Director of Nursing (Adolescent / Specialty Populations)

Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Worcester (MA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a visionary Director of Nursing to lead the Adolescent Continuing Care Units. This pivotal role emphasizes a Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed approach, ensuring high-quality care and compliance with healthcare standards. As a leader, you will shape nursing practices, drive recruitment, and support staff during acute patient care events. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence both patient care and nursing team development in a prominent mental health facility. If you are passionate about making a difference in mental health services, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in clinical nursing practice, especially in psychiatric settings.
• Proven leadership in healthcare, overseeing nursing practice and professional development.

Responsibilities

• Oversee nursing practice and ensure compliance with healthcare standards.
• Lead recruitment efforts and manage staffing levels effectively.

Skills

Leadership in Nursing

Clinical Nursing Practice

Policy Development

Bilingual/Multilingual Fluency

Trauma-Informed Care

Education

Registered Nurse (RN) License

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

The Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH) is seeking a visionary and dynamic Director of Nursing (DON) to lead the Adolescent Continuing Care Units (ACCU). In this essential role, you will shape nursing practice and professional development, focusing on adolescent and specialty populations. Your leadership will be central to implementing evidence-based practices while maintaining strict compliance with Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH), Joint Commission, and CMS standards. With a commitment to a Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed, Recovery-Oriented approach, you will play a key role in reducing the use of seclusion and restraint, ensuring compassionate, high-quality care.

Collaborating closely with the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), you will drive recruitment and staffing efforts, addressing workforce development and labor-related challenges in line with Bargaining Unit contracts. Your guidance will be critical during acute patient care events, providing staff with the necessary support and debriefing. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate and experienced leader to make a lasting impact on both patient care and nursing team development within a leading mental health facility.

Salary may be adjusted above the range for qualified applicants"

Please Note (requirements) : This position requires the selected candidate to be a Registered Nurse (RN) licensed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive) :

• Oversee the administration and management of the Adolescent / Specialty nursing practice, setting and monitoring professional standards.
• Supervise and evaluate nursing staff, ensuring professional implementation of nursing practice at all levels.
• Collaborate with department heads, coordinating efforts with DMH Adolescent Services and Department of Secondary Education, Department of Youth Services, and Department of Children & Families.
• Coordinate with key committees and medical management structures, including pharmacy & therapeutics, medical records, infection control, Quality Management Patient Care Assessment, Environment of Care, and other required hospital committees.
• Manage staff to ensure patient safety and direct overtime effectively.
• Lead recruitment efforts for nursing in conjunction with CNO, maintaining adequate staffing levels.
• Address workforce development and labor-related issues in collaboration with the CNO, interfacing with EOHHS human resources for fair application of Bargaining Unit contracts.
• Provide oversight of acute patient care events, facilitating staff debriefing.
• Develop and recommend policies to ensure nursing practice meets Joint Commission, CMS, and DMH standards.
• Foster a Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed, Recovery-Oriented approach in care delivery, minimizing the use of seclusion and restraint.
• Implement evidence-based practices and maintain compliance with DMH, Joint Commission, and CMS standards.
• Partner with the CNO in protocol development, including hiring and conducting comprehensive performance evaluations for the Nursing Department.
• Contribute to staff development through engagement in ongoing educational initiatives and professional growth opportunities.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Extensive experience in clinical nursing practice, particularly in specialized areas such as Adolescent / Specialty Populations and psychiatric settings.
• Ability to organize, manage and supervise others in the provision of quality patient care across several psychiatric patient care units.
• Proven track record of successful leadership in a healthcare setting, including overseeing nursing practice, education, and professional development.
• In-depth understanding of Joint Commission, CMS standards, and a demonstrated ability to ensure compliance within a healthcare environment.
• Strong commitment to promoting a Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed, Recovery-Oriented approach in care delivery.
• Experience in policy development and implementation to meet and exceed industry standards, especially those set forth by the Joint Commission, CMS, and DMH.
• Proven ability to lead recruitment efforts and effectively address staffing and labor-related issues, including knowledge of Bargaining Unit contracts.
• Capacity to handle sensitive situations and resolving conflicts, particularly in high-pressure healthcare environments.
• Proficient usage of Microsoft Office products including Word, Teams, and Outlook.
• Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency.

About Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH) :

Located on over 20 acres in Worcester, Massachusetts, Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH) is part of an integrated network of effective, efficient, and culturally competent mental health services. It provides intermediate and long-term inpatient care for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness who live in Massachusetts, as well as individuals requiring specialized court ordered evaluations.

WRCH provides inpatient services to 290 adults and 30 adolescents, inclusive of a Deaf Inpatient Mental Health Service program for 10 patients.

Learn more about WRCH :

DMH Mission Statement :

The Department of Mental Health assures and provides access to services and supports to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages, enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities. The Department establishes standards to ensure effective and culturally competent care to promote recovery. The Department sets policy, promotes self-determination, protects human rights and supports mental health training and research.