Director of Nursing - Hospice and Palliative Care

• Job Title/Position: Director of Nursing
• Reports To: CEO
• Manages: Clinical Manager

Position Summary

The Director of Nursing (DON) is the senior clinical leader responsible for the overall direction, quality, and compliance of the organization's hospice clinical services.

This role sets the clinical standard for the organization — establishing policy, driving quality improvement, ensuring regulatory compliance, and developing clinical staff.

The DON partners with the Administrator on operational matters and provides strategic oversight to the Clinical Manager, who manages day-to-day clinical operations.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership & Strategy

Establish, implement, and evaluate clinical goals, objectives, and standards of care that reflect Agape's mission and all applicable regulatory requirements.

Provide strategic direction for all hospice clinical services, ensuring alignment with Medicare CoPs, California Title 22, and Joint Commission standards.

Serve as the organization's clinical authority; establish clear standards of practice for all clinical disciplines.

Provide guidance and mentorship to the Clinical Manager on complex clinical situations, escalations, and systemic practice concerns.

Maintain clinical competency and current knowledge of hospice best practices, palliative care standards, and evolving regulatory requirements.

Quality Assurance & Performance Improvement (QAPI)

Lead and oversee the organization's Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program.

Analyze clinical quality data, outcome metrics, and audit findings; develop and implement corrective action plans as needed.

Conduct and/or oversee quarterly clinical record reviews; communicate findings and improvement strategies to clinical leadership.

Ensure the organization maintains continuous survey readiness; serve as the primary clinical contact during surveys and audits.

Collaborate with the Administrator to report quality metrics to leadership and implement organization-wide improvements.

Policy, Compliance & Education

Develop, review, and maintain all clinical policies, procedures, and protocols in compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.

Ensure all clinical personnel maintain required licensure, certifications, and competencies; monitor compliance proactively.

Design and oversee clinical orientation programs for new hires; delegate implementation to the Clinical Manager and Clinical Supervisors.

Plan and implement continuing education and in-service programs for clinical staff at least quarterly.

Interpret and communicate regulatory changes to clinical leadership in a timely manner.

Personnel Oversight

Provide oversight and performance evaluation for the Clinical Manager; establish clear performance expectations and accountability.

Participate in hiring decisions for Clinical Manager and senior clinical roles; provide final approval on clinical staff hiring.

Address clinical personnel concerns or performance issues that escalate beyond the Clinical Manager's scope.

Champion a culture of clinical excellence, compassion, and continuous professional growth.

Administrative Partnership

Collaborate with the Administrator on budgeting for clinical resources, equipment, and staffing.

Participate in organizational leadership meetings; contribute clinical perspective to operational and strategic decisions.

Support the Administrator in preparing for and responding to regulatory surveys, audits, and accreditation reviews.

Interpret patient care and staffing data to identify trends and guide resource planning.

Minimum Requirements

• Current, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of California.
• Minimum of five (5) years of clinical nursing experience, with at least two (2) years in hospice or palliative care.
• Minimum of two (2) years of clinical management or supervisory experience.
• Strong working knowledge of Medicare CoPs for hospice, California Title 22, and Joint Commission standards.
• Demonstrated leadership in quality improvement, clinical compliance, and staff development.
• Excellent clinical judgment, communication, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with electronic health records (EHR) and clinical documentation systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or higher degree preferred.
• Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN) credential strongly preferred.
• Experience leading QAPI programs or preparing for regulatory surveys.
• Experience in developing clinical education curricula or in-service programming.

What We Offer

Comprehensive benefits package: medical, dental, vision, life, LTD, STD, FSA, PTO and more

Requirements