Director of Nursing - Hillcrest Health & Rehab

Location: Bellevue, NE
Service Line: Hillcrest Health & Rehab

Hillcrest Health & Rehab provides post-acute rehabilitation and skilled nursing services focused on helping patients recover, regain strength, and transition safely to the next level of care. Our nursing team plays a critical role in delivering high-quality clinical care while supporting patients and families throughout their stay.

As the Director of Nursing, you will be responsible for planning, organizing, developing, and directing the overall operations of the nursing department. You will oversee patient care from admission through discharge while ensuring nursing services remain compliant with federal, state, and local regulations and focused on the highest level of quality care.

What You'll Do

As the Director of Nursing, you will provide clinical and operational leadership for nursing services while supporting team performance, patient outcomes, regulatory readiness, and the overall quality of care.

You will:

• Plan, organize, develop, and direct the overall operations of the nursing department.
• Oversee nursing care for post-acute patients from admission through discharge.
• Ensure nursing services operate in accordance with current federal, state, and local regulations.
• Maintain a strong focus on quality, safety, and patient-centered care.
• Make daily rounds throughout the neighborhoods to ensure quality care is being delivered.
• Participate in neighborhood meetings on a regular basis.
• Follow up on patient and family concerns to ensure appropriate resolution.
• Identify process improvements to help prevent recurring concerns.
• Assist in determining departmental staffing needs.
• Evaluate nursing team performance and support accountability and development.
• Make recommendations to the Administrator regarding hiring, compensation adjustments, and terminations.
• Review and update nursing policies, procedures, and job descriptions according to best practice.
• Develop relationships with area hospitals and key healthcare partners.
• Work collaboratively to meet the needs of incoming patients and help reduce avoidable readmissions.
• Partner with Admissions to evaluate incoming patients and support timely placement.
• Assist with determining clinical admission criteria, equipment needs, and nursing-team education needs.
• Ensure nursing personnel maintain active and valid licensure.
• Assist with development and management of the nursing department budget.
• Coordinate pre-survey readiness activities and respond to survey outcomes.
• Participate in the on-call rotation and remain available for clinical emergencies as required.
• Work closely with administrative nurses and other leaders to maintain consistent nursing coverage and clinical support.
• Assist with additional clinical leadership responsibilities as assigned.

The role combines nursing leadership, quality oversight, staffing, admissions support, regulatory compliance, budget management, survey readiness, and relationship-building with healthcare partners.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for a nursing leader who can balance clinical excellence with strong operational leadership.

The right candidate will be visible, approachable, and comfortable leading in a fast-paced post-acute environment. You should be someone who sets clear expectations, supports your team, holds people accountable, and stays closely connected to what is happening at the bedside.

Ideal candidates will have:

• Strong leadership experience in skilled nursing, post-acute care, long-term care, rehabilitation, or a similar healthcare setting.
• A strong understanding of nursing operations and clinical standards.
• Experience leading nursing teams through changing priorities and complex patient needs.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state regulatory requirements.
• Experience with survey readiness, compliance, and corrective-action planning.
• Strong clinical judgment and the ability to make timely decisions.
• Experience with staffing, performance management, and team development.
• Ability to build accountability while maintaining a supportive and collaborative leadership style.
• Strong communication skills with patients, families, physicians, team members, and community partners.
• Experience partnering with admissions teams on clinical review and patient placement.
• An understanding of readmission reduction and care-transition strategies.
• Strong problem-solving and process-improvement skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced clinical environment.
• Strong organization, follow-through, and attention to detail.
• Comfort using technology and clinical systems to support nursing operations.

Education & Credentials

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing preferred.
• At least five years of experience in a skilled nursing setting preferred.
• At least three years of leadership experience as a Unit Manager, Assistant Director of Nursing, Director of Nursing, or similar nursing leadership role preferred.
• Must hold an active Registered Nurse license in Nebraska or a compact state.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association required.

Why Hillcrest?

The Director of Nursing has a direct impact on the experience of both patients and team members at Hillcrest Health & Rehab.

This role is not limited to managing from an office. You will be expected to stay connected to the neighborhoods, understand what patients and nursing teams are experiencing, and help remove barriers that can affect quality, safety, and outcomes.

You will also play a key role in shaping nursing operations-from staffing and team development to admissions, survey readiness, hospital relationships, and readmission reduction.

For an experienced nursing leader who enjoys building strong teams, improving processes, and maintaining high standards of clinical care, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact across the entire community.

What Hillcrest Offers

• Competitive compensation.
• Comprehensive benefits for eligible team members.
• Multiple health insurance plan options.
• Vision, dental, and life insurance.
• Professional development support, including tuition reimbursement, certifications, and career-growth programs.
• Dayforce Wallet, allowing you to choose when you get paid.
• Gym membership reimbursement and partner discounts.
• Supportive executive and operational leadership.
• Opportunity to lead and develop a dedicated nursing team.
• Opportunity to influence clinical quality, patient outcomes, and operational performance.
• Career-growth opportunities within a mission-driven senior care organization.

Physical & Other Requirements

• Must be able to speak, read, and write English.
• Must be able to independently lift up to 35 pounds.
• Must be able to perform repetitive sitting, bending, standing, walking, reaching, lifting, and movement as needed.
• Must be flexible and calm when working with patients, families, or team members during stressful situations.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced clinical environment with strong attention to detail.
• Must be able to utilize technology and available resources efficiently and effectively.
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases and bodily fluids.
• Must be available on a 24-hour basis for emergencies and participate in coordination of nursing on-call coverage.
• Other duties as assigned.

Ready to Lead Nursing With Purpose?

If you are an experienced Registered Nurse leader who is passionate about quality care, developing strong teams, and improving outcomes for post-acute patients, we invite you to apply for the Director of Nursing - Hillcrest Health & Rehab position.

Join Hillcrest Health & Living and help us continue inspiring people to live their best lives through strong nursing leadership, exceptional clinical care, and a commitment to quality.