Director of Nursing (DON)

Cedar Ridge Inn

Why Join Cedar Ridge Inn?

At Cedar Ridge Inn, joining our team means more than accepting a leadership position—it means becoming part of an organization committed to clinical excellence, resident-centered care, employee development, and operational accountability.

As Director of Nursing, you will have the opportunity to lead a dedicated clinical team while directly influencing resident outcomes, staff development, regulatory compliance, and the overall quality of care delivered throughout our community.

✔ Supportive, team-oriented leadership environment
✔ Opportunities for professional growth and development
✔ Leadership that values accountability, collaboration, and staff input
✔ Opportunity to develop and mentor nursing professionals
✔ Meaningful work where your leadership directly impacts resident care

Position Overview

Cedar Ridge Inn is seeking an experienced, compassionate, and results-driven Director of Nursing (DON) to provide strategic and clinical leadership for our nursing department.

The Director of Nursing is responsible for the overall management, coordination, and performance of nursing services, including resident care, clinical outcomes, staffing, regulatory compliance, infection prevention, quality assurance, employee development, and survey readiness.

As a key member of the facility leadership team, the DON will work closely with the Nursing Home Administrator, Medical Director, physicians, nursing leadership, MDS team, therapy, social services, dietary, pharmacy, and other interdisciplinary partners to ensure residents receive high-quality, individualized care.

The successful candidate will be a visible clinical leader who establishes clear expectations, develops nursing staff, promotes accountability, and maintains a culture focused on resident safety, dignity, compliance, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership & Resident Care

• Provide overall leadership, direction, and oversight of nursing services throughout the facility

• Ensure nursing care is delivered in accordance with individualized care plans, physician orders, professional standards, and facility policies

• Conduct clinical rounds and maintain a visible leadership presence throughout resident care areas

• Monitor resident conditions, clinical outcomes, hospitalizations, falls, wounds, infections, weight changes, medication concerns, and other clinical indicators

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

• Collaborate with physicians, nurse practitioners, pharmacy, therapy, and interdisciplinary team members to promote positive resident outcomes

• Review clinical documentation to ensure accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and regulatory compliance

• Promote resident-centered care that protects dignity, choice, safety, and quality of life

Nursing Leadership & Staff Development

• Lead, supervise, mentor, and develop nursing leadership, RNs, LPNs/LVNs, CNAs, medication aides, and other nursing personnel

• Participate in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, orientation, training, and retention initiatives for nursing staff

• Establish clear performance expectations and maintain accountability throughout the nursing department

• Provide coaching, counseling, performance management, and corrective action when necessary in collaboration with Human Resources

• Conduct or support employee performance evaluations and professional development planning

• Ensure nursing staff maintain required licenses, certifications, competencies, education, and training

• Promote effective communication and teamwork between shifts, departments, and disciplines

• Support ongoing education and competency development to strengthen clinical performance and resident outcomes

Staffing & Workforce Management

• Oversee nursing schedules and staffing practices to maintain appropriate coverage based on resident acuity, census, care needs, and applicable regulatory requirements

• Monitor nursing hours, overtime, agency utilization, attendance, call-offs, and staffing trends

• Partner with Human Resources and facility leadership to address recruitment, retention, scheduling, and workforce concerns

• Ensure appropriate assignment and delegation of nursing responsibilities according to licensure, competency, and scope of practice

• Maintain appropriate staffing documentation and support required nursing staffing reporting processes

Regulatory Compliance & Survey Readiness

• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of CMS requirements and applicable federal, state, and local regulations governing skilled nursing and long-term care

• Maintain continuous survey readiness throughout the nursing department

• Ensure nursing practices comply with facility policies, professional standards, resident rights requirements, and applicable regulations

• Participate in regulatory surveys, complaint investigations, audits, plans of correction, and follow-up activities

• Identify potential compliance risks and implement corrective actions before they negatively impact resident care or regulatory performance

• Ensure allegations, incidents, accidents, grievances, and changes in condition are appropriately investigated, documented, reported, and addressed

• Collaborate with facility leadership to maintain an effective compliance and quality-focused environment

Quality Assurance & Performance Improvement

• Participate actively in the facility's Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program

• Review clinical trends, quality measures, incidents, rehospitalizations, infections, falls, wounds, medication errors, and other performance indicators

• Develop and implement performance improvement initiatives based on identified clinical risks and trends

• Participate in root-cause analysis and development of corrective action plans

• Monitor effectiveness of interventions and modify processes when necessary

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary leaders to improve resident outcomes and overall facility performance

MDS, Care Planning & Clinical Documentation

• Collaborate with the MDS/RAI team to support accurate resident assessments, care planning, documentation, and reimbursement processes

• Ensure nursing documentation accurately reflects resident conditions, services provided, and clinical interventions

• Participate in interdisciplinary care planning and ensure nursing interventions align with identified resident needs

• Support timely completion of assessments and required clinical documentation

• Promote documentation practices that support quality outcomes, regulatory compliance, and appropriate reimbursement

Infection Prevention & Resident Safety

• Collaborate with the Infection Preventionist to maintain an effective Infection Prevention and Control Program

• Monitor infection trends, antibiotic utilization, isolation precautions, immunization practices, and infection prevention compliance

• Promote appropriate hand hygiene, PPE utilization, transmission-based precautions, and environmental safety practices

• Support outbreak prevention, investigation, response, and required reporting

• Maintain a culture focused on resident safety, emergency preparedness, and risk reduction

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited nursing program

• Current, active Registered Nurse (RN) license in good standing in the applicable state

• Director of Nursing, Assistant Director of Nursing, Unit Manager, or comparable nursing leadership experience in skilled nursing or long-term care strongly preferred

• Strong understanding of CMS requirements and skilled nursing regulatory standards

• Knowledge of MDS/RAI processes, care planning, QAPI, infection prevention, survey readiness, and clinical documentation

• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, develop, and hold nursing teams accountable

• Strong clinical assessment, critical-thinking, and decision-making abilities

• Excellent organizational and time-management skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to effectively communicate with residents, families, physicians, employees, regulators, and interdisciplinary team members

• Experience utilizing electronic medical records and healthcare information systems

• Ability to manage multiple clinical and operational priorities in a fast-paced environment

• Commitment to compassionate, resident-centered care and clinical excellence

Benefits

• Competitive compensation

• 401(k) retirement plan

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Employee Referral Bonus Program

• Continuing education and professional development opportunities

• Leadership development opportunities

• Supportive and collaborative work environment

Grow With Us

At Cedar Ridge Inn, we understand that strong clinical outcomes begin with strong leadership. We are committed to supporting the continued professional development of our nursing leaders through education, mentorship, collaboration, and opportunities for advancement.

As Director of Nursing, you will have the opportunity to develop your team, strengthen clinical systems, improve resident outcomes, and make a lasting impact on the culture and performance of the organization.

About Us

Cedar Ridge Inn is committed to providing exceptional skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and long-term care services in an environment centered on compassion, dignity, respect, and clinical excellence.

Our residents are at the center of everything we do. We believe exceptional care requires engaged leadership, accountable teams, strong clinical systems, and employees who understand the importance of making every resident feel genuinely cared for.

We foster a workplace where team members are respected, supported, developed, and empowered to succeed professionally and personally.

Apply Today

If you are an experienced nursing leader who is passionate about developing strong clinical teams, achieving excellent resident outcomes, and maintaining the highest standards of skilled nursing care, we encourage you to apply.

Join Cedar Ridge Inn and lead a nursing team where your experience, leadership, and commitment to excellence can make a meaningful difference every day.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Cedar Ridge Inn is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Cedar Ridge Inn is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process. Applicants requiring assistance should contact Human Resources.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and move throughout the facility for extended periods

• Ability to conduct clinical rounds and respond promptly to resident and staff needs

• Ability to assist with resident transfers, repositioning, and emergency care when clinically necessary

• Ability to lift, push, pull, or move equipment and supplies consistent with nursing responsibilities

• Ability to respond effectively to clinical emergencies and changing resident conditions

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation