Director of Nursing (DON)

Director of Nursing (DON)

Department: Medical
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
FLSA Status: Exempt
Job Type: Full-Time l
Location: Ascent Behavioral Hospital – Millcreek, UT

Grow Your Career. Change Their Future.

At Ascent Behavioral Hospital, we provide compassionate, evidence-based care to adolescents navigating challenges such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. We are looking for dedicated Registered Nurses to join our interdisciplinary team in a supportive and safe environment where safety, integrity, respect, and excellence are our highest standards.

The Role

The Director of Nursing (DON) serves as a member of the Senior Leadership Team and is responsible for the strategic leadership, management, and oversight of all nursing services within the hospital. The DON ensures the delivery of safe, high-quality patient care while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements, accreditation standards, and evidence-based nursing practices.

This role provides direct supervision of nursing personnel, oversees staffing and scheduling operations, supports risk management and quality improvement initiatives, and serves as the hospital's Infection Control Coordinator and MANDT Instructor. The DON is expected to lead by example and maintain the ability and willingness to perform direct patient care duties as a Registered Nurse when operational needs require.

The Director of Nursing plays a critical role in crisis response, emergency preparedness, staff development, regulatory readiness, and fostering a therapeutic environment that promotes safety, healing, and positive patient outcomes.

Key Responsibilities 

Nursing Leadership & Clinical Operations

• Provide strategic direction and operational oversight for all nursing services.
• Supervise and support Charge Nurses, Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, and other nursing personnel.
• Ensure delivery of safe, effective, and patient-centered nursing care.
• Establish and maintain nursing standards, workflows, and clinical best practices.
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning and organizational leadership initiatives.
• Monitor nursing outcomes and implement quality improvement initiatives.

Staffing, Scheduling & Workforce Management

• Oversee nursing staffing plans to ensure adequate coverage and regulatory compliance.
• Participate in the creation and management of staff schedules.
• Fill staffing gaps and provide direct patient care when necessary.
• Recruit, interview, hire, onboard, and retain nursing staff.
• Conduct performance evaluations and competency assessments.
• Address employee relations matters, coaching, corrective action, and disciplinary processes.
• Develop succession planning and professional development opportunities within the department.

Risk Management & Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain compliance with Joint Commission standards, CMS requirements, state regulations, and hospital policies.
• Participate in risk management activities, investigations, and corrective action planning.
• Monitor and address patient safety concerns and adverse events.
• Lead nursing compliance audits and regulatory readiness efforts.
• Collaborate with leadership to develop and revise policies and procedures.
• Ensure proper documentation and adherence to nursing standards of practice.

Infection Prevention & Control

• Serve as the hospital's Infection Control Coordinator.
• Develop, implement, and monitor infection prevention and control programs.
• Conduct surveillance, investigations, and reporting of infectious disease concerns.
• Provide staff education regarding infection prevention practices.
• Ensure compliance with state, federal, and accreditation requirements related to infection control.

Crisis Intervention & Safety

• Maintain proficiency in verbal de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques.
• Respond to psychiatric emergencies and behavioral crises.
• Participate in physical interventions when clinically appropriate and required.
• Support a therapeutic milieu focused on safety, dignity, and trauma-informed care.
• Lead post-incident reviews and safety improvement initiatives.

Training & Staff Development

• Serve as a certified MANDT Instructor and provide ongoing training.
• Develop and facilitate nursing education and competency programs.
• Mentor nursing leaders and staff.
• Promote evidence-based practices and professional growth.

Vendor & System Management

• Develop and maintain relationships with pharmacies, laboratories, medical providers, and healthcare vendors.
• Assist with implementation and optimization of electronic health record systems and clinical technologies.
• Evaluate nursing equipment and clinical resources.
• Collaborate with vendors to improve operational efficiency and patient care outcomes.

Emergency Preparedness & Leadership Support

• Participate in the Administrator-On-Call rotation. 
• Respond to Emergencies within the nursing department. 
• Respond to emergencies and operational issues outside of regular business hours.
• Support disaster preparedness planning and emergency management activities.
• Serve as a leadership resource during critical incidents and hospital emergencies.

Essential Functions

• Direct and oversee all nursing operations within the hospital.
• Maintain nursing staffing levels and provide clinical coverage as needed.
• Recruit, hire, train, evaluate, and discipline nursing personnel.
• Develop and maintain nursing policies, procedures, and clinical standards.
• Lead infection control, quality improvement, and regulatory compliance initiatives.
• Respond effectively to psychiatric crises and emergency situations.
• Provide direct patient care when necessary.
• Maintain active participation in leadership, accreditation, and performance improvement activities.
• Foster collaboration between nursing services and other hospital departments.
• Ensure a culture of safety, accountability, and clinical excellence.

Competencies:

Leadership

• Provides vision, accountability, coaching, and direction while fostering a positive workplace culture.

Clinical Excellence

• Demonstrates expert nursing judgment and commitment to evidence-based practice.

Communication

• Communicates effectively with staff, patients, families, physicians, regulators, and community partners.

Crisis Management

• Remains calm, decisive, and effective during emergencies and behavioral health crises.

Regulatory Knowledge

• Maintains expertise in healthcare regulations, accreditation standards, and nursing practice requirements.

Relationship Management

• Builds collaborative relationships across departments and with external partners.

Strategic Thinking

• Identifies opportunities for improvement and implements sustainable solutions.

Team Development

• Mentors and develops staff while promoting accountability and professional growth.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Direct supervision of all nursing department personnel.
• Recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and retention of nursing staff.
• Performance management, coaching, corrective action, and employee development.
• Oversight of nursing scheduling and staffing plans.
• Leadership of nursing department meetings and education programs.

• Development and implementation of departmental goals and performance metrics.

Requirements

What We Are Looking For

Required:

• Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of Utah.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive nursing leadership experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory or management experience.
• Demonstrated experience in psychiatric, behavioral health, acute care, or hospital settings.
• Strong knowledge of Joint Commission standards, healthcare regulations, and nursing best practices.
• Ability to verbally de-escalate individuals experiencing psychiatric crises.
• Ability to safely participate in physical interventions when necessary.
• Current CPR/BLS certification.
• Ability to pass a federal background check.

Preferred:

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Healthcare Administration, or related field.
• Previous Director of Nursing, Assistant Director of Nursing, or Nursing Manager experience.
• Experience in adolescent behavioral health or psychiatric hospitals.
• Infection Prevention or Infection Control certification.
• MANDT Instructor certification.
• Experience with accreditation surveys and regulatory inspections.
• Advanced certifications in psychiatric nursing, leadership, quality improvement, or risk management.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish).

Benefits

Why Join Ascent Behavioral Hospital?

• Impact: Opportunity to make a meaningful difference in adolescent mental health.
• Culture: Supportive, mission-driven culture with a focus on teamwork and growth.
• Compensation: Competitive compensation and benefits (medical, dental, vision, retirement, PTO).
• Growth: Ongoing professional development, training opportunities , and clear career advancement pathways.
• Safety: Evidence-based initiatives focused on staff and patient safety.

Ready to make an impact? Apply today to join a team dedicated to excellence in mental health care.

Ascent Behavioral Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer.