Director of Nursing (DON)
Reports to: Vice President of Crisis Services
Director of Nursing (DON)
Position Summary
The Director of Nursing (DON) is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and strategic direction of nursing services for Alliance HealthCare's Adult Crisis Program and Child & Adolescent Wellness Campus. The DON ensures the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care while maintaining compliance with regulatory, accreditation, and organizational standards across both programs. This position provides oversight of nursing operations, staffing, quality improvement initiatives, clinical outcomes, employee engagement, and professional development of nursing personnel serving adult, child, and adolescent behavioral health populations.
The Director of Nursing serves as a key member of the leadership team and collaborates with medical staff, clinical leaders, and administrative departments to support organizational goals and ensure excellence in patient care across both the Adult Crisis Program and the Child & Adolescent Wellness Campus.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership and Operations
• Direct, supervise, and evaluate nursing services and nursing personnel across the Adult Crisis Program and Child & Adolescent Wellness Campus.
• Develop and implement nursing policies, procedures, and standards of practice.
• Ensure nursing services are delivered in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Participate in strategic planning and organizational decision-making processes.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a clinical resource and mentor to nursing leadership and staff.
Staffing and Workforce Development
• Oversee nursing recruitment, hiring, onboarding, retention, and succession planning efforts.
• Ensure adequate staffing levels to meet patient care needs and regulatory requirements across both programs.
• Monitor staff competencies and coordinate educational and professional development activities.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide coaching, counseling, and corrective action when necessary.
• Promote employee engagement and professional growth among nursing staff.
Quality and Regulatory Compliance
• Lead nursing quality improvement initiatives and monitor key performance indicators.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards, including CARF, CMS, Joint Commission, and state licensing requirements, as applicable.
• Oversee incident reporting, risk management activities, and corrective action plans.
• Analyze quality and patient outcome data to identify trends and implement improvement strategies.
• Participate in surveys, audits, and regulatory inspections.
Clinical Oversight
• Ensure the delivery of safe, effective, evidence-based nursing care across both the Adult Crisis Program and Child & Adolescent Wellness Campus.
• Collaborate with physicians, advanced practice providers, therapists, and interdisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes.
• Monitor medication management practices and nursing documentation for compliance and quality.
• Support the implementation of clinical programs, evidence-based practices, and service line expansion initiatives for adult and pediatric behavioral health services.
Financial Management
• Monitor labor utilization, productivity, and overtime expenses.
• Evaluate resource allocation and implement cost-effective strategies while maintaining quality care standards.
Supervisory Responsibilities
• Nurse Managers
• Charge Nurses
• Registered Nurses (RNs)
• Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
• Nursing Support Staff
• Other nursing leadership positions as assigned
Education Requirements
Required
• Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of employment.
Preferred
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or higher from an accredited nursing program.
Experience Requirements
Required
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive nursing leadership experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of management experience overseeing nursing operations and staff.
• Experience with regulatory compliance, quality improvement, and accreditation standards.
Preferred
• Experience in behavioral health, psychiatric, crisis stabilization, inpatient healthcare, or pediatric/adolescent behavioral health settings.
• Experience managing multi-unit or multi-site nursing operations.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Strong leadership and team-building skills.
• Knowledge of nursing practice standards, healthcare regulations, and accreditation requirements.
• Excellent communication, conflict resolution, and organizational skills.
• Ability to analyze clinical and operational data to support decision-making.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.
• Proficiency with electronic health records and healthcare management systems.
Physical Requirements
• Ability to perform essential job functions in a healthcare environment.
• Ability to stand, walk, sit, and move throughout the facility for extended periods.
• Ability to respond to emergencies and participate in crisis intervention as needed.
Working Conditions
• Healthcare and behavioral health environment.
• May require occasional evenings, weekends, holidays, and participation in an administrative on-call rotation.
• Exposure to potentially stressful situations requiring sound clinical judgment and leadership.
Position Statement:
Provide visionary nursing leadership for Alliance HealthCare's Adult Crisis Program and Child & Adolescent Wellness Campus by promoting clinical excellence, regulatory compliance, staff engagement, operational efficiency, interdisciplinary collaboration
