Director of Nursing (DON) / Health Services Director

Location: Knoxville, TN

Position Type: Full-Time

Pay Range: $95,000–$105,000+ based on experience

Additional Compensation: Performance bonus potential

Setting: Assisted Living & Memory Support

Position Overview

M Force Partners is seeking an experienced Director of Nursing (DON) / Health Services Director to provide executive-level clinical leadership for an Assisted Living and Memory Support community. This position will oversee resident care, clinical operations, regulatory compliance, staff development, and quality standards while serving as a key member of the senior leadership team.

The Director of Nursing (DON) / Health Services Director will lead nursing staff, Med Techs, and caregivers while maintaining high standards for resident care, documentation, medication management, staffing, and regulatory readiness. This individual will also work closely with executive leadership on budgeting, labor management, resident retention, vendor relationships, and overall community operations.

For the right candidate, this Director of Nursing (DON) / Health Services Director position offers a defined opportunity for continued leadership development and progression toward a future Community Executive Director role.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish, communicate, and maintain clinical standards and procedures across Assisted Living and Memory Support
• Provide leadership and clinical oversight to RNs, LPNs, Med Techs, caregivers, and other resident care staff
• Oversee clinical workflows within PointClickCare (PCC) and eMAR, including documentation, medication administration, pharmacy coordination, and audit accuracy
• Lead preparation for Tennessee Department of Health surveys, regulatory audits, and Plan of Correction requirements
• Conduct pre-move-in and ongoing resident health and cognitive assessments
• Develop and maintain accurate resident care plans based on individual needs and acuity
• Support accurate Level of Care assessments and related billing
• Mentor and provide clinical leadership to the Assistant Director of Nursing and licensed nursing staff
• Partner with the ADON to develop staffing models, labor budgets, and shift coverage plans based on resident acuity
• Provide operational support and escalation when staffing gaps could affect resident safety or continuity of care
• Collaborate with executive leadership and department leaders to coordinate resident care, dining, operations, and life enrichment services
• Participate in clinical budgeting, labor management, vendor relationships, and regulatory risk management
• Serve as a primary clinical contact for physicians, therapy providers, residents, and families
• Address complex resident care concerns and family questions professionally and effectively
• Identify clinical process gaps and implement improvements to strengthen resident safety, compliance, and quality of care
• Support staff development, accountability, engagement, and retention across the clinical team

Required Qualifications

• Active, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of Tennessee
• Minimum 3 years of progressive nursing leadership experience as a Director of Nursing, Assistant Director of Nursing, Clinical Director, Administrator, or similar leadership role
• Experience leading and developing nursing and resident care teams
• Significant experience within senior living, Assisted Living, Memory Support, or a related resident care environment
• Proven experience preparing for and managing Tennessee Department of Health regulatory surveys
• Hands-on experience with PointClickCare (PCC) and eMAR
• Experience with resident assessments, care planning, medication management, and clinical documentation
• Understanding of staffing models, labor management, and resident acuity
• Strong knowledge of regulatory compliance and clinical quality standards
• Strong leadership, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with residents, families, physicians, clinical staff, and executive leadership
• Ability to manage complex clinical and operational situations under pressure
• Interest and ability to grow into broader senior living operational leadership

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• Previous Director of Nursing experience in Assisted Living or Memory Support
• Experience achieving strong outcomes during state regulatory surveys
• Experience with clinical budgeting and labor management
• Experience supporting census retention and broader senior living operations
• Demonstrated interest in progressing toward a Community Executive Director position

Job presented by M Force Partners

M Force Partners is a specialized recruitment partner connecting top-tier talent with leading organizations. With a deep understanding of engineering/technical, medical, professional and executive disciplines and industry demands, we deliver tailored recruitment solutions, including direct hire and contract placements, to ensure the right fit for both candidates and clients.

If this role isn't the right fit for you, we encourage you to explore our other opportunities at mforcepartners.com.

Do you know someone who may be a great match? Feel free to share this opportunity within your network.

Equal Opportunity Employer

M Force Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.