Assistant Director of Nursing

Castle Healthcare•Indianapolis, IN

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Nursing assists the Director of Nursing in planning, organizing, developing, and directing the day-to-day functions of the Nursing Department in a long-term care facility. The role helps ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations, and supports the delivery of high-quality resident care. The position combines nursing leadership and administration with oversight of staffing, resident care, documentation, training, safety, equipment, and regulatory readiness. The Assistant Director supports care planning and assessments, admission and discharge processes, quality improvement, staff development, and coordination of nursing services with other resident services. The role also provides direct nursing care when necessary and helps ensure resident rights, wishes, and confidentiality are respected.

Requirements

Nursing degree from an accredited college or university.
Current, unencumbered Registered Nurse license in the state.
At least 2 years of supervisory experience in a hospital, nursing care facility, or related healthcare facility.
At least 6 months of experience in rehabilitative and restorative nursing practices.
Current CPR certification.
Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.
Ability to contribute to and model teamwork.
Ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant.
Ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies and personnel, and the general public.
Knowledge of nursing and medical practices and procedures, and of laws, regulations, and guidelines pertaining to nursing care facilities.
Patience, tact, a cheerful disposition, enthusiasm, and willingness to handle difficult residents.
Ability to communicate information about a resident’s condition.
Ability to move intermittently throughout the day and cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
Ability to see and hear, or use prosthetics that enable these senses to function adequately for the job.
Ability to function independently and demonstrate flexibility, personal integrity, and effectiveness in working with residents, personnel, and support agencies.
Must meet the facility’s general health requirements, including a medical and physical examination.
Ability to push, pull, move, and/or lift at least 25 pounds to a height of at least 5 feet and carry or move that weight at least 50 feet.
May need to assist with resident evacuation during emergencies.

Responsibilities

Assist the Director of Nursing with planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing the daily functions of the nursing department in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.
Participate in developing, maintaining, and updating nursing department policies, procedures, service objectives, philosophy statements, and nursing personnel job descriptions.
Ensure reference materials at the nurses’ station are current and recommend resources that support residents’ needs.
Assist with developing the nursing organization structure and make recommendations about department operations.
Coordinate nursing services with other resident services to support continuity of care.
Ensure nursing personnel follow their job descriptions and applicable laws and regulations.
Participate in government facility surveys when requested by the Administrator or Director of Nursing.
Assist residents and the Discharge Planning Coordinator with the nursing portion of discharge plans.
Complete administrative work, including medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, and charting.
Monitor quality improvement, quality measure, and survey reports and recommend ways to address problem areas.
Assist with obtaining staffing information that must be posted daily.
Protect residents’ health information and promptly report suspected or known unauthorized disclosures.
Serve on the Quality Assurance and Assessment Committee as directed.
Schedule, attend, and help develop agendas for Care Plan Team Meetings.
Help determine nursing department staffing needs, recommend staffing levels, and assist with recruiting and selecting nursing personnel.
Ensure sufficient licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and certified nursing assistants are available for each shift, and verify that nursing assistants are enrolled in or have completed an approved program.
Develop work assignments and schedules, or assist nursing supervisors with these tasks.
Delegate appropriate authority, responsibility, and accountability to Charge Nurses and Nurse Supervisors.
Assist with preparing employee performance evaluations as directed.
Make daily rounds to check that nursing personnel perform assignments according to nursing standards and report findings to the Director.
Review employee complaints and grievances and report them to the Director as required.
Ensure disciplinary actions are administered fairly and without discrimination.
Explain department policies and procedures to personnel, residents, visitors, and government agencies as needed.
Ensure nursing personnel participate in the facility’s TB testing program.
Participate in resident admission interviews and selection; inform staff about new admissions and arrival details; ensure rooms are ready; and greet and escort new residents as needed.
Review nurses’ notes for clear descriptions of care, resident responses, and consistency with residents’ wishes.
Schedule rounds to observe residents and assess whether their nursing needs are being met.
Monitor medication passes and treatment schedules, ensure medications and treatments are administered as ordered, and report medication errors to the Director.
Provide direct nursing care when necessary.
Report problem areas and assist in developing and implementing corrective actions.
Participate in planning, conducting, and scheduling in-service training, mandatory new-hire orientation, and annual mandatory training.
Assist the Safety Officer with nursing department safety standards and help identify and classify job functions that may involve exposure to blood or body fluids.
Ensure nursing work areas, resident care rooms, and treatment areas are clean, safe, and sanitary.
Ensure nursing personnel participate in and conduct fire safety and disaster preparedness drills safely and professionally.
Maintain adequate stocks of medications, medical supplies, and equipment.
Assist the Maintenance Director with a preventive maintenance program for nursing department equipment and supplies.
Ensure only trained and authorized personnel operate department equipment safely.
Participate in written preliminary and comprehensive assessments of residents’ nursing needs and assist the MDS/CPC with MDS planning, scheduling, revision, and implementation of RAPs and Triggers.
Encourage residents and families to participate in developing and reviewing care plans, and ensure care reflects residents’ wishes.
Ensure nursing personnel understand residents’ rights and responsibilities, including the right to refuse treatment.
Perform other duties as assigned.