The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) is a Licensed Nurse who plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates resident care and services in the long term care and skilled nursing unit and assists the Director of Nursing (DON) in the overall operation of Thorne Living Center (TLC). During regular business hours, the ADON assumes responsibility for the care of residents in TLC to ensure their physical and mental well-being is maintained at the highest practicable level and helps to maintain standards consistent with state and federal nursing home regulations as well as those of The Wesley.
Summary of Supervisory Responsibilities:
- Provide leadership and supervision during working business hours to assure quality resident care at all times.
- In collaboration with the DON, assure there is adequate coverage of personnel and proper supervision at all times to provide quality care to all residents and to comply with state and federal regulations.
- Oversee the hiring, orientation, scheduling, performance evaluation, disciplinary action, and termination of nursing personnel.
- Ensure all personnel in the unit are oriented appropriately to their duties and assigned according to their skills, licensing and training. Be sensitive to the comfort level of staff members in their job responsibilities, especially with new employees.
- Assist in making team member assignments and work with the nursing scheduler to ensure a sufficient number of employees for each shift. If there is an insufficient number of employees on a shift, work in any nursing capacity needed to carry out the individualized care plan for each resident.
- Observe daily nursing care provided by nursing personnel assigned to the unit and assist in evaluating work performance and quality of care provided by each staff member. Participate in counseling and disciplinary measures as appropriate.
- Assist in evaluating the educational needs of nursing staff and report these needs to the DON, COO/Administrator, and the VP of HR.
- In collaboration with the DON, conduct regularly scheduled team meetings and impromptu meetings to include specific shifts as needed.
- Work openly, honestly and efficiently with other departments, administration, and the COO/Administrator.
Summary of Infection Control:
- Serve as the Infection Preventionist for the facility.
- Observe staff performance to ensure proper execution of policies and procedures necessary to maintain compliance with acceptable infection control standards.
- Monitor implementation of appropriate precautionary measures for residents displaying signs/symptoms of infection.
- Ensure that staff members practice universal precautions and proper disposal of infectious waste at all times.
- Communicate implementation/discontinuance of appropriate precautionary measures with residents displaying signs/symptoms of infection to appropriate departments and to administration.
Summary of Coordination of Resident Care:
- Oversee Therapeutic programming for residents on unit; keep abreast of all residents' current status, be aware of the overall needs on the unit to ensure quality care is provided to each resident, and participate in actual care of residents as time permits.
- Accountable for meeting and maintaining the established standards of resident care.
- Evaluate resident care according to each resident’s care plan, established policies and procedures, state and federal regulations and participate in resident care plan conferences. Assist in the ongoing development, updating and execution of the resident plan of care and physician plan of care. Communicate changes as appropriate.
- Confer with residents and/or families about resident's cares and concerns as appropriate; attempt to bring resolution to resident/family conflict situations.
- Responsible for assessing any accident/incidents, including medication errors, occurring on the Unit, and the reporting of such as per policies and procedures. Follow-up on all incidents/accidents immediately as appropriate to situation.
- Monitor wound care status; pass on appropriate information to medical director.
- Ensure the changes in orders from physician are coordinated with the resident's care plan.
- Assist in discharge planning upon admission, ongoing and discharge. Complete discharge summary, if necessary.
- Assist with/coordinate pre-admission screenings, admissions, transfers and dismissals as necessary and work with other departments on same to ensure successful transfer of residents.
- Monitor availability of supplies in proper quantities. Ensure that equipment is in proper working order and that personnel know where such supplies and equipment are stored and how to utilize them properly.
- Review charts for content of charting and pertinent information.
- Oversee coordination of lab work, x-ray work, physician appointments; make rounds with physicians as appropriate.
- Supervise accurate medication and treatment administration to residents as ordered.
- Ensure DON and Administrator are apprised of changes in resident conditions and of emergency situations.
- Perform any nursing duties, as needed, to fulfill the resident’s individual plan of care.
Summary of Nursing Administration:
- Responsible for knowing nursing policies and procedures and for the appropriate administration of the same on the assigned unit. Execute and direct nursing care in accordance with regulations and policies and procedures of The Wesley.
- Participate with problem-solving and systems development for the Nursing Department; attempt to bring resolution to employee conflict situations.
- Ensure completion of admission assessments on new residents and other federal/state required assessments as necessary.
- Assist DON and Administrator in the survey process as appropriate, and assist with implementing new regulations and interpretations, as directed by licensing agencies.
- Demonstrate a positive image to residents, families, visitors, and peers to enhance the image of The Wesley.
- Delegate appropriate tasks to members of the team consistent with their job descriptions and licensure within the State of Kansas.
- Complete other duties and tasks as directed by the DON.
