Long-Term Care Project Specialist

MetaStar, Inc; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

MetaStar, Inc. is seeking a dedicated mentor to lead the THRIVE Long-term Care mentorship program across Wisconsin. The role involves developing and delivering training, guiding senior leaders, and coordinating with diverse partners to ensure voices are reflected in program design.

You will support mentees through structured meetings, manage resources, and help advance leadership transitions, staff engagement, and quality improvement initiatives within long-term care settings.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years in long-term care leadership, DON or nursing home administrator experience.
• Mentor experience and ability to guide others effectively.
• Experience with survey readiness, workforce retention, leadership transitions or operational leadership.

Responsibilities

• Build a comprehensive long-term care mentorship and training program.
• Collaborate with co-design organization to incorporate leader perspectives into THRIVE LTC program.
• Provide structured mentorship through the Thrive LTC network and One-on-One mentor meetings.
• Participate in ad hoc mentor support and virtual peer-learning activities.
• Follow program guidelines and complete participation records and reports.
• Coordinate with THRIVE LTC project staff to support mentorship needs.

Skills

Mentoring

Leadership development

Communication

Problem solving

Relationship building

Virtual meetings

Tools

Microsoft Teams

Outlook

Word

Job description

About the Organization MetaStar is a nonprofit quality improvement organization with more than 50 years of experience helping to improve the quality of health care in Wisconsin communities and beyond. Our success is grounded in our longstanding reputation for excellence, and high customer satisfaction.
We are currently recruiting for qualified individuals who excel in a team-focused, collaborative, and supportive work environment where all can thrive. We want you to help us achieve our vision of 'optimal health for all'. Please note that by applying for a position, you are agreeing to receive various forms of communication from MetaStar Human Resources including but not limited to: email, phone, SMS text messages.

Category Healthcare Transformation

Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time

Open Date 10/7/2026

Close Date 10/29/2026

Description

JOB SUMMARY

• Location: Onsite, hybrid or remote (must reside within state of WI)
• Reports directly to: Healthcare Transformation Program Manager
• Direct reports to this position include: None
• Other individuals or MetaStar staff with whom the person works on a regular basis:
  • Vice President of Healthcare Transformation
  • Healthcare partners throughout the state (including but not limited to Wisconsin Director of Nursing Council, Wisconsin Health Care Association, LeadingAge, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, and professional co-designers)
  • Long-term care stakeholders and funders including the Department of Health Services, Department of Workforce Development
  • Long-term care administrators, Directors of Nursing, and emerging leaders participating as mentees
  • Nursing home and assisted living organization leaders
  • Senior Administrative Assistant
  • Other Project Specialists
• Essential duties and responsibilities:
  To successfully perform this job, the individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
  • Build a comprehensive long-term care mentorship and associated training program
  • Collaborate with co-design organization to gather perspectives of long-term care leaders to ensure that their voices are built into the THRIVE Long-term Care program including:
    • Mentorship
    • Director of Nursing in Training
    • Well-being programs
  • Provide structured mentorship to current or emerging long-term care leaders through the THRIVE LTC “Thrive with Me” mentorship network.
  • Participate in one-on-one mentor meetings with assigned mentees, virtually and in-person.
  • Be available for agreed-upon ad hoc mentor support, including the “Phone a Friend” model.
  • Support mentees with topics identified in the project, including survey readiness, leadership transitions, workforce retention, supervision, staff engagement, quality improvement, regulatory readiness, and operational leadership.
  • Share practical long-term care leadership experience, tools, and resources that are relevant to the mentee’s role and organizational setting.
  • Support leadership confidence, professional development, role transition, and retention through constructive, experience-based guidance.
  • Follow established mentor and mentee eligibility requirements, participation guidelines, mentor toolkits, and program expectations.
  • Coordinate with THRIVE LTC project staff regarding mentorship participation and program needs.
  • Maintain professional boundaries and protect confidential or sensitive information shared through the mentoring relationship.
  • Contribute feedback to improve mentorship tools, peer learning activities, and program implementation.
  • Gather and incorporate the voice of the customer into the task deployment.
  • All other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS, REQUIREMENTS, ETC.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to successfully perform this job at the minimum level. Additional requirements are listed as preferred.

Required Qualifications

• Current or former Director of Nursing (DON) with 8-10 years of long-term care experience, including at least five years of clinical experience and the remaining experience in a leadership role; candidates with comparable experience as an Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) may also be considered.
• OR current or former licensed nursing home administrator with 8-10 years of nursing home administration experience.
• Mentor experience and qualifications must align with the mentee’s setting and role; an assisted living facility administrator may not mentor a nursing home administrator.
• Demonstrated leadership and mentoring qualities, including prior experience mentoring others.
• Demonstrated knowledge in areas relevant to long-term care leadership, such as survey readiness, leadership transitions, workforce retention, supervision, staff engagement, quality improvement, regulatory readiness, or operational leadership.
• Experience with process improvement and/or quality improvement methodologies and techniques
• Ability to provide practical, respectful, and constructive guidance to current and emerging leaders.
• Ability to participate in one-on-one meetings, provide agreed-upon ad hoc support, and engage in a virtual peer-learning community.
• Ability to follow program guidelines and complete required participation records, surveys, or project reporting.
• Strong relationship-building, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality within the mentoring relationship.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and Word sufficient to participate in virtual meetings, communicate with mentees, and use program resources.
• Valid driver’s license or ability and means to travel as required
• Interest and availability for in-state (Wisconsin) and overnight travel (up to 35%)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting leadership transitions, succession planning, or the development of emerging long-term care leaders
• Experience facilitating peer learning, coaching, or professional development activities
• Familiarity with workforce retention and leader well-being challenges in rural long-term care settings
• Ability and willingness to use AI-tools, such as MS Copilot.
• Completion of a leadership academy, leadership development program, or comparable leadership course preferred

ORGANIZATIONAL CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Provides Trusted Insight into Healthcare Quality.
• Turns Complex Rules into Clear, Practical Action.
• Partners to Solve Problems and Improve Care.
• Delivers High-Quality Work and Makes It Easy to Work with Us.
• Fosters an Organizational Culture that is Representative of MetaStar’s Values.

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORKING CONDITIONS

The requirements and conditions described below are representative of the general environment the individual is exposed to on a day-to-day basis while performing this job.

• Manual Dexterity: Ability to operate computer and telephone
• Physical Effort: Ability to sit or stand for five-to-eight hours per day (depending on scheduled FTE); occasionally lifting up to 15 pounds.
• Equipment Used: Computer and telephone
• Working Conditions: Traditional office or remote work environment; required to work on a computer five-to-eight hours per day (depending on scheduled FTE)

EOE Statement MetaStar is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, age, marital status, genetic information, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other characteristics protected by law.

This position is currently accepting applications.