Senior Director of Nursing

The Senior Director of Nursing provides clinical and operational leadership for nursing and medical support services across Heartshare’s OPWDD-regulated residential programs. This position ensures safe, coordinated, person-centered healthcare that supports the health, dignity, independence, and changing needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Reporting to the Vice President of Clinical Services, the Senior Director directly supervises Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) and the Director of Medical Support Professionals. CNSs supervise their assigned nursing staff, while the Director of Medical Support Professionals supervises MSPs. In partnership with Residential leadership and interdisciplinary teams, the Senior Director establishes consistent standards, strengthens staff accountability, ensures regulatory compliance, and manages resources effectively.

Essential Functions and Primary Responsibilities

Leadership and Workforce Management

• Supervise, coach, and evaluate CNSs and the Director of Medical Support Professionals, holding them accountable for staff performance, quality of services, communication, and timely resolution of concerns.
• Establish clear responsibilities and workflows across nursing, MSP, and Residential/Article 16 teams, including handoffs, follow-up, and escalation procedures.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, staff development, and performance management through the respective supervisors and in collaboration with Human Resources.
• Review biweekly payroll submissions from all nursing staff to ensure timesheets are accurate, complete, and approved within established deadlines. Coordinate with HR and Payroll to complete and process any necessary personnel action forms.
• Evaluate assignments and coverage based on individual acuity, workload, geographic distribution, and regulatory requirements. Maintain an effective nursing on-call structure and conduct regular program visits.
• Monitor and oversee temporary staffing utilization and nursing overtime to ensure coverage needs are met efficiently, staffing resources are used appropriately, and overtime is managed in accordance with organizational expectations and budgetary goals.

Clinical Oversight and Care Coordination

• Ensure timely completion and implementation of nursing assessments, individualized Plans of Nursing Services, and health-related protocols, including supports for individuals with complex medical needs.
• Establish consistent processes for recognizing changes in health status, obtaining medical evaluation, implementing practitioner orders, and completing follow-up.
• Partner with Residential leadership to ensure completion of preventive care, screenings, specialty services, testing, and recommended treatment. Support approaches that promote independence and aging in place.
• Oversee nursing coordination of hospital discharges and emergency department follow-up, including medication reconciliation and staff instruction. Participate in admission and transition reviews to assess healthcare needs, staffing capacity, equipment, and competencies.

Medication Safety, Compliance, and Quality

• Oversee medication management, including administration practices, documentation, storage, reconciliation, pharmacy coordination, and controlled substance accountability.
• Ensure appropriate nursing training and supervision of staff performing permitted health-related tasks. Oversee medication administration certification, recertification, and individual-specific competency processes.
• Maintain compliance with applicable OPWDD requirements, New York State nursing practice standards, and agency policies through audits, site reviews, and corrective action monitoring.
• Partner with Quality Assurance and Residential leadership to address clinical incidents, medication errors, and complaints; implement immediate protections; and reduce recurring risks. Develop and recommend policies and procedures through established approval processes.

Operational Management and Performance Improvement

• Assist in developing nursing and medical support budgets and manage approved resources. Monitor vacancies, overtime, agency utilization, and workload to maintain appropriate coverage and reduce avoidable expenditures.
• Ensure timely clinical assessments and documentation supporting Higher Needs Funding requests in collaboration with Clinical Services, Residential Services, and Finance.
• Partner with Residential leadership on hospital accompaniment plans, clarifying clinical needs, staff responsibilities, competencies, and escalation procedures.
• Monitor clinical outcomes, healthcare follow-up, staff competency, compliance, and workforce utilization. Implement improvement plans with clear ownership and deadlines, evaluate appropriate technology, and promptly report significant risks to the Vice President of Clinical Services.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned, consistent with the scope, responsibilities, and level of the position, and in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational policies.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or equivalent experience.
• Current New York State Registered Professional Nurse license and registration in good standing.
• At least seven years of progressively responsible nursing experience, including three years in nursing leadership or management.
• Experience serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in OPWDD-regulated residential programs.
• Knowledge of OPWDD nursing requirements, Plans of Nursing Services, medication administration oversight, and supervision of unlicensed staff performing permitted nursing tasks.
• Experience supervising leaders and coordinating services across multiple locations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage clinical risk, strengthen healthcare coordination, address performance concerns, and implement quality improvements.
• Strong clinical judgment, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills; proficiency with electronic health records and performance reporting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting medically complex individuals and people experiencing age-related changes.
• Experience overseeing medical support staff or healthcare appointment coordination.
• Experience with budgets, workforce planning, OPWDD surveys, and medication administration training.

Benefits 

At HeartShare we offer a comprehensive benefit package based on full-time/part-time status. You can expect: 

• Rewarding Work in a team environment.
• Paid vacation, sick, personal days, and holidays.
• 403(B) retirement plans with employer contribution.
• Health, dental, vision and life insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Flexible spending account (Dependent Care, Medical, Parking, and Transit).
• Employee Appreciation Programs and Events.
• Tuition Assistance Program.
• Professional Development opportunities.
• Wellhub Discount
• Verizon Wireless Discount.
• BJs Membership discount.
• Discounts on Broadway tickets, movie tickets, theme parks, sporting events, gift certificates & more

HeartShare is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). If you need to request accommodation during the recruiting process, please reach out to Leaves@heartshare.org.

About Heartshare

Who WE ARE:

• For over 150 years, Heartshare has been dedicated to championing and empowering New Yorkers society has too often overlooked and underestimated.
• To learn more about HeartShare, please visit our website at www.heartshare.org or Follow us on Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Instagram FacebookHeartShare Human Services of New York | Homepage
• HeartShare Human Services of New York nurtures and empowers children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities

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