Director of Nurses
About The Position
The Director of Nurses serves as the Regional Director of Nursing for Public Health Region 11 under the supervision of the Regional Medical Director. This role provides highly advanced nursing and administrative leadership for regional public health nursing services, staff, and clinical operations. The Director plans, develops, implements, evaluates, and continuously improves nursing programs and services to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care aligned with agency priorities, regional objectives, and community health needs. The position provides administrative and clinical leadership for the Public Health Nursing Program, Immunization Program and vaccine clinics, Tuberculosis & Hansen's Disease Program, and other nursing personnel in regional public health programs. The Director collaborates with program managers and regional leadership to integrate nursing services across communicable disease, immunization, health education, occupational health, and other areas; provides clinical consultation to nursing staff; and coordinates with state nursing and occupational health leadership to promote consistent practices, workforce development, clinical quality, and alignment with applicable standards. The Director oversees regional nursing practice, clinical competency assessment, nursing policies, Standard Delegation Order implementation, quality assurance, professional development, regulatory compliance, and performance improvement. The role also supports strategic planning, program evaluation, emergency preparedness, and collaboration with healthcare providers, local health departments, community organizations, and other stakeholders. The position works under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for initiative and independent judgment. Safe operation of a state-owned or personal vehicle for state business is required, along with maintaining an acceptable driving record. The position is based in Harlingen, Texas, is not eligible for telework, and involves travel up to 25%. Emergency response duties may require work outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, alternate schedules, and deployment to alternate work locations.
Requirements
- Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Texas or a state recognizing reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact; license must be in good standing with the Texas Board of Nursing.
- RN license with a BSN or ADN is required.
- Current Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers certification from an approved source.
- At least 3 years of direct management experience supervising nursing staff, nursing supervisors, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams, with progressively increasing leadership responsibilities.
- Documented experience with quality assurance, quality improvement, program evaluation, and regulatory compliance activities.
- Documented experience developing, implementing, and evaluating nursing policies, procedures, protocols, clinical standards, and medical orders.
- Valid Class C Texas driver's license or equivalent license from another state; must maintain an acceptable driving record and safely operate a state-owned or personal vehicle for state business.
- Ability to travel throughout the region to support program operations.
- Ability to lead and manage multiple public health nursing programs and initiatives; establish goals and priorities; direct and evaluate staff; interpret and apply laws, policies, and nursing standards; analyze complex issues; communicate effectively; develop policies and protocols; maintain professional working relationships; and respond effectively during emergencies.
- Knowledge of public health nursing, population health, nursing leadership, public health laws and standards, epidemiology, surveillance, infection control, case management, tuberculosis, Hansen's disease, immunization, quality improvement, Standard Delegation Orders, and emergency preparedness.
- Skills in leadership, staff development, strategic planning, program management, clinical consultation and decision-making, policy development, quality improvement, data analysis, communication, public speaking, and presentations.
Nice To Haves
- MSN, MPH, MBA, MHA, or nursing administrative certificates.
- Experience managing or overseeing public health, healthcare, or nursing programs and program performance.
- Experience in budget or finance planning and resource allocation.
- Experience in public health nursing, communicable disease control, immunization programs, tuberculosis programs, or population health initiatives.
Responsibilities
- Oversee regional Public Health Nursing, Immunization (Vaccine Clinics), and Tuberculosis & Hansen's Disease Program operations and ensure quality, evidence-based services.
- Implement and monitor program policies, procedures, standards, guidelines, and performance measures.
- Oversee tuberculosis prevention and control services, including cohort reviews, surveillance, audits, and case management oversight.
- Direct quality assurance and quality improvement activities, including clinical record reviews, audits, corrective action plans, and follow-up.
- Analyze program performance data and implement evidence-based improvements to clinical, operational, and public health outcomes.
- Oversee development and annual review of program work plans and monitor progress toward goals and objectives.
- Coordinate nursing services with communicable disease, immunization, health education, occupational health, epidemiology, and other public health programs.
- Review and approve program reports, performance measures, work plans, and other documents before submission.
- Serve as a liaison and resource for state program staff, local health departments, healthcare providers, community partners, and other stakeholders.
- Represent regional nursing programs in meetings, workgroups, case reviews, strategic planning, and public health response activities.
- Ensure compliance with Class D Pharmacy license requirements and applicable agency policies and procedures.
- Lead, manage, and directly supervise assigned nursing supervisory and professional staff, including Tuberculosis & Hansen's Disease Program nursing personnel.
- Plan, assign, review, and evaluate direct reports’ work and conduct personnel management activities, including recruitment, onboarding, performance evaluations, recognition, corrective and disciplinary actions, leave management, and travel approvals.
- Establish regional nursing practice standards and collaborate with the Regional Medical Director on Standard Delegation Orders.
- Oversee development, implementation, and evaluation of nursing protocols, clinical procedures, and practice guidelines.
- Provide clinical consultation, guidance, and technical assistance to nursing staff and serve as a regional public health nursing subject matter expert.
- Ensure staff orientation, competency assessment, continuing education, workforce development, and professional growth opportunities.
- Assess workforce needs and develop recruitment, retention, succession planning, and staff engagement strategies.
- Mentor, coach, and provide performance feedback to supervisory and professional nursing staff; promote consistent nursing practice and a culture of accountability and continuous learning.
- Coordinate program resources and support achievement of regional, state, and federal goals and measures.
- Participate in budget planning and fiscal management; monitor expenditures and resource use and recommend funding, staffing, equipment, and operational priorities.
- Oversee nursing-related budgets, contracts, agreements, and deliverables for compliance with agency requirements.
- Prepare and submit briefing documents, reports, presentations, performance measures, and other administrative reports.
- Use programmatic and operational data to identify trends, evaluate performance, and inform strategic decisions.
- Support statewide nursing initiatives, regional public health priorities, and development of regional goals and performance measures.
- Maintain compliance with agency policies, laws, regulations, professional licensure, continuing education, occupational health, immunization, confidentiality, and vehicle operation requirements.
- Attend work on a regular and predictable schedule, maintain professional accountability, and perform other duties as assigned.
- Participate in emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and Continuity of Operations activities; serve in a leadership or support role in the Incident Command System.
- Provide nursing leadership, clinical consultation, and operational guidance during emergencies; participate in drills, training, exercises, and after-action improvement activities.
- Maintain required emergency response training and certifications, including applicable NIMS and ICS courses.
- Travel throughout the region to support program operations and participate in special projects, committees, workgroups, and regional assignments.
Benefits
- Insurance coverage and other benefits through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by ERS.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
Associate degree
