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Verified Pay check_circle $80 - $100 per hour
Hours Full-time, Part-time
Location Lake Charles, Louisiana

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Verified Pay check_circleProvided by the employer
This job pays $58.63 per hour more than the average pay for similar jobs in your area.

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About this job

Job Description

Job Description
Role: Interim Director of Nursing (DON)
Location: Lake Charles, LA
Position Type: Interim / Contract

Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Interim Director of Nursing (DON) to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the nursing department at a behavioral health hospital. This role is responsible for ensuring high-quality patient care, regulatory compliance, staff development, and efficient day-to-day nursing operations. The Interim DON will collaborate closely with executive leadership to maintain clinical excellence, patient safety, and organizational performance while supporting the hospital's mission and values.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Provide 24/7 leadership, direction, and accountability for all nursing operations.
  • Lead and supervise nursing staff, ensuring the delivery of safe, compassionate, and evidence-based behavioral healthcare.
  • Develop, implement, and enforce nursing policies, procedures, and clinical standards.
  • Ensure compliance with Joint Commission, CMS, state, and federal regulatory requirements.
  • Maintain appropriate staffing levels, workforce planning, and resource allocation.
  • Recruit, mentor, coach, and evaluate nursing leaders and clinical staff.
  • Develop and manage departmental budgets while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
  • Monitor quality metrics, patient outcomes, and performance improvement initiatives.
  • Foster a culture of patient safety, teamwork, accountability, and service excellence.
  • Collaborate with physicians, department leaders, and executive management to improve operational efficiency and patient care.
  • Lead problem-solving initiatives, conflict resolution, and process improvement efforts.
  • Ensure all nursing staff maintain required licensure, certifications, mandatory education, and competency requirements.
  • Serve as a key member of the hospital leadership team, contributing to strategic planning and organizational initiatives.

Required Qualifications:
  • Active Registered Nurse (RN) license in Louisiana, Texas, or a Compact State.
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required; Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) preferred.
  • Minimum 3 years of progressive nursing leadership experience in an acute care or behavioral health hospital, including Charge Nurse, Nurse Manager, Unit Coordinator, or Director-level responsibilities.
  • Strong knowledge of behavioral health nursing practices, regulatory standards, accreditation requirements, and quality improvement.
  • Current CPR, ACLS, and PALS certifications, as applicable.
  • Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and decision-making skills.
  • Proficiency with electronic health records (EHR) and Microsoft Office applications.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
 
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Previous experience serving as an Interim Director of Nursing or Nursing Executive.
  • Behavioral Health or Psychiatric Hospital leadership experience strongly preferred.
  • Experience leading regulatory surveys, accreditation readiness, and performance improvement initiatives.


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Posting ID: 1281729925 Posted: 2026-08-19 Job Title: Director Nursing