Director of Nursing (DON) - Assisted Living

Heritage Grove Estates - The Terraces | Topeka, Kansas
Assisted Living | Clinical Leadership

We are seeking an experienced and compassionate Director of Nursing (DON) to lead the clinical operations of our Assisted Living community. This position is ideal for a nurse leader who enjoys developing strong teams, building relationships with residents and families, and maintaining high standards of care.
• Key leadership position within our Assisted Living community
• Partner directly with the Administrator and facility leadership
• Lead and develop Nurses, Medication Aides, and CNAs
• Build meaningful relationships with residents and families
• Opportunity to strengthen clinical systems and resident outcomes
• Meaningful work where you can make a direct impact
Position Overview

The Director of Nursing (DON) is responsible for the overall leadership and oversight of clinical services at The Terraces.

The DON leads the nursing and resident-care team while ensuring residents receive appropriate services based on their individual needs, preferences, and level of care.

This position oversees resident assessments, service planning, medication management, changes in condition, clinical documentation, staff development, scheduling, quality improvement, and regulatory compliance.

The DON works closely with the Administrator, Nurses, Medication Aides, CNAs, providers, pharmacies, residents, families, and other departments to maintain a safe, resident-centered Assisted Living environment.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Leadership & Nursing Operations

• Provide leadership and oversight of nursing and resident-care services
• Maintain a visible presence throughout the community and regularly round with residents and staff
• Establish clear expectations for quality, accountability, communication, and resident-centered care
• Provide clinical guidance to Nurses, Medication Aides, CNAs, and other care team members
• Ensure resident-care needs are appropriately communicated and addressed
• Monitor clinical operations and identify opportunities for improvement
• Respond to significant clinical concerns and resident-care needs
• Partner with the Administrator regarding clinical operations and community priorities

Resident Assessments & Service Planning

• Oversee resident assessments and ongoing evaluation of resident needs
• Ensure individualized service plans accurately reflect resident needs, preferences, abilities, and identified risks
• Review residents following significant changes in condition
• Ensure service plans are updated as resident needs change
• Coordinate with residents, families, providers, and staff regarding changes in services
• Monitor whether the community can safely and appropriately meet each resident's needs
• Support admission and transition processes from a clinical perspective
• Help ensure appropriate continuity of care when residents return from hospitals or other healthcare settings

Medication Management & Clinical Oversight

• Oversee medication-management practices throughout the community
• Promote accurate and timely implementation of provider orders
• Monitor medication administration practices and documentation
• Provide clinical oversight and support to Medication Aides
• Review medication errors, omissions, refusals, and other medication-related concerns
• Coordinate with providers and pharmacy partners regarding medication needs
• Ensure medications are appropriately stored, secured, and managed
• Identify trends or concerns and implement corrective actions when necessary

Changes in Condition & Care Coordination

• Ensure changes in resident condition are identified, documented, and communicated promptly
• Provide clinical guidance when residents experience changes in physical, cognitive, behavioral, or emotional condition
• Ensure providers and resident representatives are notified appropriately
• Coordinate follow-up after emergency department visits, hospitalizations, or other transitions of care
• Review new and changed provider orders and ensure timely implementation
• Monitor residents with increased clinical needs or identified risks
• Promote effective communication between shifts and members of the care team
• Help reduce avoidable resident-care concerns through early identification and intervention

Nursing Team Leadership & Development

• Participate in recruiting, interviewing, selecting, and onboarding nursing and resident-care employees
• Orient and support new Nurses, Medication Aides, and CNAs
• Provide ongoing coaching, education, and performance feedback
• Ensure employees maintain required licenses, certifications, and competencies
• Monitor employee performance and address concerns in partnership with the Administrator and Human Resources
• Promote accountability, teamwork, professionalism, and effective communication
• Identify opportunities to develop and retain strong clinical team members
• Support employee recognition and engagement initiatives

Staffing & Scheduling

• Oversee nursing and resident-care staffing to support community needs
• Review schedules and ensure appropriate coverage
• Respond to staffing shortages, call-ins, and changing resident needs
• Partner with facility leadership and Human Resources on recruitment needs
• Monitor overtime and staffing utilization
• Promote effective use of facility employees and responsible staffing practices
• Assist with direct clinical coverage when necessary and appropriate
• Maintain appropriate leadership availability for significant clinical concerns and emergencies

Quality & Resident Outcomes

• Monitor resident-care trends and clinical outcomes
• Review falls, medication concerns, infections, hospital transfers, incidents, and other clinical events
• Identify patterns and opportunities for improvement
• Participate in quality-improvement initiatives
• Complete or oversee clinical audits and follow-up
• Develop corrective action when identified concerns require improvement
• Promote proactive resident monitoring and early intervention
• Work collaboratively with leadership to continuously improve resident experience and outcomes

Regulatory Compliance & Survey Readiness

• Ensure nursing and resident-care services operate in accordance with applicable Kansas Assisted Living requirements and facility policies
• Maintain ongoing readiness for regulatory surveys and inspections
• Monitor clinical documentation for completeness, accuracy, and timeliness
• Participate in facility audits and compliance reviews
• Develop and implement corrective actions when deficiencies are identified
• Ensure appropriate follow-through on clinical compliance concerns
• Maintain required nursing records and documentation
• Participate in survey processes and plans of correction as assigned

Infection Prevention & Resident Safety

• Promote appropriate infection-prevention and control practices
• Monitor residents for signs and symptoms of infection
• Ensure appropriate precautions and infection-control practices are followed
• Support staff education regarding infection prevention, hand hygiene, and PPE
• Monitor resident safety concerns and implement appropriate interventions
• Review falls, injuries, incidents, and other resident-safety events
• Participate in emergency preparedness and facility emergency procedures
• Promote a safe environment for residents, employees, and visitors

Resident & Family Relations

• Build strong and professional relationships with residents and families
• Maintain visibility and accessibility as a member of the community leadership team
• Respond promptly to clinical questions, concerns, and complaints
• Communicate significant changes in resident condition appropriately
• Participate in resident and family meetings as needed
• Follow up on concerns to ensure appropriate resolution
• Promote open communication and trust between residents, families, and the care team
• Maintain resident privacy, dignity, confidentiality, and choice

Resident Rights & Person-Centered Care

• Promote resident independence and the least restrictive approach to care
• Ensure residents are treated with dignity, compassion, and respect
• Support individual preferences, routines, choices, and personal decisions
• Advocate for resident needs and quality of life
• Ensure concerns regarding abuse, neglect, exploitation, or resident safety are immediately reported and addressed according to applicable requirements and facility procedures
• Promote a culture where residents feel safe, respected, heard, and cared for

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Partner closely with the Administrator and other department leaders
• Coordinate with physicians, advanced practice providers, pharmacies, therapy providers, home health, hospice, and other outside healthcare partners as appropriate
• Participate in leadership and resident-care meetings
• Communicate clinical priorities and concerns to appropriate leadership
• Collaborate with Dietary, Activities, Environmental Services, Maintenance, and other departments to support resident needs
• Promote effective communication throughout the community

Qualifications

• Active Kansas nursing license in good standing
• Registered Nurse (RN) preferred
• Previous nursing leadership experience strongly preferred
• Assisted Living, senior living, long-term care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, or related healthcare experience preferred
• Strong clinical assessment and decision-making skills
• Knowledge of medication management and resident-care practices
• Ability to recognize and appropriately respond to changes in resident condition
• Strong leadership, coaching, and employee-development skills
• Strong documentation, organization, and communication skills
• Ability to effectively communicate with residents, families, providers, employees, and leadership
• Ability to manage multiple clinical and operational priorities
• Commitment to resident independence, dignity, safety, and quality of life

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Health, dental, and vision insurance for eligible employees
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Care Cash Program
• Employee Referral Bonus Program
• Leadership and professional development opportunities
• Supportive and collaborative leadership environment
• Opportunities for continued career advancement

Grow With Us

The Director of Nursing is a key member of The Terraces leadership team and has the opportunity to directly influence resident outcomes, employee development, clinical systems, regulatory compliance, and the overall resident experience.

We are looking for a leader who takes ownership of clinical operations, develops strong employees, communicates effectively with families, and creates systems that allow residents to remain as independent as possible while receiving the support they need.
Apply Today

If you are an experienced nurse leader who is passionate about senior living, developing strong teams, and providing resident-centered care, we encourage you to apply.

Join The Terraces at Heritage Grove Estates and help us make every resident feel cared for.
Physical Requirements

• Ability to regularly stand, walk, bend, reach, push, and pull throughout the workday
• Ability to perform nursing assessments and clinical responsibilities
• Ability to assist with resident-care needs when appropriate
• Ability to respond promptly to resident emergencies and clinical concerns
• Ability to safely operate applicable clinical and resident-care equipment
• Ability to move throughout the community regularly to provide clinical oversight and leadership
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation