Job Summary The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) provides clinical and operational leadership for the Neuro Progressive Care Unit (PCU), supporting the delivery of high-quality nursing care to complex neurosurgical, neurological, ENT, and laryngectomy patients requiring Medical-Surgical and Intermediate Care levels of care. The ADON partners with nursing leadership and the interdisciplinary team to promote safe patient outcomes, staff development, and evidence-based practice while supporting the management of complex neurological conditions, stroke patients, and patients receiving Tenecteplase (TNK). This role provides oversight of daily unit operations, assists with staff coaching and performance management, supports specialty education and competency development, and ensures adherence to clinical standards, regulatory requirements, and MedStar Health policies. As an integral part of the Comprehensive Stroke Center, the ADON plays a key role in advancing excellence in neurological and progressive care nursing.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities- In collaboration with the Director of Nursing, develops and implements unit goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for the Neuro Progressive Care Unit (PCU), ensuring compliance with MedStar Health policies, clinical practice guidelines, regulatory requirements, and accreditation standards.
- Provides clinical and operational leadership for the Neuro PCU, supporting the delivery of safe, efficient, and high-quality care to complex neurological, neurosurgical, ENT, laryngectomy, Medical-Surgical, and Intermediate Care patient populations.
- Develops and maintains effective interdisciplinary relationships with physicians, advanced practice providers, rehabilitation services, respiratory therapy, and other departments to promote coordinated patient care, effective patient throughput, and optimal clinical outcomes.
- In collaboration with the Director of Nursing, establishes performance expectations, evaluates associate performance, provides ongoing coaching and feedback, and supports performance management and professional development initiatives.
- Provides shift-based clinical leadership and serves as a resource to nursing staff caring for complex neurological and progressive care patients, including stroke and Tenecteplase (TNK) patient populations.
- Supports appropriate staffing and patient assignments based on patient acuity, clinical needs, staff competencies, and unit capacity. Ensures appropriate delegation and maintains staff accountability for the delivery of patient care.
- Promotes quality and patient safety initiatives and high-reliability standards. Leads unit-based safety huddles, identifies and escalates patient care concerns, and supports the implementation of National Patient Safety Goals, nursing-sensitive indicators, regulatory requirements, and other quality metrics.
- Rounds on patients and families to promote engagement, satisfaction, service excellence, and improvement in the care experience. Investigates patient concerns, complaints, and safety events and ensures appropriate follow-up and resolution.
- Collaborates with the Director of Nursing and other nurse leaders to identify associate competency and development needs and supports orientation, preceptor, charge/resource nurse, and unit-specific education programs.
- Plans and coordinates unit-specific competency assessments and supports the implementation of new clinical programs, practices, technologies, and evidence-based initiatives to promote high-quality neurological and progressive care nursing.
- Maintains appropriate documentation of licensure, specialty certifications, competencies, continuing education, and professional development for self and unit-based nursing associates.
- Contributes to the development, implementation, monitoring, and management of the unit budget. Demonstrates fiscal responsibility through effective management of staffing, productivity, supplies, equipment, and other resources necessary for safe patient care.
- Maintains a professional, patient-first environment that promotes shared decision-making, interdisciplinary collaboration, associate engagement, accountability, and professional nursing excellence.
- Participation in hospital committees, task forces, interdisciplinary forums, performance improvement initiatives, serious safety event reviews, and other organizational projects as requested by the Director of Nursing.
- Supports the hospital's Comprehensive Stroke Center through the promotion of evidence-based neurological and stroke care practices and ongoing staff development related to the management of complex neurological patients.
- Assumes administrative and operational responsibilities in the absence of the Director of Nursing and provides leadership coverage as needed.
- Maintains current clinical knowledge and skills through continuing education, professional development, literature review, seminars, conferences, and professional nursing organizations. Maintains clinical competency and participates in direct patient care as required.
Minimal QualificationsEducation- Bachelor's degree in Nursing from a nationally accredited program required
- Master's degree in Nursing or a health related field from a nationally accredited program preferred
Experience- 2 -3 years of progressive nursing care experience required
- Leadership and management experience preferred
Licenses and Certifications- RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure in the District of Columbia required
- Specialty certification from a nationally recognized nursing organization in either a clinical specialty or Nursing Administration preferred
- CPR - Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (includes BLS and NRP) for healthcare providers from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross within 90 Days required
- Additional unit/specialty certifications may vary by department or business unit.
- C-EFM - Electronic Fetal Monitoring from the National Certification Corporation (NCC) is required for Perinatal nurses (labor and delivery antepartum antenatal testing) within 12 months from date of hire. New graduate nurses or new to specialty nurses (labor and delivery antepartum antenatal testing) will have 15 months from date of hire to obtain the EFM certification.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities- Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to exercise independent judgment on complex situations. Verbal and written communication skills. Basic knowledge of various computer software applications and online learning applications especially Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel.
This position has a hiring range of USD $102,606.00 - USD $196,996.00 /Yr.
