Elder Services - Director of Nursing

Puyalluptribe Nsn; Tacoma, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer paid medical

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) with profit sharing

Paid holidays

Paid time off including birthday leave

Job summary

The Puyallup Tribe of Indians is seeking a Director of Nursing (DON) for the House of Respect, within Elder Services. The DON will plan, organize, and direct nursing services for the Assisted Living Facility, ensuring high-quality care and adherence to standards.

Responsibilities include admissions processing, care plans, staff supervision, training, and collaboration with tribal health authorities. RN license and leadership experience in long-term care are required.

Qualifications

• Must have a current RN license.
• Experience in long-term care or assisted living settings preferred.
• Strong leadership and communication skills with staff.
• Ability to supervise and coordinate nursing services with sensitivity to Elders' needs.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, develop, and direct the nursing functions of the Assisted Living Facility.
• Ensure highest quality care and respect for resident rights.
• Oversee admissions, assessments, care plans, and staffing levels.
• Coordinate staff training, compliance, and quality assurance.

Skills

Nursing leadership

RN license

Staff supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree in Nursing

Tools

CPR/First Aid certification

Job description

Open: April 7, 2026

Close: When Filled

Job Title: Director of Nursing, House of Respect

Residences

Department: Elder Services

Reports To: Executive Director/Assisted Living Administrator

Hours: 40 Hrs/Wk – Full Time

Salary: Based on Salary Matrix+Benefits

Requisition: 858

Salaries are market competitive. For accurate salary information, call [phone] or email [e-mail]. The Puyallup Tribe of Indians provides a generous benefits package that includes

• employer paid medical
• dental
• vision
• life insurance
• a retirement/401(k) plan with profit sharing
• paid holidays
• paid time off including birthday leave

Position Summary: The Director of Nursing (DON) will be responsible to plan, organize, develop and direct the overall functions of the Assisted Living Facility in accordance with current Tribal, Federal, State and local standards governing long term care facilities, and as may be directed by Executive Director, to ensure that the highest degree of quality care will be provided to the residents at all times Must be organized, dedicated RN with great leadership skills.

This includes focusing on high resident satisfaction and quality resident care/services. The DON will ensure compliance with applicable policies and procedures, and ensure smooth operation of The Residence through staff development and employee satisfaction.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Develops and promotes a staff philosophy that encourages the respect and protection of Elder Resident rights and responsibilities.
2. Supervise staff to provide quality services in a caring, respectful, and cultural environment which strives to preserve the elder resident’s independence and self-respect.
3. Ensures the delivery of quality care and services and promotes positive resident and family relations, responding promptly and appropriately to resident needs, requests and concerns. Encourages resident interaction and promotes a culture where each resident is of the greatest importance
4. Responsible for the admission process, criteria, assessments and ensures preadmission assessments are completed prior to the resident moving in.
5. Ensures proper staffing levels while minimizing overtime and agency fill-ins.
6. Communicates daily with Executive Director or designee.
7. Conducts ongoing resident assessments and care plans.
8. Oversees nursing and personal care services.
9. Responsible for the transfer or discharge process of residents.
10. Responsible for ensuring that staff continually assess any changes of condition in resident’s functioning or health status.
11. Provides a safe environment for residents, staff, and visitors.
12. Oversees training for care staff. Ensures all staff members maintain required licenses, CE, CPR/First Aide and other requirements to perform their job successfully.
13. Monitor compliance with alert charting and temporary service plans policy and procedure. Monitor documentation of nursing and personal care.
14. Work collaboratively with external health care providers.
15. Oversee storage, administration, documentation and proper disposal of medications.
16. Fill in for absent employees on emergent basis only.
17. Be available, when assigned, by telephone 24/7 for emergency questions from staff.
18. Coordinate coverage with Executive Director for off hour coverage when unavailable.
19. Walk through building and grounds daily to assess cleanliness, organization, safety issues, and to greet residents and build trusting relationships.
20. Works cooperatively and collaboratively with Puyallup Tribal Health Authority staff as well as with other organizations and agencies that serve the health needs of the residents.
21. Maintains professionalism and mindful regard to each resident’s personal privacy, dignity, independence, personal effects, safety, health and well-being.
22. Maintains integrity and standard of personal ethics on and off the job, so as not to call his/her trustworthiness with residents’ personal effects into question.
23. Provides consultation, feedback and recommendations to staff on resource utilization and adherence to quality standards.
24. Meets regularly with staff to communicate departmental goals and objectives and performance expectations.
25. Works closely with the Executive Director or designee on Quality Assurance metrics and reports to as part of the department quarterly reports to share with the Tribal Council.
26. Compiles statistical data and writes narrative reports summarizing quality management findings, performance issues/standards, use of services, etc.
27. Ensures that staff is preparing and maintaining written case records, reports and forms by performing case staffing and follow-up meetings.
28. Ensures that incidents involving resident safety, confidentiality, theft, etc. are promptly reported, investigated, and corrected.
29. Responsible for implementing and conducting orientation and in-service training for departmental staff and participates in guidance and educational programs for self and staff.
30. Participates in the hiring of departmental personnel and promptly completes performance evaluations, directs training needs and works to correct inappropriate staff behaviors. Trains staff on the importance of trustworthiness and confidentiality with regard to their jobs and working with Elders and their families.
31. Develops strategies to achieve departments goals and objectives; understands need to adapt to changing conditions and priorities.
32. Displays a willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision‑making processes; makes timely decisions.
33. Prioritizes and plans work activities for self and departmental staff; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resource needs; develops realistic action plans.
34. Responsible for maintaining strict confidentiality, adhering to the Privacy Act as well as HIPPA Laws. This includes managing residents’ data and health records/EHR (electronic health records) as confidential records.
35. Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position supervises employees directly and indirectly. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians personnel policies and procedures, and all applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, coaching and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding, recognizing and counseling employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Qualifications and Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Degree in Nursing and current Washington State Registered Nurse License.

Must have two years of management/DNS experience in a long-term health care setting.

Must have 2 years recent experience in Long Term Care i.e. Assisted Living Facility preferable, or Skilled Nursing Facility.

Must demonstrate cultural awareness and understanding; must be respectful, adaptable and flexible.

Must demonstrate an understanding of family dynamics and geriatric care needs.

Must demonstrate an ability to understand, assess and make recommendations on elder care in assisted living through previous experience in elder case management/social work and building case plans for the individual and/or their family.

Must have sufficient previous supervisory experience to demonstrate the ability to assess current staff strengths and weaknesses and make recommendations for development and training.

Must demonstrate previous experience in policy development and implementation.

Must demonstrate strong communication skills and previous experience working with, providing reports to and making presentations to Boards, Committees and the community.

Intermediate computer skills with word processing, spreadsheets and database are required.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to write clear reports, be persuasive and make presentations on controversial or complex topics.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in written, mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Other Skills and Abilities

Ability to supervise and schedule staff.

Ability and knowledge to work closely with Tribal Elders and their families.

Must submit and be able to pass a criminal background check prior to employment and periodically after employment.

Must have and maintain a valid and unrestricted Washington State driver’s license. Driver’s license must not contain any restrictions that would prevent the employee from driving a GSA vehicle.

Must have or be able to obtain CPR/First Aid certification within the first 90 days of employment.

Physical Demands

• Requires the ability to operate office computers, multi-line telephone, calculator, facsimile and photocopier and other office equipment.
• Requires the knowledge and ability to utilize health care DME, VS equipment, pulse oximeter, as well as equipment found in a long-term care setting.
• Requires the ability to read, write, communicate, and interpret information accurately in English.
• Requires the ability to concentrate and consistently produce accurate work.
• The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or smell.
• The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move 10 to 50 pounds.

Work Environment

• The noise level is usually moderate.
• The physical exertion is low to moderate.
• Work is performed in a long-term care setting (Assisted Living Facility).
• There are frequent employee contacts and interruptions during the day.

The Puyallup Tribe of Indians reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.