RN - Director of Nursing (DON)

Elderwood•Lancaster, NY

13d•Onsite

About The Position

Elderwood at Lancaster is seeking an experienced Registered Nurse to lead clinical operations, nursing practice, workforce development, and quality outcomes at its 96-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation community in Lancaster, New York. The Director of Nursing is a key member of the facility leadership team and a strategic partner to the Administrator, working closely with the Medical Director, pharmacy partners, rehabilitation, department leaders, and the interdisciplinary care team. Organizational clinical resources, including Clinical Nurse Consultants supporting the Chief Nursing Officer’s team, provide additional expertise and consultation. The DON is expected to be visible to residents and staff, involved in daily operations, and directly engaged in developing nursing leaders. The role oversees nursing operations across all shifts, clinical quality and resident outcomes, regulatory compliance and survey readiness, and nursing leadership development. Elderwood at Lancaster provides skilled nursing, long-term care, short-term rehabilitation, and memory care, with clinical programs that include cardiac, orthopedic, and post-surgical rehabilitation.

Requirements

Active New York State Registered Nurse license.
Minimum of two years of supervisory nursing leadership experience.
Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage change, and improve clinical or operational outcomes.
Strong knowledge of clinical operations, regulatory requirements, quality measures, and survey readiness.
Effective communication, organization, decision-making, and team-development skills.

Nice To Haves

Previous Director of Nursing or Assistant Director of Nursing experience.
Nursing leadership experience in skilled nursing or long-term care.
Bachelor’s degree in Nursing or Healthcare Administration.
Experience working with older adults or within a geriatric care environment.

Responsibilities

Direct nursing operations and clinical services across all shifts.
Lead nursing staffing, scheduling, onboarding, retention, and workforce planning.
Set expectations for nursing practice, communication, follow-through, and accountability.
Coach and develop nurse managers, supervisors, and clinical staff.
Build a nursing culture centered on resident safety, professional standards, teamwork, and dependable care.
Oversee assessment, care planning, documentation, and delivery of high-quality nursing care.
Monitor clinical performance, identify areas requiring intervention, and lead sustainable improvement efforts.
Strengthen coordination among nursing, medical providers, rehabilitation, pharmacy, and other disciplines.
Promote resident-centered care that protects dignity, choice, independence, and quality of life.
Ensure clinically significant changes are recognized, communicated, and addressed appropriately.
Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local requirements governing skilled nursing and long-term care.
Lead ongoing survey readiness and support development and execution of plans of correction when needed.
Participate in Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement initiatives.
Maintain systems supporting complete, accurate, and timely clinical documentation.
Use quality measures and operational information to guide priorities and improve outcomes.
Design and support nursing orientation, in-service education, and ongoing clinical training.
Evaluate the performance and development needs of nursing leaders and staff.
Partner with facility and organizational leadership on clinical priorities, workforce challenges, and improvement strategies.
Support the development of internal nursing talent and future clinical leaders.
May serve as Program Coordinator for the Nursing Assistant Training Program.