The Director of Nursing (DON) serves as a senior member of the treatment team for individuals with
substance use disorders and co-occurring conditions. This leadership role is responsible for directing all
nursing operations within the facility, ensuring clinical excellence, regulatory compliance, and effective
team-based care. The DON manages nursing staff, collaborates with interdisciplinary teams, and ensures
high standards of safety, infection control, and trauma-informed service delivery.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
• Provide day-to-day nursing leadership and foster a therapeutic milieu within the unit.
• Manage nursing staff schedules; ensure adequate shift coverage and provide direct coverage when
needed.
• Oversee compliance with federal, state, and accreditation standards (including Joint Commission
where applicable).
• Assess patient medical and behavioral health needs, including high-risk indicators, and document
assessments in the EMR.
• Lead interdisciplinary collaboration on care planning and ongoing treatment interventions.
• Oversee Medication Administration Record (MAR) reviews and reconciliation with pharmacy
records.
• Deliver direct nursing services including assessments, interventions, and discharge coordination.
• Serve as liaison between the facility, community providers, and family members for continuity of
care.
• Supervise and evaluate the competency of all nursing staff; coordinate training and performance
development.
• Monitor daily patient documentation for accuracy and compliance with policy and payer
requirements.
• Conduct internal audits and participate in quality improvement initiatives.
• Maintain licensure, certifications, and participate in ongoing professional development and
performance reviews.
• Execute other duties and projects as assigned
Qualifications and Competency Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
• Active Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of employment.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution.
Preferred Qualifications
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• At least 2 years of clinical experience in behavioral health, substance use disorder (SUD), or acute
psychiatric care settings.
• Leadership experience in a healthcare or behavioral health setting, including supervision of nursing
staff, performance management, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification, or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
Key Competencies
Medical & Nursing Practice
• Performs comprehensive nursing assessments and monitors high-risk medical indicators related to
substance use and withdrawal.
• Applies evidence-based nursing protocols in detoxification, medication administration, infection
control, and chronic care management.
• Ensures adherence to physician orders and facilitates safe, effective care transitions.
Regulatory Compliance
• Maintains expert knowledge of federal and state regulations governing behavioral health and SUD
care (e.g., HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, Joint Commission).
• Ensures nursing documentation, medication records, and care plans meet licensing and
accreditation standards.
• Actively participates in audits, incident reviews, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
Leadership & Supervision
• Effectively leads nursing teams, including supervision, coaching, conflict resolution, and staff
development.
• Coordinates staffing to maintain appropriate coverage, acuity-based care delivery, and continuity
across shifts.
• Provides direct oversight of nursing competency evaluations and performance reviews.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
• Serves as an engaged member of the treatment team, contributing medical insight to care planning
and discharge processes.
• Collaborates with physicians, therapists, case managers, and administrative staff to deliver
integrated, person-centered care.
• Liaises with outside medical providers and community agencies for continuity and coordination of
guest services.
Trauma-Informed & Recovery-Oriented Care
• Promotes a trauma-informed, empathetic, and respectful environment for guests and staff.
• Champions recovery-oriented practices, cultural humility, and non-stigmatizing care across all
nursing operations.
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• Responds to behavioral escalations with professionalism and compassion.
Operational Excellence
• Manages nursing workflows, medication systems, infection prevention, and medical supply
inventory.
• Implements systems for communication, handoffs, and critical incident response.
• Ensures readiness for emergency situations, including medical crises or patient elopement.
Professionalism & Integrity
• Maintains licensure, certifications, and participates in ongoing professional development.
• Demonstrates ethical leadership, personal accountability, and commitment to the organization's
mission.
• Upholds confidentiality, safety, and patient rights in all aspects of the role.
Work Conditions and Physical and Mental Requirements
Work Environment
• Indoor, climate-controlled behavioral health facility environment.
• May involve exposure to infectious diseases, bodily fluids, and guests experiencing acute behavioral
or medical crises.
• Requires compliance with infection prevention and control protocols, PPE use, and safety standards.
Physical Demands
• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, and use hands for typing, charting, or equipment
handling.
• Must be able to lift and move up to 10 lbs frequently and up to 50 lbs occasionally (e.g., medical
equipment, supplies).
• May be required to assist with guest positioning, emergency response, or physical interventions
using approved de-escalation techniques.
• Frequent use of electronic medical records (EMR) systems and standard office/clinical equipment.
Mental and Emotional Requirements
• Must remain calm, focused, and professional in high-pressure situations including guest escalations
or medical emergencies.
• Capable of managing emotionally intense or traumatic scenarios involving guests in recovery from
substance use and co-occurring disorders.
• Requires strong emotional resilience, sound judgment, and the ability to de-escalate conflict and
support staff under stress.
• Daily responsibilities involve multi-tasking, prioritization, and real-time decision-making in a
dynamic care environment.
Performance Expectations
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
functions.