DIRECTOR OF NURSING

Company: Freedom Behavioral Hospital of Lake Charles, LLC
Location: Lake Charles
Posted on: February 12, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Salary: $100K OR DOE Freedom Behavioral Hospital proudly serves geriatric and adult patients with mental and behavioral health needs in the Lake Charles community. A Director of Nursing (DON) is the leader who guides and supports the entire nursing team within a healthcare facility. This role focuses on making sure patients receive safe, compassionate, and high-quality care while also ensuring that nurses have the tools, staffing, and support they need to do their jobs effectively. POSITION SUMMARY: The Director of Nursingis responsible forupholding the standards of careestablishedby regulatory and accrediting bodies. The Assistant Nursing Directorassistswith oversight and directionforall direct care nursing staff. The DON ensures that the unit is staffed safely and according to protocol,providing assistanceas needed to the nursing staffregardingdecision -making,clinical judgementissues, andmedical staff communication, as well as providing direct patient care whenindicated.When necessary, the DON assumes the role of the nursing administratoroncall.TheDONis responsible forthe direct supervision ofthe nursing staff.Participates in theQAPI process with monitoring, tracking, and analyzing nursingdata.The individualis responsible forensuring thetimelydevelopment of the nursingschedule.Coordinates the performance of nursing care to patients within the scope of practice and in compliance with policies, procedures, and standards.The individual works closely with Human Resources to oversee the hiring and termination of nursing department employees.As scheduled, they complete performance evaluations for the nursingstaff.The DON actively collaborates with the Intake and Service Development Departments to ensure prompt admissions into the facility.The DON keeps up-to-date knowledge of admission criteria and ensuresaccuratedocumentation of thesecriteria for newadmissions.The DON serves as a member of the Utilization and Treatment Team, activelyparticipatingin the communication ofidentifiedpatient goals, interventions, and assessments. The DON acts as a resource for all administrative, nursing, and direct care staff in the formulation of policies, procedures, forms, and processes that directly affect the nursing department and patient care. The DONassistswith ensuring survey readiness through regulatory compliance and quality standards of care. The DON collaborates onfacilitiesand program development to oversee thesafe,accuratedevelopmentandimplementation of patientcare.The DON activelyparticipatesinthe leadership team within the facility. PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Education: Registered Nurse for at least 5 years with a minimum of 3 years of clinical psychiatric/mental health nursing care past working experience minimum, with MSN oversight. License: RN License through the Louisiana state board of nursing Experience: 3 years ofmanagement in mental health nursing Additional Requirement: Effective verbal communication skills Effective organizational skills Effective interpersonal skills Analyticalproblem solvingskills Ability to read andcomprehendwritten instructions; ability to follow verbal instructions Proficient knowledge of PC computers Basic understanding of DSM V diagnostic criteria Basic understanding of medical and psychiatric diagnoses and conditions We want to hire skilled and qualified nurses to help meet the needs of mental health patients in the community. Are you a skilled and qualified nurse who wants to do well? Send in your resume and start on the path to your dream career! Freedom provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. All applicants selected for employment will berequiredto undergo a post-offer drug test and federal background investigation.

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