Director of Nursing - Hospice

PACS

About The Position

General Purpose The Director of Nursing (DON) oversees all clinical operations of the hospice program, ensuring high‑quality, patient‑centered care that aligns with regulatory standards, organizational goals, and the hospice philosophy. This leader is responsible for clinical staff management, compliance, quality improvement, and the development of a supportive, compassionate care environment for patients and families. Essential Duties Clinical Leadership Provide strategic direction and oversight for all hospice clinical services, ensuring consistent delivery of high‑quality, evidence‑based care. Serve as the primary clinical resource for interdisciplinary team members, offering guidance on complex patient situations, symptom management, and care planning. Oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of individualized patient care plans. Regulatory Compliance & Quality Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including CMS Conditions of Participation and accreditation standards. Lead quality improvement initiatives, including audits, chart reviews, and performance metrics. Maintain and update clinical policies, procedures, and best practices to reflect current standards of care. Staff Management & Development Recruit, train, mentor, and evaluate clinical staff, including RNs, LPNs, CNAs, social workers, and other interdisciplinary team members. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and compassionate care. Coordinate staffing schedules to ensure adequate coverage and continuity of care. Operational Oversight Collaborate with executive leadership on budgeting, resource allocation, and strategic planning. Monitor clinical productivity, caseload distribution, and operational efficiency. Participate in organizational committees and contribute to program development and expansion. Patient & Family Support Promote a patient‑ and family‑centered approach, ensuring care aligns with the hospice philosophy of comfort, dignity, and emotional support. Address escalated concerns or complex care needs with professionalism and empathy. Support bereavement and family services as part of the interdisciplinary team. PACS is revolutionizing the delivery and leadership of post-acute healthcare and support services across the country. Originally founded in 2013, the organization now consists of hundreds of independent operating subsidiaries, as well as ancillary and support services. We bring a proven model of mission-driven care that balances access to a national network of support and resources with local decision making. In addition, PACS helps connect exceptional people with premier healthcare careers across the country. We focus on finding innovative and effective team members based on their qualifications, experience, geographic preferences, and personality fit with the existing facility staff and culture. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applicants of every race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, and any other protected characteristic. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.

Requirements

Current RN license in the state of practice.
Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN) is preferred.
Minimum 3–5 years of hospice or palliative care experience.
Minimum 2 years of leadership or supervisory experience in a clinical setting.
Strong knowledge of hospice regulations, CMS Conditions of Participation, and clinical best practices.
Strong leadership and team‑building skills.
Excellent clinical judgment and problem‑solving abilities.
Effective communication with patients, families, staff, and external partners.
High emotional intelligence and resilience in end‑of‑life care environments.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced, mission‑driven setting.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or related field.
CHPN or other hospice‑related certification.
Experience with EMR systems and quality improvement programs.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic direction and oversight for all hospice clinical services, ensuring consistent delivery of high‑quality, evidence‑based care.
Serve as the primary clinical resource for interdisciplinary team members, offering guidance on complex patient situations, symptom management, and care planning.
Oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of individualized patient care plans.
Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including CMS Conditions of Participation and accreditation standards.
Lead quality improvement initiatives, including audits, chart reviews, and performance metrics.
Maintain and update clinical policies, procedures, and best practices to reflect current standards of care.
Recruit, train, mentor, and evaluate clinical staff, including RNs, LPNs, CNAs, social workers, and other interdisciplinary team members.
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and compassionate care.
Coordinate staffing schedules to ensure adequate coverage and continuity of care.
Collaborate with executive leadership on budgeting, resource allocation, and strategic planning.
Monitor clinical productivity, caseload distribution, and operational efficiency.
Participate in organizational committees and contribute to program development and expansion.
Promote a patient‑ and family‑centered approach, ensuring care aligns with the hospice philosophy of comfort, dignity, and emotional support.
Address escalated concerns or complex care needs with professionalism and empathy.
Support bereavement and family services as part of the interdisciplinary team.