Hospice Director of Clinical Operations RN

Position Summary

The Director of Clinical Operations (DCO) provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and clinical guidance to ensure the delivery of high-quality hospice care across the agency. This role holds accountability for aligning patient-centered care with regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, financial performance, and staff development.

Essential Duties

• Direct the overall clinical operations of the assigned team(s), ensuring standardization of processes, outcomes, and regulatory compliance, and ensuring all patients receive compassionate, timely, and high-quality care.

• Supervise and support Registered Nurses (RN), Licensed Practical Nurses/Licensed Vocational Nurses (LPN/LVN), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), Social Workers (SW), Chaplains (CH), Team Managers (TM), and Interdisciplinary Group (IDG) members. Ensure consistent implementation of clinical policies, procedures, and evidence-based practices across all teams.

• Ensure timely hospice admissions by streamlining workflows and partnering with intake and clinical teams to provide rapid access to care, symptom management, and support at the point of need.

• Partner with Medical Directors and attending physicians to ensure accurate documentation, timely certifications, and effective symptom management.

• Lead and facilitate IDG meetings, ensuring timely updates, thorough eligibility review, and seamless care coordination.

• Lead or participate in Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) programs and Performance Improvement Projects (PIPs).

• Audit clinical documentation for accuracy, completeness, and compliance, addressing deficiencies promptly in collaboration with Compliance.

• Promote effective collaboration among physicians, nurses, social workers, facility partners, and internal departments to ensure coordinated, patient-centered care.

• Maintain continuous compliance with Medicare Conditions of Participation, state regulations, and accreditation standards.

• Oversee preparation for regulatory and accreditation surveys to ensure ongoing readiness.

• Track and act on key quality indicators, including CAHPS scores, audit scores, ALOS, HOPE compliance, and clinical record reviews.

• Drive performance improvement initiatives focused on patient/family satisfaction, clinical quality outcomes, and regulatory adherence.

• Partner with the ED, SDCO (if applicable), AVPO, and regional leadership to manage budgets, resource allocation, and productivity standards.

• Develop and manage staffing models in adherence to company best practices that balance patient care needs, efficiency, and financial goals.

• Monitor and act on weekly/monthly KPIs, including: ADC & Growth Metrics, Utilization Metrics, Staffing & Productivity Metrics, Quality Metrics.

• Implement corrective action plans when KPIs fall below target.

• Mentor and develop the assigned team(s) to ensure high performance, strong retention, and succession planning.

• Identify and prepare high-potential team members for future leadership pathways.

• Ensure structured onboarding, ongoing education, and competency validation for all clinical hires within assigned team(s).

• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional growth across the team.

• Coverage of regular meetings with direct reports and oversight of performance management and staff engagement.

• Serve as a key liaison between clinical operations, medical leadership, business development, and administrative functions.

• Foster effective communication across teams to ensure seamless patient care and care coordination.

• Participate in community relations activities to strengthen organizational presence and referrals.

• Demonstrate urgency and ownership in addressing patient/family concerns, ensuring timely service recovery.

• Respond promptly to after-hours issues related to patient care or staffing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required.
• Master’s degree in nursing, Healthcare Administration, or related field preferred.
• Current and active Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• Minimum of 2 years of clinical management or supervisory experience in hospice or home health.
• Strong knowledge of hospice philosophy, end-of-life care, and pain/symptom management principles.
• Demonstrated experience in working effectively within an IDG.
• Proficient in Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems. Homecare Homebase strongly preferred.
• Thorough understanding of Medicare, Medicaid, and accrediting body standards (ACHC, CHAP, or Joint Commission).
• Knowledge of QAPI programs, compliance audits, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Ability to lead, coach, and develop clinical teams, fostering accountability and engagement.
• Strong operational skills, including budget management, cost-per-patient-day oversight, and resource allocation.
• Ability to analyze operational and clinical data for continuous improvement.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to interact effectively with patients, families, staff, and physicians.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities in a fast-paced environment.
• High level of professionalism, emotional intelligence, and customer service orientation.