Interim Director of Nursing

Interim Director of Nursing (DON)

Position Summary:

The Interim Director of Nursing is responsible for providing leadership and clinical oversight of the nursing department while ensuring the delivery of safe, effective, compassionate, and regulatory-compliant resident care. This position provides temporary leadership and stability during the transition to a permanent Director of Nursing.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Direct and supervise the overall nursing department and nursing services.

Ensure residents receive quality care consistent with their individual care plans, physician orders, and facility policies.

Provide clinical leadership and support to nursing staff, including RNs, LPNs, CNAs, and other nursing personnel.

Monitor staffing levels, schedules, call-ins, and coverage to ensure adequate nursing services.

Assist with recruitment, orientation, training, education, and performance management of nursing staff.

Monitor medication management, treatments, physician orders, documentation, infection prevention, falls, wounds, and other clinical areas.

Ensure accurate and timely completion of nursing documentation and required assessments.

Participate in Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) activities and address identified clinical concerns.

Maintain compliance with federal and state regulations, including CMS and Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services requirements.

Respond appropriately to resident, family, physician, and staff concerns and ensure appropriate follow-up.

Collaborate with the Administrator, Medical Director, therapy, social services, dietary, activities, and other departments to promote quality resident outcomes.

Participate in surveys, audits, investigations, and corrective action plans as needed.

Monitor nursing practices and provide education and coaching when deficiencies or opportunities for improvement are identified.

Promote a positive, professional, team-oriented nursing environment.

Maintain appropriate communication with residents and families regarding care needs and changes in condition.

Serve as a clinical resource and provide support to the nursing staff during the interim leadership period.

Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Administrator.

Qualifications:

Current RN license in the State of Missouri.

Previous nursing leadership or supervisory experience in a skilled nursing/long-term care setting strongly preferred.

Knowledge of CMS, Missouri DHSS, and long-term care regulatory requirements.

Strong clinical assessment, communication, organizational, and leadership skills.

Ability to effectively manage staffing challenges and prioritize resident care needs.

Ability to work collaboratively with residents, families, physicians, staff, and facility leadership.

Must demonstrate professionalism, sound judgment, confidentiality, and a commitment to resident-centered care.