Director of Clinical Operations
About The Position
The Director of Clinical Operations owns clinical performance across an assigned Illinois and Wisconsin market and reports directly to the Vice President of Operations as a key clinical partner. This field-based clinical leader uses performance data, site observations, and frontline insight to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement. The role leads Clinical Operations Nurses and directs coaching, intervention, and support across assigned sites, partnering with Regional Managers while reinforcing their accountability for overall site performance. The Director partners with Medical Directors to align clinical priorities and improvement plans, and works with Quality & Regulatory Compliance to strengthen frontline execution of clinical standards, QAPI action plans, survey corrective actions, and regulatory requirements. The position leads responses to QAPI findings, survey deficiencies, and audit results; develops clinical talent; and supports readiness and stabilization for new sites, transitions, and significant market changes. This role requires regular travel between assigned sites and markets, with an expectation of spending 3–4 days per week in the field. The Director also works alongside site teams for at least one clinical shift per month. The work environment is characteristic of a healthcare facility, with temperature control and moderate noise; exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials may occur.
Requirements
- Active, unrestricted Registered Nurse license in assigned state(s); multistate or compact licensure as required for the assigned market.
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- At least 5 years of dialysis nursing experience, including progressive leadership experience.
- Demonstrated experience leading and developing clinical teams across multiple sites or a geographically dispersed market.
- Demonstrated experience using clinical performance data to identify trends, address performance gaps, and drive improvement.
- Strong knowledge of CMS Conditions for Coverage, QAPI requirements, ESRD Network requirements, and applicable state and federal regulatory standards.
- Experience leading survey readiness, including participation in state surveys and implementation of plans of correction, as well as clinical audits and quality improvement.
- Valid, unencumbered driver’s license.
- Current CPR/BLS certification.
- Ability to perform light lifting of at least 25 pounds.
- Ability to provide mental, visual, and auditory attention to patients, customers, and staff.
Nice To Haves
- CNN or CDN certification.
- Clinical leadership experience within skilled nursing, post-acute, or nursing home dialysis settings.
- Experience supporting new site openings, clinical transitions, or performance turnarounds.
Responsibilities
- Own clinical performance across the assigned market, using clinical data, site observations, and frontline insight to identify trends, outliers, risks, and improvement opportunities.
- Partner with Regional Managers to prioritize sites needing increased attention, understand root causes, and develop coordinated improvement plans.
- Own relationships with Medical Directors across the market and align clinical priorities, performance trends, and improvement plans.
- Direct Clinical Operations Nurses to sites needing additional expertise, coaching, or intervention.
- Drive improvement in anemia management, adequacy, vascular access, infection prevention, and other performance measures.
- Monitor interventions, adjust support when performance does not improve, and escalate significant or systemic risks as appropriate.
- Provide the Vice President of Operations with actionable information about market performance, risks, priorities, and progress.
- Lead, coach, and develop Clinical Operations Nurses, setting clear expectations and accountability for support across assigned sites.
- Ensure Clinical Operations Nurses provide consistent hands-on coaching, intervention, and follow-through with Regional Managers and site teams.
- Build team capability to identify issues early, provide effective guidance, and drive sustained improvement.
- Work alongside site teams for at least one clinical shift per month to maintain current clinical practice and frontline connection.
- Partner with Quality & Regulatory Compliance to translate clinical and regulatory standards into consistent frontline practice.
- Lead clinical responses to QAPI findings, survey deficiencies, and audit results, ensuring corrective actions are implemented and sustained.
- Identify recurring knowledge or competency gaps and coordinate coaching, remediation, or formal training with Learning & Development.
- Support clinical readiness and stabilization for new sites, transitions, and significant market changes.
- Travel regularly between assigned sites and markets, with an expectation of spending 3–4 days per week in the field.
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Short- and long-term disability benefits
- 401(k) match of 50% up to 6% of salary
- Earned paid time off (PTO)
- Discounts through the Nectar recognition platform
- Employer-paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
