Director of Nursing

 

When you join Sunrise Senior Living, you will be able to use your unique skills to empower residents to live longer, healthier, and happier lives. Not only will you build meaningful relationships with residents, their families, and team members alike, you will also gain joy in serving others and deep fulfillment in your work. Explore how you can follow your passions and shed light on meaningful ways to serve, grow, and shine together.

 

Sunrise Senior Living was again certified as a Great Place to Work® by Activated Insights. This is the 8th time Sunrise has received this top culture and workplace designation, highlighting the special place Sunrise is to be a part of.

COMMUNITY NAME

Sunrise at La Costa

Job ID

2026-240085

JOB OVERVIEW

The Resident Care Director (RCD) serves as the nursing clinical leader for the community and is responsible to lead and manage the health and wellness along with coordination of care and services to residents within the community. Responsible for oversight and implementation of all Care programs, regulatory compliance, recruiting, and performance management.

RESPONSIBILITIES & QUALIFICATIONS

Essential Duties

As a part of the Sunrise team, supporting our Mission, Principles of Service and Core Values is a fundamental part of this job. Our foundational belief is the sacred value of human life. The unique responsibilities for this role include but are not limited to the essential functions listed as follows:

Managing Health and Wellness

• Provide strategic leadership for resident care in the community by managing, directing, and monitoring the nursing team as applicable by State/Provincial law, to promote the health and wellness of the resident population.
• Provide clinical care through the direct application of the nursing process; perform and document resident assessments and progress notes, evaluate changes in care needs, complete Individualized Service Plans (ISP), provide or delegate hands-on clinical care as indicated by the plan of care, and evaluate resident outcomes.
• Collaborate with physicians, pharmacists, and other clinical providers to coordinate care and services for the residents.
• Serve as the CLIA Director as applicable for the community and according to the federal and state/provincial requirements.
• Partner with Neighborhood Coordinators to promote an integrated and collaborative approach to wellness operations and resident care.
• Collaborate with Sales partners to determine community capability and assess potential residents’ appropriateness for move-in.
• Seek direction from a Registered Nurse as needed in accordance with state/provincial regulations and nurse practice acts.

Medication Management

• Provide strategic leadership for resident care in the community by managing, directing, and monitoring the medication care managers, as applicable by State/Provincial law, to promote the health and wellness of the resident population.
• Provide oversight of the community medication management program to promote resident safety in the medication use process including onboarding, training, and performance reviews.
• Provide clinical training and education, as needed, to nurses, medication care managers, care managers, and others who provide resident care. Perform skill evaluation to assure clinical capability of care team members.

Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance

• Track, trend, and report clinical quality data to identify risk.
• Participate actively as a member of the community Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement committee.
• Lead clinical quality and process improvement initiatives within the community to mitigate risk and improve resident care outcomes.
• Recruit, hire, and train clinical team members and is responsible for performance management, evaluations, and engagement.
• Complete direct report team member staffing and scheduling according to operational and budgetary guidelines.
• Partner with the community leadership team to promote resident safety and compliance with Risk Management and national/provincial regulations pertaining to occupational health and safety.
• Serve as the ICC and CLIA Director as applicable for the community.
• Responsible for infection control programming, including delegation of infection control preventionist, as per provincial requirements.
• Assure compliance with all Federal, State/Provincial, board of nursing, and other applicable regulations.

Financial Management

• Manage the department budget to include labor/labour and other expenses and understand it’s impact on the community’s bottom line.
• Processes and submit monthly expenses and budget data in a timely manner, per Sunrise policies and internal business controls.
• Understand the internal costs associated with all Sunrise resident care programs.

Training, Leadership and Team Member Development

• Partner with the Regional Director of Resident Care and/or Executive Director in the delivery and participation in Sunrise University training and self-study programs.
• On-boards new RCD leaders and other department coordinators as needed.
• Develop a working knowledge of state/provincial regulations and ensure compliance through supervising and coaching team members.
• Complete clinical team member staffing and scheduling according to operational and budgetary guidelines when assigned to a community.
• Hold clinical team accountable, correct actions when necessary and document.
• Attend regular meetings; Stand Up, Cross Over, Department Head, Town Hall, QAPI, and others as directed by the Executive Director.
• Keep abreast of professional developments in the field by reading and attending conferences and training sessions.
• Maintain compliance in assigned required training and all training required by state/ province or other regulating authorities as applicable to this role to ensure that Sunrise standards are always met.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

• Ability to delegate assignments to the appropriate individuals based on their demonstrated skill capability and in compliance with all regulations
• Proven ability to handle multiple priorities, organize efficiently, and manage time effectively
• Demonstrated critical thinking, clinical judgment, and decision-making skills

Experience and Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed throughout this job description are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required.

• Graduate of an accredited college or school of nursing
• Current state/provincial license as a professional Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)/Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Registered Practical Nurse (RPN)
• Minimum two (2) years LPN/LVN/RPN experience with at least one (1) year experience in home health, assisted living, or long-term care environment preferred
• Minimum of one (1) year nursing management experience, including hiring, coaching, performance management, scheduling, and daily operations supervision
• Certified in CPR and First Aid
• Demonstrated knowledge of applied nursing practices, techniques, and methods in accordance with federal, state/provincial and board of nursing requirements
• Knowledge of infection control practices and prevention of disease transmission
• Experience in tracking, trending, and analysis of clinical performance data preferred.
• Experience in quality and clinical process improvement and risk assessment preferred
• Experience in staff development, training, and/or clinical education preferred
• Computer proficiency with electronic medical records, the Microsoft Office suite, and the ability to learn new applications
• Ability to work weekends, evenings and flexible hours as needed for resident care/services, including 24/7 on call responsibility

ABOUT SUNRISE

Ready to take the next step and make a bigger impact than you ever imagined? As part of our team, you will help brighten the future for everyone at Sunrise and beyond. That is why we make it a priority to celebrate the unique ways you bring moments of togetherness and joy to everyone you serve. And when combined with the support, benefits, and growth opportunities we offer, the result is a career that PositivelyShines with everything you need to reach your goals – at work and in your life.

 

We also offer benefits and other compensation that include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and Disability Plans
• Retirement Savings Plans
• Employee Assistant Program / Discount Program
• Paid time off (PTO), sick time, and holiday pay
• myFlexPay offered to get paid within hours of a shift
• Tuition Reimbursement
• In addition to base compensation, Sunrise may offer discretionary and/or non-discretionary bonuses. The eligibility to receive such a bonus will depend on the employee’s position, plan/program offered by Sunrise at the time, and required performance pursuant to the plan/program.
• Some benefits have eligibility requirements

Apply today to learn why Sunrise Senior Living is a certified Great Place to Work®

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Sunrise considers the health and safety of its residents, family members, and team members among its highest priorities.  Employment with Sunrise is contingent upon completing and passing a drug test (which does not include marijuana) and Tuberculosis Test, and a physical evaluation and a background check where required.  Covid-19 and Influenza vaccination may be required if mandated by applicable federal, state, and local laws and authorities.

COMPENSATION DISCLAIMER

Selected candidates will be offered competitive compensation based on geographic location of community/office, skills, experience, qualifications, and certifications/licenses (where applicable).