About This Position
Director of Nursing (DON)
Are You Ready to Lead in Healthcare?
Ballard Center is seeking an experienced, compassionate, and results-driven Director of Nursing (DON) to join our outstanding healthcare team in Seattle, Washington.
This is an excellent opportunity for an accomplished skilled nursing leader who is passionate about clinical excellence, regulatory compliance, team development, and exceptional resident-centered care.
Salary Range: $147,000-$157,000 annually
Location: Ballard Center - Seattle, Washington
Employment Type: Full-Time
Department: Nursing Services
Reports To: Administrator
Position Summary
The Director of Nursing is responsible for planning, organizing, developing, implementing, and directing the overall operations of the nursing services department. The DON ensures that residents receive the highest possible quality of care in accordance with professional nursing standards, facility policies, and all applicable federal, Washington State, and local requirements.
The DON serves as the facility’s senior clinical leader and works closely with the Administrator, Medical Director, providers, department leaders, residents, families, and other members of the interdisciplinary team.
Required SNF Director of Nursing Experience
Applicants must have a minimum of two years of successful experience as a Director of Nursing in a skilled nursing facility.
Candidates must clearly identify their skilled nursing Director of Nursing experience on their résumé. Applicants who do not meet this minimum experience requirement may not be considered.
Essential Responsibilities
Direct and oversee the daily operations of the nursing services department.
Ensure residents receive safe, individualized, culturally responsive, and resident-centered care.
Maintain compliance with CMS requirements, Washington State regulations, professional standards of practice, and facility policies.
Develop, implement, review, and update nursing policies and procedures.
Maintain systems that support accurate assessments, MDS completion, care planning, clinical documentation, and changes in condition.
Monitor quality measures and develop performance-improvement plans when opportunities are identified.
Lead nursing participation in QAPI, risk management, safety, utilization review, care planning, and other required committees.
Participate in regulatory surveys, complaint investigations, audits, Plans of Correction, and ongoing survey-readiness activities.
Oversee the facility’s abuse-prevention program and ensure timely investigation, reporting, and follow-up of allegations and incidents.
Monitor clinical outcomes, including falls, pressure injuries, weight loss, infections, pain, medication errors, behavioral concerns, and changes in functional status.
Review rehospitalization trends and implement strategies to reduce avoidable hospital transfers.
Collaborate with the Infection Preventionist to maintain an effective infection-prevention and control program.
Review potential admissions to confirm that the facility can safely and appropriately meet each individual’s needs.
Ensure that nursing services are adequately staffed with qualified employees who possess the competencies necessary to meet resident needs.
Participate in the recruitment, interviewing, hiring, orientation, education, performance management, and retention of nursing employees.
Provide leadership, education, coaching, and accountability to RNs, LPNs, CNAs, nurse managers, and other clinical team members.
Make regular clinical rounds to evaluate resident care, staff performance, environmental safety, and compliance with facility standards.
Monitor medication administration and treatment practices to ensure medications and treatments are provided as ordered.
Collaborate with physicians, pharmacy, therapy, social services, dietary, medical records, residents, families, and other members of the interdisciplinary team.
Oversee the nursing department budget, staffing resources, equipment, and supply needs.
Provide direct nursing care, assessments, and clinical support when necessary.
Participate in emergency response and remain available for leadership support outside normal business hours when necessary.
Required Qualifications
Current, active, and unencumbered Registered Nurse license in Washington State
Minimum of two years of experience as a Director of Nursing in a skilled nursing facility
Minimum of three years of nursing supervisory or leadership experience in a skilled nursing facility, hospital, or related healthcare environment
Nursing degree from an accredited college or university
At least six months of experience with rehabilitative and restorative nursing practices
Strong knowledge of CMS requirements, Washington State regulations, MDS, care planning, QAPI, infection prevention, quality measures, and survey readiness
Demonstrated ability to lead nursing teams and improve clinical outcomes
Strong leadership, communication, organization, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills
Ability to make sound independent decisions and respond effectively to urgent clinical and operational concerns
Ability to communicate professionally with residents, families, employees, providers, regulators, and other stakeholders
Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and facility requirements
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Experience using PointClickCare
Advanced education in healthcare management, nursing leadership, or geriatric care
Director of Nursing certification or other relevant nursing leadership certification
Demonstrated success improving quality measures, reducing avoidable hospitalizations, strengthening survey outcomes, and supporting staff retention
Physical and Scheduling Requirements
Ability to move throughout the facility and work in resident-care and office environments
Ability to push, pull, move, or lift at least 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation
Ability to assist during emergencies and resident evacuations when necessary
Ability to work beyond normal business hours, including weekends and holidays, when facility needs or emergencies require leadership support
Ability to manage the mental and emotional demands of a senior clinical leadership position
Why Join Ballard Center?
This is an opportunity to lead meaningful clinical improvement, develop a committed nursing team, strengthen regulatory compliance, and positively influence the quality of life and care of our residents.
If you are an experienced SNF Director of Nursing who leads with integrity, accountability, compassion, and a commitment to excellence, we invite you to apply.
Ballard Center is an equal-opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without unlawful discrimination and in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
Are You Ready to Lead in Healthcare?
Ballard Center is seeking an experienced, compassionate, and results-driven Director of Nursing (DON) to join our outstanding healthcare team in Seattle, Washington.
This is an excellent opportunity for an accomplished skilled nursing leader who is passionate about clinical excellence, regulatory compliance, team development, and exceptional resident-centered care.
Salary Range: $147,000-$157,000 annually
Location: Ballard Center - Seattle, Washington
Employment Type: Full-Time
Department: Nursing Services
Reports To: Administrator
Position Summary
The Director of Nursing is responsible for planning, organizing, developing, implementing, and directing the overall operations of the nursing services department. The DON ensures that residents receive the highest possible quality of care in accordance with professional nursing standards, facility policies, and all applicable federal, Washington State, and local requirements.
The DON serves as the facility’s senior clinical leader and works closely with the Administrator, Medical Director, providers, department leaders, residents, families, and other members of the interdisciplinary team.
Required SNF Director of Nursing Experience
Applicants must have a minimum of two years of successful experience as a Director of Nursing in a skilled nursing facility.
Candidates must clearly identify their skilled nursing Director of Nursing experience on their résumé. Applicants who do not meet this minimum experience requirement may not be considered.
Essential Responsibilities
Direct and oversee the daily operations of the nursing services department.
Ensure residents receive safe, individualized, culturally responsive, and resident-centered care.
Maintain compliance with CMS requirements, Washington State regulations, professional standards of practice, and facility policies.
Develop, implement, review, and update nursing policies and procedures.
Maintain systems that support accurate assessments, MDS completion, care planning, clinical documentation, and changes in condition.
Monitor quality measures and develop performance-improvement plans when opportunities are identified.
Lead nursing participation in QAPI, risk management, safety, utilization review, care planning, and other required committees.
Participate in regulatory surveys, complaint investigations, audits, Plans of Correction, and ongoing survey-readiness activities.
Oversee the facility’s abuse-prevention program and ensure timely investigation, reporting, and follow-up of allegations and incidents.
Monitor clinical outcomes, including falls, pressure injuries, weight loss, infections, pain, medication errors, behavioral concerns, and changes in functional status.
Review rehospitalization trends and implement strategies to reduce avoidable hospital transfers.
Collaborate with the Infection Preventionist to maintain an effective infection-prevention and control program.
Review potential admissions to confirm that the facility can safely and appropriately meet each individual’s needs.
Ensure that nursing services are adequately staffed with qualified employees who possess the competencies necessary to meet resident needs.
Participate in the recruitment, interviewing, hiring, orientation, education, performance management, and retention of nursing employees.
Provide leadership, education, coaching, and accountability to RNs, LPNs, CNAs, nurse managers, and other clinical team members.
Make regular clinical rounds to evaluate resident care, staff performance, environmental safety, and compliance with facility standards.
Monitor medication administration and treatment practices to ensure medications and treatments are provided as ordered.
Collaborate with physicians, pharmacy, therapy, social services, dietary, medical records, residents, families, and other members of the interdisciplinary team.
Oversee the nursing department budget, staffing resources, equipment, and supply needs.
Provide direct nursing care, assessments, and clinical support when necessary.
Participate in emergency response and remain available for leadership support outside normal business hours when necessary.
Required Qualifications
Current, active, and unencumbered Registered Nurse license in Washington State
Minimum of two years of experience as a Director of Nursing in a skilled nursing facility
Minimum of three years of nursing supervisory or leadership experience in a skilled nursing facility, hospital, or related healthcare environment
Nursing degree from an accredited college or university
At least six months of experience with rehabilitative and restorative nursing practices
Strong knowledge of CMS requirements, Washington State regulations, MDS, care planning, QAPI, infection prevention, quality measures, and survey readiness
Demonstrated ability to lead nursing teams and improve clinical outcomes
Strong leadership, communication, organization, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills
Ability to make sound independent decisions and respond effectively to urgent clinical and operational concerns
Ability to communicate professionally with residents, families, employees, providers, regulators, and other stakeholders
Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and facility requirements
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Experience using PointClickCare
Advanced education in healthcare management, nursing leadership, or geriatric care
Director of Nursing certification or other relevant nursing leadership certification
Demonstrated success improving quality measures, reducing avoidable hospitalizations, strengthening survey outcomes, and supporting staff retention
Physical and Scheduling Requirements
Ability to move throughout the facility and work in resident-care and office environments
Ability to push, pull, move, or lift at least 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation
Ability to assist during emergencies and resident evacuations when necessary
Ability to work beyond normal business hours, including weekends and holidays, when facility needs or emergencies require leadership support
Ability to manage the mental and emotional demands of a senior clinical leadership position
Why Join Ballard Center?
This is an opportunity to lead meaningful clinical improvement, develop a committed nursing team, strengthen regulatory compliance, and positively influence the quality of life and care of our residents.
If you are an experienced SNF Director of Nursing who leads with integrity, accountability, compassion, and a commitment to excellence, we invite you to apply.
Ballard Center is an equal-opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without unlawful discrimination and in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
