Director of Nursing

New Mexico Department of Health; Truth or Consequences (NM); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The New Mexico Department of Health seeks a Facility Director of Nursing to lead nursing care, oversight, and regulatory compliance for a long‑term facility in Truth or Consequences. You will supervise staff, ensure accurate documentation, and drive quality improvement.

Must possess a current NM RN license and at least four years of management experience; expect on‑site duties with potential on‑call, and demonstrate strong leadership and regulatory knowledge.

Qualifications

• Must possess a current NM RN license or eligibility for licensure as required by NM statutes.
• Four (4) years of management experience in nursing or related healthcare administration.
• Deep knowledge of CMS, state licensure requirements, and accreditation standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for nursing services within the facility.
• Oversee staffing, scheduling, and budget management for nursing care.
• Ensure accurate assessments, care planning, and progress documentation.
• Maintain compliance with regulatory standards and accreditation requirements.
• Lead quality improvement initiatives and patient safety programs.
• Chairs and participates in facility committees and performance reviews.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical expertise

Regulatory knowledge

Financial acumen

Communication

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Quality improvement

Technology proficiency

Compassion and empathy

Integrity and accountability

Adaptability

Resourcefulness

Education

RN license

Job description

THIS POSTING WILL BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE. THIS POSTING MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE POSITIONS. *APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WITHOUT WORK EXPERIENCE OR A RESUME WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. IF ATTACHING A RESUME, RESUME MUST INCLUDE DATES OF EMPLOYMENT FOR EACH JOB (MONTH & YEAR) AND DETAILS OF WORK EXPERIENCE/JOB DUTIES* POSITION IS LOCATED IN TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, NM

Why does the job exist?

The Facility Director of Nursing provides comprehensive nursing care services utilizing skills of assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation. The DON promotes the maintenance of quality physical health for the residents while adhering to current regulations and standards set by organizations such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), State of New Mexico Licensure of Nursing Facilities, The Joint Commission (the JC), Veterans Administration (VA), and other relevant regulatory agencies. The Nursing Director oversees the nursing department, ensuring appropriate scheduling, care delivery, and documentation, and serves as a member of the senior management team.

How does it get done?

• Strategic Planning & Process Improvement: Responsible for strategic planning and process improvement across service groupings or continuum of care with some day-to-day operations/problem solving.
• Departmental Alignment: Ensures alignment and consistency between strategic goals, human resources management, and resource management through substantial involvement in departmental activities.
• Collaborative Care: Collaborates with physicians and the treatment team on patients' nursing care needs. Oversees the planning and implementation of nursing care in accordance with standards of nursing practice, physician orders, and best practices.
• Financial Management: Manages financial and capital resources by monitoring revenue and expenses, establishing cost control programs, and ensuring appropriate staffing levels, structure, and skill mix.
• Supervision & Competency: Provides supervision to nursing staff, ensuring their competency according to ANCC standards and the State of New Mexico Nurse Practice Act.
• Medication Administration: Adheres to safe medication administration practices in compliance with medication policy.
• Documentation: Completes and reviews documentation, including assessments, summaries, treatment plans, and progress notes, ensuring compliance with facility policies and regulatory standards.
• Policy Development: Develops, maintains, and communicates departmental policies and procedures, ensuring they align with Medicare, Veterans Programs, CMS, the JC, State, and local requirements.
• Professional Development: Keeps abreast of trends and developments by reading relevant material and attending seminars and conferences.
• Training & Scheduling: Implements ongoing nursing education programs, creates schedules, and monitors leave requests, overtime, and compensatory time.
• Performance Management: Conducts performance reviews for direct reports, handles employee relations issues, and takes corrective actions as needed.
• Committee Participation: Chairs and attends assigned meetings, participates in facility committees, and prepares required reports.

Who are the customers?

The primary customer are the brave men and women that answered our nations call, executed their duties and now are unable to live in their respective communities due to failing health. This job will also support the widows of the service men and women to include parents that have lost children in combat (Gold Star Parents)

Ideal Candidate

• Leadership Skills: Strong leadership and supervisory skills to manage a diverse nursing team effectively. Ability to inspire, motivate, and develop staff.
• Clinical Expertise: Extensive knowledge of nursing practices, principles, and techniques related to the care of elderly and disabled residents.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with healthcare regulations and standards set by CMS, VA, The Joint Commission, and state licensure bodies.
• Financial Acumen: Proficiency in managing budgets, resources, and capital expenses. Ability to implement cost control measures while maintaining quality care.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to interact with residents, families, staff, Ability to present information clearly and effectively.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Strong analytical skills to identify and resolve complex clinical, administrative, and operational issues. Ability to think critically and make informed decisions.
• Organizational Skills: Exceptional organizational and time-management skills to handle multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Quality Improvement: Commitment to continuous quality improvement and performance enhancement initiatives. Ability to monitor, assess, and improve nursing care services.
• Technology Proficiency: Competency in using electronic health records (EHR) and other healthcare management software. Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications, especially Word and Excel.
• Compassion and Empathy: A genuine concern for the well‑being of residents and a commitment to providing compassionate care.
• Integrity and Accountability: High ethical standards and a strong sense of accountability. Transparency in actions and decisions.
• Adaptability: Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and work effectively in a dynamic environment. Flexibility in managing on-call, weekend, holiday, and overtime duties.
• Resourcefulness: Innovative and resourceful approach to problem‑solving and implementing new initiatives.

Must possess a current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in New Mexico, or eligibility for such licensure in accordance with New Mexico requirements, or eligibility for a temporary license issued for employment at a specific institution in New Mexico and four (4) years of management experience as it pertains to the essential duties and responsibilities of the classification.

Employment Requirements

• This position is designated safety sensitive. Employment is subject to pre-employment and random testing, in accordance with all terms and conditions of federal and state law, rules, and regulations in relation to alcohol and/or drug testing.
• Must possess and maintain a valid American Heart Association BLS / CPR Certification.
• Employment is subject to criminal background check pursuant to New Mexico Caregivers Criminal Screening Act, (Sections 29-17-2 through 29-17-5 NMSA 1978 and 7.1.9.1.6.23 NMAC) and is conditional pending results.
• Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico driver's license.
• Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Safe Food Handling Certificate or receive within 1 week of date of hire.
• Successful completion of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) training.
• Must sign and observe confidentiality agreement.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and comprehend the English language.
• Occasional travel for training & meetings and driving a State of NM owned motor vehicle may be required; Working hours may include weekends, holidays, overtime, and callback hours. Essential functions of the job and specific physical ability requirements will be available at the time of interview or may be obtained at the New Mexico Veterans' Home Human Resources office.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting within a long-term facility with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Walking throughout the facility and frequent communication and interaction with residents, staff, and the public. Periods of walking, standing, bending pushing, pulling, lifting, and stretching for a variety of activities may be required. Must be able to function under pressure and stressful situations Health hazards such as exposure to contagious viruses and diseases. May also include routine exposure to public, fellow employees, and facility resident illness, stressful situation, and bodily fluids, as well as exposure to physical and/or verbal abuse. Occasional travel for training & meetings and driving a State of NM owned motor vehicle may be required; some lifting; extended hours to meet deadlines will be required. Working hours may include on-call, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, and callback hours. Essential functions of the job and physical ability requirements will be available at the time of interview or may be obtained at the New Mexico Veterans' Home Human Resources Office

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.