Director of Nursing Services

PURPOSE: 

The Mishkon Division provides supports and services in a healthy and safe environment for individuals with intellectual/ developmental disabilities (IDD) living in residential programs and in community settings. Our core values are to provide a healthy and safe environment that promotes person centered planning, community integration, and close collaboration with families and the community. This is all accomplished through an Orthodox Jewish lens, and with an understanding that staff, at all levels of the division, is the determining factor in achieving positive outcomes for our clients.

POSITION OVERVIEW: 

The Director of Nursing (DON) is a key member of the agency’s leadership team and is responsible for the overall clinical and operational management of the Nursing Department. This role ensures the delivery of safe, high‑quality, person-centered nursing services across OPWDD and DOH certified ICF programs, and provides strategic direction that supports optimal health outcomes, regulatory compliance, and organizational excellence.

The DON provides clinical, administrative, and regulatory leadership, with direct accountability for nursing standards, staffing oversight, quality assurance, and supports interdisciplinary care coordination. The position serves as a primary driver of nursing compliance and is instrumental in maintaining survey readiness and advancing quality improvement initiatives. The DON works closely with the IDD leadership and Medical Director and is responsible for providing regular clinical reporting to the Mishkon ICF leadership Team.

KEY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Nursing Leadership & Supervision: Provide leadership, supervision, mentoring, and performance management for RNs, and LPNs; ensure appropriate staffing, coverage, competency, and licensure across ICF programs
• Clinical & Nursing Services Oversight: Oversee nursing services and care planning; ensure comprehensive nursing assessments, quarterly/annual reviews, and integration of medical information into each individual’s IPP and electronic health record.
• Medication & AMAP Oversight: Supervise medication administration, inventory, and medication destruction, and AMAP practices; collaborate with pharmacies and medical providers to resolve issues and ensure medication safety and compliance.
• Care Coordination & Clinical Collaboration: Coordinate care with Medical Director, external consultants, and specialists (e.g., hospitals, nursing homes, wound care, dietitians); serve as a clinical resource for complex and high needs case planning.
• Policy, Procedures & Standardization: Collaborate with leadership to develop, implement, and monitor nursing policies, procedures, and operating standards to ensure safety, and quality of care across all residences.
• Recruiting, Training & Workforce Development: Recruit and onboard nursing staff; lead initial and ongoing nursing, AMAP, and DSP training in the Plan of Nursing Care (PONS); and ensure workforce readiness and regulatory compliance.
• Quality Improvement & Risk Management: Implement evidence-based quality initiatives; and proactively develop preventive care plans and monitor trends to improve care outcomes.
• Regulatory Compliance & Survey Readiness: Maintain compliance with OPWDD, DOH, and CMS requirements through internal audits, documentation review, reporting, and active participation in DOH/ OPWDD surveys and support POCA (plan of Corrective Action) completion process.
• Incident Management & Committees: Participate in Incident Review Committee, Human Rights Committee, and interdisciplinary team meetings; support incident response, follow-up, and systemic improvements. Assist with incident Corrective Action Plan (CAP) recommendations.
• On-Call & Operational Support: Provide consultation or coordinate coverage with on-call RN during afterhours as needed for medical, clinical, and departmental emergencies.
• Other: Duties as assigned to meet individual and program needs

QUALIFICATIONS:

• NYS Registered Nurse Licensure
• Bachelor’s degree in nursing preferred, or ANCC certification in appropriate Specialty.

EXPERIENCE/ LANGUAGE:

• Minimum of 3-5 years of progressive leadership or supervisory experience in a clinical setting providing quality nursing support.
• A minimum of one year of supervisory experience within an OPWDD program is preferred.
• Knowledge of CMS, Department of Health, and/or OPWDD regulatory requirements
• Excellent communication and critical thinking skills
• Knowledge of electronic health records
• Ability to travel to multiple locations.
• Should possess effective oral and written communication skills and facilitate collaborative work with other agency disciplines.
• Familiarity with Orthodox Jewish practices preferred; training will be provided.

COMPUTER SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Proficiency in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, Teams, SharePoint, and PowerPoint are critical.
• Knowledge of EHR systems and ability to learn software programs including use of data and trends to inform clinical practice.

VISUAL AND MANUAL DEXIERITY: 

The visual and manual dexterity needed for this position include the ability to work on the computer typing reports and reviewing charts. There is also the need to speak frequently on the telephone, including a cellular phone.

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL EFFORT: 

The position requires the ability to travel from sites as needed. There is walking in the residential programs up and down stairs and at times the ability to lift a social service chart/file. This is an in-person/onsite position.