Company Overview Aspen Hospice is a Medicare-certified, CHAP-accredited agency dedicated to providing comprehensive hospice services focused on delivering compassionate care in the comfort of home. At Aspen Hospice, we believe hospice care is one of the most meaningful callings in healthcare. Every day, our team has the privilege of bringing comfort, dignity, compassion, and hope to patients and families during life's most important moments. We are seeking an experienced, visionary, and mission-driven Director of Nursing (DON) to lead our clinical team and help us continue delivering exceptional hospice care throughout North Texas. Aspen Healthcare has proudly been recognized as Best of Denton for multiple consecutive years, reflecting our commitment to clinical excellence, compassionate care, and an outstanding workplace culture. If you are a servant leader who inspires teams, values quality outcomes, and desires to make a significant impact on patients, families, and healthcare professionals, we would love to meet you. Job Summary The Director of Nursing is responsible for the overall clinical leadership, management, and supervision of Aspen Hospice's nursing services. The DON ensures delivery of high-quality patient care, regulatory compliance, staff development, operational effectiveness, and positive patient outcomes. This role serves as a key leader in Aspen's Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) initiatives, driving quality outcomes, regulatory readiness, clinical excellence, and continuous improvement across the organization. This position works collaboratively with physicians, clinical staff, referral partners, and interdisciplinary team members. Duties Clinical Leadership Provide leadership, direction, and supervision to hospice clinical staff. Ensure delivery of safe, compassionate, and patient-centered hospice care. Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, professionalism, and excellence. Oversee patient admissions, recertifications, care planning, and clinical operations. Ensure compliance with Medicare Conditions of Participation, state regulations, and accreditation standards. Participate in strategic planning and organizational growth initiatives. Support staff recruitment, onboarding, mentoring, coaching, and retention. Quality Assurance & Performance Improvement (QAPI) Lead the organization's Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement program. Analyze clinical outcomes, quality measures, and performance indicators. Monitor and trend quality data, including admissions, live discharges, revocations, referrals, CAHPS Hospice Survey results, and other regulatory quality metrics. Develop corrective action plans and quality improvement initiatives. Conduct clinical audits and chart reviews to ensure compliance and best practices. Prepare and present quality reports to executive leadership and governing body members. Drive survey readiness and accreditation preparedness activities. Promote continuous quality improvement throughout the organization. Regulatory Compliance Maintain compliance with Medicare, Texas Health and Human Services, and accreditation standards. Ensure implementation of hospice policies and procedures. Oversee clinical documentation standards and regulatory requirements. Manage preparation for state, federal, and accreditation surveys. Team Development Foster a positive and engaged clinical culture. Provide coaching, education, and leadership development opportunities. Conduct performance evaluations and competency assessments. Encourage clinical excellence and professional growth. Qualifications Required Current Texas Registered Nurse (RN) License in good standing. Minimum of 3 years Director of Nursing experience. Minimum of 5 years nursing experience. Strong knowledge of Medicare Hospice Conditions of Participation. Experience with QAPI, quality management, and regulatory compliance. Proven leadership and team-building abilities. Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Valid driver's license and reliable transportation. The Ideal Candidate You are more than a clinical leader—you are a mentor, coach, and champion for both patients and staff. You inspire excellence, embrace accountability, and understand that quality care begins with strong leadership. You are passionate about building teams, improving outcomes, supporting families, and ensuring every patient receives the compassionate care they deserve. If you are looking for an opportunity where your leadership can truly make a difference, Aspen Hospice is the place for you. We look forward to meeting you!
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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 — 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 — 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 DFW 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 DFW area.
A typical day starts with a census and staffing review — 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 — 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 — the blend of clinical, operational, and interpersonal challenges keeps the work unpredictable but engaging.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical/Health Services Manager positions in the DFW metroplex area earn a median wage of
$58.48/hr ($121,638/yr).
The typical range is $44.34 – $75.25/hr
(25th–75th percentile).
Entry Level (10th)$65,520/yr
DFW Median$121,638/yr
Experienced (90th)$204,838/yr
vs. National Median-1.8%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX Metro Area).
Salary data provided by DFW Senior Living Guide.