• Current, unencumbered Illinois RN license in good standing
• Associate's degree or diploma in nursing (BSN or higher preferred)
• A minimum of 3 years of nursing experience in long-term care, skilled nursing, or post-acute care, including at least years in a supervisory or management role
• Qualifications required of a Director of Nursing under federal and Illinois law
• Current CPR/BLS certification
• Ability to pass a background check, health screening, and drug screening

Preferred

• Gerontological nursing or long-term care administration certification (e.g., RN-BC, CDONA/LTC)
• Experience with MDS/PDPM, QAPI, survey processes, and electronic health records
• Experience in a government or county-operated facility

You are a decisive, empathetic leader who communicates clearly with residents, families, staff, regulators, and elected officials, and who stays steady in a fast-paced environment.

• Real influence. You'll shape clinical culture and care quality across the whole facility.
• Mission-driven work. Public service, with residents and community at the center.
• A collaborative leadership team that values clinical expertise.
• County employment with a pension plan through IMRF (Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund), paid time off, health insurance (employer pays 75% of premiums), dental insurance (employer pays 75% of premiums), vision insurance, employer-paid life insurance, wellness program, and eligibility for Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

Primarily weekday daytime, with flexibility for occasional evening, weekend, holiday, and on-call needs.

DeKalb County is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities.

I understand that employment may be conditioned upon successfully passing a background check.