Director of Nursing- Med Surg

St. Josephs Medical Center · Houston, TX Full Time
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Job Description

We're seeking a Director of Nursing for Medical-Surgical services to champion evidence-based nursing practice and lead our team. This role serves as a catalyst for change, supporting professional nursing excellence and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

What You'll Do
  • Champion best practice initiatives and serve as change agent for nursing services
  • Lead inter-professional collaboration to ensure quality patient outcomes and safety
  • Assess staff competence, provide performance feedback, and promote retention
  • Manage annual budgets and allocate personnel, supplies, and equipment effectively
  • Foster patient and family-centered care through active engagement and policy development
Requirements
  • Licensed Registered Nurse in Texas with Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing
  • National Certification from American Nurses Credentialing Center within two years
  • Three or more years of experience in specialty area
  • Strong technical, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and online applications
Preferred Qualifications
  • Previous leadership experience
  • Master's Degree, DNP, or PhD
  • Bi- or multilingual capabilities

This is a preview of the job listing. The full posting includes complete compensation details, benefits package, qualification requirements, and application instructions.

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What Most Job Listings Don’t Tell You

General overview for this role type — specific duties and requirements vary by employer.

Management roles in senior living carry a unique blend of healthcare oversight and business operations that most job listings barely touch on. Executive Directors and Administrators are typically responsible for state regulatory compliance, staff retention, census management, and family satisfaction โ€” all at the same time. In Texas, Assisted Living Facility administrators must meet HHSC licensing requirements, which often include specific training hours and ongoing continuing education.

What surprises many new administrators is the direct involvement with families during crises โ€” end-of-life transitions, care disputes, and emergency situations all land on your desk. Staff turnover in senior living runs high nationally, so a significant part of the role is recruiting, training, and retaining quality caregivers. Facilities in the Houston market compete heavily for qualified staff, making retention strategy a critical skill for anyone in these positions.

What to Expect in This Role Day-to-Day

Based on typical senior living facilities in the Houston area.

A typical day starts with a census and staffing review โ€” confirming occupancy, checking for any overnight incidents, and ensuring the day's shifts are fully covered. Morning stand-ups with department heads (nursing, dietary, activities, maintenance) set priorities for the day. You will spend time on the floor interacting with residents and families, which doubles as quality checks and relationship building.

Afternoons often shift to administrative work โ€” reviewing financial reports, handling vendor relationships, preparing for state surveys, and managing marketing efforts to maintain occupancy. Community outreach, hospital discharge planner relationships, and local referral networks are ongoing responsibilities. Most directors describe the role as never having two identical days โ€” the blend of clinical, operational, and interpersonal challenges keeps the work unpredictable but engaging.

Houston Area Salary Data

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical/Health Services Manager positions in the Houston metro area earn a median wage of $59.81/hr ($124,405/yr). The typical range is $45.69 – $78.44/hr (25th–75th percentile).

Entry Level (10th) $73,403/yr
Houston Median $124,405/yr
Experienced (90th) $206,565/yr
vs. National Median +0.4%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX Metro Area). Salary data provided by Houston Senior Living Guide.

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