What does an Assistant Director of Nursing do?
An Assistant Director of Nursing coordinates the activities of teams of nurses to help a healthcare facility to maintain a high standard of care. They make sure the facility has enough nurses on-site to deliver care to all patients and help nurses continue to learn and develop skills. When they execute Assistant Director of Nursing job duties proficiently, they can contribute to patient satisfaction and reduce the risk of errors and omissions. By managing expenses, they also allow their employers to operate within their budgets.
Assistant Director of Nursing job skills and qualifications
Candidates who possess certain qualifications may be more likely to succeed in Assistant Director of Nursing jobs. When reviewing applications and resumes, keep an eye out for these key skills:
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Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills to interact positively with staff, patients and patients’ families
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Extensive knowledge of nursing best practices and federal, state and local healthcare laws
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Strong written communication skills to compile reports and write evaluations
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Analytical skills to interpret diagnostic information and financial data
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Coaching skills to help nurses continue to improve their performance
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Time management and multitasking skills to complete many tasks throughout the day
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Problem-solving skills to overcome obstacles in delivering patient care and maintaining staff coverage
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Ability to use electronic health records, word processing, spreadsheet and email software
Assistant Director of Nursing experience requirements
Experience with hands-on patient care allows Assistant Directors of Nursing to understand the challenges that nurses face. As a result, success in an Assistant Director of Nursing career typically requires several years of experience working as a Registered Nurse (RN). In addition, previous supervisory experience is necessary. Most healthcare facilities prefer candidates who have served as a Nurse Supervisor for 3-5 years.
Assistant Director of Nursing education requirements
Before entering Assistant Director of Nursing careers, candidates must obtain RN licensing. This requires the completion of a state-approved associate or bachelor’s degree program in nursing and passing a written examination. Large healthcare institutions may wish to prioritize candidates who hold a master’s degree in nursing leadership, nursing management, healthcare management or a related field.
Job description samples for similar positions
If this job description isn’t the right fit for your facility, consider one of the following related positions:
Assistant Director of Nursing job description FAQs
How can you make your Assistant Director of Nursing job description stand out?
In many areas, nursing shortages mean that competition for quality candidates is high. You can make your job description stand out by outlining benefits of employment, such as pension and retirement plans, bonuses, paid time off and tuition reimbursement.
What is the difference between an Assistant Director of Nursing and a Nursing Manager?
A Nursing Manager performs many of the same job duties as an Assistant Director of Nursing. However, they typically oversee the nursing staff for one unit in a healthcare facility, such as the intensive care or pediatric units. An Assistant Director of Nursing is responsible for patient care at the entire facility and may serve as the direct supervisor for multiple Nursing Managers.
Do Assistant Directors of Nursing have different responsibilities in different settings?
The nature of care that a healthcare facility provides impacts Assistant Director of Nursing job duties. In long-term care facilities, they help develop care plans that include medical care; diet and exercise; personal care assistance and social and spiritual needs. They then review and modify these plans regularly. Because patients remain at acute care facilities for only a limited time, Assistant Directors of Nursing in these facilities often focus on meeting patients’ immediate needs rather than creating long-term care plans.
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