An Assistant Director of Nursing manages and supervises all nursing staff at a hospital or long term care facility. Manages communications with physicians, manages budgets and expenses, and assists other administrators with managing operations. Monitors staff schedules and the quality of nursing care at the facility. Maintains professional license or certification requirements.
The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) is a Registered Nurse who assists the Director of Nursing in managing the overall operations of the Nursing Department. This role has a critical focus on Infection Prevention and Control , ensuring compliance with
CMS F880 , CDC
guidelines, and state regulations. The ADON supports safe, high-quality resident care while maintaining survey readiness and infection control compliance. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Clinical & Regulatory Oversight Assist the DON in overseeing daily nursing operations Ensure compliance with CMS, CDC, OSHA, and state regulations Participate in surveys, audits, and Plan of Correction (POC) development Monitor clinical documentation for accuracy and regulatory compliance Support emergency preparedness and outbreak response Infection Prevention & Control Assist in implementing and maintaining the facility's Infection Prevention and Control Program (IPCP) Ensure compliance with CMS F880 and CDC infection control guidelines Monitor and audit hand hygiene, PPE use, isolation precautions, and environmental sanitation Track, trend, and report infections, including antibiotic use and resistance Assist with infection surveillance , outbreak investigation, and mitigation Support employee health programs, including vaccinations, exposure tracking, and post-exposure follow-up Collaborate with the Medical Director, DON, and interdisciplinary team on infection control initiatives Ensure proper cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of equipment and resident care areas Educate staff on infection prevention policies and procedures Participate in antibiotic stewardship efforts Staff Management & Education Assist with hiring, orientation, and ongoing training of nursing staff Provide infection control education and competency validation Monitor staff compliance with infection control practices Participate in disciplinary actions related to infection control violations Promote accountability and best practices among nursing staff Resident Care & Quality Improvement Ensure infection prevention is incorporated into resident care plans Monitor residents for signs and symptoms of infection Participate in QAPI and Quality Assurance initiatives related to infection control Investigate infection-related incidents, falls, wounds, and hospital transfers Address resident and family concerns related to infection prevention Administrative & Leadership Responsibilities Assist in developing and updating infection control policies and procedures Ensure accurate reporting to local and state health departments as required Serve as DON designee when needed Maintain confidentiality and HIPAA compliance Participate in budget planning related to infection control supplies and PPE Qualifications Required Current, active Registered Nurse (RN) license Minimum 2-3 years of nursing experience , preferably in a Skilled Nursing Facility Knowledge of infection prevention standards in long-term care Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills Preferred Infection Preventionist training or certification (IPCP, CIC, or CDC training) Experience managing outbreaks and survey infection citations Familiarity with PointClickCare or similar EHR systems Physical Requirements Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift up to 50 lbs Ability to use PPE for extended periods Ability to respond rapidly to emergencies and outbreaks Work Environment Skilled nursing and long-term care setting Exposure to infectious diseases May require on-call, weekends, or emergency response duties Disclaimer This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Duties and responsibilities may be modified based on facility needs and regulatory requirements.
