Job title Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) Reports to Job purpose Director of Nursing (DON)

The ADON is responsible for assisting in the overall management of the Nursing Department and coordination with other disciplines to provide quality care to all patients/residents.

Job Functions

1. Supports and practices the philosophy, objectives and standards of the Department of Nursing and participates in the revision of these as necessary to ensure quality care to all patients/residents.

2. Coordinates interdisciplinary patient/resident care management efforts.

3. Ensures effective and efficient organization and staffing of the nursing department.

4. Ensure that nursing interventions meet the personal, physical and cognitive needs of independence, choice and opportunity for social interaction.

5. Monitors the outcomes of nursing service activity by evaluating the performance of nursing staff, ensuring compliance with all facility and regulatory agency standards, policies and procedures, coordinating facility committees and monitoring the effective and efficient use of budgeted resources (personnel, supplies, equipment).

6. Ensures a safe and sanitary environment for patients/residents, employees and visitors,

7. Actively maintains cohesive public and professional relationships with patients/residents, families, physicians and the community.

8. Assumes full responsibility for the management of the facility in the temporary absence of the Facility DON as directed by the DON. Exposure Risk The ADON is at high risk for exposure to blood and body fluids when actively providing nursing care to patients/residents. Performance of administrative duties results in minimal risk. Supervision Received & Exercised Receives direction from the Facility DON. Exercises administrative and functional supervision over nursing personnel Minimum Qualifications 1. Current RN license in the state of _ 2. 1-3 years progressive management experience Minimum Performance StandardsPerformance in the following areas is acceptable when: Supports and practices the philosophy, objectives and standards of the Department of Nursing and participates in the revision of these as necessary to ensure quality care to all patients/residents in conjunction with the DON. 1. Participates in the development of policies and procedures that support nursing service objectives. 2. Ensures that the philosophy, objectives and standards of the nursing department are an integral part of the orientation and education of nursing service personnel. 3. Incorporates nursing philosophy, standards and objectives into the evaluation process for staff and nursing services. Coordinates interdisciplinary patient/resident care management efforts with the DON. 1. Provides direction as to format and approach to patient/resident care management. 2. Ensures implementation of resident care planning format to comply with patients/residents needs and various regulatory agency requirements 3. Coordinates requirements and cooperates with all other departments in providing a favorable physical, social, and emotional environment for all patients/residents. 4. Serves on Quality Improvement Committees that include Patient/Resident Care Management, Pharmaceutical Services, Infection Control, Safety and Utilization Review. 5. Meets with committee members to evaluate activities within the facility and to identify opportunities for continuous improvement in operations. 6. Follows up on committee recommendations that affect the nursing department. Ensures effective and efficient organization and staffing of the nursing department with the DON. 1. Ensures that the nursing department is properly organized and adheres to accepted organization and management principles. 2. Supervises Nursing Unit Supervisors and other Nursing Supervisory personnel and effectively delegates authority to them for the management of the nursing units. 3. Develops short and long-range plans for the nursing department that are compatible with those of the facility. 4. Recruits and selects nursing service employees appropriate to facility needs and budgetary guidelines. 5. Provides orientation and education programs for nursing service personnel and ensures that all personnel can demonstrate the abilities required to function appropriately in their positions. 6. Works in establishing and facilitating effective employer/employee relations. 7. Routinely schedules and conducts meetings with Charge Nurse and other Nursing Supervisory personnel to communicate and operationalize objectives, standards, policies and procedures. 8. Identifies responsibilities for nursing function 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the absence of the Director of Nursing. 9. Develops a work schedule that ensures the presence of the ADON on periodic weekends or evenings, nights and holidays. 10. Maintains adequate staffing ratios and levels of preparation to meet the needs of patients/residents. 11. Meets with Charge Nurses and Nursing Supervisory personnel on a regular basis to review, evaluate, and document their performance in the absence of the DON. 12. Coordinates nursing activities with consultants and other department heads as necessary or appropriate.13. Meets with all levels of nursing personnel routinely to communicate information and foster routine interpersonal relationships 14. Performs other functions as deemed necessary by DON and Administrator for the function of the facility. Ensures that nursing interventions meet the personal, physical and cognitive needs of each patient/resident as well as maximize his/her self care capacities, identity, independence, choice and opportunity for social interaction with DON and in their absence. 1. Participates in the selection of patients/residents to be admitted by evaluating the level and amount of care required by prospective patients/residents; in relation to existing nursing capabilities 2. Ensures that each nursing department employee’s orientation/education includes meeting the personal, cognitive and physical needs of the patients/residents. 3. Ensures that nursing personnel assist in evaluating each patient’s/resident’s interest and needs. 4. Commits nursing manpower to support individual and group activities, including out of facility functions. Monitors the outcomes of nursing service activity by evaluating the performance of nursing staff, ensuring compliance with all facility and regulatory agency standards, policies and procedures, coordinating facility committees and monitoring the effective and efficient use of budgeted resources (personnel, supplies equipment) as directed by DON. 1. Visits nursing units on a daily basis and observes the care the patients/residents are receiving to ensure compliance with accepted facility nursing-standards. 2. Ensures compliance with all federal, state and local standards and regulations by conducting periodic self-surveys by outside agencies and correcting areas of noncompliance. 3. Periodically visits all nursing shifts to monitor performance of nursing staff and to ensure that quality care is being provided to patients/residents. 4. Observes the performance of nursing personnel on the nursing units and audits nursing practices to ensure adherence with established objective, standards, policies, and procedures. 5. Discusses and implements plan of action to correct deficient areas identified on quality reviews. Assists in ensuring a safe and sanitary environment for patients/residents, employees and visitors. 1. Participates in ensuring a sage environment for patients/residents, staff and family. 2. Investigates all nursing department employee accidents in accordance with procedures outlines in the facility’s safely standards. 3. Monitors and review patient/resident incidents to identify possible legal issues and to identify patterns that might require preventative intervention. 4. Implements infection control policies and procedures as outlines in company program. Ensures that all nursing staff are educated and utilize infection control practices that protect staff, patients/residents and families. 5. Monitors the employee health program to ensure that employees are physically able to work, that on-the-job injuries are documented, investigated and treated and tha required tuberculosis monitoring is accomplished, documented and filed. Actively maintains cohesive public and professional relationships with patients/ residents, families physicians and the community.1. Projects a positive image of the facility by displaying a high degree of professionalism, demonstrating concern and courtesy in interactions with patients/residents, families, medical staff, employees, volunteers and outside agencies affiliated with the facility 2. Represents the facility and nursing service in professional and community activities. 3. Controls the release of information on patients/residents in a manner that protects their privacy and is in accordance with established regulatory guidelines. 4. Maintains open, effective and ongoing communication with the facility’s medical staff and medical community 5. Handles inquiries from prospective patients/residents according to facility policy, 6. Seeks t ensure the resolution of complaints regarding the Nursing department or the facility from patients/residents, families or other responsible parties, medical staff volunteers and outside agencies affiliated with the facility. Working Conditions 1. Works inside the facility throughout the Nursing Service area, including the medication rooms, nurses stations and the patient/resident rooms. 2. Sits, stands, bends, lifts, reaches, walks, and moves intermittently during the working hours. 3. Is subject to frequent interruptions. 4. Is subject to a quiet to moderate noise level due to phones, mechanical alarms and occasional construction work. 5. Is involved with patients/residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances. 6. Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset patients/residents, family members, personnel and visitors. 7. Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department supervisors. 8. Works beyond normal working hours and in other positions temporarily, when necessary. 9. Is subject to hazards in the work area including, burns from equipment, odors, exposure to sharp instruments, falls, chemical cleansers etc., throughout the working hours. 10. Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases or conditions. 11. Maintains a liaison with the patients/residents, their families, support departments, etc. 12. May be required to wear a face mask, gown, or gloves. Specific Requirements 1. Must possess a current, unencumbered license to practice as a RN in this state 2. Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language, 3. Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when necessary. 4. Must be able to relate information concerning a patient’s/resident’s condition. Physical and Sensory Requirements (With or without the aid of mechanical devices) 1. Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday. 2. Must be able to speak the English language in an understandable manner. 3. Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position. 4. Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable the senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met (i.e. accurately read measurements on patient/resident related equipment such as thermometers, monitors, gauges). 5. Must be able to function independently, have personal integrity, flexibility, and the ability to work effectively with patients/residents, personnel and support agencies.6. Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability. 7. Must be able to relate and work with the disables, ill elderly, emotionally upset, and at times, hostile people within the facility. 8. Must be able to lift, push, pull and move a minimum of 50 pounds. 9. Must be able to assist with the evacuation of patients/residents