Regional Director of Nursing (RDON)

Elderwood Administrative Services; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Elderwood Administrative Services is seeking an experienced Regional Director of Nursing (RN) to lead nursing operations across Western New York. This executive role focuses on stabilizing clinical operations, developing leaders, and guiding facilities during transitions.

Responsibilities include interim leadership, staff development, regulatory compliance, and cross-team coordination with Medical Directors and interdisciplinary staff. Travel within Western New York is required.

Qualifications

• Current and active Registered Professional Nurse license in the state where the assignment is performed.
• At least two years of supervisory nursing experience.
• Nursing leadership experience appropriate to the size, complexity, and responsibilities of the assigned facility.
• Ability to step into unfamiliar operations, establish priorities, and lead effectively during periods of transition.
• Strong knowledge of skilled nursing operations, resident care standards, clinical documentation, staffing, and regulatory compliance.
• High-level leadership, decision-making, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to supervise nursing employees effectively and maintain high standards of care.
• Maturity, diplomacy, professional discretion, and the ability to build trust across different teams and facilities.
• Willingness and ability to travel throughout Western New York and periodically provide short-term coverage in other regions.

Responsibilities

• Provide Interim and Regional Leadership: Step into vacant Director of Nursing positions on a short-term basis and provide consistent leadership until a permanent replacement is hired.
• Orient, train, and support newly hired Directors of Nursing as they transition into their roles.
• Temporarily support ADON, Unit Manager, Educator, or other nursing leadership functions when operational needs require it.
• Assist the Chief Nursing Officer with special projects and targeted clinical initiatives at designated facilities.
• Build productive relationships quickly with Administrators, nursing leaders, frontline employees, residents, families, providers, and consultants.
• Strengthen Clinical Operations: Assess nursing operations, identify priorities, and establish clear, practical plans for improvement.
• Promote high standards of resident care and compliance with applicable state and federal requirements.
• Monitor resident assessments, care planning, clinical documentation, quality indicators, audits, and follow-up activities.
• Conduct rounds to evaluate clinical practices, unit management, resident outcomes, and employee performance.
• Support Medicare determinations, MDS processes, PRI documentation, admissions, transfers, and discharges.
• Partner with Medical Directors, attending physicians, pharmacy consultants, rehabilitation providers, and interdisciplinary teams to coordinate resident care.
• Address resident and family concerns promptly, professionally, and respectfully.
• Protect resident rights, preferences, dignity, safety, and quality of life.
• Build and Support Nursing Teams: Evaluate staffing practices and help facilities maintain effective nursing coverage.
• Coach nursing leaders on employee performance, accountability, communication, and team development.
• Support recruitment, orientation, education, performance management, and retention efforts.
• Develop or strengthen clinical training and in-service education programs.
• Interpret clinical standards, policies, and regulatory expectations for nursing employees.
• Encourage employee participation, recognize strong performance, and promote a culture of professionalism and service.
• Drive Quality and Readiness: Participate in quality assurance, quality assessment, safety, admissions, care-planning, and education committees as needed.
• Identify gaps through audits, observations, and clinical data, then ensure corrective actions are implemented and sustained.
• Support survey readiness and serve as a nursing representative in matters involving the Department of Health.
• Help facilities improve care quality, employee effectiveness, clinical systems, and resident satisfaction.
• Prepare required clinical, operational, and leadership reports for facility and corporate leadership.

Skills

RN license

Leadership

Clinical operations

Staff development

Travel ready

Education

Bachelor’s degree in nursing or administration

Job description

Salary

$160,000 - $180,000 / Year

Overview

Regional Director of Nursing (RN) - Western New York

Primarily supporting Elderwood skilled nursing communities throughout Western New York

Bring Strong Nursing Leadership Where It Matters Most

Elderwood is seeking an experienced Regional Director of Nursing (RDON – RN) who can step confidently into skilled nursing communities, stabilize clinical operations, develop nursing leaders, and help teams move forward.

This is a highly visible, facility-based leadership role for an accomplished Director of Nursing who enjoys variety, solves problems calmly, and knows how to earn the trust of a team. Reporting to the Chief Nursing Officer, you will primarily support Elderwood communities throughout Western New York, with occasional short-term assignments in Central New York, the Adirondacks, or other Elderwood regions when additional leadership support is needed.

Assignments may include serving as an interim Director of Nursing, onboarding a newly hired DON, temporarily supporting another nursing leadership vacancy, or partnering with the Chief Nursing Officer on a focused clinical initiative.

Why This Role Stands Out

• Make an immediate impact: Bring structure, clinical leadership, and practical support to facilities during important periods of transition.

• Lead with senior-level support: Work directly with the Chief Nursing Officer and facility leadership rather than navigating complex assignments alone.

• Use the full range of your experience: Influence clinical quality, staffing, survey readiness, education, compliance, resident care, and leadership development.

• Develop other nursing leaders: Help newly hired DONs build confidence, understand expectations, and establish strong clinical systems.

• Experience meaningful variety: Take on different facilities, teams, and clinical priorities while remaining primarily based in Western New York.

• Grow your organizational influence: Contribute ideas, best practices, and special-project support across the Elderwood network.

Travel and Assignment Expectations

This role will primarily support Elderwood skilled nursing facilities throughout Western New York. The RDON must also be willing to accept occasional short-term assignments in Central New York, the Adirondacks, or other Elderwood regions based on organizational needs.

Some assignments may require overnight stays. The duration and location of each assignment will depend on the facility’s needs and the scope of support required.

Lead Through Change. Leave Teams Stronger.

The most effective regional clinical leaders do more than fill a vacancy. They bring stability, listen carefully, set clear expectations, strengthen systems, and prepare the permanent leadership team for continued success.

If you are an experienced skilled nursing leader who can adapt quickly, lead with confidence and diplomacy, and bring out the best in clinical teams, we invite you to explore this opportunity with Elderwood.

Join Our Team

Are you ready for a rewarding career? Join a company that cares for you, too.

Responsibilities

What You’ll Do as Regional Director of Nursing (RN):

Provide Interim and Regional Leadership

• Step into vacant Director of Nursing positions on a short-term basis and provide consistent leadership until a permanent replacement is hired.

• Orient, train, and support newly hired Directors of Nursing as they transition into their roles.

• Temporarily support ADON, Unit Manager, Educator, or other nursing leadership functions when operational needs require it.

• Assist the Chief Nursing Officer with special projects and targeted clinical initiatives at designated facilities.

• Build productive relationships quickly with Administrators, nursing leaders, frontline employees, residents, families, providers, and consultants.

Strengthen Clinical Operations

• Assess nursing operations, identify priorities, and establish clear, practical plans for improvement.

• Promote high standards of resident care and compliance with applicable state and federal requirements.

• Monitor resident assessments, care planning, clinical documentation, quality indicators, audits, and follow-up activities.

• Conduct rounds to evaluate clinical practices, unit management, resident outcomes, and employee performance.

• Support Medicare determinations, MDS processes, PRI documentation, admissions, transfers, and discharges.

• Partner with Medical Directors, attending physicians, pharmacy consultants, rehabilitation providers, and interdisciplinary teams to coordinate resident care.

• Address resident and family concerns promptly, professionally, and respectfully.

• Protect resident rights, preferences, dignity, safety, and quality of life.

Build and Support Nursing Teams

• Evaluate staffing practices and help facilities maintain effective nursing coverage.

• Coach nursing leaders on employee performance, accountability, communication, and team development.

• Support recruitment, orientation, education, performance management, and retention efforts.

• Develop or strengthen clinical training and in-service education programs.

• Interpret clinical standards, policies, and regulatory expectations for nursing employees.

• Encourage employee participation, recognize strong performance, and promote a culture of professionalism and service.

Drive Quality and Readiness

• Participate in quality assurance, quality assessment, safety, admissions, care-planning, and education committees as needed.

• Identify gaps through audits, observations, and clinical data, then ensure corrective actions are implemented and sustained.

• Support survey readiness and serve as a nursing representative in matters involving the Department of Health.

• Help facilities improve care quality, employee effectiveness, clinical systems, and resident satisfaction.

• Prepare required clinical, operational, and leadership reports for facility and corporate leadership.

From

Up to

Qualifications

What You’ll Need as Regional Director of Nursing (RN):

Required

• Current and active Registered Professional Nurse license in the state where the assignment is performed.

• At least two years of supervisory nursing experience.

• Nursing leadership experience appropriate to the size, complexity, and responsibilities of the assigned facility.

• Ability to step into unfamiliar operations, establish priorities, and lead effectively during periods of transition.

• Strong knowledge of skilled nursing operations, resident care standards, clinical documentation, staffing, and regulatory compliance.

• High-level leadership, decision-making, communication, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to supervise nursing employees effectively and maintain high standards of care.

• Maturity, diplomacy, professional discretion, and the ability to build trust across different teams and facilities.

• Willingness and ability to travel throughout Western New York and periodically provide short-term coverage in other regions.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing or administration.

• Geriatric or long-term care nursing training.

• Previous Director of Nursing experience in a skilled nursing or residential healthcare facility.

• Experience onboarding nursing leaders, supporting facilities in transition, or leading clinical-improvement initiatives.

• This position requires regular interaction with residents, coworkers, visitors, and/or supervisors. In order to ensure a safe work environment for residents, coworkers, visitors, and/or supervisors of the Company, and to permit unfettered communication between the employee and those residents, coworkers, visitors, and supervisors, this position requires that the employee be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language at an intermediate or more advanced level.

EOE Statement

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. Applicants and employees are considered for positions and are evaluated without regard to mental or physical disability, race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status or any other protected Federal, State/Province or Local status unrelated to the performance of the work involved.