Director of Nursing (Behavioral Health Hospital)

Director of Nursing (Behavioral Health Hospital)

Location: Richmond Heights, OH
Salary: $80,000 - $125,000 DOE
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, 401(k), and Professional Development Opportunities

About the Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Director of Nursing (DON) to lead nursing operations within a growing high-acuity inpatient psychiatric hospital serving adults experiencing acute mental health and behavioral health challenges.

The Director of Nursing will oversee daily nursing operations, staff development, patient care standards, and regulatory compliance while partnering closely with hospital leadership to support quality outcomes and operational excellence. This is an exciting opportunity to join an organization with plans for future growth and expansion of services in the future.

Position Summary

The Director of Nursing is responsible for the leadership, direction, and oversight of all nursing services throughout the hospital. This individual will ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality patient care while maintaining compliance with Joint Commission, CMS, and state regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for all nursing operations and clinical nursing staff.
• Recruit, train, mentor, and develop nursing personnel while promoting a positive and accountable team culture.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels, scheduling, and patient coverage to support quality care and patient safety.
• Monitor nursing performance, productivity, and adherence to hospital policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with Medical, Clinical, Admissions, Utilization Review, and Operations teams to ensure coordinated patient care.
• Ensure compliance with Joint Commission, CMS, state licensing, and hospital accreditation standards.
• Lead quality improvement initiatives and monitor key performance indicators related to nursing services.
• Review incident reports, patient safety concerns, restraint/seclusion practices, and risk management activities.
• Participate in survey readiness activities and support successful regulatory inspections.
• Assist with policy development, staff education, and implementation of best practices in psychiatric nursing.
• Support future program development and service expansion initiatives.

Qualifications Required

• Active Ohio Registered Nurse (RN) license or ability to obtain licensure.
• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) required.
• Minimum 3 years of nursing leadership experience within behavioral health.
• Must have experience working in a high-acuity inpatient psychiatric setting in a leadership capacity such as:
• Nurse Manager
• Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON)
• Director of Nursing (DON)
• Strong understanding of psychiatric nursing standards, crisis intervention, patient safety, and behavioral health regulations.
• Experience managing nursing staff, staffing schedules, and day-to-day nursing operations.
• Knowledge of Joint Commission, CMS, and state regulatory standards.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.

Preferred

• Master's Degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or related field.
• Experience with hospital accreditation surveys and regulatory audits.
• Experience working with Medicare, Medicaid, commercial insurance, and managed care populations.
• Experience supporting hospital growth, operational improvements, or program development initiatives.

What We're Looking For

• A hands-on nursing leader who leads from the front.
• Strong team-builder focused on culture, accountability, and staff retention.
• Experience thriving in fast-paced, high-acuity psychiatric environments.
• Collaborative leader with strong communication and operational skills.
• Passionate about patient safety, quality care, and clinical excellence.

This position is ideal for a behavioral health nursing leader looking to make a meaningful impact within a growing inpatient psychiatric hospital environment.