Director of Nursing

DeKalb County Government; DeKalb Township (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

IMRF pension

Paid time off

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Wellness program

PSLF eligibility

Job summary

DeKalb County Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is seeking a Director of Nursing to lead a dedicated nursing team and set the clinical direction for short-term rehabilitation and long-term care residents. This county-operated facility reports to residents, families, and neighbors, with a seat on the senior leadership team alongside the Administrator and Medical Director.

You will oversee person-centered care, ensure survey readiness, drive quality using QAPI, and mentor staff while managing the

Qualifications

• Current, unencumbered Illinois RN license.
• Associate's degree or nursing diploma; BSN or higher preferred.
• A minimum of 3 years of nursing experience in long-term care, skilled nursing, or post-acute care, including supervisory/management experience.
• Qualifications required of a Director of Nursing under federal and Illinois law.
• Current CPR/BLS certification.
• Ability to pass a background check, health screening, and drug screening.

Responsibilities

• Set the standard for resident care across rehab and long-term care, including wound care, falls prevention, dementia care, palliative care, and more.
• Lead compliance with federal and Illinois regulations; guide surveys and drive improvements.
• Use QAPI, MDS quality measures, and Five-Star data to identify trends and improve outcomes.
• Build and mentor the nursing team, including ADON, Unit Managers, MDS Coordinator, Infection Preventionist, Staff Development Coordinator, RNs, LPNs, and CNAs.
• Manage staffing, labor, and supplies while protecting quality of care.
• Connect residents, families, physicians, hospitals, pharmacies, and therapy teams; present to County Board when needed.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Budget management

Regulatory compliance

Staff development

Education

Illinois RN license

Associate's degree or nursing diploma (BSN or higher preferred)

CPR/BLS certification

Job description

Lead nursing at a facility that belongs to its community

The DeKalb County Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is looking for a Director of Nursing who wants their leadership to matter. As a county-operated facility, we answer to the residents, families, and neighbors we serve. You'll shape the standard of care for short-term rehabilitation and long-term care residents and build a nursing team that takes pride in it.

This is a seat on the senior leadership team. You'll work alongside the Administrator, Medical Director, and interdisciplinary team to set the clinical direction for the entire building.

What you'll do

• Set the standard for resident care. Oversee person-centered nursing across rehab and long-term care, from wound care and fall prevention to dementia care, palliative care, and everything in between.
• Keep us survey-ready, every day. Lead compliance with federal and Illinois regulations, guide the team through state and federal surveys, and turn findings into real improvement.
• Drive quality. Use QAPI, MDS quality measures, and Five-Star data to spot trends, reduce readmissions, and improve outcomes.
• Build and mentor your team. Lead the Assistant Director of Nursing, Unit Managers, MDS Coordinator, Infection Preventionist, Staff Development Coordinator, and our RNs, LPNs, and CNAs. Recruit well, develop talent, and foster a culture of respect, teamwork, and accountability.
• Steward the nursing budget. Manage staffing, labor, and supplies responsibly while protecting quality of care.
• Be a trusted partner. Connect residents, families, physicians, hospitals, pharmacies, and therapy teams, and present to the County Board or its committees when needed.

What you bring

Required

• Current, unencumbered Illinois RN license in good standing
• Associate's degree or diploma in nursing (BSN or higher preferred)
• A minimum of 3 years of nursing experience in long-term care, skilled nursing, or post-acute care, including at least years in a supervisory or management role
• Qualifications required of a Director of Nursing under federal and Illinois law
• Current CPR/BLS certification
• Ability to pass a background check, health screening, and drug screening

Preferred

• Gerontological nursing or long-term care administration certification (e.g., RN-BC, CDONA/LTC)
• Experience with MDS/PDPM, QAPI, survey processes, and electronic health records
• Experience in a government or county-operated facility

You are a decisive, empathetic leader who communicates clearly with residents, families, staff, regulators, and elected officials, and who stays steady in a fast-paced environment.

Why DeKalb County

• Real influence. You'll shape clinical culture and care quality across the whole facility.
• Mission-driven work. Public service, with residents and community at the center.
• A collaborative leadership team that values clinical expertise.
• County employment with a pension plan through IMRF (Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund), paid time off, health insurance (employer pays 75% of premiums), dental insurance (employer pays 75% of premiums), vision insurance, employer-paid life insurance, wellness program, and eligibility for Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

Schedule

Primarily weekday daytime, with flexibility for occasional evening, weekend, holiday, and on-call needs.

DeKalb County is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities.

I understand that employment may be conditioned upon successfully passing a background check.