Director Wellness Services

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.

The Director of Wellness Services (DWS) is the nursing clinical leader for communities in the new development portfolio. The DWS is responsible for providing clinical support and coordination for the opening of new Sunrise communities and for oversight for the delivery of safe, evidence-based resident care. The DWS serves as the clinical expert during the development and pre-opening phases of new communities and provides leadership during the countdown (T-minus) period to assure comprehensive clinical operations requirements are identified and addressed to promote effective and efficient community openings. Once open, the DWS provides direct clinical oversight to new development communities during their first 2 years by conducting comprehensive site visits and by directing and monitoring nursing care, actively leading clinical quality and process improvement initiatives, identifying and mitigating clinical risk, and providing training, coaching and mentoring to community team members as needed while assuring compliance with all Federal, State/Provincial, board of nursing and other applicable regulations. At the conclusion of the new development management period the DWS works collaboratively with other leaders to assure smooth transition of the community to the appropriate Sunrise regional team. The DWS provides strategic leadership consistent with the Sunrise culture for the implementation of organizational initiatives by applying principles of change management while assuring effective communication and follow-up.

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:

• Works collaboratively with the new community architectural, design, and construction teams to assure that essential wellness spaces are considered and appropriately placed within the community. These spaces may include, but are not limited to, wellness offices, medication rooms, care manager/documentation rooms, mechanical lift storage spaces, resident/family meeting rooms, etc.
• Works collaboratively with the Executive Director and community leaders to hire for key community wellness positions based on the countdown (T-minus) schedule set for the new community opening.
• Collaborates closely with the Executive Director and other community leaders to onboard Resident Care Directors (RCD), Wellness Nurses (WN) and other key community wellness team members to assure readiness for the new community opening and understanding of their role in caring for residents.
• Works collaboratively with the Directors of Operations and Sales to promote successful development, opening and operation of new Sunrise communities while demonstrating the effectiveness of a successful trio leadership model for the new community leadership team.
• Works collaboratively with communities on decision-making related to resident move-in and retention with a focus on promoting residency while assuring compliance with all applicable Federal, State/Provincial, and local laws and regulations and considering the capability of the community.
• Works collaboratively with Regional Move-in Director and the new community Move-in Coordinator (MIC) and RCD to assure that timely pre-move-in assessments are scheduled for all residents with pre-leased deposits.
• Possesses an in-depth understanding of the appropriate set-up and functioning of the community wellness office. Collaborates with the Executive Director and other community leaders during the countdown (T-minus) period to assure that these spaces are arranged and equipped so as to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of the wellness team.
• Works collaboratively with Director of Sales, Executive Director and other community leaders in the development/pre-opening and post-open phases to develop relationships and partnerships with businesses and healthcare organizations to promote and drive occupancy.
• Develops and maintains ongoing relationships with internal and external business partners which includes but is not limited to, team members, residents, family members, vendors, professional associations and affiliations, health care systems and providers and others in the service area.
• Understands Sunrise’s resident-centered care model and provides leadership for the assessment and service plan development process.
• Understands Sunrise clinical systems, policies and processes and provides leadership for their initial implementation and ongoing sustainability.
• Maintains current knowledge of Federal, State/Provincial, board of nursing and other applicable regulations regarding resident care.
• Monitors new clinical technology and evaluates products and/or services that have the potential to significantly enhance resident care and services. Elevates recommendations to the new development leadership team and to the appropriate Sunrise review groups for review and vetting.
• Following the community opening, conducts regular, comprehensive site visits with a focus on promoting positive resident care outcomes while mitigating risk; communicates actionable items for follow-up and validates that results have been achieved.
• Works with communities on pre-opening and ongoing inspections and regulatory plans of correction.
• Oversees Quality Assurance & Performance Improvement (QAPI) related to resident care to include tracking, trending and analysis of clinical quality data and collaboration with communities on meaningful performance improvement plans.
• During site visits, reviews resident assessments to ensure that service, continence, and medication levels accurately reflect the resident care provided and that billing is accurate.
• Maintains overall knowledge of fiscal business management. Understands the internal cost associated with Sunrise programs and levels of service.
• Understands and uses business intelligence reports/tools and dashboards to manage and enhance clinical care processes and promote excellence in the community’s business operation.

• Implements strategies to improve nursing retention, decrease use of agency staff and enhance clinical cost saving methods.
• Processes and submits expenses and budget data timely per Sunrise policies and internal business controls.
• Identifies, selects, and trains RNs to conduct routine Medication Care Manager training and/or other clinical training for new and existing team members.
• Contributes to timely performance appraisals as applicable.
• Partners with Regional Director of Operations (RDO) and Executive Director to promote clinical accountability at the community and team member level.
• Keeps abreast of professional developments in the field by attending conferences and training sessions; maintains active license and completes all required CEUs for re-licensure.
• 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.

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.

• Maintains current state/provincial license as a professional Registered Nurse (RN) per regulations in the states/provinces they oversee and support.
• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience as an RN.
• Minimum of two (2) years’ nursing management experience including hiring staff, coaching, performance management, daily operations supervision, progressive discipline, and counseling.
• Multi-site management experience preferred.
• Experience in post-acute, assisted living, and/or long-term care preferred.
• Experience in legal/regulatory compliance and ability to apply regulations to support sound clinical decision making.
• Experience in risk evaluation and management and designing and implementing proactive strategies to minimize clinical risk.
• Experience in tracking, trending, and analysis of clinical quality data.
• Experience in clinical process improvement and leading change.
• Experience in staff development, training and/or clinical education.
• Ability to delegate and oversee that resident care is being provided according to nursing standards and company policies/practices.
• Able and willing to travel across the United States and Canada as needed.
• Able and willing to undertake regular, extensive travel (i.e., multiple nights a week for most weeks of the year).
• Ability to work weekends, evenings, flexible hours as needed.
• Proficiency in computer skills, Microsoft Office (Windows, Outlook, Excel) with the ability to learn new applications including electronic health record software (EHR).

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®

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.

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