Director of Nursing.

Job Title:

Director of Nursing

Reports To:
Executive Director / Chief Operating Officer

Department:
Nursing

Location:
On-site, Lynchburg, VA

Employment Type:

Full-time | Salaried | Exempt

Compensation:

The pay range for this position is $125,000 - $135,000 annually, set in good faith based on the responsibilities of the role, qualifications, and market conditions.

Job Summary

The Director of Nursing (DON) provides nursing leadership and operational oversight for the nursing department within a residential and outpatient co-occurring capable substance use disorder (SUD) treatment setting. The DON directs a multidisciplinary nursing team—including Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Medication Aides—to ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality, patient-centered care.  

The DON is responsible for the oversight of nursing practice standards, medication management, and patient safety initiatives across all levels of care. This role ensures compliance with all applicable facility policies, DBHDS regulations, state and federal laws, DEA requirements, and CARF accreditation standards, while fostering a culture of nursing excellence, compassion, and continuous improvement.  

Key Responsibilities

• Direct daily nursing operations and serve as the primary nursing leader ensuring all nursing activities comply with facility policies, contractual obligations, DBHDS regulations, state and federal laws, DEA requirements, and CARF accreditation standards. 

• Interviewing, hiring, supervision, performance management and retention of nursing staff; manage monthly staffing schedules to ensure adequate coverage across all shifts, including weekends, holidays, and on-call rotations.  

• Providing direct coverage when required.  

• Coordinate and monitor nursing staff orientation, competency validation, ongoing in-service training, and continuing education to ensure nursing competence and regulatory compliance. 

• Oversee medication management processes, including storage, administration, documentation, and reconciliation of medications 

• Oversee nursing documentation quality through routine medical record reviews and audits to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with all applicable federal, state, and payer requirements. 

• Manage departmental finances, by ensuring that all payroll and costs are within the allotted budget.  

• Provide nursing consultation, training, and guidance to nursing staff in managing complex patient presentations, including co-occurring behavioral health needs and challenging nursing situations. 

• Participate as a nursing leader in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, grievance and appeals processes, and quality improvement initiatives. 

• Track, analyze, and report key performance indicators (e.g., medication error rates, documentation compliance, incident trends, staffing metrics), and lead performance improvement initiatives based on data-driven insights. 

• Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of nursing policies, 

• procedures, and health care protocols aligned with facility, regulatory, and accreditation requirements. 

• Prepare and submit required reports including incident reports, regulatory documentation, and internal performance reports, in accordance with all applicable requirements and timelines. 

• Perform additional duties as assigned to support the effective operation of the nursing department and overall facility mission. 

Minimum Qualifications

Education / Credentials

• Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing (Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Nursing; BSN preferred) 

• Active, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the Commonwealth of Virginia, in good standing 

Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of nursing supervisory or leadership experience required 

• Experience in an inpatient or residential substance use disorder (SUD) treatment setting strongly preferred 

Knowledge / Skills

• Demonstrated supervisory and leadership skills, with proven ability in clinical decision-making and problem-solving 

• In-depth knowledge of CARF accreditation requirements and behavioral health compliance standards 

• Comprehensive understanding of holistic addiction treatment, co-occurring disorders, and all aspects of clinical care in a residential SUD setting 

• Ability to develop and implement patient-centered clinical programs for individuals with substance use disorder 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to collaborate effectively across disciplines and with organizational leadership 

Working Conditions

• Direct care position 

• Full-time, 40 hours per week; flexibility required for weekend, holiday, and on-call coverage 

• Primarily indoor, residential clinical environment; may involve exposure to individuals experiencing acute behavioral health or medical needs 

Why This Role Matters

• The Director of Nursing is a pivotal leader in shaping the clinical culture and quality of care that gives our patients a genuine opportunity for lasting recovery 

• This position offers meaningful opportunities to mentor and develop a dedicated nursing team while driving evidence-based practices in addiction medicine 

• Mainspring Recovery is committed to fostering a mission-driven, supportive environment where clinical leaders are empowered to make a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve 

Pre-Employment Requirements

Mainspring conducts, as required, job-related background checks, drug testing, TB testing, verification of employment history, and/or reference checks prior to employment.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Mainspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

EEO is the Law:
http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf

About Mainspring Recovery

Mainspring Recovery is a mission-driven behavioral health organization built on the belief that healing happens when the right people are in the room. We provide care across multiple levels, including Residential, Partial Hospitalization (PHP), and Intensive Outpatient (IOP), supporting individuals and families throughout the recovery process.

Every role at Mainspring, clinical and non-clinical alike, contributes to creating safe, structured, and effective environments where people can rebuild their lives. We invest in strong teams, clear systems, and thoughtful leadership, believing meaningful impact comes from doing the work well, supporting one another, and holding ourselves to high standards across the organization.