Director of Nursing (DON) (SACRAMENTO)

POSITION TITLE: Director of Nursing (DON)

REPORTS TO (TITLE): Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

SCHEDULE: Full-time, Exempt

PAY RANGE: $150,000 - $200,000 annual

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

The Director of Nursing provides executive leadership for all inpatient and outpatient behavioral health nursing services, ensuring exceptional patient care, regulatory excellence, a thriving workforce, and a culture grounded in safety, compassion, and accountability. This role shapes clinical strategy, drives operational performance, and fosters an environment where patients, families, and employees feel valued and supported. The DON organizes and administers nursing services to achieve the facility’s mission and objectives as established by the governing authority.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Patient Experience & Clinical Excellence

• Champion a patient‑centered, trauma‑informed model of care that prioritizes dignity, therapeutic engagement, and recovery.
• Organize programs, policies, and procedures to assess and meet the needs of patients across inpatient psychiatric services, outpatient clinics, and transitional programs.
• lan, supervise, and coordinate care delivered by RNs, LVNs, LPTs, and mental health workers.
• Ensure clear, concise, and current clinical policies and procedures that minimize risk and support high‑quality care.
• Monitor patient experience metrics and lead improvement initiatives that elevate communication, responsiveness, and therapeutic outcomes.
• Facilitate patient access to the appropriate level of care and setting.

Quality, Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with all federal, state, and accreditation standards (e.g., CMS, Joint Commission).
• Implement and annually review standards of nursing practice in behavioral healthcare.
• Lead continuous quality improvement efforts, including audits, dashboards, and corrective action plans.
• Oversee documentation standards and evidence‑based practice adoption to maintain high reliability.
• Perform all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/healthcare errors.
• Serve as executive sponsor for safety initiatives, including workplace violence prevention, de‑escalation training, and safe staffing practices.
• Ensure adherence to incident reporting and root cause analysis processes.
• Collaborate with facility leaders on organization‑wide performance improvement activities.

Workforce Engagement, Development & Appreciation

• Build a culture where staff feel respected, supported, and empowered to deliver exceptional care.
• Lead recruitment, retention, and workforce development strategies, including mentorship and competency programs.
• Promote shared governance and frontline involvement in decision‑making.
• Recognize and celebrate staff contributions through structured appreciation and transparent communication.
• Recommend personnel policy modifications to ensure reasonable hours, safe working conditions, and adequate staffing coverage.

Leadership, Strategy, Finance & Organizational Influence

• Provide strategic leadership for nursing operations, aligning clinical priorities with organizational goals and financial stewardship.
• Plan and assign staffing ratios based on patient needs, acuity, staff competency, and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and manage nursing budgets, staffing models, and resource allocation.
• Participate with the Governing Body, Management, Medical Staff, and Clinical Leaders in organizational decision‑making.
• Collaborate with the Vice President of Finance and service managers on budget planning for staffing, supplies, and equipment.
• Ensure cost controls to maximize effectiveness of departmental budgets.
• Recommend new facilities, equipment, or modifications needed to support patient care.
• Maintain strong relationships with executive peers, physicians, community partners, and regulatory bodies.
• Lead change management efforts that support innovation, operational efficiency, and long‑term sustainability.
• Uphold the organization’s ethics and customer service standards.

Requirements

Knowledge and Experience:

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• Master’s degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Psychiatric/Mental Health, or related field (Doctorate preferred).
• Five (5) years of prior experience in patient care services preferred; 7–10+ years of progressive nursing leadership experience in behavioral health or acute psychiatric settings strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in regulatory compliance, staff engagement, and operational leadership.
• Current and in good-standing, California Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• Current BLS certification.
• Current Handle with Care (HWC) certification (or obtained during orientation).

Skills and Abilities:

• Maintains strict patient confidentiality.
• Sensitivity and ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate across disciplines.
• Demonstrated leadership, influence, and motivational abilities.
• Strong judgment, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast‑paced, expanding organization.

Physical Requirements :

• While performing the duties of this job, this position is frequently required to do the following:
• Use standard office equipment and access, input, and retrieve information from a computer. Use computer keyboard with manual and finger dexterity and wrist-finger speed sufficient to perform repetitive actions efficiently for extended periods of time.
• Communicate effectively in person or via telephone in a manner which can be understood by those with whom the person is speaking, including a diverse population.
• Give and follow verbal and written instructions with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Perform complex mental functions and basic arithmetic functions; interpret complex laws, regulations, and policies; collect, interpret, and/or analyze complex data and information.
• Vision: see details of objects at close range.
• Coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Reach forward, up, down, and to the side.
• Sit or stand for minimum periods of one hour at a time and come and go from the work area repeatedly throughout the day.
• Lift up to five (5) pounds.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Healthcare Spending Account
• Life Insurance
• Supplemental Life, Term and Universal
• Short and Long-Term Disability
• PTO Plan
• Discounted Meal Plans