Director of Nursing Services (DON/DNS)

Celtic Consulting; Wilton (CT); On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Life insurance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

Wilton Meadows Healthcare Center in Fairfield County seeks a Director of Nursing Services (DON/DNS) to lead nursing operations, guide clinical care, and build a high-performing team.

This role partners with the Administrator and physicians, driving quality outcomes, regulatory readiness, and workforce development. The base salary ranges from $160,000 to $200,000, with a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for growth.

Qualifications

• Current Connecticut RN license.
• Strong nursing leadership experience with ability to lead teams and develop people.
• Experience in skilled nursing/long-term care/rehabilitation preferred.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements, quality standards, and survey readiness.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for nursing operations, clinical care, and nursing department performance.
• Lead, mentor, and develop RNs, LPNs, CNAs, nurse managers and other nursing leaders.
• Promote high-quality, resident-centered care and a culture of accountability and professional growth.
• Drive quality outcomes, regulatory readiness, survey preparedness, and continuous performance improvement.
• Develop and execute staffing strategies, department goals, and nursing initiatives aligned with organizational priorities.
• Partner with the Administrator, executive leadership, physicians, families and interdisciplinary teams.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen clinical systems, workflows, and staff development.

Skills

Nursing leadership

Regulatory knowledge

RN license CT

Staff development

Job description

$160,000–$200,000 | Full-Time | 148-Bed Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center

About the Opportunity

Celtic Consulting has been engaged to recruit a Director of Nursing Services for Wilton Meadows Healthcare Center, a family-owned and operated senior care community in Fairfield County. This is an opportunity for an experienced RN leader to join an organization with a strong, established culture while helping shape the next chapter of nursing services.

The incoming DON/DNS will have the support and involvement of both facility and executive leadership and the opportunity to work collaboratively on short- and long-term clinical, operational, workforce, and quality improvement goals. This role is well suited for a leader who enjoys building strong teams, developing people, improving systems, and seeing strategic initiatives through from concept to sustained results.

Why Wilton Meadows?

• A strong, stable team is an important part of the culture at Wilton Meadows. The organization is proud of its below-industry-average attrition rate and long-tenured workforce, including 11 CNAs with more than 20 years of service and another 9 with more than 10 years with the organization.
• Executive and facility leadership who are highly invested in the success of the incoming nursing leader.
• A leadership role with the opportunity to influence quality, workforce development, operations, and long-term planning.
• A family-owned campus with both skilled nursing/rehabilitation and assisted living, creating opportunities to build lasting relationships with residents, families, staff, and campus leadership.
• An environment that values resident-centered care, staff continuity, individualized solutions, and a family-like culture.
• A long-term leadership opportunity for someone who wants to grow with the organization, make a lasting impact, and pursue future advancement opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for nursing operations, clinical care, and nursing department performance.
• Lead, mentor, and develop RNs, LPNs, CNAs, nurse managers, and other nursing leaders.
• Promote high-quality, resident-centered care and a strong culture of accountability, teamwork, and professional growth.
• Drive quality outcomes, regulatory readiness, survey preparedness, and continuous performance improvement.
• Develop and execute staffing strategies, department goals, and nursing initiatives aligned with organizational priorities.
• Partner closely with the Administrator, executive leadership, physicians, families, and interdisciplinary teams.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen clinical systems, workflows, communication, and staff development.

What We’re Looking For

• Current Connecticut RN license.
• Strong nursing leadership experience with demonstrated ability to lead teams and develop people.
• Skilled nursing, long-term care, and/or rehabilitation experience strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of regulatory requirements, quality standards, and survey readiness.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, relationship-building, and organizational skills.
• DON/DNS experience strongly preferred; exceptional ADONs, Assistant Directors, and Nurse Managers who are ready for the next step in their leadership career are encouraged to apply.
• A growth-oriented leader who wants to make a lasting impact and build a long-term future with the organization.

Base salary: $160,000–$200,000, based on qualifications and experience.

• Medical and dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Company-paid life insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays and premium holiday pay

Celtic Consulting is conducting this search on behalf of Wilton Meadows Healthcare Center. All inquiries will be handled professionally and discreetly.