Director of Patient Care Services at Loma Linda University Hospice

Schedule: Full-time

Compensation: Starting compensation range of $140,000.00 - $150,000.00 annually. Exact compensation will be determined by experience, education, licensure/certifications, and location, in accordance with applicable laws.

Position Overview

The Director of Nursing (DON) or Director of Patient Care Services provides clinical leadership for Loma Linda University Hospice’s daily care delivery operations across a market census, supervising a multidisciplinary clinical team comprising of nurses, aides, therapists and interdisciplinary team members. This role balances operational excellence with empathetic leadership ensuring each patient receives compassionate, high-quality end-of-life care while maintaining performance metrics that meet the standards of Loma Linda University Hospice’s joint venture partnership. The DON is accountable for clinical outcomes, workforce utilization, and compliance, driving a metrics-based culture where decisions are informed by data, not intuition.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership & Team Oversight

• Lead and coach an interdisciplinary team (clinical managers, RNs, LVNs, aides, therapists)
• Ensure high-quality hospice care aligned with regulatory and organizational standards
• Establish and enforce clinical workflows, standards, and expectations
• Drive accountability through:
• Team huddles
• Case reviews
• Performance coaching
• Maintain field presence to support staff and patient experience
• Partner with Medical Director and IDT to ensure appropriate, compliant care plans

Workforce Management & Staff Utilization

• Oversee scheduling, territory coverage, and caseload distribution
• Ensure staffing ratios and productivity meet established benchmarks
• Monitor and optimize:
• Visit volumes
• Time utilization
• Workload balance
• Align staffing with census and admissions to prevent gaps
• Coordinate across admissions, nursing, and scheduling teams
• Ensure payroll accuracy through auditing of visits and documentation
• Manage triage and resource allocation efficiently

Ultimate Accountability & Hands-On Clinical Support

• Maintain full accountability for clinical operations and care continuity
• Step in or ensure coverage when needed, including:
• Admissions
• Urgent visits
• Care coordination and discharges
• Critical patient needs
• Provide direct support during staffing gaps or high-priority situations
• Serve as a hands-on leader with occasional frontline clinical involvement
• Retain responsibility for outcomes at all times

Metrics & Performance Management

• Lead operations using a data-driven approach
• Accountable for:
• Patient Satisfaction (5-Star target)
• Staff Retention (≥85%)
• Documentation completion (within 24 hours)
• Productivity benchmarks
• Monitor and analyze:
• Clinical outcomes
• Visit/utilization data
• Operational KPIs
• Conduct performance reviews and corrective actions
• Report performance metrics to executive and partner leadership
• Leverage EHR data to drive compliance, productivity, and quality outcomes

Clinical Systems & EHR Proficiency

• Achieve EHR proficiency within 60 days
• Utilize systems to:
• Review and audit documentation
• Monitor compliance
• Analyze performance data
• Coach and retrain staff on workflows and documentation standards
• Use EHR insights to identify gaps and drive improvements

Clinical Quality Governance & QAPI Leadership

• Lead QAPI initiatives in partnership with Compliance
• Oversee:
• Quality trends and adverse events
• Patient safety and infection control
• Documentation and regulatory readiness
• Drive improvements through:
• Staff education
• Workflow enhancements
• Lead quality reviews and implement corrective actions
• Ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory standards
• Report quality outcomes to leadership and partners

Joint Venture Partnership Obligations

• Serve as clinical lead for joint venture partnerships
• Collaborate with:
• Medical Director
• Health system leadership
• Case management teams
• Support care coordination, integration, and performance goals
• Ensure alignment with partner standards and reporting requirements

Required Qualifications

• Active Registered Nurse (RN) license in state(s) of operation; BSN required, MSN preferred.
• Minimum 5–7 years of hospice or home health leadership experience, with at least 3 years in a Director-level or senior management role overseeing a multidisciplinary team.
• Proven success managing teams of 20+ clinical staff and patient populations exceeding 100 active census.
• Demonstrated ability to use EMR systems and analytics tools to drive data-based performance improvement.
• Strong knowledge of hospice regulations, quality reporting, and compliance frameworks.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Regular local travel
• Reliable transportation, valid license, active insurance
• Ability to lift 25–30 lbs and navigate patient environments
• Bilingual preferred

About Loma Linda University Hospice

Loma Linda University Hospice is dedicated to a patient-first mission, ensuring compassionate, high-quality care that supports patients and families through every stage of need. Loma Linda University Hospice’s culture is defined by data-driven excellence, operational transparency, and a steadfast commitment to its core values of Dignity, Integrity, Compassion, Excellence and Partnership. Loma Linda University Hospice was created in 2026 though a joint venture between Loma Linda University Health and Kara Health.

Loma Linda University Hospice is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. All employment decisions are based on job requirements, individual merit, and business need.