Assistant Director of Nursing (adon) Skilled Nursing Facility

LongTerm Healthcare; Burlington (IA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

LongTerm Healthcare seeks an experienced Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) to lead our skilled nursing team on-site, support clinical operations, mentor staff, and promote resident‑centered care. You will work closely with the DON to ensure high-quality, safe outcomes.

This hands-on nurse leader role requires strong clinical assessment, excellent communication, and ability to manage multiple priorities. You’ll coach RNs, LPNs, and CNAs, support survey readiness, and drive quality improvement

Qualifications

• Current RN license in good standing.
• Experience in a skilled nursing facility, long-term care, or post-acute setting.
• Previous supervisory or nursing leadership experience preferred.
• Strong clinical assessment and critical-thinking skills.
• Knowledge of skilled nursing regulations and clinical standards.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities.
• Ability to lead, coach, and motivate a nursing team.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong documentation and computer skills.
• Professional, dependable, and resident-focused approach.

Responsibilities

• Assist the DON with the overall management of the nursing department.
• Provide clinical leadership and support to RNs, LPNs/LVNs, and CNAs.
• Monitor daily nursing operations and resident care.
• Conduct regular rounds and remain visible and accessible to residents and staff.
• Assist with care planning and interdisciplinary coordination.
• Work closely with MDS, therapy, dietary, social services, and other departments.
• Help ensure compliance with facility policies and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Assist with survey preparation and ongoing survey readiness.
• Participate in QAPI and quality improvement initiatives.
• Monitor nursing practices and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Assist with staff scheduling, assignments, and staffing coverage.
• Support recruitment, orientation, training, and retention of nursing staff.
• Coach, mentor, and develop nurses and CNAs.
• Promote accountability and professional standards among nursing staff.
• Assist with performance management and employee counseling when appropriate.
• Help address resident and family concerns professionally and promptly.
• Support infection prevention and control initiatives.
• Assist with medication management and treatment compliance.
• Participate in nursing meetings and interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Serve as a clinical resource for nursing staff.
• Step in and provide hands-on clinical support when needed.
• Assist the DON with special projects and departmental initiatives.
• Assume responsibility for the nursing department in the DON's absence, as appropriate

Skills

Strong clinical assessment

Critical-thinking

Excellent communication

Organizational skills

Team leadership

Time management

Documentation & computer skills

Education

RN license

Job description

Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) – Skilled Nursing Facility

We are seeking an experienced, compassionate, and motivated Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) to join our skilled nursing facility leadership team.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced RN who enjoys leading a nursing team, supporting clinical operations, developing staff, and improving resident care. The ADON will work closely with the DON and nursing leadership to ensure high-quality, safe, and compassionate care for every resident.

We are looking for a hands-on nurse leader who is visible on the floor, supportive of staff, comfortable making decisions, and committed to creating a positive nursing culture.

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) assists the Director of Nursing with the overall management and clinical leadership of the nursing department.

The ADON will help oversee daily nursing operations, support staffing and scheduling, mentor nursing staff, monitor clinical outcomes, assist with regulatory compliance, and promote excellent resident care.

This position serves as an important link between nursing leadership and frontline staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the DON with the overall management of the nursing department

• Provide clinical leadership and support to RNs, LPNs/LVNs, and CNAs

• Monitor daily nursing operations and resident care

• Conduct regular rounds and remain visible and accessible to residents and staff

• Monitor residents for changes in condition and ensure appropriate follow‑up

• Assist with reviewing incidents, falls, infections, wounds, hospitalizations, and other clinical events

• Support accurate and timely clinical documentation

• Assist with care planning and interdisciplinary coordination

• Work closely with MDS, therapy, dietary, social services, and other departments

• Help ensure compliance with facility policies and applicable state and federal regulations

• Assist with survey preparation and ongoing survey readiness

• Participate in QAPI and quality improvement initiatives

• Monitor nursing practices and identify opportunities for improvement

• Assist with staff scheduling, assignments, and staffing coverage

• Support recruitment, orientation, training, and retention of nursing staff

• Coach, mentor, and develop nurses and CNAs

• Promote accountability and professional standards among nursing staff

• Assist with performance management and employee counseling when appropriate

• Help address resident and family concerns professionally and promptly

• Support infection prevention and control initiatives

• Assist with medication management and treatment compliance

• Participate in nursing meetings and interdisciplinary team meetings

• Serve as a clinical resource for nursing staff

• Step in and provide hands‑on clinical support when needed

• Assist the DON with special projects and departmental initiatives

• Assume responsibility for the nursing department in the DON's absence, as appropriate

Qualifications

• Current RN license in good standing

• Previous experience in a skilled nursing facility, long‑term care, or post‑acute setting

• Previous supervisory or nursing leadership experience preferred

• Strong clinical assessment and critical‑thinking skills

• Knowledge of skilled nursing regulations and clinical standards

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

• Strong organizational and time‑management abilities

• Ability to lead, coach, and motivate a nursing team

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment

• Strong documentation and computer skills

• Professional, dependable, and resident‑focused approach

Ideal Candidate

We encourage experienced candidates with backgrounds such as:

• Assistant Director of Nursing

• ADON

• RN Supervisor

• Nursing Supervisor

• Nurse Manager

• Clinical Nurse Manager

• Clinical Supervisor

• RN Unit Manager

• Charge Nurse

• Senior RN

• Experienced SNF RN

Strong RNs with skilled nursing experience who are ready to take the next step into nursing leadership are encouraged to apply.

What We're Looking For

The ideal ADON is someone who leads by example and supports their team while maintaining high clinical standards.

You should be:

• A strong clinical resource

• An effective communicator

• Supportive and approachable

• Comfortable holding staff accountable

• Organized and dependable

• Able to remain calm under pressure

• Proactive in identifying and solving problems

• Passionate about resident‑centered care

• Committed to developing nurses and CNAs

• Comfortable working closely with the DON and facility leadership

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means helping create a nursing department where residents receive excellent care, staff feel supported, communication is strong, and clinical concerns are addressed quickly and appropriately.

The ADON will play a key role in staff development, quality improvement, regulatory readiness, resident satisfaction, and overall nursing performance.

Equal Opportunity Employer