Director of Nursing (DON)

Upstate Services Group; City of Albany (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Upstate Services Group in the Capital District of NYS seeks a Director of Nursing to provide overall clinical and administrative leadership for a 80-120 bed skilled nursing facility. The DON will plan, organize, and direct daily nursing services to ensure high-quality resident care in compliance with laws and facility standards.

The role requires RN licensure in NY, a BSN or higher, and 3–5 years of nursing leadership in long-term care, with strong regulatory knowledge and EMR proficiency.

Qualifications

• RN licensure in applicable state in good standing.
• BSN or higher preferred.
• 3–5 years nursing leadership in long-term care or SNF.
• CPR/BLS certification required; DON certification a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily nursing department operations, staffing, and clinical care coordination.
• Develop and implement nursing policies to ensure quality and compliance.
• Ensure CMS, OSHA, and health department regulatory compliance.
• Monitor QAPI, audits, surveys, and inspections.
• Manage staffing to meet resident needs within budgeted hours and control overtime.
• Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate RN/LPN/CNA staff.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and performance feedback to nursing staff.
• Collaborate with physicians, residents, and families to coordinate care plans.
• Oversee infection control and medication administration programs.
• Respond to emergencies and ensure proper incident reporting.
• Serve as clinical liaison during inspections and correct deficiencies.
• Maintain records and reports as required by policy and regulators.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

EMR proficiency

Regulatory knowledge

Staff management

Education

BSN or higher

RN license

Job description

Position Summary:

The Director of Nursing (DON) is responsible for the overall clinical and administrative leadership of the nursing department in our 80-120 bed skilled nursing facility (SNF) located in the Capital District of NYS. This includes planning, organizing, developing, and directing the day-to-day functions of the nursing services department to ensure the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, and facility standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee the daily operations of the nursing department, including staff scheduling, supervision, and clinical care coordination.

• Develop and implement nursing policies and procedures to ensure quality resident care and regulatory compliance.

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including CMS, OSHA, and state health department requirements.

• Monitor resident care for quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI); participate in audits, surveys, and inspections.

• Manage staffing levels to meet resident needs while maintaining budgeted hours and controlling overtime.

• Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate nursing staff, including RN, LPN/LVN, and CNA team members.

• Provide leadership, mentorship, and performance feedback to nursing staff.

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members, physicians, residents, and families to coordinate care plans and resolve concerns.

• Oversee infection control and medication administration programs.

• Respond to emergency situations and ensure proper incident reporting and follow-up.

• Serve as the primary clinical liaison during inspections or surveys and ensure timely correction of deficiencies.

• Maintain accurate records and reports as required by facility policy and regulatory bodies.

Qualifications:

• Education: Graduate of an accredited school of nursing; BSN or higher preferred.

• Licensure: Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of practice, in good standing.

• Experience: Minimum 3-5 years of nursing leadership experience, preferably in long-term care or a skilled nursing facility.

• Certifications: CPR/BLS certification required; additional certifications (e.g., DON certification, Infection Control) a plus.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong knowledge of state and federal long-term care regulations (e.g., CMS guidelines).

• Proven leadership and team-building skills.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving abilities.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced healthcare environment.

• Proficient in electronic medical records (EMR) systems

Working Conditions:

• Full-time, on-site role with some evening, weekend, or on-call responsibilities as needed.

• May require lifting, bending, or standing for extended periods.