Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) - RN Job Opening

Purpose

To assist the Director of Nursing in planning, organizing, developing, and directing the day-to-day functions of the Nursing Service Department in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations that govern the facility, and as may be directed by the Administrator, the Medical Director, and/or the Director of Nursing, to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times.

Essential Functions

• Assist the Director of Nursing in planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing the day-to-day functions of the nursing service department.
• Participate in developing, maintaining, and updating our written policies and procedures that govern the day-to-day functions of the nursing service department.
• Ensure that reference material (i.e., PDR'S, Federal and State Regulations, etc.) maintained at the nurses' stations is current. Recommend to the Director written material that will assist the nursing service department in meeting the day-to-day needs of residents.
• Participate in the development, maintenance, and implementation of the facility's quality assurance program for the nursing service department.
• Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as requested by the Administrator or Director of Nursing.
• Participate in developing, implementing, and periodically updating the resident's written discharge plan.
• In the absence of the Director, serve on, participate in, and attend various committees of the facility (i.e., Infection Control, Policy Advisory, Pharmaceutical, Budget, Quality Assurance & Assessment, etc.).
• Participate in the development, maintenance, implementation, and updating of the written policies and procedures for the administration, storage, and control of medications and supplies.
• Assist the Director in determining the staffing needs of the nursing service department.
• Assist the Director in the recruitment and selection of nursing service personnel.
• Make daily rounds of the nursing service department to ensure that all nursing service personnel are performing their work assignments in accordance with acceptable nursing standards. Report findings.
• Review complaints and grievances made or filed by department personnel. Make appropriate reports to the Director as required or as may be necessary.
• Participate in the interviewing and selection of residents for admission to the facility, including the PASARR screenings.
• Provide the Director with information relative to the nursing needs of the resident and to the nursing service department's ability to meet those needs.
• Provide direct nursing care as necessary.
• Report problem areas to the Director. Assist in developing and implementing corrective action.
• Assist support services in developing, implementing, and conducting in-service training programs that relate to the nursing service department.
• Attend and participate in continuing education programs designed to keep you abreast of changes in your profession, as well as to maintain your license on a current status.
• Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, support departments, etc., to adequately plan for the residents' needs.
• Performs other related assignments as required.

Work Schedule

• As assigned, including some week-ends, evenings and Holidays.

Working Conditions

• Works in well-lighted/ventilated areas.
• Most of the work is performed indoors
• Is subject to frequent interruptions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.
• Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, etc.
• Communicates with the medical staff, nursing staff, and other department supervisors.
• Works beyond normal duty hours, on weekends, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.
• May be exposed to bodily fluids, infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including the AIDS and hepatitis B viruses.

Physical Requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; implements or office equipment; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear.
• Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.
• Collect information through observation, listening, touching, and smelling.
• Must have auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess
• Job requires regular sitting, standing, walking, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, twisting, writing, and carrying charts, food, trays, etc.
• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the work day.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance and color vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Employee may be required to move chairs, beds, and medical equipment, move patients in bed (with or without assistance).
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with the residents, personnel, and support agencies.
• Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.
• Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times hostile people within the facility.
• May be required to lift, push, pull, and move equipment, supplies, etc., in excess of fifty (50) pounds.
• Must be able to assist in the evacuation of residents.

Safety, Sanitation and Infection Controls

• Assure the assigned work areas are maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary manner.
• Assure that established infection control and universal precautions practices are observed.
• Report all hazardous conditions or equipment to your supervisor.
• Follow established safety policies and procedures.
• Dispose of refuse daily in accordance with established sanitation procedures.
• Keep work/assignment areas free of hazardous objects, unnecessary equipment, supplies, etc.
• Report any accident/incident to your supervisor no matter how minor.

Qualifications

• Must possess, as a minimum, a Nursing Degree from an accredited college or university.
• Must have, as a minimum, 1 year(s) of experience as a supervisor in a hospital, long-term care facility, or other related health care facility.
• Must have, as a minimum, 6 months training experience in rehabilitative and restorative nursing practices.
• Must possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as a Registered Nurse in this state.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant.
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.
• Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to long-term care.
• Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel.
• Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents.
• Must be able to relate information concerning a resident's condition.
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must be willing to be on-call and to work weekends, holidays, evenings, and nights as required.