Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) - Richmond Healthcare & Rehab Center

DEPARTMENT: Nursing Administration

REPORTS TO: Director of Nursing

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) has 24-hour accountability and supports the Director of Nursing (DON) with the delivery of efficient and effective nursing care while achieving positive clinical outcomes, and patient/family and employee satisfaction.

The ADON serves as a clinical operational liaison between the units and the Center Nurse

Executive/Director of Nursing.  He/she is responsible for the daily clinical operations of the Nursing Units including ensuring compliance with Recover-Care policies and procedures, practice standards and regulations.  Additionally, he/she is responsible for facilitating the implementation of the care delivery model and processes, mentoring staff, coordination and communication with other departments, and ensuring patient and family satisfaction.

In the absence of the DON, the ADON assumes the duties and responsibilities of the DON.

RESPONSIBILITIES/ACCOUNTABILITIES:

1.           Administrative:

1.1            Works with the DON to develop, allocate and control the budget for the Department of Nursing Services;

1.2            Assists DON with nurse staffing:

1.2.1           Makes recommendations regarding the staffing needs of the Nursing department necessary to meet the nursing needs of the patients;

1.2.2           Recruits, interviews, hires, on-boards, and orients professional nursing staff;

1.2.3           Provides oversight and approves nursing department schedules to include position control and pay practices;

1.2.4           Reviews and evaluates the performance of nursing staff as well as counsels staff according to established company personnel policy;

1.2.5           Provides direction to nurse management regarding Individual Performance Improvement Plans, problem resolution, and disciplinary actions;

1.2.6           Recommends and facilitates employee promotions, transfers and terminations;

1.3            Collaborates and coordinates with other departments to provide timely effective care consistent with individuals’ needs, choices and preferences.

1.4            Ensures there is a safe, coordinated and thorough discharge planning process in place;

1.5            Fosters a strong partnership between the medical staff and the department of nursing;

1.6            Makes recommendations to the Director of Nursing regarding nursing care equipment/supplies required to meet the needs of the patients and assures that adequate supplies are available;

1.7            Promotes a culture of safety to ensure a healthy practice and living environment;

1.8            Participates in meetings to address patient care, survey and/or standards of care issues;

1.9            Participates in Center meetings such as Utilization Management, Customer at Risk, Quality Improvement, etc. as needed;

1.10        Maintains professional relationships with community, payors, and referral sources;

1.11        Assumes administrative responsibilities of the Center for weekend and holiday coverage as requested;

1.12        Stays and works beyond scheduled shift if needed to meet state staffing requirements and/or needs of patients;

2.           Clinical Leadership:

2.1            Works with the DON to effectively plan, organize, direct and implement a comprehensive center-wide nursing program;

2.2            Provides nursing leadership in order to meet the goals of the Recover-Care organization and the individual center;

2.3            Creates an environment that is respectful, team oriented and responsive to the concerns of staff, patients and families;

2.4            Completes daily rounds on the units to observe patients and to determine if nursing

needs are being met;

2.5            Provides patient care when required;

2.6            Monitors nursing care to ensure positive clinical outcomes;

2.7            Ensures Point Click Care (PCC) is utilized according to the Business Processes;

2.8            Encourages communication between licensed nursing staff and CNAs during and between shifts;

2.9            Encourages shift-to-shift communication between incoming and outgoing nursing

staff;

2.10        Ensures timely and accurate compliance of the MDS process and that it reflects the patient's plan of care;

2.11        Reviews prospective admissions in relation to existing nursing capabilities and ensures readiness to treat;

2.12        Ensures that patient's attending physician and family or responsible party are promptly notified of any significant change in the patient's health condition;

3.           Education:

3.1            Provides education, training, and competency validation as needed;

3.2            Promotes professional development and career opportunities for nursing staff;

4.           Quality Improvement:

4.1            Supports the DON in employing a strong Quality Improvement (QI) process for the nursing department and participates on the QI Committee;

4.2            Ensures that the patients’ Care Plans are implemented and periodically reviewed and modified as necessary;

4.3            Ensures that Physician Orders are followed as prescribed;

4.4            In collaboration with the DON, ensures that patient's accident/incident, adverse event and grievances/concerns are fully documented, investigated, reported and addressed in accordance with Recover-Care policies and procedures and the Federal/State rules and regulations;

5.           Additional responsibilities if serving as Infection Control Coordinator:

5.1            Provides oversight of the Center’s Infection Control program;

5.2            Provides oversight to Employee Health Program to include:

5.2.1           Administering and tracking of PPD and Hepatitis vaccine for all employees;

5.2.2           Administering and tracking of influenza immunizations for all employees;

5.3            Serves as the “responsible” person for employees who become injured during hours when the ADON is present;

5.4            Ensures that an “Initial Health Survey” is completed for all new Employees;

6.           Enhances nursing practice by attending all mandated in-service programs and other GHC and outside professional education programs;

7.           Maintains confidentiality and protects sensitive Protected Health Information (PHI) at all times;

8.           Performs other duties as requested.

SPECIFIC EDUCATIONAL/VOCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

1.           Graduate of an accredited school of nursing, college or university with a current registered nurse licensure by the State Board of Nursing.

2.           A minimum of three years full-time or equivalent clinical experience is required and a minimum of two years of clinical experience in long-term care nursing with one year in a management/administrative or supervisory capacity is preferred.

3.           This position requires that the employee is able to read, write, speak and understand the spoken English language to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our patients and visitors at the work site when responding to their medical and physical needs.

4.           Must provide verification of TST (tuberculin skin test) as required by state law and in accordance with Company policy. TSTs will be administered at the work site if required.