RN - Director of Nursing - Assisted Living

Elderwood Administrative Services; Bellevue (NY); On-site; USD 63,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Elderwood Assisted Living at Cheektowaga is seeking a seasoned Director of Nursing (RN) to lead Resident Care Services and nursing operations in a 77-bed New York State-certified Assisted Living Program. This on-site, full-time leadership role partners with the Administrator to maintain safe, independent living for residents and regulatory readiness.

The DON will set clinical standards, develop staff, and ensure high-quality care while balancing resident rights and quality of life in the

Qualifications

• Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in New York State.
• At least two years of supervisory nursing experience.
• Ability to participate in the facility’s on-call program, including on-site coverage during off-hours.
• Proficiency with electronic medical records and standard computer applications.
• Strong clinical‑assessment, communication, organization, and decision‑making skills.

Responsibilities

• Direct Resident Care Services and oversee care by nursing staff.
• Evaluate admissions/readmission assessments to ensure safe support.
• Coordinate with physicians, pharmacies, families, and care partners.
• Maintain regulatory readiness and quality indicators in the Nursing Department.
• Partner with Administrator on budgeting, operations, and patient-centered care.

Skills

RN license NY

Nursing supervision

On-call readiness

EMR proficiency

Clinical leadership

Tools

EMR systems

Job description

Salary

Up to $105,000 / year

Overview

Director of Nursing (RN) – Assisted Living Program

Elderwood Assisted Living at Cheektowaga | Cheektowaga, NYFull-time | Onsite leadership position

Lead With Purpose. Support Independence. Build a Nursing Culture That Lasts.

Elderwood Assisted Living at Cheektowaga is seeking an accomplished, people-centered Registered Nurse to lead Resident Care Services and the community’s nursing operations.

This is a visible leadership opportunity within a 77-bed, New York State-certified Assisted Living Program. As Director of Nursing, you will establish clinical expectations, develop employees, oversee resident assessments and care delivery, maintain regulatory readiness, and partner with the Administrator to help residents remain safe, supported, and as independent as possible.

Assisted-living nursing requires a thoughtful balance. Residents call this community home and value their autonomy, routines, relationships, and personal choices. At the same time, their needs may change, requiring strong assessment, early intervention, careful coordination, and clear communication with families and healthcare providers.

The right Director of Nursing will understand how to provide that clinical leadership without losing sight of the dignity, independence, and quality of life at the center of assisted living.

About Elderwood Assisted Living at Cheektowaga

Elderwood Assisted Living at Cheektowaga is a close-knit community offering assisted living, personal care, respite care, and round-the-clock nursing supervision. Our New York State-certified Assisted Living Program helps residents age in place by providing the right level of clinical and personal-care support as their needs evolve.

The community is part of a broader Elderwood campus that also includes independent living and skilled nursing with subacute rehabilitation. This continuum creates opportunities for thoughtful coordination as residents’ needs change.

Why This Role Matters

As Director of Nursing, you will influence nearly every part of the resident and employee experience:

• Establish clear clinical and resident-care standards

• Oversee Resident Care Services and all direct care provided by nursing and resident-care employees

• Build, coach, schedule, and retain a dependable care team

• Assess residents at admission, readmission, and when needs change

• Strengthen communication with residents, families, providers, pharmacy, and community partners

• Maintain readiness for New York State Department of Health reviews

• Align staffing, workflows, documentation, and resources with resident needs

• Partner with the Administrator on quality, operations, budgeting, and community priorities

• Help residents remain safely in the community for as long as their needs can be appropriately supported

This is a position where steady, visible leadership can create meaningful and lasting change.

Build the Next Stage of Your Nursing Leadership Career

Elderwood is committed to developing strong clinical leaders.

Eligible Directors of Nursing may be considered for participation in Widener University’s 12-week Director of Nursing Leadership Academy - one of a limited number of professional-development programs designed specifically for current and aspiring DONs.

The academy combines flexible online coursework, leadership coaching, faculty mentorship, and an immersive campus experience. Participants strengthen practical skills in communication, decision-making, workforce retention, financial management, strategic planning, change leadership, and organizational problem-solving while earning 30 continuing education units.

For a nursing leader who wants to make an immediate impact while continuing to grow professionally, Elderwood offers an opportunity to lead with the resources of a larger healthcare organization behind you.

Who Thrives in This Role?

You may be a strong fit if you:

• Lead with presence, consistency, fairness, and follow-through

• Understand that assisted living must balance resident independence with safety and clinical oversight

• Build trust with residents, families, employees, and providers

• Set clear expectations and hold employees accountable respectfully

• Recognize changes in condition and ensure timely intervention

• Make thoughtful admission and readmission decisions

• Remain composed when priorities change or urgent needs arise

• Understand staffing, scheduling, budgeting, and regulatory responsibilities

• Are willing to participate meaningfully in on-call coverage

• Want a leadership role where your decisions are visible and consequential

Lead Close to Home

Elderwood Assisted Living at Cheektowaga is conveniently located for nursing leaders throughout Cheektowaga, West Seneca, Depew, Lancaster, Sloan, South Buffalo, and Buffalo’s eastern neighborhoods.

Located near I-90 and accessible from Route 33 and other major local corridors, the community may also offer a practical commute from Lackawanna, Williamsville, Amherst, Clarence, Elma, Alden, Orchard Park, and surrounding Erie County communities.

Responsibilities

What You’ll Lead as Director of Nursing (RN) of this Assisted Living Program:

Resident care and clinical oversight

• Direct Resident Care Services and oversee the quality and consistency of care provided by nursing and resident-care employees

• Evaluate prospective residents before admission and determine whether their needs can be safely and appropriately supported

• Complete admission and readmission assessments

• Review medical and social histories, physician orders, hospital information, and transfer documentation

• Conduct hospital assessments when necessary to support safe readmission decisions

• Monitor resident status and ensure changes in condition are recognized, communicated, documented, and addressed

• Coordinate with healthcare providers, pharmacy, hospitals, families, and other care partners

• Help residents and families understand care needs, available services, and changes to the resident’s plan

• Promote resident rights, dignity, independence, preferences, and quality of life

Employee leadership and development

• Lead staffing, scheduling, training, performance management, and personnel functions for Resident Care Services

• Establish clear expectations for nursing and resident-care employees

• Maintain a visible, accessible leadership presence throughout the community

• Coach employees and address performance concerns promptly and consistently

• Support orientation, competency development, continuing education, and regulatory training

• Build accountability while maintaining respectful, professional communication

• Evaluate staffing patterns and adjust resources to reflect resident acuity and operational needs

• Partner with Human Resources and recruitment teams on hiring, onboarding, retention, and employee development

Quality, compliance, and regulatory readiness

• Serve as the Nursing Department’s primary representative for matters involving the New York State Department of Health

• Maintain working knowledge of regulations applicable to New York assisted-living and adult-care settings

• Ensure assessments, service plans, documentation, medication-management practices, and resident-care systems meet applicable requirements

• Monitor quality indicators, incidents, hospital transfers, changes in condition, and other clinical trends

• Develop corrective actions and performance-improvement plans when needed

• Maintain readiness for surveys, audits, and regulatory reviews

• Support infection prevention, emergency preparedness, medication safety, and resident-safety initiatives

• Develop and reinforce policies, procedures, and clinical workflows

Operations and financial stewardship

• Partner with the Administrator on community operations and strategic priorities

• Prepare, manage, and monitor the Nursing Department budget

• Evaluate staffing costs, supplies, equipment, and other clinical-resource needs

• Conduct workflow analysis and improve systems affecting care delivery, documentation, communication, and employee efficiency

• Balance resident-care priorities with responsible operational and financial decision-making

• Participate in the facility’s on-call program, including reporting onsite during off‑hours when resident or operational needs require it

Qualifications

What You’ll Need as Director of Nursing (RN) of this Assisted Living Program:

Required

• Current license and registration to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in New York State

• At least two years of supervisory nursing experience

• Ability to lead staffing, scheduling, training, employee development, and performance-management functions

• Strong clinical‑assessment, communication, organization, and decision‑making skills

• Proficiency with electronic medical records, electronic communication, and standard computer applications

• Ability to participate in the facility’s on‑call program, including working onsite during off‑hours when necessary

• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English at the level necessary for safe care and effective workplace communication

Preferred

• Previous clinical or leadership experience in assisted living

• UAS-PRI certification

• Experience with geriatric care, aging in place, memory support, home care, or long‑term care

• Knowledge of New York Adult Home, Enriched Housing Program, Assisted Living Residence, Assisted Living Program, Enhanced Assisted Living Residence, and Special Needs Assisted Living Residence requirements

• Experience with Department of Health surveys, regulatory readiness, quality improvement, or corrective‑action planning

• Budget‑management and clinical‑workflow experience

Experienced nurse leaders from assisted living, home care, care management, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, or other geriatric settings are encouraged to apply. Candidates without direct assisted‑living experience should be prepared to demonstrate their ability to learn and apply New York’s adult‑care and assisted‑living requirements.