Director of Nursing - CARES Center - Jackson, MS

Job Responsibilities

• Provide executive oversight of all nursing services within the 80-bed PRTF, ensuring delivery of safe, trauma-informed, and evidence-based care to youth.
• Direct and evaluate the implementation of the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention, evaluation) across all units.
• Ensure appropriate execution of all physicians, psychiatrist, nurse practitioner, and specialty provider orders.
• Oversee medication administration systems, including psychotropic monitoring, reconciliation, documentation, and compliance with pharmacy standards.
• Ensure timely completion of AIMS testing and other required clinical assessments.
• Oversee coordination of medical, dental, and specialty appointments and referrals.
• Provide clinical oversight for injury assessment, medical triage, and follow-up care.
• Ensure appropriate documentation and nursing oversight of seclusion/restraint events and post-event assessments.
• Conduct routine chart audits to ensure clinical documentation, medication administration records, assessments, and treatment plans are complete, accurate, and compliant.
• Collaborate with the Family Nurse Practitioner and psychiatric providers to ensure comprehensive medical oversight of all youth.

Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, Medicaid, and PRTF regulatory requirements.
• Oversee Infection Control Program implementation and reporting across CARES Center and relevant Solutions.
• Compile and review monthly, quarterly, and annual Infection Control reports.
• Prepare and present Pharmacy & Therapeutics reports in collaboration with the pharmacy consultant.
• Serve as CLIA Director and ensure laboratory certifications and applications remain current.
• Maintain pharmacy licenses, emergency kit certifications, and related compliance documentation.
• Ensure continuity of pharmaceutical services and medication availability at all times.
• Participate in regulatory surveys, audits, and corrective action planning.
• Monitor incident trends, including seclusion/restraint data, medication variances, and injury reports, and implement corrective action as needed.

Nursing Operations & Workforce Leadership

• Recruit, hire, onboard, supervise, and evaluate all nursing staff.
• Conduct annual performance evaluations and ongoing supervision meetings (minimum monthly).
• Develop and manage nursing schedules to ensure 24/7 coverage and regulatory compliance.
• Approve payroll and monitor overtime utilization.
• Actively manage budget and contain costs related to medical supplies and staffing.
• Coincide with clinical placements and supervision of nursing students.
• Participate in on-call rotation and provide executive nursing support as needed.
• Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, and trauma-informed practice.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Serve as liaison between nursing, clinical, residential, education, and administrative teams.
• Attend ESI debriefings and ensure nursing follow-up actions are implemented.
• Participate in Organization Leadership Meetings and Medical Practices Committee.
• Collaborate across Solutions within Canopy Children's Solutions to align nursing practice with organizational goals.
• Support cross-solution initiatives and ensure nursing alignment with broader system standards.

Quality Improvement & Performance Excellence

• Lead nursing-related process improvement initiatives.
• Monitor and actively contribute to Solution KPIs, identifying nursing impact on outcomes.
• Develop corrective action plans for identified performance gaps.
• Analyze trends in infection control, medication errors, injuries, and health outcomes.
• Ensure ongoing readiness for accreditation and regulatory review.

Education & Staff Development

• Provide training and education to clinical, school, residential, and administrative staff as needed.
• Ensure nursing competencies remain current and aligned with best practices.
• Promote continuing education and professional development within the nursing team.
• Model ethical practice and serve as a professional role model across the CARES Center.