Director of Nursing and Therapeutic Services

Primary Purpose

The Director of Nursing and Clinical Services is responsible for planning, organizing, developing, and directing the overall operation of the Nursing and Clinical Departments across all organizational programs, including the Special Education School, Children’s Programs, Adult Services, Home-Based Therapeutic Services (HBTS), and Autism-specific programs.

This role ensures the delivery of high-quality, compliant, and person-centered nursing and clinical services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD/DD), including individuals with autism, in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws, regulations, licensing requirements, and professional standards of practice.

Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership & Program Oversight

• Provide leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for nursing and clinical services across:

  • Special Education School and school-based clinical services

  • Children’s programs

  • Adult residential and community-based programs

  • Home-Based Therapeutic Services (HBTS)

  • Autism-specific programs

• Ensure nursing and clinical practices reflect best practices in developmental disabilities nursing and autism-informed care.

• Oversee delivery of medical and nursing services for individuals with complex medical, behavioral, and developmental needs.

Regulatory Compliance & Documentation

• Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct nursing and clinical department operations in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, licensing requirements, and standards of practice.

• Supervise departments to ensure accurate, complete, and timely clinical documentation in accordance with regulatory, licensing, credentialing, funding, and payer requirements.

• Conduct regular audits and inspections of client medical records and clinical documentation to ensure compliance with Quality Improvement (QI) and Quality Assurance (QA) policies, as well as clinical, medical, and educational standards.

Quality Assurance & Improvement

• Develop, implement, and maintain an ongoing Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program for nursing and clinical services across all programs.

• Monitor clinical outcomes, identify trends and risks, and implement corrective and preventative actions to ensure continuous improvement and regulatory compliance.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Lead and participate in regular multidisciplinary team meetings to ensure individualized plans of care are developed, implemented, and followed.

• Collaborate with education staff, behavioral health providers, therapists, program leadership, families, and external healthcare providers.

• Communicate clinical concerns, risks, or changes in individual medical status in a timely and appropriate manner.

Staff Supervision & Development

• Supervise, monitor, and document nursing and clinical staff performance related to the delivery of medical and nursing services.

• Ensure staff practice within scope of licensure, certification, and competency, particularly within IDD/DD and autism-focused service models.

• Develop, plan, and participate in the delivery of in-service trainings, clinical education, and competency-based training programs.

Policies & Procedures

• Develop, maintain, and periodically review written policies and procedures governing daily nursing and clinical operations across all programs.

• Ensure policies reflect current best practices, regulatory requirements, and organizational standards.

Care Coordination

• Develop and maintain systems for coordination of nursing services with educational, behavioral, therapeutic, residential, and community-based services.

• Support clinical continuity of care and transitions between programs and service settings.

Surveys, Licensing & Inspections

• Participate in and lead preparation for surveys, audits, and inspections conducted by authorized government and regulatory agencies.

• Oversee corrective action planning and implementation related to survey findings.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and move throughout multiple program locations for extended periods of time.

• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and electronically.

• Ability to review, prepare, and maintain written and electronic documentation.

• Ability to observe clinical care and staff performance.

• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Ability to respond appropriately to emergency medical or behavioral situations.

• Visual and auditory ability sufficient to perform essential job functions.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in a variety of settings, including administrative offices, special education schools, residential programs, community-based locations, and home-based service environments.

• Position requires regular travel between program sites.

• Work environment includes exposure to individuals with complex medical, behavioral, and developmental needs.

• May involve exposure to communicable diseases and healthcare-related environmental factors.

• Occasional evenings or extended hours may be required.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Must possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the state of Rhode Island.

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN) or related healthcare field required.

• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience as a Registered Nurse, including at least five (5) years in a management, supervisory, or director-level role.

• Demonstrated experience in developmental disabilities (IDD/DD) nursing, including services for individuals with autism and complex medical needs.

• Experience providing and/or overseeing nursing and clinical services across special education, children’s programs, adult services, HBTS, and autism-specific programs.

• Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines pertaining to nursing care facilities, special education programs, residential services, and community-based care.

• Experience with quality assurance, quality improvement (QI/QA), and regulatory compliance.

• Demonstrated ability to supervise and evaluate nursing and clinical staff.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Proficiency with electronic health records (EHRs) and clinical documentation systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Nursing (MSN), Healthcare Administration, Public Health, or a related field.

• Experience overseeing nursing services in a special education school setting.

• Experience participating in state and federal surveys, audits, and inspections, including corrective action planning.

• Training or experience in autism-informed care, trauma-informed care, or positive behavior support models.

• Familiarity with Medicaid-funded services, waiver programs, and payer documentation requirements.

• Certification in nursing leadership, healthcare quality, or related specialty.

Salary : $90,000 - $110,000