Assistant Director of Nursing

Job Description

Job Description

JOB TITLE: Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON)

DEPARTMENT : Nursing

REPORTS TO: Director of Nursing

FSLA CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

LEVEL OF WORK: Management

SALARY : 100,000.00 to 110,000.00

JOB PURPOSE:

Under the general supervision of the Director of Nursing, the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) supports the medical management of all individuals receiving services from The Arc of Southern Chesapeake. The Assistant Director of Nursing must be clinicaly competent, delivering care using the nursing process of assessment, planning, intervention, implementation, and evaluation. The Assistant Director of Nursing works collaboratively with individuals served, families, staff, and members of the interdisciplinary team while maintaining standards of professional nursing practice. The Assistant Director of Nursing assists with supervision and guidance of nursing staff, unit medical secretary, and other assigned personnel.

*This position requires that the employee work on-site and can be located in any of our four locations.*

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Clinical Oversight & Support

• Assist the Director of Nursing with oversight of case management and delegation of nursing tasks, including medication administration.
• Supports the Director of Nursing in ensuring compliance with ethical standards, including confidentiality and informed consent.
• Support development, implementation, and monitoring of individualized plans of care using accepted nursing standards.
• Perform ongoing assessments and assist in revising care plans based on changes in individuals’ conditions.
• Provide clinical support and guidance to nursing staff and direct support professionals.
• Provide nursing coverage when needed to ensure continuity of care.

Health Monitoring & Nursing Services

• Assist in conducting routine monitoring of individuals (e.g., 45-day reviews), including:
  • Reviewing Medication Administration Records (MARs) for accuracy and completion
  • Verifying prescriptions for accuracy and transcription
  • Supporting timely completion of nursing assessments
  • Ensuring compliance with physician orders for medications and treatments
• Assist in monitoring and reporting medication errors and omissions per agency policy.
• Educate staff regarding medication effects, side effects, and observation protocols.
• Observe and support staff competency with medication administration.
• Support maintenance of documentation for psychotropic and routine medication reviews and ensure compliance timelines are met.
• Assist with monthly MAR audits as part of CQI efforts.
• Participate in site reviews and assist in preparing reports outlining findings, concerns, and recommended corrective actions.

Medication & Health Management

• Monitor trends in medication errors and support corrective training and follow-up.
• Provide education to individuals served regarding health-related topics as appropriate.
• Assist with protocol development (e.g., glucose monitoring, G-tube care, colostomy care) and provide staff training.

Training & Staff Development

• Assist in providing training to staff, including but not limited to:
  • Medication administration
  • Seizure management
  • Infection control and bloodborne pathogens
• Support onboarding, mentoring, and competency validation of nursing staff.
• Provide on-the-job training and coaching for assigned staff.
• Assist in ensuring staff meet all required training and compliance standards.

Coordination of Care & Communication

• Serve as a liaison with physicians, pharmacies, medical suppliers, and community providers to support coordinated care.
• Assist staff in communicating effectively with healthcare providers regarding treatment and health concerns.
• Participate in team meetings, including PCP meetings, and discharge planning meetings.
• Support coordination of medical appointments and follow-up care.

Incident Response & Compliance

• Assist with response to medical emergencies and reportable incidents.
• Ensure appropriate documentation and timely reporting in accordance with DDA and agency policies.
• Participate in incident reviews and support implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Assist in maintaining HIPAA compliance and protection of all health information.

Operational Support

• Assist the Director of Nursing with scheduling to ensure adequate nursing coverage within budgetary guidelines.
• Support recordkeeping, data collection, and reporting functions.
• Participate in quality assurance, safety, and risk management activities.
• Assist in developing and maintaining documentation systems and protocols.
• Attend leadership and interdisciplinary meetings as assigned.
• Provide backup support for on-call responsibilities as assigned.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior at all times.
• Maintain current knowledge of nursing practices, regulations, and technology.
• Participate in staff and program meetings as required.
• Complete all assigned trainings.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support agency operations.
• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• ADN prepared RN from an accredited program
• Current, active RN license in the State of Maryland.
• Minimum of five + years of nursing experience is required.
• Experience with staff management, financial oversite and quality compliance and policy enforcement preferred.
• Experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities strongly preferred.
• Prior supervisory or leadership experience required.

JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of Maryland DDA regulations, COMAR, and healthcare standards.
• Strong clinical assessment and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to respond to emergencies and support on-call rotation as assigned.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends as needed.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and professionalism.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and electronic health record systems.
• Valid driver’s license with good driving record and reliable transportation.
• Ability to pass required background checks.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Ability to support supervision and team development.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS (ADA)

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made as required.

• Ability to stand, walk, and sit for extended periods
• Use hands to handle objects and perform tasks
• Reach, bend, stoop, kneel, and climb stairs as needed
• Lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
• Visual acuity for documentation and assessment tasks
• Travel to multiple service locations within the Southern Maryland area to include Anne Arundel, Calvert, St. Mary’s and Charles locations.
• Exposure to communicable illnesses may occur due to working with individuals receiving services.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is performed in residential, programmatic, and office settings.
• Noise level is typically moderate.

The Arc Southern Chesapeake is a drug-free employer. All offers of employment will be contingent on a successful background check. The Arc Southern Chesapeake is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, religious and or political beliefs. We recruit, employ, retain, compensate, train, promote, discipline, terminate and treat all employees and job applicants based solely on qualification, performance, and competence.