Assistant Director of Nursing

Peaceful Pines Senior Living - Spearfish•Spearfish, SD

20d

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) supports the Director of Nursing (DON) with clinical leadership, operational oversight, and cultural stewardship of nursing services in Assisted Living and Memory Care. This hands-on, visible leader helps ensure compassionate, ethical, high-quality care that supports residents’ health, safety, dignity, individuality, purpose, connection, and joy. The ADON partners with residents and team members, translating clinical standards into person-centered care and meaningful daily experiences. The ADON supports daily nursing operations, resident assessments and service plans, medication processes, documentation, monitoring, and follow-up on changes in condition. The role also promotes memory care best practices and whole-person well-being, and collaborates with Life Enrichment, Culinary, Operations, families, physicians, and care partners to support an engaging community and personalized resident routines. The ADON assists with care-team scheduling, coaching, training, supervision, onboarding, competencies, shift coverage, performance management, and staff communication. The role supports regulatory compliance, survey readiness, audits, incident reporting, confidentiality, risk management, quality initiatives, and process improvement. In partnership with the DON, the ADON supports staffing and care delivery, coordinates care needs and medical documentation, participates in an on-call rotation, provides on-call backup as assigned, and assumes leadership responsibilities when the DON is absent. The position requires a TB test in accordance with state regulations, a background check, flexible scheduling that includes weekends and holidays, and participation in an on-call rotation with response to urgent care needs. The ADON must manage multiple priorities and adapt to a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

Ability to work flexible schedules, including weekends and holidays.
Must participate in an on-call rotation and respond to urgent care needs.
Ability to handle multiple priorities and adapt in a fast-paced environment.
Must submit to a TB test in accordance with state regulations.
Must be able to pass a background check.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Organizational and multitasking ability.
Ethical judgment and discretion.
Commitment to person-centered, whole-person care, team collaboration, and a mission-driven culture.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in a nursing leadership or supervisory role in Assisted Living or Long-Term Care.
Active and unencumbered RN license.
Minimum of two years’ experience in a healthcare setting.
Experience working with memory care residents is strongly preferred.
Emotional intelligence and leadership presence.
Ability to balance clinical responsibilities with resident experience and engagement.

Responsibilities

Support oversight of daily nursing operations to promote safe, ethical, high-quality care.
Conduct and support resident assessments, service plan development and updates, and care conferences in accordance with regulations.
Monitor medication administration processes, including inventory management, new medication checks, and communication of physician orders.
Observe residents for changes in condition and ensure appropriate documentation, communication, and follow-up with physicians, families, and the DON.
Obtain, administer, and document medications and treatments in accordance with nursing standards and community policies.
Maintain accurate, current, and compliant resident records, documentation, and files.
Take and monitor vital signs and other clinical indicators to support proactive care.
Integrate physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being into care practices; reinforce resident choice, dignity, and independence.
Support memory care best practices that preserve dignity and promote meaningful engagement.
Partner with the DON, Life Enrichment, Culinary, and Operations teams to support a vibrant and engaging community.
Encourage staff participation in activities, dining experiences, and daily routines that foster connection and independence.
Promote dining as a component of wellness, dignity, and enjoyment, and foster meaningful everyday interactions.
Support care staff with scheduling, coaching, training, and daily supervision; serve as a visible, approachable leader across shifts.
Assist with onboarding, education, and competency development for Caregivers and Medication Aides.
Provide hands-on care and training when needed, and assist with shift coverage to ensure continuity of care.
Communicate key updates through staff communication tools and daily interactions; encourage engagement, recognition, and professional development.
Support performance management in collaboration with the DON.
Support compliance with federal, state, and local Assisted Living and Memory Care regulations; assist with survey readiness, audits, and state licensure surveys.
Ensure incident reports are completed accurately and promptly with appropriate follow-up; monitor documentation and policy compliance.
Maintain confidentiality and promote ethical practice, accountability, and risk awareness.
Serve as a clinical liaison for residents, families, physicians, and care partners; communicate changes clearly and compassionately.
Schedule and participate in care conferences and build trust through consistent, transparent, empathetic communication with families.
Partner with the DON on daily operations, staffing, and care delivery; assist with scheduling and staffing coordination.
Participate in on-call responsibilities and provide on-call backup support as assigned; respond to urgent care needs.
Prepare medical documentation for appointments and coordinate care needs.
Support quality initiatives, process improvements, and compliance tracking; ensure effective communication across shifts and departments.
Assume leadership responsibilities in the DON’s absence and contribute to continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Submit to a TB test in accordance with state regulations and pass a background check.