Assistant Director of Nursing

Peaceful Pines Senior Living - Fort Pierre; Fort Pierre (SD); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Peaceful Pines Senior Living - Fort Pierre is seeking an Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) to support the Director of Nursing in clinical leadership, operational oversight, and culture stewardship across Assisted Living and Memory Care. The ADON provides hands-on leadership to ensure care is delivered with compassion, integrity and respect for each resident's individuality.

This role partners with the DON, Life Enrichment, Culinary and Operations teams to maintain high-quality,

Qualifications

• RN or LPN licensed to practice in the state of South Dakota.
• Minimum two years in a healthcare setting with leadership responsibilities preferred.
• TB testing per state regulations and ongoing competency.
• Experience in memory care or assisted living is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support oversight of daily nursing operations to ensure safe, ethical, and high-quality care.
• Assist with resident assessments, service plan development, updates, and care conferences per regulations.
• Monitor medication administration processes and communication of physician orders.
• Document and communicate changes in resident condition with families and the DON.
• Provide hands-on support in care delivery and training when needed.
• Assist with onboarding, education, and competency development for caregivers and medication aides.

Skills

Nursing leadership

Clinical oversight

Communication

Team coaching

Education

RN/LPN license

Job description

The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) supports the Director of Nursing (DON) in providing clinical leadership,operational oversight, and cultural stewardship for nursing services within Assisted Living and Memory Care. TheADON plays a critical, hands-on role in ensuring care is delivered with compassion, integrity, and respect for eachresident's individuality-supporting not only health and safety, but purpose, dignity, connection, and joy in dailyliving.

Living Life Together, the ADON serves as a visible leader and partner to both residents and team members-bridging clinical excellence with meaningful daily experiences. Through coaching, collaboration, andengagement, the ADON ensures care teams deliver services that honor each resident's preferences, routines,and life story while fostering a supportive, accountable, and purpose-driven work environment.

The ADON is both a clinical resource and culture champion-helping translate standards into practice, tasks intorelationships, and care into connection.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Support oversight of daily nursing operations to ensure safe, ethical, and high-quality care.
• Conduct and support resident assessments, service plan development, updates, and care conferencesin accordance with regulations.
• Monitor and support medication administration processes, including inventory management, newmedication 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 standardsand community policies.
• Ensure resident records, documentation, and files are accurate, current, and compliant.
• Take and monitor vital signs and other clinical indicators to support proactive care.
• Integrate physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being into all care practices.
• Reinforce person-centered care approaches that honor resident choice, dignity, and independence.
• Support implementation of memory care best practices that preserve dignity and promote meaningfulengagement.
• Help strengthen dementia‑specific education, caregiver competencies, medication aide support, and ongoing training within our memory care neighborhood.

Resident Experience & Purposeful Living:

• Partner with DON, Life Enrichment, Culinary, and Operations teams to support a vibrant, engagingcommunity.
• Reinforce that care extends beyond tasks to meaningful connection, presence, and engagement.
• Encourage staff participation in activities, dining experiences, and daily routines that foster connection.
• Support residents in maintaining independence, choice, and personalized daily rhythms.
• Promote dining as an important component of wellness, dignity, and enjoyment.
• Foster moments of joy, curiosity, and connection in everyday interactions.
• Help create an environment where residents feel known, valued, and truly at home.
• Reinforce that excellent clinical care and exceptional resident experience are inseparable.

Team Leadership & Culture Building:

• Support care staff with scheduling, coaching, training, and daily supervision.
• Promote a positive, collaborative work environment focused on teamwork, accountability, and mutualrespect.
• Serve as a visible, approachable leader supporting team members across shifts.
• Assist with onboarding, education, and competency development for Caregivers and Medication Aides.
• Provide hands-on support in care delivery and training when needed.
• Assist with shift coverage as needed to ensure continuity of care.
• Communicate key updates through staff communication tools and daily interactions.
• Encourage engagement, recognition, and professional development among team members.
• Support performance management in collaboration with the DON.
• Participate in daily stand‑ups, leadership meetings, and community initiatives as an active member of our leadership team.

Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management:

• Support compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations governing Assisted Living and MemoryCare.
• Assist with survey readiness, audits, and participation in state licensure surveys.
• Ensure incident reports are completed accurately and in a timely manner, with appropriate follow‑up.
• Maintain confidentiality of all resident and staff information.
• Monitor documentation practices and compliance with community policies.
• Promote ethical practice, accountability, and risk awareness.

Family & Community Partnership:

• Serve as a clinical liaison for residents, families, physicians, and care partners.
• Communicate changes in resident condition, medications, or care needs clearly and compassionately.
• Schedule and participate in care conferences, ensuring families feel informed and supported.
• Build trust through consistent, transparent, and empathetic communication.
• Recognize families as partners in honoring residents' life stories and preferences.

Operational & Strategic Support:

• Partner with the DON to support daily operations, staffing, and care delivery.
• Assist with scheduling, staffing coordination, and on‑call responsibilities; provide on‑call backup supportas assigned.
• Prepare medical documentation for appointments and coordinate care needs.
• Support quality initiatives, process improvements, and compliance tracking.
• Ensure effective communication across shifts and departments.
• Step into leadership responsibilities in the absence of the DON.
• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must submit to a TB test in accordance with state regulations.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and adapt in a fast‑paced environment.
• Active and unencumbered LPN or RN license.

HOURS:

• Monday – Friday approx. 8:00AM – 5:00PM; ideally full‑time, but open to considering part‑time candidates.
• Occasional weekend or holiday support as operational needs arise.
• On‑call rotation with the current nursing staff.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Previous experience in a nursing leadership or supervisory role in Assisted Living or Long‑Term Care.
• Minimum of two (2) years' experience in a healthcare setting.
• Experience working with memory care residents strongly preferred.

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Person‑centered and whole‑person care approach.
• Ability to balance clinical responsibilities with resident experience and engagement.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Emotional intelligence and leadership presence.
• Organizational and multitasking ability.
• Ethical judgment and discretion.
• Commitment to mission‑driven culture and team collaboration.

HME Care is an Equal Opportunity, Affluent Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment withoutregard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, or status as a protectedveteran. Applicants who would like to request reasonable accommodation to the application or interview process should call the Directorof Human Resources at 1-605-736-1974 or email [e-mail].

Must be able to pass background check