RN - Director of Nursing - Assisted Living

Elderwood • Buffalo, NY

8d • Onsite

About The Position

Elderwood Assisted Living at Cheektowaga is seeking a Registered Nurse to lead Resident Care Services and nursing operations for a 77-bed, New York State-certified Assisted Living Program. The Director of Nursing establishes clinical expectations, develops employees, oversees resident assessments and care delivery, maintains regulatory readiness, and partners with the Administrator to help residents remain safe, supported, and as independent as possible.

The role balances clinical oversight with respect for residents’ autonomy, routines, relationships, personal choices, dignity, and quality of life. Responsibilities span resident care, employee leadership, compliance, quality improvement, operations, and financial stewardship. The Director of Nursing also participates in the facility’s on-call program, including reporting onsite during off-hours when resident or operational needs require it.

Eligible Directors of Nursing may be considered for Widener University’s 12-week Director of Nursing Leadership Academy. The program includes flexible online coursework, leadership coaching, faculty mentorship, an immersive campus experience, and 30 continuing education units.

Requirements

• Current license and registration to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in New York State.
• At least two years of supervisory nursing experience.
• Ability to lead staffing, scheduling, training, employee development, and performance-management functions.
• Strong clinical-assessment, communication, organization, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency with electronic medical records, electronic communication, and standard computer applications.
• Ability to participate in the facility’s on-call program, including working onsite during off-hours when necessary.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English at the level necessary for safe care and effective workplace communication.

Nice To Haves

• Previous clinical or leadership experience in assisted living.
• UAS-PRI certification.
• Experience with geriatric care, aging in place, memory support, home care, or long-term care.
• Knowledge of New York Adult Home, Enriched Housing Program, Assisted Living Residence, Assisted Living Program, Enhanced Assisted Living Residence, and Special Needs Assisted Living Residence requirements.
• Experience with Department of Health surveys, regulatory readiness, quality improvement, or corrective-action planning.
• Budget-management and clinical-workflow experience.
• Experience in assisted living, home care, care management, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, or another geriatric setting.

Responsibilities

• Direct Resident Care Services and oversee the quality and consistency of care provided by nursing and resident-care employees.
• Evaluate prospective residents before admission and determine whether their needs can be safely and appropriately supported.
• Complete admission and readmission assessments; review medical and social histories, physician orders, hospital information, and transfer documentation.
• Conduct hospital assessments when necessary to support safe readmission decisions.
• Monitor resident status and ensure changes in condition are recognized, communicated, documented, and addressed.
• Coordinate care with healthcare providers, pharmacies, hospitals, families, and other care partners.
• Help residents and families understand care needs, available services, and changes to the resident’s plan.
• Promote resident rights, dignity, independence, preferences, and quality of life.
• Lead staffing, scheduling, training, performance management, and personnel functions for Resident Care Services.
• Establish expectations for nursing and resident-care employees and maintain a visible, accessible leadership presence.
• Coach employees, address performance concerns, and support orientation, competency development, continuing education, and regulatory training.
• Evaluate staffing patterns and adjust resources to reflect resident acuity and operational needs.
• Partner with Human Resources and recruitment teams on hiring, onboarding, retention, and employee development.
• Represent the Nursing Department in matters involving the New York State Department of Health and maintain working knowledge of applicable regulations.
• Ensure assessments, service plans, documentation, medication-management practices, and resident-care systems meet applicable requirements.
• Monitor quality indicators, incidents, hospital transfers, changes in condition, and other clinical trends; develop corrective actions and performance-improvement plans when needed.
• Maintain readiness for surveys, audits, and regulatory reviews.
• Support infection prevention, emergency preparedness, medication safety, and resident-safety initiatives.
• Develop and reinforce policies, procedures, and clinical workflows.
• Partner with the Administrator on community operations and strategic priorities.
• Prepare, manage, and monitor the Nursing Department budget; evaluate staffing costs, supplies, equipment, and other clinical-resource needs.
• Analyze workflows and improve systems affecting care delivery, documentation, communication, and employee efficiency.
• Balance resident-care priorities with responsible operational and financial decision-making.
• Participate in the facility’s on-call program, including reporting onsite during off-hours when resident or operational needs require it.

Benefits

• Eligible Directors of Nursing may be considered for Widener University’s 12-week Director of Nursing Leadership Academy, which includes leadership coaching, faculty mentorship, flexible online coursework, an immersive campus experience, and 30 continuing education units.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed