Director of Nursing

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Nursing (DON) provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all nursing services within the medical unit. This role ensures the delivery of high-quality patient care, compliance with regulatory and institutional standards, and alignment with organizational goals. The DON serves as a key advisor to senior management, collaborates with medical staff, and fosters a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement among nursing personnel.

Qualifications and Competencies

• Excellent critical thinking, clinical assessment, and problem-solving skills
• Strong clinical expertise with the ability to respond decisively and effectively in emergency situations
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and make sound clinical and operational decisions
• Assertive, empathetic, and objective approach to patient care and staff supervision
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and customer service skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency in basic computer applications and electronic health record systems
• Ability to establish professional authority and maintain the respect and confidence of inmate patients and staff
• Demonstrated commitment to the mission, values, and objectives of the correctional facility
• Maintains active Basic Life Support (BLS) certification

Organizational Expectations

• Provides a positive and professional representation of CFG Health Systems, LLC.
• Promotes a culture of safety for patients and employees through proper identification, reporting, documentation, and prevention
• Maintains competency and knowledge of current standards of practice, trends, and developments in related scope of job role or practice
• Adheres to infection control policies and protocols, medication administration and storage procedures, and controlled substance regulations
• Participate in ongoing quality improvement activities
• Completes required orientation as directed by the facility
• Follows facility and OSHA safety rules and procedures while on assignment
• Follows facility and CFG Health Systems Occurrence Protocol
• Upholds HIPAA and PREA regulations
• Punctual and dependable for assigned/confirmed shifts
• Maintains security clearance for the assigned facility

Physical Demands   

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made upon written request to your supervisor for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities functions. 

• May regularly be required to stand, sit, walk, reach, bend, kneel, crouch, or stretch, for prolonged periods of time.  
• Ability to communicate and understand written and verbal communication.  
• The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  

Position Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required, master’s in nursing, Healthcare Administration, or related field preferred.
• Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of practice.
• Minimum of 8 years of professional nursing experience, including leadership or supervisory roles.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local healthcare regulations, accreditation standards (NCCHC, ACA, PBNDS), and institutional policies.
• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Staff Management

• Lead, supervise, and evaluate nursing staff performance, ensuring staffing levels, training, and professional development meet operational needs.
• Recruit, hire, onboard, and mentor nursing personnel, promoting a positive, collaborative, and accountable work environment.
• Conduct regular staff meetings and provide ongoing feedback, coaching, and recognition to enhance performance and engagement.

Policy Development & Compliance

• Develop, implement, and maintain nursing policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure high standards of care and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor and enforce adherence to institutional, state, and federal healthcare regulations, accreditation standards, and CFG Health policies.
• Recommend and implement improvements to nursing operations, workflows, and patient care delivery.

Operational Oversight & Consultation

• Collaborate with medical staff, Health Services Administrators, and senior management to develop and execute strategic plans for the medical unit.
• Oversee quality improvement initiatives, including audits, performance monitoring, and patient outcome analysis.
• Serve as a clinical resource and advisor to staff, management, and interdisciplinary teams.

Education & Training

• Develop and implement educational programs for nursing staff to maintain clinical competence and compliance with policies.
• Provide training, guidance, and mentorship to nursing staff, institutional personnel, and other stakeholders as needed.

Other Responsibilities

• Participate in organizational and interdepartmental meetings to align nursing services with institutional objectives.
• Maintain knowledge of current nursing practices, emerging trends, and regulatory requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the effective operation of the medical unit.