Director of Nursing - Sign on Bonus of $5,000!

KVC Health Systems•Kansas City, KS

About The Position

Director of Nursing (DON) Lead with purpose. Shape outcomes. Transform lives. At KVC, nursing leadership is more than oversight—it is influence, accountability, and the ability to create meaningful change in the lives of children, families, and communities. As Director of Nursing, you will serve as the highest level of nursing leadership on site, driving clinical excellence, regulatory compliance, and a culture grounded in compassion, collaboration, and innovation. We are proud to share our Indeed Work Wellbeing Score: 83, reflecting a strong culture where employees feel supported, valued, and empowered to do their best work. ---------------------------------------- POSITION SUMMARY The Director of Nursing (DON) is responsible for ensuring that all nursing care delivered on site is collaborative, compliant, and aligned with KVC’s mission. This role serves as the voice of nursing, a strategic partner to leadership, and a hands-on clinical leader who models excellence in psychiatric nursing care. You will influence everything from care delivery and staff development to process improvement and regulatory readiness—while fostering an environment where both patients and staff can thrive. ---------------------------------------- OUR VALUES IN ACTION KVC employees are expected to embody our core values: The heart of our work is helping people Our character is built on authenticity and compassion Family connection drives our culture Collaboration fuels improvement Urgency and innovation define our approach Diverse perspectives strengthen our progress You will be expected to lead by example—serving as a role model, focusing on solutions, and building on the strengths of those around you. ---------------------------------------- WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS This is not a traditional leadership role. It is an opportunity to influence systems, elevate care standards, and directly impact vulnerable populations. The decisions you make will shape patient outcomes, staff experiences, and the future of care delivery at KVC. If you are a strategic thinker, a clinical expert, and a leader who believes in accountability with compassion, this role offers both challenge and purpose.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (required)
Active Registered Nurse license in the state of Kansas (required)
Valid driver’s license and auto insurance (required)
Minimum of five years in a nursing management role (required)
At least two years of psychiatric nursing experience or equivalent training (required)
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
Experience with Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems

Nice To Haves

Master of Science in Nursing or related field (preferred), or active enrollment in a master’s program with an approved education plan
ANCC Psychiatric Nursing Certification (preferred)

Responsibilities

Serve as the Nursing Department Administrator and key liaison between nursing staff and executive leadership
Lead, mentor, and develop nursing leadership and staff
Drive a culture of respect, inclusion, and accountability
Partner with leadership to improve systems, workflows, and patient outcomes
Ensure adherence to evidence-based nursing practices and all regulatory standards (including The Joint Commission, CMS, and KDADS)
Oversee infection control practices and reporting
Maintain high standards for documentation, reporting, and clinical quality
Ensure consistency across programs and readiness for audits and surveys
Coordinate services with pharmacy, lab, radiology, and other ancillary providers
Oversee staffing, scheduling, and nursing assignments
Conduct performance evaluations and manage employee relations in partnership with HR
Lead and participate in key committees and administrative meetings
Support recruitment, retention, and engagement of nursing staff
Oversee training, onboarding, and continuing education
Foster a strengths-based, solution-focused environment
Model professionalism, ethical leadership, and fiscal responsibility
Ensure appropriate patient transfers in compliance with EMTALA/COBRA regulations
Review and evaluate clinical reports and outcomes
Provide direct clinical support as needed, including charge or unit responsibilities
Serve as on-call Site Administrator