Regional Director of Nursing (RDON)

Elderwood•Buffalo, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Elderwood is seeking an experienced Regional Director of Nursing (RDON – RN) who can step confidently into skilled nursing communities, stabilize clinical operations, develop nursing leaders, and help teams move forward. This is a highly visible, facility-based leadership role for an accomplished Director of Nursing who enjoys variety, solves problems calmly, and knows how to earn the trust of a team. Reporting to the Chief Nursing Officer, you will primarily support Elderwood communities throughout Western New York, with occasional short-term assignments in Central New York, the Adirondacks, or other Elderwood regions when additional leadership support is needed. Assignments may include serving as an interim Director of Nursing, onboarding a newly hired DON, temporarily supporting another nursing leadership vacancy, or partnering with the Chief Nursing Officer on a focused clinical initiative. This role offers the opportunity to make an immediate impact by bringing structure, clinical leadership, and practical support to facilities during periods of transition. You will lead with senior-level support, work directly with the Chief Nursing Officer and facility leadership, and use the full range of your experience to influence clinical quality, staffing, survey readiness, education, compliance, resident care, and leadership development. You will also develop other nursing leaders by helping newly hired DONs build confidence, understand expectations, and establish strong clinical systems. The role provides meaningful variety through different facilities, teams, and clinical priorities, while remaining primarily based in Western New York. It also offers the chance to grow organizational influence by contributing ideas, best practices, and special-project support across the Elderwood network.

Requirements

Current and active Registered Professional Nurse license in the state where the assignment is performed.
At least two years of supervisory nursing experience.
Nursing leadership experience appropriate to the size, complexity, and responsibilities of the assigned facility.
Ability to step into unfamiliar operations, establish priorities, and lead effectively during periods of transition.
Strong knowledge of skilled nursing operations, resident care standards, clinical documentation, staffing, and regulatory compliance.
High-level leadership, decision-making, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to supervise nursing employees effectively and maintain high standards of care.
Maturity, diplomacy, professional discretion, and the ability to build trust across different teams and facilities.
Willingness and ability to travel throughout Western New York and periodically provide short-term coverage in other regions.
Ability to read, write, speak, and understand the English language at an intermediate or more advanced level.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in nursing or administration.
Geriatric or long-term care nursing training.
Previous Director of Nursing experience in a skilled nursing or residential healthcare facility.
Experience onboarding nursing leaders, supporting facilities in transition, or leading clinical-improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

Provide Interim and Regional Leadership: Step into vacant Director of Nursing positions on a short-term basis and provide consistent leadership until a permanent replacement is hired.
Orient, train, and support newly hired Directors of Nursing as they transition into their roles.
Temporarily support ADON, Unit Manager, Educator, or other nursing leadership functions when operational needs require it.
Assist the Chief Nursing Officer with special projects and targeted clinical initiatives at designated facilities.
Build productive relationships quickly with Administrators, nursing leaders, frontline employees, residents, families, providers, and consultants.
Strengthen Clinical Operations: Assess nursing operations, identify priorities, and establish clear, practical plans for improvement.
Promote high standards of resident care and compliance with applicable state and federal requirements.
Monitor resident assessments, care planning, clinical documentation, quality indicators, audits, and follow-up activities.
Conduct rounds to evaluate clinical practices, unit management, resident outcomes, and employee performance.
Support Medicare determinations, MDS processes, PRI documentation, admissions, transfers, and discharges.
Partner with Medical Directors, attending physicians, pharmacy consultants, rehabilitation providers, and interdisciplinary teams to coordinate resident care.
Address resident and family concerns promptly, professionally, and respectfully.
Protect resident rights, preferences, dignity, safety, and quality of life.
Build and Support Nursing Teams: Evaluate staffing practices and help facilities maintain effective nursing coverage.
Coach nursing leaders on employee performance, accountability, communication, and team development.
Support recruitment, orientation, education, performance management, and retention efforts.
Develop or strengthen clinical training and in-service education programs.
Interpret clinical standards, policies, and regulatory expectations for nursing employees.
Encourage employee participation, recognize strong performance, and promote a culture of professionalism and service.
Drive Quality and Readiness: Participate in quality assurance, quality assessment, safety, admissions, care-planning, and education committees as needed.
Identify gaps through audits, observations, and clinical data, then ensure corrective actions are implemented and sustained.
Support survey readiness and serve as a nursing representative in matters involving the Department of Health.
Help facilities improve care quality, employee effectiveness, clinical systems, and resident satisfaction.
Prepare required clinical, operational, and leadership reports for facility and corporate leadership.