Director of Nursing (DON) (SACRAMENTO)

Northern California Behavioral Health System•Sacramento, CA

4h•$150,000 - $200,000

About The Position

The Director of Nursing provides executive leadership for all inpatient and outpatient behavioral health nursing services, ensuring exceptional patient care, regulatory excellence, a thriving workforce, and a culture grounded in safety, compassion, and accountability. This role shapes clinical strategy, drives operational performance, and fosters an environment where patients, families, and employees feel valued and supported. The DON organizes and administers nursing services to achieve the facility’s mission and objectives as established by the governing authority.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
Master’s degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Psychiatric/Mental Health, or related field (Doctorate preferred).
Five (5) years of prior experience in patient care services preferred; 7–10+ years of progressive nursing leadership experience in behavioral health or acute psychiatric settings strongly preferred.
Demonstrated success in regulatory compliance, staff engagement, and operational leadership.
Current and in good-standing, California Registered Nurse (RN) license.
Current BLS certification.
Current Handle with Care (HWC) certification (or obtained during orientation).
Maintains strict patient confidentiality.
Sensitivity and ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate across disciplines.
Demonstrated leadership, influence, and motivational abilities.
Strong judgment, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast‑paced, expanding organization.

Responsibilities

Champion a patient‑centered, trauma‑informed model of care that prioritizes dignity, therapeutic engagement, and recovery.
Organize programs, policies, and procedures to assess and meet the needs of patients across inpatient psychiatric services, outpatient clinics, and transitional programs.
Plan, supervise, and coordinate care delivered by RNs, LVNs, LPTs, and mental health workers.
Ensure clear, concise, and current clinical policies and procedures that minimize risk and support high‑quality care.
Monitor patient experience metrics and lead improvement initiatives that elevate communication, responsiveness, and therapeutic outcomes.
Facilitate patient access to the appropriate level of care and setting.
Ensure full compliance with all federal, state, and accreditation standards (e.g., CMS, Joint Commission).
Implement and annually review standards of nursing practice in behavioral healthcare.
Lead continuous quality improvement efforts, including audits, dashboards, and corrective action plans.
Oversee documentation standards and evidence‑based practice adoption to maintain high reliability.
Perform all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/healthcare errors.
Serve as executive sponsor for safety initiatives, including workplace violence prevention, de‑escalation training, and safe staffing practices.
Ensure adherence to incident reporting and root cause analysis processes.
Collaborate with facility leaders on organization‑wide performance improvement activities.
Build a culture where staff feel respected, supported, and empowered to deliver exceptional care.
Lead recruitment, retention, and workforce development strategies, including mentorship and competency programs.
Promote shared governance and frontline involvement in decision‑making.
Recognize and celebrate staff contributions through structured appreciation and transparent communication.
Recommend personnel policy modifications to ensure reasonable hours, safe working conditions, and adequate staffing coverage.
Provide strategic leadership for nursing operations, aligning clinical priorities with organizational goals and financial stewardship.
Plan and assign staffing ratios based on patient needs, acuity, staff competency, and regulatory requirements.
Develop and manage nursing budgets, staffing models, and resource allocation.
Participate with the Governing Body, Management, Medical Staff, and Clinical Leaders in organizational decision‑making.
Collaborate with the Vice President of Finance and service managers on budget planning for staffing, supplies, and equipment.
Ensure cost controls to maximize effectiveness of departmental budgets.
Recommend new facilities, equipment, or modifications needed to support patient care.
Maintain strong relationships with executive peers, physicians, community partners, and regulatory bodies.
Lead change management efforts that support innovation, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
Uphold the organization’s ethics and customer service standards.