Director of Nursing (DON)

AristaCare Health Services; Whiting (NJ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Health Insurance

Dental and Vision Coverage

401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Life Insurance

Job summary

AristaCare Health Services is seeking an experienced Director of Nursing (DON) to lead clinical operations and uphold high standards of care within our facility. In this senior role, you will direct nursing services, ensure regulatory compliance, collaborate with attending providers, and champion resident wellness.

You will oversee integrated clinical services, drive recruitment and staff development, mentor teams, and steer quality improvement initiatives to deliver compassionate, top-tier care.

Qualifications

• Requires RN license in NJ and state nursing leadership experience.
• Minimum 3 years of progressive nursing supervisory/management experience, preferably in geriatrics or post-acute settings.
• 1+ years as Director of Nursing or ADON in long-term care is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Establish, evaluate, and maintain clinical standards and nursing practice across the facility.
• Lead ongoing clinical quality assurance assessments to ensure resident safety and outcomes.
• Formulate and update policies in alignment with healthcare regulations.
• Verify credentials and competency for nursing staff.
• Partner with interdisciplinary teams and external agencies to optimize resources and education.
• Oversee budgeting, labor management, and resource planning for cost-efficiency and quality.
• Act as primary clinical representative for nursing operations in committees and associations.
• Lead QAPI projects and evidence-based clinical practices.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Staff development

Quality improvement

Education

RN license (New Jersey)

Job description

This is an official AristaCare Talent Acquisition job posting. Candidates who apply through this posting will work directly with our in-house Talent Acquisition Team throughout the recruitment process - not through a third-party staffing or recruitment agency.

Employment Type: Full-Time

AristaCare is seeking an experienced and dedicated Director of Nursing (DON) to spearhead clinical operations and uphold the highest standards of care within our facility. In this key leadership role, you will direct all nursing services, drive regulatory compliance, coordinate closely with attending medical providers, and champion holistic resident wellness.

Beyond core nursing operations, the DON collaborates cross-functionally to oversee integrated clinical services—including pharmacy, rehabilitation therapies, and resident activities. You will also lead clinical workforce initiatives by driving recruitment, fostering staff retention, guiding professional development, and mentoring team members to ensure compassionate, top-tier clinical care.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish, evaluate, and maintain comprehensive clinical standards and nursing practice across the facility.
• Lead ongoing clinical quality assurance assessments to ensure optimal resident outcomes and safety.
• Formulate, implement, and update clinical policies and procedures in alignment with state, federal, and local healthcare regulations.
• Verify, track, and maintain professional credentials and competency standards for all nursing personnel.
• Partner with interdisciplinary teams, external agencies, and vendors to optimize healthcare resources, services, and continuing education.
• Oversee departmental budgeting, labor management, and operational resource planning to balance cost-efficiency with high-quality care.
• Act as the primary clinical representative for nursing operations across internal committees, family conferences, and professional healthcare associations.
• Lead performance improvement (QAPI) projects and evidence-based clinical practices to enhance operational effectiveness.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Licensure: Active, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of New Jersey.
• Leadership Experience: Demonstrated clinical management experience at the DON or Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) level.
• LTC Experience: 1+ years of experience as a Director of Nursing in a long-term care or sub-acute/skilled nursing environment preferred.
• Supervisory Background: Minimum of 3 years of progressive nursing supervisory/management experience, preferably within a geriatric or post-acute setting.

Benefits Package

• Comprehensive Health Insurance
• Dental and Vision Coverage
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Life Insurance