Director of Nursing

Job description

Director of Nursing (DON) – Assisted Living

Heritage Grove Estates – The Terraces | Topeka, Kansas Assisted Living | Clinical Leadership Why Join The Terraces?

At The Terraces at Heritage Grove Estates, our goal is to provide residents with the clinical support they need while preserving their independence, dignity, choice, and quality of life.

We are seeking an experienced and compassionate Director of Nursing (DON) to lead the clinical operations of our Assisted Living community. This position is ideal for a nurse leader who enjoys developing strong teams, building relationships with residents and families, and maintaining high standards of care.

Key leadership position within our Assisted Living community

Partner directly with the Administrator and facility leadership

Lead and develop Nurses, Medication Aides, and CNAs

Build meaningful relationships with residents and families

Opportunity to strengthen clinical systems and resident outcomes

Meaningful work where you can make a direct impact

Position Overview

The Director of Nursing (DON) is responsible for the overall leadership and oversight of clinical services at The Terraces.

The DON leads the nursing and resident-care team while ensuring residents receive appropriate services based on their individual needs, preferences, and level of care.

This position oversees resident assessments, service planning, medication management, changes in condition, clinical documentation, staff development, scheduling, quality improvement, and regulatory compliance.

The DON works closely with the Administrator, Nurses, Medication Aides, CNAs, providers, pharmacies, residents, families, and other departments to maintain a safe, resident-centered Assisted Living environment.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership & Nursing Operations

Provide leadership and oversight of nursing and resident-care services

Maintain a visible presence throughout the community and regularly round with residents and staff

Establish clear expectations for quality, accountability, communication, and resident-centered care

Provide clinical guidance to Nurses, Medication Aides, CNAs, and other care team members

Ensure resident-care needs are appropriately communicated and addressed

Monitor clinical operations and identify opportunities for improvement

Respond to significant clinical concerns and resident-care needs

Partner with the Administrator regarding clinical operations and community priorities

Resident Assessments & Service Planning

Oversee resident assessments and ongoing evaluation of resident needs

Ensure individualized service plans accurately reflect resident needs, preferences, abilities, and identified risks

Review residents following significant changes in condition

Ensure service plans are updated as resident needs change

Coordinate with residents, families, providers, and staff regarding changes in services

Monitor whether the community can safely and appropriately meet each resident's needs

Support admission and transition processes from a clinical perspective

Help ensure appropriate continuity of care when residents return from hospitals or other healthcare settings

Medication Management & Clinical Oversight

Oversee medication-management practices throughout the community

Promote accurate and timely implementation of provider orders

Monitor medication administration practices and documentation

Provide clinical oversight and support to Medication Aides

Review medication errors, omissions, refusals, and other medication-related concerns

Coordinate with providers and pharmacy partners regarding medication needs

Ensure medications are appropriately stored, secured, and managed

Identify trends or concerns and implement corrective actions when necessary

Changes in Condition & Care Coordination

Ensure changes in resident condition are identified, documented, and communicated promptly

Provide clinical guidance when residents experience changes in physical, cognitive, behavioral, or emotional condition

Ensure providers and resident representatives are notified appropriately

Coordinate follow-up after emergency department visits, hospitalizations, or other transitions of care

Review new and changed provider orders and ensure timely implementation

Monitor residents with increased clinical needs or identified risks

Promote effective communication between shifts and members of the care team

Help reduce avoidable resident-care concerns through early identification and intervention

Nursing Team Leadership & Development

Participate in recruiting, interviewing, selecting, and onboarding nursing and resident-care employees

Orient and support new Nurses, Medication Aides, and CNAs

Provide ongoing coaching, education, and performance feedback

Ensure employees maintain required licenses, certifications, and competencies

Monitor employee performance and address concerns in partnership with the Administrator and Human Resources

Promote accountability, teamwork, professionalism, and effective communication

Identify opportunities to develop and retain strong clinical team members

Support employee recognition and engagement initiatives

Staffing & Scheduling

Oversee nursing and resident-care staffing to support community needs

Review schedules and ensure appropriate coverage

Respond to staffing shortages, call‑ins, and changing resident needs

Partner with facility leadership and Human Resources on recruitment needs

Monitor overtime and staffing utilization

Promote effective use of facility employees and responsible staffing practices

Assist with direct clinical coverage when necessary and appropriate

Maintain appropriate leadership availability for significant clinical concerns and emergencies

Quality & Resident Outcomes

Monitor resident‑care trends and clinical outcomes

Review falls, medication concerns, infections, hospital transfers, incidents, and other clinical events

Identify patterns and opportunities for improvement

Participate in quality‑improvement initiatives

Complete or oversee clinical audits and follow‑up

Develop corrective action when identified concerns require improvement

Promote proactive resident monitoring and early intervention

Work collaboratively with leadership to continuously improve resident experience and outcomes

Regulatory Compliance & Survey Readiness

Ensure nursing and resident‑care services operate in accordance with applicable Kansas Assisted Living requirements and facility policies

Maintain ongoing readiness for regulatory surveys and inspections

Monitor clinical documentation for completeness, accuracy, and timeliness

Participate in facility audits and compliance reviews

Develop and implement corrective actions when deficiencies are identified

Ensure appropriate follow‑through on clinical compliance concerns

Maintain required nursing records and documentation

Participate in survey processes and plans of correction as assigned

Infection Prevention & Resident Safety

Promote appropriate infection‑prevention and control practices

Monitor residents for signs and symptoms of infection

Ensure appropriate precautions and infection‑control practices are followed

Support staff education regarding infection prevention, hand hygiene, and PPE

Monitor resident safety concerns and implement appropriate interventions

Review falls, injuries, incidents, and other resident‑safety events

Participate in emergency preparedness and facility emergency procedures

Promote a safe environment for residents, employees, and visitors

Resident & Family Relations

Build strong and professional relationships with residents and families

Maintain visibility and accessibility as a member of the community leadership team

Respond promptly to clinical questions, concerns, and complaints

Communicate significant changes in resident condition appropriately

Participate in resident and family meetings as needed

Follow up on concerns to ensure appropriate resolution

Promote open communication and trust between residents, families, and the care team

Maintain resident privacy, dignity, confidentiality, and choice

Resident Rights & Person-Centered Care

Promote resident independence and the least restrictive approach to care

Ensure residents are treated with dignity, compassion, and respect

Support individual preferences, routines, choices, and personal decisions

Advocate for resident needs and quality of life

Ensure concerns regarding abuse, neglect, exploitation, or resident safety are immediately reported and addressed according to applicable requirements and facility procedures

Promote a culture where residents feel safe, respected, heard, and cared for

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Partner closely with the Administrator and other department leaders

Coordinate with physicians, advanced practice providers, pharmacies, therapy providers, home health, hospice, and other outside healthcare partners as appropriate

Participate in leadership and resident‑care meetings

Communicate clinical priorities and concerns to appropriate leadership

Collaborate with Dietary, Activities, Environmental Services, Maintenance, and other departments to support resident needs

Promote effective communication throughout the community

Qualifications

Active Kansas nursing license in good standing

Registered Nurse (RN) preferred

Previous nursing leadership experience strongly preferred

Assisted Living, senior living, long-term care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, or related healthcare experience preferred

Strong clinical assessment and decision-making skills

Knowledge of medication management and resident‑care practices

Ability to recognize and appropriately respond to changes in resident condition

Strong leadership, coaching, and employee‑development skills

Strong documentation, organization, and communication skills

Ability to effectively communicate with residents, families, providers, employees, and leadership

Ability to manage multiple clinical and operational priorities

Commitment to resident independence, dignity, safety, and quality of life

Benefits

Competitive compensation

401(k) retirement plan

Health, dental, and vision insurance for eligible employees

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Care Cash Program

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Worksite address

topeka, KS, 66652, US

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.