Director of Health Services (DON)

Position Summary

The Director of Health Services serves in a critical leadership role within WesleyLife’s health services. This leadership position plans, leads and directs the overall nursing operations of the assigned community’s health center, ensuring full compliance with all current federal, state and local standards and regulations.

Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities

• Plans, develops, organizes and provides leadership to the services of the nursing department.
• Ensures programs, activities and services are provided in accordance with current rules, regulations and guidelines which govern long term care facilities.
• Ensures compliance through proper policies, procedures and processes, daily observation and coaching of team members, appropriate record keeping and documentation, as well as constant monitoring and surveillance of actual daily practices.
• Develops, advocates and models the creation of a home for those living within WesleyLife’s health center.
• Enables and supports independence by approaching each resident on an individualized basis and coaching all team members to build relationships, identify preferences and act based upon that person’s specific needs.
• Guides, mentors and coaches all team members in the art of delivering high quality clinical care within a non-institutionalized environment.
• Ensures clinical compliance is held to the highest possible quality standards. Establishes and implements high-quality clinical standards in collaboration with Directors of Health Services at other locations.
• Oversees the completion and implementation of the resident care planning process, collaborates with the team to ensure full evaluation and delivery of health care services are provided for each individual resident relative to his/her needs and lifestyle preferences, and develops and implements appropriate coordination of care between nursing and other services to ensure full continuity of care for each individual served.
• Led the selection and onboarding process of new hires ensuring new team members are fully acculturated to the organization, its mission and vision and that each new team member understands his/her role on the team.
• Engages team members in meeting nursing-related goals and outcomes, informing and communicating with team members to enable their understanding and participation in the success of team results.
• Educates and provides coaching in implementing appropriate plans of action to achieve deficiency-free surveys and to meet or exceed survey and inspection standards while still working toward the de-institutionalized model of long term care.
• Collaborates with the team to assist in maintaining health center occupancy levels, including pre-admission screenings and discharge planning. Works with the team to coordinate admissions and to make decisions regarding short-term stays as well as longer term admissions.
• Participates in project teams, committees or other teams as required. This may include but is not limited to Infection Control, Quality Assurance, Budget, Safety and other committees as needed or as directed by the Executive Director.
• Completes other responsibilities or projects as may be required or requested by the Executive Director or other leadership team members.

Education & Experience

• Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing with a current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Iowa
• Prior experience in nursing administration within a geriatric setting is required with three to five years of previous leadership experience expected

Why Choose WesleyLife?

At WesleyLife, you're not just starting a job — you're joining a purpose-driven community where your well-being, growth, and impact truly matter. With nearly 80 years of excellence in serving older adults, we empower our team members to thrive while making meaningful connections and changing lives every day. WesleyLife is proud to be recognized as one of Senior Care’s Best Places to Work by WeCare Connect!

We’re committed to a workplace where every team member is seen, heard, and appreciated. Ready to Make a Difference? We’re excited to meet people who share our passion for service, wellness, and community. Apply today and help us continue to revolutionize the aging experience — the WesleyLife Way.

WesleyLife believes in welcoming all people to our team and is an equal opportunity employer.