Director of Nursing; DON

Director of Nursing (DON)

Department:
Medical

Reports To:

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Job Type: Full-Time l

Location:

Ascent Behavioral Hospital – Millcreek, UT

At Ascent Behavioral Hospital, we provide compassionate, evidence-based care to adolescents navigating challenges such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. We are looking for dedicated Registered Nurses to join our interdisciplinary team in a supportive and safe environment where safety, integrity, respect, and excellence are our highest standards.

The Director of Nursing (DON) serves as a member of the Senior Leadership Team and is responsible for the strategic leadership, management, and oversight of all nursing services within the hospital. The DON ensures the delivery of safe, high-quality patient care while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements, accreditation standards, and evidence-based nursing practices.

This role provides direct supervision of nursing personnel, oversees staffing and scheduling operations, supports risk management and quality improvement initiatives, and serves as the hospital's Infection Control Coordinator and MANDT Instructor. The DON is expected to lead by example and maintain the ability and willingness to perform direct patient care duties as a Registered Nurse when operational needs require.

The Director of Nursing plays a critical role in crisis response, emergency preparedness, staff development, regulatory readiness, and fostering a therapeutic environment that promotes safety, healing, and positive patient outcomes.

• Provide strategic direction and operational oversight for all nursing services.
• Supervise and support Charge Nurses, Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, and other nursing personnel.
• Ensure delivery of safe, effective, and patient-centered nursing care.
• Establish and maintain nursing standards, workflows, and clinical best practices.
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning and organizational leadership initiatives.
• Monitor nursing outcomes and implement quality improvement initiatives.

• Oversee nursing staffing plans to ensure adequate coverage and regulatory compliance.
• Participate in the creation and management of staff schedules.
• Fill staffing gaps and provide direct patient care when necessary.
• Recruit, interview, hire, onboard, and retain nursing staff.
• Conduct performance evaluations and competency assessments.
• Address employee relations matters, coaching, corrective action, and disciplinary processes.
• Develop succession planning and professional development opportunities within the department.

• Maintain compliance with Joint Commission standards, CMS requirements, state regulations, and hospital policies.
• Participate in risk management activities, investigations, and corrective action planning.
• Monitor and address patient safety concerns and adverse events.
• Lead nursing compliance audits and regulatory readiness efforts.
• Collaborate with leadership to develop and revise policies and procedures.
• Ensure proper documentation and adherence to nursing standards of practice.

• Serve as the hospital's Infection Control Coordinator.
• Develop, implement, and monitor infection prevention and control programs.
• Conduct surveillance, investigations, and reporting of infectious disease concerns.
• Provide staff education regarding infection prevention practices.
• Ensure compliance with state, federal, and accreditation requirements related to infection control.

• Maintain proficiency in verbal de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques.
• Respond to psychiatric emergencies and behavioral crises.
• Participate in physical interventions when clinically appropriate and required.
• Support a therapeutic milieu focused on safety, dignity, and trauma-informed care.
• Lead post-incident reviews and safety improvement initiatives.

• Serve as a certified MANDT Instructor and provide ongoing training.
• Develop and facilitate nursing education and competency programs.
• Mentor nursing leaders and staff.
• Promote evidence-based practices and professional growth.

• Develop and maintain relationships with pharmacies, laboratories, medical providers, and healthcare vendors.
• Assist with implementation and optimization of electronic health record systems and clinical technologies.
• Evaluate nursing equipment and clinical resources.
• Collaborate with vendors to improve operational efficiency and patient care outcomes.

• Participate in the Administrator-On-Call rotation.
• Respond to Emergencies within the nursing department.
• Respond to emergencies and operational issues outside of regular business hours.
• Support disaster preparedness planning and emergency management activities.
• Serve as a…