Accreditation Standards, Behavioral Health, Clinical Information Systems, Clinical Monitoring, Clinical Nursing, Clinical Practices/Protocols, Clinical Study Publications, Director of Nursing (DON), Eating Disorders, Healthcare, Healthcare Providers, Leadership, Maintain Compliance, Medical Protocols, Medical Record System, Medication Administration, Medications, Nursing, Nursing Credentials, Nursing Management, On Call, Onboarding, Operational Support, Operations Management, Organizational Development/Management, Patient Care, Patient Safety, People Management, Performance Management, Psychiatry and Mental Health, Quality Assurance, Registered Nurse (RN), Regulations, Regulatory Compliance, Standards of Care, System Operations, The Joint Commission (TJC)
Director of Nursing - Adolescent Residential Treatment
Location: Escondido, CA
Compensation: Full-time, Exempt. Competitive salary of $120,000 – $150,000 annually, plus a comprehensive benefits package.
The residential treatment program serves adolescents with eating disorders. We are committed to clinical excellence and a family-centered approach, delivering evidence-based care that integrates structured therapeutic treatment with active caregiver involvement to foster resilience and lasting recovery.
The Role
The Director of Nursing (DON) provides executive oversight of 24-hour nursing operations across two separately licensed residential treatment facilities in Escondido, CA. You will champion clinical integrity and operational efficiency, ensuring the safe, compliant, and efficient delivery of care, and promoting consistency in nursing standards, systems, and clinical operations across both programs.
The DON serves as the operational liaison between nursing staff and medical providers and is clinically accountable for adherence to medical standards of care, collaborating closely with the Medical Director and organizational leadership. A consistent on-site presence is expected to support operational oversight, staff leadership, and regulatory compliance.
Key Responsibilities
- Nursing Leadership & Operations: Provide administrative and clinical oversight of nursing services, supervise Nurse Managers and all licensed and unlicensed nursing staff, and foster a culture of professionalism and patient safety.
- Regulatory Compliance & Quality: Ensure operations comply with California Title 22 residential treatment regulations and accreditation standards, such as the Joint Commission and CARF. Develop and maintain nursing policies, procedures, and clinical protocols.
- Staffing & Supervision: Oversee nursing staffing, scheduling, performance management, onboarding, and competency validation to support safe staffing practices across all shifts.
- Clinical Systems Oversight: Oversee medication management systems, including storage and regulatory compliance. Monitor nursing documentation practices and clinical workflows within the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
- Medical & Interdisciplinary Coordination: Support the coordination of provider workflows and communication, and collaborate with Clinical, Operations, and Milieu leadership to ensure continuity of care.
- Leadership: Participate in organizational planning and quality initiatives, and maintain schedule flexibility for on-call responsibilities to support the 24-hour program needs.
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
- Current, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license in California.
- Minimum of five (5) years of RN experience.
- Prior supervisory or management experience in healthcare or residential treatment is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated proficiency with Electronic Health Records (EHR) and medication administration systems.
- Experience in behavioral health, psychiatric, or eating disorder treatment is preferred.
Benefits
Full Benefits Package