Director of Nursing (DON) - Skilled Nursing & Rehab

Job description

We are a leading skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility committed to providing exceptional, individualized care for every resident. Our focus is on creating a supportive, home-like environment where residents receive the highest standard of clinical attention while maintaining dignity, comfort, and independence. With a culture rooted in collaboration, professionalism, and innovation, we strive to be a place where staff are empowered to grow, residents are treated as family, and quality outcomes are the standard, not the goal. This is a place where excellence in nursing meets compassion in practice, and where strong leadership shapes both the patient experience and the future of care delivery. We are looking for a Director of Nursing who is not just a leader but a hands-on clinical force within the facility. This is a role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced skilled nursing environment and is ready to take ownership of clinical operations while actively engaging with patients and staff alike. The ideal candidate has experience as a Clinical Manager, Assistant Director of Nursing, or in a comparable leadership role, and understands the demands and rewards of skilled nursing from the ground up. This is a chance to lead a team, influence patient care directly, and build a culture of clinical excellence and accountability. Key Responsibilities: Provide strong, hands-on leadership across all nursing operations, including short-term rehab, long-term care, and specialized clinical programs, ensuring exceptional resident outcomes. Actively participate in patient care, including assessments, care planning, interventions, and clinical decision-making, modeling best practices for the nursing team. Manage and mentor the nursing staff, fostering professional growth, accountability, and a culture of teamwork and excellence. Oversee staffing, scheduling, and resource allocation to ensure units are adequately staffed and clinical operations run efficiently. Implement, monitor, and enforce policies, procedures, and regulatory standards to maintain compliance with state and federal guidelines. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams—including therapy, social work, and dietary—to optimize resident care and enhance satisfaction. Monitor and analyze clinical performance metrics, identifying areas for improvement and driving initiatives that elevate quality, safety, and efficiency. Serve as a primary point of contact for families, addressing questions, concerns, and care planning discussions with professionalism and empathy. Lead quality assurance initiatives and continuous improvement projects to strengthen care standards and operational performance. Qualifications: Active and valid Registered Nurse (RN) license. Proven leadership experience in a skilled nursing setting, ideally as a Clinical Manager, Assistant Director of Nursing, or similar role. Demonstrated hands-on clinical ability, with a willingness to engage directly in patient care when needed. Strong strategic, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to oversee multiple units and programs simultaneously. In-depth knowledge of nursing standards, regulatory compliance, quality improvement processes, and patient safety initiatives. Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and leadership abilities, capable of motivating and guiding a diverse team of nursing professionals. Experience with staff development, performance management, and operational oversight, including budgeting and resource planning. Compensation: Competitive base salary: $100,000 – $110,000 per year, commensurate with experience. Opportunity to lead a thriving skilled nursing and rehabilitation operation, make a tangible impact on patient care, and cultivate a high-performing clinical team.