Assistant Director of Nursing

Assistant Director Of Nursing

The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) assists the Director of Nursing in providing leadership, clinical oversight, and administrative support for the Nursing Department within the skilled nursing facility. The ADON is responsible for helping ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality, resident-centered nursing care in accordance with facility policies, applicable federal and state regulations, and accepted standards of nursing practice.

The ADON serves as a clinical leader and resource for nursing staff, residents, families, and interdisciplinary team members. This position assists with staff supervision, clinical education, quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI), regulatory compliance, infection prevention, resident care planning, and the overall coordination of nursing services.

The ideal candidate is a strong clinical leader who demonstrates sound judgment, excellent communication skills, accountability, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to the care and dignity of long-term care residents.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Nursing Leadership & Clinical Oversight

• Assist the Director of Nursing with the daily management and operation of the Nursing Department.
• Provide clinical leadership and guidance to nursing staff, including RNs, LPNs/LVNs, CNAs, and other nursing personnel.
• Monitor the delivery of nursing care to ensure residents receive safe, appropriate, timely, and compassionate care.
• Conduct regular rounds to assess resident conditions, identify changes in status, and ensure appropriate interventions are implemented.
• Assist with the assessment and management of residents with acute and chronic medical conditions.
• Ensure appropriate follow-up is completed for changes in resident condition, physician/provider orders, laboratory results, diagnostic testing, and hospital returns.
• Serve as a clinical resource for nursing staff and assist with complex resident care situations.
• Promote resident rights, dignity, privacy, independence, and choice.
• Participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of individualized resident care plans.

Staff Supervision & Management

• Assist with the supervision, scheduling, and coordination of nursing staff.
• Monitor staff performance and provide coaching, counseling, and corrective action when appropriate.
• Participate in hiring, interviewing, orientation, onboarding, and retention of nursing personnel.
• Assist with evaluating nursing staff performance and identifying educational and performance-improvement needs.
• Ensure adequate staffing and appropriate assignment of nursing personnel based on resident acuity and facility needs.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, professionalism, and effective communication among nursing staff.
• Address staff concerns and conflicts promptly and professionally.
• Serve as a leadership presence for the Nursing Department in the absence of the Director of Nursing.

Regulatory Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Assist the DON in maintaining compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations governing skilled nursing facilities.
• Support preparation for state surveys, federal surveys, accreditation visits, and other regulatory inspections.
• Assist in identifying, investigating, and correcting areas of regulatory non-compliance.
• Participate in Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) activities.
• Monitor clinical indicators and quality measures, including falls, pressure injuries, infections, hospitalizations, medication errors, weight loss, accidents, and other areas of concern.
• Assist with the development and implementation of corrective action plans and performance improvement initiatives.
• Ensure nursing documentation is accurate, timely, complete, and consistent with regulatory and facility requirements.
• Participate in audits of clinical documentation, medication administration, treatment records, care plans, and other nursing records.

Infection Prevention & Control

• Collaborate with the Infection Preventionist to promote effective infection prevention and control practices.
• Monitor compliance with hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, isolation precautions, and other infection-control practices.
• Assist with surveillance, investigation, and reporting of infections and communicable diseases.
• Support staff education regarding infection prevention and control.
• Assist with outbreak response and implementation of appropriate infection-control measures.

Education & Staff Development

• Assist with planning and providing ongoing education and competency training for nursing staff.
• Identify educational needs based on clinical trends, audits, incidents, regulatory requirements, and staff performance.
• Reinforce appropriate nursing procedures, documentation standards, infection-control practices, emergency procedures, and resident-care protocols.
• Assist with orientation and competency validation of newly hired nursing employees.
• Promote evidence-based nursing practices and continuous professional development.

Resident & Family Relations

• Maintain professional and respectful communication with residents, families, responsible parties, physicians/providers, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Address resident and family concerns promptly and work toward appropriate resolution.
• Participate in care plan meetings and interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Help ensure residents and families are informed of significant changes in condition and the plan of care.
• Promote a culture of customer service, compassion, respect, and resident-centered care.

Risk Management & Incident Response

• Assist with the investigation and follow-up of accidents, injuries, medication errors, allegations of abuse or neglect, and other incidents.
• Ensure appropriate documentation, notifications, and follow-up are completed according to facility policy and regulatory requirements.
• Identify potential clinical and operational risks and communicate concerns to the DON and facility leadership.
• Participate in emergency preparedness activities and respond appropriately to emergencies within the facility.

Collaboration & Communication

• Work collaboratively with the Administrator, Director of Nursing, Medical Director, physicians/providers, rehabilitation services, social services, dietary services, activities, pharmacy, laboratory, and other members of the interdisciplinary team.
• Participate in daily clinical meetings, stand-up meetings, risk meetings, and other facility leadership meetings as assigned.
• Maintain effective communication during shift changes and transitions of care.
• Promote continuity of care between the facility, hospitals, physicians/providers, residents, and families.

Qualifications

Required

• Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state in which the facility operates.
• Graduate of an accredited nursing program.
• Prior nursing experience in a skilled nursing, long-term care, rehabilitation, or similar healthcare setting.
• Demonstrated clinical assessment and leadership skills.
• Knowledge of nursing standards, regulatory requirements, and long-term care practices.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to effectively supervise, coach, and develop nursing staff.
• Ability to work collaboratively with residents, families, staff, providers, and interdisciplinary team members.

Preferred

• Previous experience as an Assistant Director of Nursing, Unit Manager, Nurse Manager, Clinical Coordinator, or similar nursing leadership role.
• Long-term care or skilled nursing leadership experience.
• Experience with state and federal survey preparation and regulatory compliance.
• Experience with QAPI and quality improvement initiatives.
• Experience with infection prevention and control.
• Familiarity with electronic medical records (EMR) systems used in long-term care.
• Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN) preferred.

Core Competencies

• Clinical judgment and critical thinking
• Leadership and staff development
• Regulatory compliance
• Resident-centered care
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Organization and time management
• Conflict resolution
• Accountability and professionalism
• Quality improvement
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Crisis management

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

The ADON must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, which may include prolonged periods of standing and walking throughout the facility, frequent interaction with residents and staff, assisting with resident-care activities when necessary, and responding to clinical emergencies.

The position may require occasional evening, weekend, holiday, or