Assistant Director of Nursing

Job Description

Job Description

TITLE: Assistant Director of Nursing

CLASSIFICATION: Mental Health Professional IV

SALARY RANGE: $70,000- $106,513

SUPERVISOR: Director of Nursing

DEFINITION:

The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) supports the Director of Nursing in overseeing all clinical nursing operations within the Community Mental Health Center. The ADON ensures high-quality, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented care across all programs and provides leadership, supervision, and training to nursing staff. This role also has primary responsibility for nurse delegation, ensuring compliance with state regulations, and providing education and oversight to unlicensed assistive personnel performing delegated nursing tasks.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Leadership and Administration

• Assist the Director of Nursing in planning, organizing, and directing nursing services to meet the medical and behavioral health needs of clients.

• Supervise, train, and evaluate nursing staff to ensure clinical excellence and adherence to best practices.

• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, case reviews, and quality improvement initiatives.

• Support staff scheduling, payroll approvals, and coverage coordination.

• Serve as Acting Director of Nursing in the DON’s absence.

Clinical Oversight

• Ensure appropriate medication administration, monitoring, and documentation in accordance with federal, state, and facility standards.

• Support nurses and behavioral health staff in implementing care plans and ensuring continuity of care.

• Conduct or assist with client health assessments, including admission, annual, and as-needed reviews.

• Participate in infection control, medication management, and clinical risk management activities.

Nurse Delegation

• Evaluate clients and determine suitability for nurse delegation per state Nurse Practice Act.

• Train and supervise unlicensed staff (e.g., Mental Health Technicians, Residential Staff) in delegated tasks such as medication administration or basic nursing procedures.

• Conduct competency evaluations and maintain accurate documentation of delegation activities.

• Review delegation compliance, audit records, and provide corrective training when needed.

• Act as liaison with regulatory bodies to ensure nurse delegation practices meet all legal and clinical standards.

Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Maintain compliance with state nursing regulations, HIPAA, and Joint Commission (or CARF) standards.

• Assist with audits, chart reviews, and preparation for accreditation or licensing inspections.

• Support data collection for performance improvement and incident tracking.

• Participate in policy development and updates related to clinical and delegation practices.

REQUIREMENTS:

Ensure the MARS are accurate and prepared each month, checking the monthly medications for appropriate documentation and doctor’s orders.

Complete RN Assessments and Nursing Care Plans for consumers admitted to the group home facilities per AL DMH/ABN requirements.

Coordinate with the group home coordinators and Directors, physicians, and Residential/Clinical Supervisors regarding nurse delegation issues.

Assist in evaluating the client's general medical and/or physical status.

Provide emergency assessment regarding clients' medication and physical, mental, and behavioral health.

Provide or arrange for training/instruction of employees or nursing students.

Knowledge of principles, techniques, and standards of mental health nursing.

Knowledge of individual and group behavior with emphasis on the problems of the mentally ill.

Ensure that medications that are expired or discontinued are recorded on AL DMH/NDP Medication Destruction Forms and discarded per AL DMH/NDP and agency protocol.

Knowledge of psychotropic drugs.

Conduct monthly and as needed meetings with MACII MHT and MAS nurses; record the same meeting minutes and provide them to PI.

Ensure all residential group homes maintain accurate records, Refrigerator log, MAC On-call log, Physician communications and any other records.

Report all medications error to PI.

Perform annual state required reporting.

Ability to relate warmly to clients.

Ability to recognize in clients any adverse reactions to medication.

Ability to maintain a cooperative relationship among staff/health care sources by communicating, responding to requests, building rapport, participating in team problem-solving methods.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from a recognized college or university with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in nursing with three years progressive experience OR an associate’s in nursing with seven years progressive experience.

Licensed as a Registered Nurse in the State of Alabama with experience in psychiatric nursing and decision-making responsibilities. Administrative experience required.

Meet requirements of Medicaid for approved Medicaid Provider status.

MAS Certified or become MAS Certified within two months of assuming the position.

Hold a Driver’s License valid in the State of Alabama and maintain a driving record which is acceptable to the Authority’s insurance carrier. Must maintain personal Automobile Liability insurance and provide renewed copies to Human Resources.

Must maintain a current Therapeutic Options Training, CPI, Red Cross First Aid and CPR