Director of Nursing, Skilled Nursing

SOUTHERN INYO HEALTHCARE DISTRICT•Lone Pine, CA

2d•$156,000 - $183,414•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Nursing (DON) plans, organizes, directs, controls, and coordinates nursing and health services in the Southern Inyo Healthcare District’s 33-bed Skilled Nursing Facility in Lone Pine, California. The DON is the facility’s designated full-time Registered Nurse responsible for nursing services under federal and California requirements and directs the nursing leadership team, staff development and CNA training, MDS and care planning, infection prevention, medication safety, QAPI, and survey readiness. The position reports to the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) or CEO designee and partners with District departments, including Quality, Compliance, and Patient Financial Services. The DON is accountable for staffing, leadership, staff morale, resident and family satisfaction, quality, organization, and regulatory compliance. Responsibilities include overseeing clinical operations and resident care, workforce planning and development, budgets and resources, regulatory survey responses, and mandatory reporting. The DON exercises independent clinical and managerial judgment within District policy and delegated authority; significant resident-safety, compliance, privacy, and staffing concerns must be escalated promptly to the appropriate District leaders. The role is based at the Skilled Nursing Facility and administrative offices. Work may involve frequent interruptions, on-call availability, exposure to workplace and infectious hazards, and interactions with residents, families, visitors, agencies, and others. The position may require work beyond regular hours, on weekends and holidays, and temporarily in other positions as necessary. The stated annual salary range is $156,000–$183,414, based on verified years of nursing leadership experience and qualifications.

Requirements

Current, valid, unrestricted California Registered Nurse license in good standing throughout employment.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Eligible to serve as the designated full-time Director of Nursing under 42 CFR §483.35(b), California Health & Safety Code §1250(c), and Title 22 CCR §72103.
At least two years of experience in a skilled nursing facility nursing leadership role.
CPR/BLS certification upon hire or obtained during orientation and maintained throughout employment.
In-depth knowledge of healthcare legal policies and regulations, including 42 CFR Part 483, California Title 22, and Health and Safety Code staffing requirements.
Knowledge of nursing administration; geriatric and post-acute care; MDS and care planning; infection prevention; medication safety; budgeting; staffing; labor relations; employment law; QAPI; and survey readiness.
Ability to lead, motivate, and hold a nursing team accountable; make independent decisions and exercise sound judgment under pressure; and communicate effectively with physicians, residents, families, regulators, staff, and leaders.
Ability to collect, analyze, and manage data and use it to drive improvement; work independently and collaboratively; and manage multiple priorities in a small rural facility.
Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English and respond to common inquiries or complaints from residents, families, physicians, peers, and regulatory agencies.
Ability to lift, move, or transfer residents as necessary, including lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally, with greater loads possible using assistive devices or a team lift; ability to sit, stand, bend, lift, push, pull, stoop, walk, reach, and move intermittently during working hours.
Satisfactory completion of conditions of employment under HR-032, including required criminal background clearance, drug test, tuberculosis and other health clearances, physical exam, and satisfactory references.
Ability to meet applicable immunization and health-clearance requirements for long-term-care personnel.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or a related field.
Long-term-care or gerontological nursing certification, including Director of Nursing Services–Long Term Care (DNS-LTC) or similar.
Experience with regulatory surveys, plans of correction, and QAPI in a skilled nursing facility.
Experience as a Director of Staff Development or Infection Preventionist.
Experience in a rural or small-facility setting.
Bilingual English and Spanish communication skills.

Responsibilities

Maintain SNF operations guidelines by reviewing, writing, and updating policies and procedures; initiate, coordinate, and enforce operational and personnel policies.
Ensure compliance with state and federal requirements, investigate problems and concerns, and serve as the designated full-time Director of Nursing for this facility only.
Review and audit dietary, pharmacy, and resident medical records; document and communicate actions, irregularities, and continuing needs.
Attend and document SNF quality assurance and infection control meetings, lead nursing participation in QAPI, and review monthly clinical outcome indicators and direct improvement actions.
Oversee quarterly medical reviews and ensure physician orders, visits, and medication regimen reviews are completed and acted upon.
Develop and interpret infection-control policies and oversee infection prevention and antibiotic stewardship programs.
Enforce medication administration, storage, and controlled-substance procedures in partnership with the Pharmacist-in-Charge; coordinate patient-safety, infection-prevention, and sanitation compliance with EVS and Life Safety teams.
Ensure allegations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation are reported and investigated as required by law; promptly report resident-safety events as required by law and District policy.
Plan and post nursing staffing to meet direct-care hours, resident acuity, and regulatory requirements, and review Payroll-Based Journal data.
Participate in staff screening, interviewing, and selection; make or recommend hiring, discipline, promotion, and separation decisions in accordance with District policy.
Conduct annual staff evaluations and periodic reviews of job descriptions; develop and oversee the Director of Staff Development and support CNA certification and staff training programs.
Define, direct, and supervise the nursing leadership team, including the RN Clinical Care Coordinator, Charge Nurses, MDS Coordinator, Social Services, Activities Director, and Director of Staff Development.
Conduct regular SNF department meetings with facility leadership and ensure daily morning huddles are held and productive.
Coordinate resident care requirements and services with community agencies, physicians, families, residents, and other departments.
Supervise admissions, resident assessments, MDS, discharge planning, the activities program, and care plans for all SNF residents.
Ensure the RN Clinical Care Coordinator communicates regularly with the Medical Director about resident care, policy, and provider issues; direct dietary services jointly with the Dietary Manager and Consultant Dietitian on nutrition and weight concerns.
Participate in the annual nursing budget and monitor labor hours, overtime, agency use, supplies, and equipment against budget.
Partner with the District Quality Department on regulatory survey responses and plans of correction; ensure adherence to plans of correction.
Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, District privacy policies, the Compliance Program, Code of Conduct, and District policies; do not participate in or allow retaliation against good-faith reporters.
Complete compliance training and demonstrate professionalism, team-building, customer service, and a positive attitude toward residents, families, and coworkers.
Perform other duties reasonably related to the position, consistent with the incumbent’s license, qualifications, department needs, and CNO direction.