Director of Nursing (DON)

VitalCore Health Strategies (VCHS), an industry leader in Correctional Healthcare, has an opening for a Director of Nursing at Ellsworth Correctional Facility in Ellsworth, KS! This position must be filled by a Registered Nurse.

Looking for a rewarding career in the field of healthcare?

At VitalCore we pride ourselves on retaining and acquiring hardworking ethical individuals who are committed to providing quality services. Join our team and experience first-hand how VitalCore Health Strategies promotes a positive work environment that is based on respect and appreciation of the hard work and dedication of our staff.

DON Position Summary

The Director of Nursing (DON) is a supervisory nursing position who works in a correctional setting in which nursing services are required on a 24-hour basis. The DON supervises and coordinates the activities of nursing personnel in one or more patient care units.

The DON verifies that patients’ needs are met and evaluates nursing care and patient care unit performance. They participate in the planning of work for assigned units and coordinate activities with other patient units/departments.

The DON plans and organizes training for staff members and works in partnership with the Health Services Administrator (HSA), and Regional Leadership to fulfill contractual requirements and achieve operational and clinical performance targets.

Director of Nursing (DON) Generous Benefits Package

• Holiday Pay: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short Term/Long Term Disability
• Identity Theft Protection
• Animal/Pet Insurance

• Employee Assistance Program and Discount Center
• 401K
• EEO

Minimum Requirements / Preferences

• Graduate of an Accredited Nursing School required. Bachelor or Master’s Degree in nursing preferred
• Licensed to practice nursing in the State, board-certified or board-eligible in medicine, and has training and experience providing services to an adult population

• To redefine benchmarks for the industry utilizing core values, strong partnerships, effective clinical practices, and innovative healthcare strategies
• Specialty certification in correctional healthcare is desired (Certified Correctional Health Professional: CCHP, Certified Correctional Health Professional Nurse: CCHP-RN)
• Minimum of 3 years of clinical experience in a healthcare setting, with correctional healthcare experience is preferred
• Previous clinical operations management experience is preferred; previous direct management experience within a correctional health setting is desired
• Knowledge of accreditation standards (NCCHC, ACA & state-specific), as well as experience with quality improvement programs and clinical auditing, is preferred

Essential Functions

• Utilizes a systematic approach to meet the health needs of each individual patient
• Provides quality oversight in collaboration with site, regional and corporate leadership. Provides clinical supervision to nursing staff. Implements appropriate work structure and processes to accomplish goals for patient care specific to contract requirements and healthcare policy and procedures. Assists and supports nursing staff with the provision of patient care. Organizes the delivery of safe, effective, and efficient patient care
• Evaluates patient care delivery processes on a regular, systematic, and frequent basis. Provides written reports to regional team and clients as scheduled or requested. Effectively uses data to identify performance improvement opportunities, takes action to drive improvement, and monitors progress through ongoing analysis of data and results
• Facilitates the development of site performance improvement plans and monitors site progress and reporting. Participates in and contributes to the achievement of the site’s key performance indicators and Clinical Quality Initiatives as directed

• Facilitates the completion of random and scheduled audits to assess site compliance with contractual requirements, accreditation standards, and continuous quality safety improvement (QAPI) opportunities. As directed, facilitates the completion of the appropriate QAPI forms and forwards findings/completed forms to Community/State leadership. Participates and serves on site-level QAPI committee
• Conducts at minimum annual accreditation readiness audits to assess compliance with standards and identify opportunities for improvement. Devises a mechanism to track compliance with accreditation standards every day. As appropriate, develops action plans based on accreditation readiness audit findings. Collaborates with site leadership to implement plans and evaluate the effectiveness of action plans and modifies plan(s) as appropriate
• Anticipates healthcare delivery and contractual issues and deals with potential issues proactively. Collaborates with site leadership and clients to meet the goals of the service contract in conjunction with regional leadership. Attends and reviews minutes on a regular basis for MAC meetings, Disease Management/Case Review and other healthcare-related site meetings. Reinforces and strengthens client satisfaction and related goals
• Performs screening interviews with candidates for basic knowledge, skills within the corrections environment. Sets and communicates recruitment standards and takes accountability for recruiting effectiveness and compliance across their area of responsibility. Participates in the selection process for open site positions. Identifies high potential staff for development, promotion and succession opportune-hire
• Performs at-hire and annual clinical competency assessments and checks to promote the delivery of safe, effective and efficient nursing care. To promote goal accomplishment (site and individual level), policy compliance and professional development, schedules aone-on-one monthly one on one meeting with direct reports. Provides developmental mentoring, formalized feedback, and coaching to staff. When appropriate, develops individual performance improvement plans for staff not meeting performance expectations

• Coordinates and monitors orientation and onboarding activities of new hires and staff that have moved into a different roles. Performs an ongoing assessment of staff learning needs and facilitates in-service and continuing education for nursing and ancillary personnel to promote professional development and enhance performance
• Interprets regulations and standards and communicates site and unit performance objectives to staff. Provides guidance and direction on state licensure, accreditation and regulatory agency requirements. Ensures nursing practice conforms to state licensure, accreditation and regulatory agency requirements in the clinical setting. Verifies required annual licensures and credentialing requirements for licensed personnel are met. Knows and ensures compliance with licensure requirements
• Develops a monthly schedule for nursing staff and nursing support staff to ensure a sufficient number of nursing staff are scheduled on each shift with the appropriate skill level. Monitors and makes recommendations to site and regional leadership regarding nursing support and staff to meet patient and contract needs
• Conducts at minimum monthly staff meetings in collaboration with site leadership. Assists site leadership with the development and maintenance of annual operational and clinical performance plans under the direction of regional operational management
• Acts as a liaison with other operating units, agencies and outside officials. Ensures nursing records are correctly maintained

• Participates in Pharmacy, Therapeutic, and Strategic Initiatives, Patient Safety/Sentinel Event Committee, Performance Improvement, Electronic Medical Records (EMR), Utilization Management and other process improvement committees/initiatives as directed or assigned
• Supports Company Initiatives and the application of best practices in clinical settings. Assists in the completion of special projects on an as-needed basis. Works with others to determine where resource support should be allocated on a prioritization basis. Participates in the monthly Regional DON calls, initiatives and activities. Performs other duties as assigned

We’re people who are fueled by passion, not by profit.

VitalCore Health Strategies is an equal opportunity employer and committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive workplace in which all employees have an opportunity to participate and contribute to the success of the business and are valued for their skills, experience, and unique perspectives.

Keywords: Registered Nurse, RN, DON, Director of Nursing, don

Full-Time 40 hours weekly