Director of Nursing Forensic

Job Posting

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

• Job Posting closes: Open until Filled
• Required documents uploaded by: All required documents listed below must be attached to your application within 2 days of applying for your application to be considered complete.

Agency Information:

Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services

Protecting Kansans, Promoting Recovery and Supporting Self Sufficiency

About the Position

Who can apply: Anyone

Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Work Schedule: M-F

Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes

Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes

Disability Preference Eligible: Yes

Search Keywords: Director of Nursing Forensic

Compensation: Up to a maximum salary of $110,000 annually.

• Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits

Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage

Sick & Vacation leave

Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave

Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)

Fitness Centers in select locations

Employee discounts with the STAR Program

Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary:

The Nursing Director of Behavioral Health is responsible for strategic leadership, clinical oversight, and operational management of nursing services within the behavioral health hospital. This role ensures the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care in compliance with regulatory standards and organizational goals. The Nursing Director collaborates closely with interdisciplinary teams to promote a safe, therapeutic environment for patients and staff.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

Clinical Leadership & Patient Care

• Provide leadership and direction for all nursing services within the behavioral health setting
• Ensure delivery of safe, effective, and evidence-based psychiatric nursing care
• Monitor patient outcomes and implement quality improvement initiatives
• Promote therapeutic milieu and trauma-informed care practices Oversee patient safety initiatives, including suicide prevention and de-escalation strategies
• Manage departmental budgets, staffing plans, and resource allocation
• Monitor productivity, labor costs, and operational efficiency
• Collaborate with leadership on strategic planning and program development
• Ensure efficient patient flow, admissions, and discharge processes

Staff Management & Development

• Provide leadership, direction, and support to two Nursing Managers responsible for day-to-day nursing operations
• Oversee and hold Nursing Managers accountable for recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and retention of nursing staff (RNs, LPNs, Behavioral Health Technicians)
• Ensure Nursing Managers conduct performance evaluations, coaching, and disciplinary actions in alignment with organizational policies
• Partner with Nursing Managers to ensure appropriate staffing levels, scheduling, and skill mix based on patient acuity
• Guide and support leadership development of Nursing Managers to build a strong succession pipeline
• Promote a positive, collaborative work environment through effective delegation and leadership alignment

Regulatory Compliance & Accreditation

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations
• Maintain readiness for surveys and accreditation (e.g., Joint Commission, CMS)
• Develop, review, and enforce nursing policies and procedures
• Ensure adherence to infection control, safety, and risk management standards

Quality Improvement & Performance Management

• Lead performance improvement initiatives and data-driven decision-making
• Analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement corrective actions
• Participate in committees (e.g., Quality, Safety, Infection Control)
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and accountability

Completes special projects and performs other duties as assigned including but not limited to ensuring the agency is adequately staffed during and immediately following natural and/or manmade disasters, infectious disease outbreaks, and/or acts of terrorism. Assists other employees in the work unit in accomplishing assignments as necessary.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required
• Active Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of Kansas
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required
• Minimum of 5-7 years of nursing experience
• Minimum of 3-5 years of progressive leadership or management experience

Preferred:

• Master's degree in nursing, Healthcare Administration, or related field preferred
• Advanced certifications in psychiatric/mental health nursing preferred
• Experience in an inpatient psychiatric or behavioral health hospital setting strongly preferred

Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements:

• Must be able to pass a background check prior to employment.

Recruiter Contact Information

KDADS - Human Resources Recruiter

503 S. Kansas Ave

Topeka, KS 66603

Phone: ...

Fax: ...

Email: ...

Job Application Process

First Sign in or register as a New User.

Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.

Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.

Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.

Email - sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page

Notifications - view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: "How to Apply for a Job - Instructions" and "How to Search for a Job - Instructions"

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete

Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page

• DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran's Preference)

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application

• Cover Letter
• Resume

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: "How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents"

Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas. Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a State job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer. A Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law.

If you have a missing tax return(s) or you owe taxes to the State of Kansas, please know that the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you. The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive a Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas. The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at .... Kansas Department of Revenue - Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran's Preference

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be scanned and emailed to ..., or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator

Office of Personnel Services

Docking State Office Building

915 SW Harrison Ave, Suite 260

Topeka, KS 66612

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.