DeKalb County Government is seeking an Administrator to lead the DeKalb County Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.
The Administrator is responsible for the overall management, operation, and performance of DeKalb County Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, ensuring the delivery of high-quality resident care in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. As the facility's chief operating official, the Administrator provides strategic leadership, financial oversight, and staff management to ensure a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment for residents while maintaining the facility's fiscal health and regulatory standing. The Administrator serves as the primary liaison between the facility, the County Board, Oversight Board, residents and families, regulatory agencies, and the community.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Facility Operations & Quality of Care
- Direct the day-to-day operations of the facility, ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality resident care and services.
- Ensure compliance with all federal (CMS, OBRA), state (IDPH licensure), and local regulations governing long-term care and skilled nursing facilities.
- Oversee survey readiness and serve as the facility's primary point of contact during state and federal surveys, inspections, and complaint investigations.
- Develop, implement, and monitor plans of correction in response to survey deficiencies; ensure sustained compliance thereafter.
- Promote a culture of resident-centered care, dignity, and safety throughout the facility.
- Monitor quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) programs and lead the facility's QAPI committee.
Financial & Business Management
- Develop and manage the facility's annual operating and capital budgets in coordination with the Business Office Manager and County finance officials.
- Monitor revenue cycle operations, including Medicaid, Medicare, and private-pay reimbursement, occupancy rates, and cost controls.
- Analyze financial performance and implement corrective action plans to address budget variances.
- Oversee procurement, contracts, and vendor relationships to ensure cost-effective operations.
- Prepare and present financial and operational reports to the County Board, County Administrator, or Oversight Board as required.
Staff Leadership & Human Resources
- Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate department heads and senior facility staff, including Directors of Nursing, Business Office Manager, and support service managers.
- Foster a positive work environment that supports staff recruitment and retention in a competitive healthcare labor market.
- Ensure appropriate staffing levels are maintained in compliance with state-mandated staffing ratios and resident acuity needs.
- Oversee employee relations matters, disciplinary actions, and grievance processes in coordination with Human Resources and County policy.
- Promote ongoing staff training and development, including compliance, safety, and clinical competency programs.
Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management
- Maintain current knowledge of changes in long-term care regulations, reimbursement methodologies, and industry best practices.
- Ensure facility policies and procedures remain current and compliant with regulatory and accreditation standards.
- Oversee infection control, emergency preparedness, and life safety programs in coordination with clinical and facilities staff.
- Manage risk mitigation efforts, including incident reporting, investigations, and liability exposure reduction.
- Ensure resident rights, grievance procedures, and abuse/neglect reporting protocols are properly implemented.
Community & Stakeholder Relations
- Serve as the primary representative of the facility to residents, families, the County Board, regulatory agencies, and the community.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with local hospitals, physicians, hospice providers, and referral sources.
- Respond to resident and family concerns, grievances, and inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
- Represent the facility at County Board meetings, public hearings, and community events as needed.
- Participate in county-wide strategic planning related to the facility's mission and long-term sustainability.
Other Duties
- Serve on or coordinate with relevant committees, including Quality Assurance, Infection Control, Safety, and Ethics committees.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the County Board or County Administrator.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field required; Advanced degree preferred.
Licensure:
- Current Illinois Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) license required, or eligibility to obtain licensure within a defined timeframe.
- Must maintain licensure in good standing throughout employment, including required continuing education.
Experience:
- Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible management experience in a skilled nursing facility, long-term care, healthcare setting, or an organization operating in a regulatory environment, including at least two (2) years in an administrator or senior leadership role.
- Demonstrated experience managing survey processes, regulatory compliance, and plans of correction.
- Experience with public sector or government-operated healthcare facilities preferred.
- Experience overseeing Medicaid/Medicare reimbursement and long-term care financial operations preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Thorough knowledge of state and federal long-term care regulations (OBRA, CMS Conditions of Participation, IDPH licensure requirements).
- Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost management in a healthcare setting.
- Demonstrated leadership and team-building skills with the ability to manage a diverse, multidisciplinary staff.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to communicate effectively with residents, families, staff, regulators, and elected officials.
- Strong problem-solving and crisis-management skills, particularly in emergency or survey situations.
- Ability to maintain composure and sound judgment under pressure.
- Proficiency with electronic health record (EHR) systems, financial software, and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Commitment to resident-centered care and ethical standards of practice.
- Ability to work collaboratively with County government structures, boards, and committees.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Full-time position based on-site at DeKalb County Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in DeKalb, IL.
- Availability required for occasional evenings, weekends, and on-call response for emergencies, surveys, or urgent facility matters.
- Regular interaction with residents, families, staff, regulatory agencies, and County officials.
- Office and facility-based work environment involving movement throughout the facility on a daily basis.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Starting salary range of $100,000 - $140,000, commensurate with experience.
DeKalb County provides a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement plan participation through the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF), paid leave, and professional development opportunities.
DeKalb County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This class specification is illustrative of the types of duties and responsibilities performed and is not intended to reflect all duties performed. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.
