Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON)

DEPARTMENT: Nursing

SUPERVISOR: Director of Nursing

Position Summary

The purpose of the Assists the Director of Nursing (ADON) position is provide support and oversight to the nursing department by organizing and managing nursing services provided by the facility.

Duties and Responsibilities

The following represents the essential functions of the Assistant Director of Nursing's role. This list is intended to be a general description of duties and responsibilities; however, it is subject to change according to the needs of the facility determined by the Administrator and/or corporate designee.

Assists the DON in the supervision of nursing care and nursing staff.

The ADON participates in Daily QA (morning) Meetings, Monthly/ Quarterly QA, Safety Committee Meetings, High Risk Meetings, Resident Council Meetings when requested, Care Plan Meetings, in-service trainings, continuing education programs, and all other meetings called by Legacy or licensing entities.

The ADON assists in management, delegation, and contribution to nursing department programs such as weights, infection control, incidents and accidents, gradual dose reductions, etc.

Assists in carrying out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with organizational policies and scope of practice.

Supervisory Responsibilities Include

• Interviews, recommends, hires, and trains employees.
• Plans, assigns, and directs work.

Prepares schedule, taking into consideration resident needs and safety, experience, knowledge, and ability of the persons to whom the assignments are made.

Receives calls and finds helps replacements for absent staff. Notifies the DON and/or Administrator of staffing concerns and prepares a plan to resolve them.

Transfers employees among units as needed.

Prepares performance evaluations with the understanding that such evaluations impact tenure of probationary employees and wage increases of non-probationary employees.

Meaningfully rewards and disciplines employees with the understanding that such discipline results in termination of employment through progressive steps.

• Schedules lunch and break times to meet the needs of the residents and staff.
• Approves the correction of errors in timecards or other timekeeping records.
• Authorizes overtime with DON and/ or Administrator discretion.
• Receives and helps resolve residents and employee complaints.
• Determines rotation of employees within facility.
• Monitors and corrects job performance of employees.

Oversees facility in absence of higher-ranking management officials. If an RN, functions as acting DON in the absence of the DON.

• Uses independent judgment and discretion on behalf of the organization in the performance of these duties.
• Helps the DON with the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the nursing department.
• Helps to verify the current licensure and credentials of nursing employees.
• Performs resident rounds to monitor and evaluate the quality and appropriateness of nursing care.
• Assists in monitoring, charting, and documentation of care, medications, and treatments.
• Assists in maintaining compliance with nursing philosophies and objectives, standards of practice, and policies and procedures for all levels of nursing staff.
• Operates within nursing supplies, equipment, and staffing budgets.
• Maintains current knowledge of applicable Managed Care, Medicare, and Medicaid regulations, reimbursement systems, and processes.
• Monitors and helps nursing staff in the following areas:
• Performs nursing assessments regarding the health status of residents.
• Contributes to the resident's assessment (MDS/CAA) and the development of a plan of care.
• Develops a plan of care based on assessment and implements necessary nursing care.
• Evaluates the resident's responses to nursing interventions.
• Establishes appropriate nursing intervention which might be required to stabilize a resident's condition and/or prevent complications.
• Consults with physician or licensed independent practitioner.
• Clarifies orders or treatment as needed.
• Reports and documents the resident's symptoms, responses, and status.
• Educates and counsels residents based on their health needs.

Collaborates with the resident, resident's responsible party (as needed), physician, and members of the IDT Team in the interest of the resident's healthcare.

Consults with, utilizes, and initiates referrals to appropriate community agencies and healthcare resources to provide continuity of care.

Functions within the constraints of established policy and procedure consistent with accepted nursing standards.

May consult with DON, Administrator, nursing consultants, or other medical professionals to make decisions regarding nursing services, assigned supervisory duties and related tasks.

Communicates in a professional and courteous manner using effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills with residents, their families, and co-workers.

Maintains confidentiality of department, resident, employee information, communication, and documentation as well as compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations.

Clocks in and out for all working/training hours. Working off the clock will not be permitted at any time or for any reason.

• Maintain compliance with Legacy's Compliance program and plan.
• Adhere to Legacy's Code of Conduct and Dress Code.

These duties are not all-inclusive but provide minimum performance expectations which will be reviewed in the evaluation process. Supervisor may edit, alter, add to, or exclude duties and responsibilities based on the needs of the facility.

Qualifications/ Experience/ Requirements

• Minimum Qualifications
• Freedom from illegal use of drugs.
• Freedom from use and effects of drugs and alcohol in the workplace.
• Anyone found guilty by a court of law of abusing, neglecting or mistreating individuals in a health care related setting are ineligible for employment in the position.

Education And/or Experience

• Registered nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse with management or supervisor experience in long-term care or geriatric nursing.
• Experience in Long-Term care setting preferred but not required.

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations

• Current state license to practice as a nurse.
• Current CPR certification and additional certification in nursing specialty desired.