Assistant Director of Nursing

Mission Statement

Senior communities of care inspiring mind, body, and soul.

Vision Statement

To be premier communities committed to excellence of care through grace, compassion, and respect.

General Statement of Duties

Under the direction of the Director of Nursing, the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) supports the oversight of nursing services, clinical operations, and standards of care to promote safe, professional, resident-centered care. The ADON assists with supervising nursing staff, monitoring care delivery and documentation, supporting regulatory compliance and quality improvement, and resolving clinical and operational concerns. The positions works collaboratively with residents, families, physicians, interdisciplinary team members, and organizational leaders to help each resident attain or maintain the highest predictable level of physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being.

Essential Job Outcomes

• Assist the Director of Nursing in overseeing nursing services and standards of care, supporting implementation of resident care plans and timely, appropriate clinical interventions consistent with resident needs, rights, organizational policy, and applicable requirements.
• Monitor the delivery of nursing care and significant changes in resident condition; support appropriate assessment, follow-up, provider notification, documentation, and escalation when resident safety, quality of care, or clinical outcomes may be affected.
• Provide day-to-day clinical leadership and decision support to nursing team members, participate in care coordination and problem-solving, and assist in addressing resident and family concerns related to nursing services.
• Supervise and support nursing staff and daily resident care assignments; partner with the Director of Nursing and Nursing Scheduler to maintain appropriate coverage based on resident needs, census, staffing plans, and operational requirements.
• Assist the Director of Nursing with onboarding, education, competency development, coaching, performance expectations, and employee accountability in partnership with Human Resources and in accordance with organizational policies and established processes.
• Promote teamwork, professional communication, and consistent nursing practices; identify staffing, attendance, workflow, or performance concerns and work with nursing leadership to implement timely, appropriate solutions.
• Oversee the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and professional quality of resident medical records and nursing service documentation in accordance with organizational standards and applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
• Support ongoing compliance and clinical policies and regulatory requirements, including resident rights, abuse and neglect reporting, infection prevention, medication and treatment practices, and survey readiness within the scope of the position.
• Participate in clinical audits, incident review, quality assurance and performance improvement activities, and corrective action follow-through; promptly escalate identified risks, trends, or compliance concerns to the Director of Nursing and other appropriate leaders.
• Ensure necessary nursing supplies and equipment are available, properly maintained, and in working order, communicate shortages, equipment concerns, or replacement needs through established purchasing and leadership processes.
• Support effective nursing department operations by monitoring clinical workflows, resource utilization, and barriers to care delivery, and assist the Director of Nursing in implementing approved improvements and corrective actions.
• Use organizational systems, supplies, staffing resources, and other department resources responsibly and support nursing operations within established budgets, purchasing standards, and organizational controls.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with physicians, contract medical professionals, hospitals, long-term care providers, and other external partners involved in resident care and transitions of care.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director, Human Resources, pharmacy, therapy, dietary, social services, and other departments to address resident care needs, staffing concerns, clinical operations, and interdisciplinary issues.
• Act as the Director of Nursing in the Director of Nursing’s absence within the scope of assigned authority, maintaining continuity of nursing leadership and promptly communicating significant clinical, staffing, compliance, resident, or operational concerns to appropriate organizational leaders.

Values and Leadership Expectations

The Assistant Director of Nursing is expected to demonstrate Heritage Pointe Communities’ values of Grace, Compassion, and Respect in interactions with residents, families, employees, providers, and colleagues.

• Grace: Lead through clinical and operational challenges with professionalism, patience, sound judgment, and an appropriate focus on solutions and accountability.
• Compassion: Recognize the individual needs and experiences of residents, families, and employees while maintaining appropriate clinical standards, boundaries, and performance expectations.
• Respect: Treat residents and employees with dignity, protect confidentiality, communicate professionally, and support fair and consistent application of organizational expectations.

As a member of nursing leadership, the ADON is expected to promote teamwork and collaboration, support organizational standardization by following established clinical and operational practices, and avoid creating independent processes or unauthorized exceptions. Concerns involving resident care, staffing, employee performance, compliance, safety, or operations should be raised promptly and constructively through the appropriate leadership channels so they can be addressed in a timely and consistent manner.

Job Qualifications

1. Graduate of a state-approved practical nursing program required.
2. Current Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license in the state of employment required and must be maintained and in good standing throughout employment.
3. Must maintain all licensure, certification, and competency requirements applicable to the position and perform clinical responsibilities within the LPN scope of practice and organizational policy.
4. At least two (2) years of nursing management or nursing leadership experience preferred; long-term care, skilled nursing, or senior living experience strongly preferred.
5. Working knowledge of nursing services, nursing administration, rehabilitation, and geriatric nursing needs.
6. Experience supporting clinical operations, staff supervision, regulatory compliance, or quality improvement in a healthcare setting preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Strong clinical judgment, critical-thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to recognize matters requiring escalation.
2. Knowledge of nursing practice, resident care standards, documentation requirements, and federal, state, and local requirements applicable to long-term care or senior living operations.
3. Effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build productive relationships with residents, families, employees, providers, and organizational leaders while maintaining confidentiality.
4. Ability to organize multiple priorities, respond appropriately to changing clinical and operational needs, and follow through on assigned responsibilities.
5. Ability to lead with professionalism, patience, tact, accountability, and respect while supporting consistent application of organizational policies and standards.
6. Proficiency with electronic health records and other clinical, communication, or workforce systems used by the organization, or the ability to learn such systems.

Work Schedule and Availability

This is an exempt nursing leadership position with a work schedule established based on the clinical and operational needs of the community. Regular and reliable attendance is an essential function of the position, and because nursing services operate 24 hours per day, seven days per week, and the ADON may be required to work or respond outside of normally scheduled hours, including evenings, weekends, or holidays, as operational needs require. The ADON is expected to maintain sufficient presence and availability to support nursing leadership, resident care, staff supervision, survey and emergency response, and continuity of nursing department operations.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described below are representative of those necessary to successfully perform the essential functions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Must be able to move throughout the community and resident care areas and frequently sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, and perform computer-based work as required by position.
• Must be able to lift, move, or carry items weighing up to approximately 25 pounds and assist with emergency response or resident evacuation activities consistent with training, role, responsibilities, and organizational procedures.
• Must be able to communicate effectively, observe resident conditions and the care environment, and maintain attention and sound judgment in a setting that may involve interruptions, competing priorities, and time-sensitive clinical needs.

Expectations of All Employees

1. Support the organization’s mission, vision, policies, and commitment to resident-centered service.
2. Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and other privacy requirements applicable to the position.
3. Complete required education, meetings, and professional development activities.
4. Follow infection prevention, safety, emergency preparedness, and other applicable policies and procedures.
5. Demonstrate professional conduct, reliable communication, collaboration, and respect in interactions with residents, families, employees, visitors, and partners.
6. Perform other duties as assigned consistent with the position’s scope and organizational needs.

Note

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level or work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions associated with the position. Responsibilities may be modified based on organizational and operational needs, consistent with applicable law. This job description does not constitute an employment contract or alter the at-will employment relationship. Heritage Pointe Communities reserves the right to revise this job description and to assign additional duties as appropriate.