Palliative Care Nursing Director

Clinical Management Consultants; California; On-site; USD 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Clinical Management Consultants seeks a Palliative Care Director in Northern California to shape a vital service line, close to patients, families, and clinicians who benefit most. The role emphasizes compassionate end-of-life care, program growth in a rural healthcare community, and collaboration with an interdisciplinary team to improve quality of life.

Reporting to senior leadership, the director will oversee care coordination, symptom management, goals-of-care discussions, and education,

Qualifications

• Experience leading a palliative care program.
• Ability to collaborate with physicians and nurses across disciplines.
• Experience in program development and quality improvement.

Responsibilities

• Oversee care coordination across palliative services.
• Manage pain and symptom management and goals-of-care discussions.
• Lead advance care planning and patient/family support initiatives.
• Drive staffing continuity, staff education, and workflow improvements.

Skills

Palliative leadership

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Clinical leadership

Strategic planning

Job description

An accomplished serious-illness care leader can shape a vital service line while remaining close to the patients, families, and clinicians who benefit from it most. This Northern California opportunity seeks a Palliative Care Director prepared to advance patient-centered care, strengthen compassionate end-of-life care, and guide a growing program serving a rural healthcare community.

The healthcare organization offers an accessible leadership environment where clinician judgment, interdisciplinary partnership, and practical decision-making are valued. The incoming director will benefit from executive visibility, a thoughtful onboarding process, an emphasis on staffing continuity, and a collegial culture that supports autonomy and long-term professional growth. This is an appealing setting for a leader who prefers meaningful influence over unnecessary bureaucracy.

Within Palliative Care, the director will oversee a dynamic workflow encompassing serious illness care, symptom management, advanced illness management, and hospice coordination. The Palliative Care Director will have operational ownership and decision-making authority across care coordination, pain and symptom management, goals-of-care discussions, advance care planning, and patient and family support. Working alongside physicians, nursing professionals, and an interdisciplinary team, this leader will improve quality of life while balancing clinical priorities, staffing support, program development, and quality improvement. The role also offers meaningful opportunities to strengthen supportive care practices, educate clinical staff, refine workflows, and expand the program’s strategic contribution.

Reporting to senior clinical and administrative leadership, the director will receive executive support while maintaining high visibility throughout the hospital. Core relationships will include medical staff, nursing leaders, case management, social services, pharmacy, rehabilitation, and other ancillary departments involved in complex care transitions. Through collaborative clinical leadership, this individual will influence daily operations, staff development, physician alignment, care standards, organizational goals, and the consistent delivery of compassionate, coordinated services.

Northern California combines remarkable outdoor access with a grounded, community-oriented lifestyle. Residents enjoy four-season recreation, scenic open spaces, regional dining, local arts, and a pace that can offer easier commutes and more attainable housing than the state’s largest metropolitan areas. For leaders seeking professional purpose without sacrificing personal time, the region provides an attractive setting for career and lifestyle balance.

The selected leader can expect competitive Northern California executive compensation, with the formal salary range shared during the confidential recruitment process based on experience and credentials. A comprehensive package is anticipated to include healthcare coverage, retirement benefits, paid time off, continuing education support, and leadership development resources.