A Health Services Director job is actually an administrative position, held by a Registered Nurse (RN) with supervisory experience and exceptional organizational skills capable of overseeing the delivery of health care and services to all the residents in a senior living community. It’s a challenging, yet rewarding position for RNs who want to work at the top of their career field.
Sometimes, the Health Services Director is called a Director of Nursing (DON), Director of Health and Wellness, or a similar title. In any case, this position is typically the top nursing position in a senior living community.
Health Services Director, RN Job Responsibilities
The Health Services Director, RN position is a very intense job with many responsibilities. The Health Services Director, RN, supervises and oversees all nursing activities in the community, meaning this individual manages a large team of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse aides, sometimes called CNAs (Certified Nursing Aides).
Because the delivery of health care services in a senior living community is highly regulated, the Health Services Director, RN must ensure that all federal and state regulations are adhered to at all times. In addition to regulatory compliance, quality assurance is a key responsibility for a Health Services Director.
Additional Responsibilities for a Health Services Director, RN
In addition to the above-mentioned primary responsibilities, a Health Services Director is also responsible for:
- Coordinating residents’ health and wellness needs.
- Implementing and managing a medication delivery program.
- Conducting and coordinating resident assessments, Individual Service Plans (ISPs) and ancillary health services. This responsibility often requires interfacing with other health care providers, such as physical therapists, physicians, speech therapists, and specialists.
- Recruiting, hiring, and training the clinical services team. The Health Services Director is also responsible for scheduling clinical staff in accordance with state regulations, such as staffing ratios.
- Engaging and leading the clinical team, including conducting performance evaluations and taking disciplinary actions when necessary.
Typical Background for a Health Services Director, RN
At minimum, a Health Services Director job candidate must be a registered nurse and hold a current state license. Most senior living communities prefer candidates with several years of nursing experience, including two or more years working in a senior living community such as an assisted living community or skilled nursing community. Ideally, senior living providers prefer Health Services Director candidates with management experience.
Job descriptions for a Health Services Director, RN job position typically outline the following requirements:
- Two or more years’ experience as a registered nurse (RN).
- At least one year of experience working in a long-term care setting.
- Demonstrated competence in clinical assessment, medication administration, and triage.
- A minimum of one year of experience working in a nursing management capacity, with responsibilities such as coaching, daily operations management, scheduling, or performance management.
- The ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, in order to ensure residents’ needs are adequately met.
Candidates interested in pursuing a Health Services Director position may find it useful to first seek a lower-level management position, such as a Shift Supervisor or Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) in order to gain the background experience preferred by many employers.
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