Director of Nursing

Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community • Asheville, NC

4d

About The Position

Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community is seeking an experienced, collaborative Director of Nursing to lead nursing services and support safe, compassionate, resident-centered care. Reporting to the Vice President of Health Services, the DON provides leadership and oversight of daily nursing operations, clinical outcomes, staffing, regulatory compliance, employee development, and quality improvement. The role develops nursing leaders, builds effective systems, and ensures the nursing team has the resources, accountability, and support needed to provide exceptional care.

The Director of Nursing works closely with Nursing Administration, medical providers, interdisciplinary teams, residents, families, and organizational leaders to promote resident dignity, independence, safety, and quality of life. The position also partners with the VP of Health Services on departmental budgets and resources, and contributes to the development of future care delivery and staffing models.

Requirements

• Current, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license in North Carolina.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
• Demonstrated nursing leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of CMS requirements, federal and state regulations, resident rights, clinical standards, and quality improvement practices.
• Experience with nursing operations, staffing, employee supervision, performance management, and clinical risk management.
• Ability to analyze clinical and operational data, identify trends, and implement measurable improvement plans.
• Strong communication, organizational, decision-making, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining focus on resident care, compliance, team effectiveness, and operational performance.

Nice To Haves

• Nursing leadership experience in skilled nursing, long-term care, or a continuing care retirement community (CCRC)/Life Plan Community.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee daily nursing operations and clinical care.
• Ensure nursing practices, assessments, care plans, documentation, and interventions meet resident needs and applicable standards.
• Lead, mentor, and develop nursing leaders and staff, promoting accountability, professional growth, teamwork, and succession planning.
• Oversee nursing staffing, scheduling, attendance, overtime, and workforce planning based on resident acuity, census, regulatory requirements, and operational needs.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, retention, engagement, competency, and performance management within nursing.
• Maintain compliance with CMS requirements, federal and North Carolina regulations, licensure standards, resident rights, and organizational policies.
• Maintain survey readiness and oversee follow-up related to clinical incidents, regulatory findings, resident concerns, and identified risks.
• Lead nursing participation in Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI), using data and root cause analysis to improve clinical outcomes and prevent recurring issues.
• Monitor key clinical indicators, including falls, wounds, infections, weight changes, hospital transfers, and medication-related concerns.
• Promote timely, compassionate communication with residents and families and ensure concerns are addressed and resolved.
• Collaborate with medical providers, Pharmacy, Therapy, Dietary, Social Work, Activities, Infection Prevention, and other disciplines to support coordinated care.
• Partner with the VP of Health Services in managing nursing budgets, staffing costs, overtime, supplies, and other departmental resources.
• Evaluate workflows, technology, and clinical processes to improve efficiency, communication, consistency, and care quality.
• Anticipate emerging clinical and workforce needs and contribute to future care delivery and staffing models.
• Develop nursing leaders and empower them to manage daily operations effectively.
• Build reliable systems with clear expectations, accountability, and consistent follow-through.
• Use data to guide decisions about clinical quality, staffing, operations, and financial performance.
• Identify risks proactively and address root causes before concerns recur.
• Develop people and culture through coaching, recognition, accountability, fairness, and professional growth.
• Promote interdisciplinary collaboration while centering resident needs.
• Embrace improvement and innovation while maintaining resident safety, dignity, and quality of life.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director