Director of Nursing

Director of Nursing — Phoenix, AZ

Ovation Hospice is seeking a highly skilled, experienced Director of Nursing to lead clinical operations for our Phoenix, Arizona market.

This is a senior clinical leadership role for a Registered Nurse with a strong, proven background in hospice care — it is not an entry point for new nursing school graduates, CNAs, or nurses without direct hospice leadership experience.

As the Director of Nursing with Ovation, you will be responsible for overseeing the clinical operations of our hospice program, ensuring the highest standards of care are upheld. Your leadership and expertise will be instrumental in providing exceptional nursing care and ensuring the well-being of our patients.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction to the nursing team, ensuring high-quality patient care and compliance with hospice regulations and standards.
• Develop, implement, and monitor nursing policies and procedures to maintain clinical excellence.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate patient care plans and promote holistic support.
• Manage nursing staff recruitment, training, performance evaluations, and professional development.
• Oversee patient safety initiatives and quality improvement programs, including chart audits and QAPI participation.
• Serve as a resource for clinical consultation and participate in community outreach and education.
• Review records for clinical eligibility, LCD alignment, and terminal prognosis justification.
• Maintain strong working knowledge of Medicare hospice medical review processes, including focused regulatory audits.
• Provide education and coaching to clinical staff on proper charting to demonstrate skilled need and hospice eligibility, use of objective tools (e. g., FAST, PPS, NYHA, functional decline), and documentation that reflects individualized, patient-specific symptom management.
• Serve as the agency's clinical expert and work in unison with the Administrator as a key point of contact during external review processes.
• Ensure full compliance with all CMS hospice regulations, Medicare Conditions of Participation (CoPs), state licensing rules, and accreditation standards.
• Provide expert oversight of clinical documentation to ensure it supports eligibility for the hospice benefit, reflects terminal prognosis clearly and consistently, demonstrates ongoing decline and disease progression, and meets LCD (Local Coverage Determination) criteria for the diagnosis.

Ideal Candidate Attributes

• Thinks like both a clinician and a reviewer — understands how clinical care is judged by auditors.
• Can spot documentation weaknesses before they become payment or compliance issues.
• Is proactive, systematic, and able to build a culture where documentation supports care, not just paperwork.
• Knows how to explain complex regulatory requirements in ways nurses can apply at the bedside.
• Has a demonstrated track record of improving documentation to avoid payment denials.

Requirements

• Current RN license in the state of Arizona (multistate/compact license accepted).
• Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN) required.
• Minimum of 5 years of nursing experience, including at least 3 years specifically in hospice care, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or director-level clinical leadership role within hospice.
• This role is not intended for new nursing school graduates, CNAs, or RNs without direct hospice clinical leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of hospice regulations, patient care standards, and interdisciplinary team collaboration.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in using electronic medical record (EMR) systems and other relevant healthcare software.
• Compassionate, empathetic, and dedicated to providing quality end-of-life care.

Benefits

• Competitive salary ranging from $100,000.00 to $140,000.00 per year, paid bi-weekly.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Paid time off and holiday benefits.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuing education.
• Supportive work environment dedicated to compassion and excellence in patient care.

About the Company

Ovation Hospice is a leading provider of hospice care dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for patients and their families through compassionate, personalized care. Operating across Phoenix, Denver, and Salt Lake City, we strive to create a supportive environment that honors each individual's journey with dignity and respect. Join us in making a difference in the lives of those we serve.

If you are the right candidate, then we definitely want to hear from you! To apply click the “Apply” button or send your resume directly to javery@ovationhospice.com

We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination/harassment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

As part of Ovation Hospice's continued efforts to maintain a safe environment for all employees, patients, families, and visitors, Ovation strongly encourages its employees to receive an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccination, as well as any subsequent booster doses, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

To facilitate and further encourage COVID-19 vaccinations, Ovation periodically organizes onsite vaccination clinics at its various locations. Ovation employees are not required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 as a condition of employment.