Director of Nursing

Position Summary :

The Director of Nursing (DON) provides strategic and operational leadership for the hospital’s nursing department, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care. The DON is responsible for overseeing all clinical and administrative nursing functions, regulatory compliance, quality improvement initiatives, and staff development. This role collaborates closely with the CEO, COO, Medical Director, and other leadership to align nursing operations with organizational goals, promote a culture of safety and excellence, and foster professional growth and succession planning within the nursing team. The DON serves as a visible and influential leader, modeling best practices and supporting interdisciplinary collaboration to achieve optimal patient outcomes.

Essential Functions :

Patient Care Oversight

Ensure patients’ medical needs are met, including arranging outside medical treatment when necessary, and communicating results to families, referral sources, and internal stakeholders.

Oversee medication administration in collaboration with the Medical Director, Pharmacist, and Risk Management to minimize errors; report incidents to PI / RM for inclusion in monthly reports.

Ensure all nursing documentation, including Restraint & Seclusion records, is accurate, complete, and submitted timely; oversee chart and documentation audits.

Regulatory Compliance & Quality Assurance

Ensure the nursing department operates in full compliance with hospital policies, state and federal regulations, and DNV accreditation requirements.

Actively participate in regulatory surveys and accreditation activities, assisting in the development of corrective action plans.

Implement and monitor accepted nursing practices throughout the hospital.

Lead quality improvement initiatives and track key performance indicators to guide clinical and operational decision-making.

Collaborate with department managers to ensure delivery of high-quality clinical programming and adherence to unit schedules.

Staff Development & Training

Communicate policy changes, nursing updates, and procedural modifications to all staff; provide training as needed.

Assess and address ongoing training needs for both clinical competencies and professional development; ensure timely documentation.

Coach and mentor nursing staff, fostering professional growth and engagement.

Develop programs to support succession planning and career advancement within the nursing department.

Participate in hospital-wide health, safety, and strategic initiatives.

Personnel & Human Resources Management

Supervise nursing staff, including hiring, onboarding, performance management, and disciplinary actions.

Maintain regular communication with HR and executive leadership regarding personnel concerns; ensure timely submission of required HR documentation.

Participate in the hospital orientation process and cultivate professional development opportunities for staff.

Strategic & Fiscal Leadership

Participate in hospital strategic planning and fiscal management, including staffing plans, resource allocation, and departmental budget oversight.

Partner with the CEO, COO, and leadership team to align nursing operations with organizational goals.

Leadership & Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Conduct routine leadership rounds to maintain visibility and engagement across the hospital; document findings as required.

Collaborate with physicians, allied health professionals, and department managers to ensure coordinated, high-quality patient care.

Support risk management initiatives and promote a culture of safety throughout the hospital.

Other Duties

Perform additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications :

Education : BSN required; Master’s degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration (MHA), or related field preferred.

Experience : 5–7 years of progressive nursing experience, including at least 2 years in psychiatric / behavioral health and 1 year in leadership / administration; Experience managing nursing operations, quality improvement initiatives, staff mentoring / coaching, and succession planning; Knowledge of behavioral health nursing practice, regulatory compliance, and accreditation standards; Experience leading interdisciplinary teams and collaborating with executive leadership; Budget and fiscal management experience in a healthcare setting.

Licensure & Certification : Current, unrestricted RN license in the State of Louisiana; American Heart Association BLS (AHA BLS) and Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification. Successful candidates without current certification must complete company-provided classes during orientation.

HIPAA : Access to all Protected Health Information (PHI) necessary to perform job functions. Responsible for maintaining patient confidentiality and adhering to all HIPAA regulations.

Competencies : Position and Age-Related

Skills & Abilities :

Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Ability to prepare and maintain records, write reports, analyze data, and make decisions in clinical and administrative contexts.

Ability to respond calmly and effectively in emergencies.

Knowledge of regulatory and accreditation requirements, including Louisiana nursing practice regulations.

Core Competencies :

Leadership & Influence : Inspire, coach, and mentor staff; foster a positive, professional culture.

Strategic Thinking : Align nursing operations with organizational goals; drive quality improvement.

Regulatory & Compliance Expertise : Ensure adherence to all applicable regulations and standards.

Clinical Excellence : Maintain high standards in patient care and safety protocols.

Communication & Collaboration : Work effectively across departments and leadership teams.

Critical Thinking & Decision-Making : Analyze situations and implement effective solutions.

Change Management : Lead staff through policy, procedural, or operational changes.

Professional Development : Support ongoing staff education, training, and succession planning.

Northlake Behavioral Health is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for all employment; free from discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, religion, associational preferences, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran.