Assistant Director of NursingLocation: Prescott, AZ
Hours & Schedule: Full-time, Onsite
Work Environment: Inpatient Psychiatric, Crisis Stabilization, Residential, and Outpatient Behavioral Health Settings
Travel Required: Travel between assigned healthcare locations as needed
Salary / Hourly Rate: $110,000-$135,000 annually
Job Summary:We are seeking an experienced
Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) to support nursing leadership and oversee clinical operations across inpatient psychiatric, crisis stabilization, residential behavioral health, and outpatient treatment settings.
This full-time, onsite leadership position works closely with the Director of Nursing to ensure nursing services consistently meet clinical quality, patient safety, and regulatory compliance standards.
The Assistant Director of Nursing will provide oversight of nursing workflows, staff supervision, clinical documentation, regulatory survey readiness, crisis management, medication safety, and quality improvement initiatives.
This position requires a strong understanding of Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) licensing regulations, AHCCCS behavioral health requirements, The Joint Commission (TJC) accreditation standards, and CMS Conditions of Participation.
The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional clinical judgment, strong leadership capabilities, and the ability to provide hands-on nursing support during staffing shortages, emergencies, or periods of increased patient acuity.
Job Duties & Responsibilities:Regulatory Compliance, Accreditation & Quality Assurance- Support compliance with ADHS behavioral health licensing regulations, The Joint Commission accreditation standards, CMS Conditions of Participation, and AHCCCS behavioral health requirements.
- Maintain continuous survey readiness across inpatient psychiatric, crisis stabilization, residential, and outpatient treatment environments.
- Coordinate mock surveys, regulatory tracers, environmental safety rounds, and clinical compliance assessments.
- Collaborate with quality and risk management teams to investigate clinical incidents, sentinel events, patient grievances, and medication variances.
- Participate in root-cause analyses and develop corrective action plans to address identified quality or safety concerns.
- Monitor nursing documentation to ensure compliance with medical necessity requirements, individualized treatment plans, and applicable payer guidelines.
- Support the implementation and ongoing evaluation of nursing policies, procedures, and regulatory best practices.
Inpatient Psychiatric & Crisis Stabilization Operations- Oversee nursing workflows and clinical care delivery within acute inpatient psychiatric and crisis stabilization settings.
- Ensure timely patient assessments, appropriate triage, safe crisis stabilization, and ongoing clinical monitoring.
- Provide leadership during behavioral health emergencies and complex psychiatric situations.
- Monitor compliance with restraint and seclusion regulations, including appropriate initiation, observation, documentation, and timely discontinuation.
- Oversee medication administration safety, controlled substance accountability, and emergency medication protocols.
- Support safe monitoring and management of patients experiencing psychiatric crises, detoxification, or withdrawal.
- Collaborate with physicians, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, and clinical pharmacists to coordinate comprehensive patient care.
Residential & Outpatient Nursing Oversight- Provide clinical oversight and nursing leadership across residential behavioral health and outpatient treatment settings.
- Support the development and implementation of nursing policies, medication management procedures, and clinical care standards.
- Coordinate transitions of care between inpatient, crisis stabilization, residential, and outpatient treatment services.
- Promote effective discharge planning, continuity of care, and strategies to reduce preventable readmissions.
- Supervise nursing personnel and behavioral health support staff to ensure individualized, trauma-informed care.
- Monitor clinical performance and support consistent nursing practices across assigned treatment settings.
Nursing Leadership, Staffing & Staff Development- Supervise, mentor, evaluate, and support Registered Nurses and nursing support personnel across multiple levels of behavioral health care.
- Assist the Director of Nursing with nursing operations, staffing strategies, performance management, and clinical quality initiatives.
- Develop and maintain staffing plans based on patient census, clinical acuity, and operational requirements.
- Coordinate nursing orientation, annual competency assessments, continuing education, and specialized clinical training.
- Ensure nursing personnel maintain competency in crisis intervention, de-escalation, trauma-informed care, and regulatory documentation.
- Promote effective interdisciplinary communication, staff accountability, and a positive team environment.
- Provide direct nursing care and hands-on clinical assistance during staffing shortages, emergencies, or increased operational demands.
- Support professional development initiatives and identify opportunities to improve nursing efficiency, staff engagement, and patient outcomes.
Prerequisites / License & Certification Requirements:Education- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required.
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or degree in healthcare administration preferred.
Licensure & Certifications- Current, active, and unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in Arizona or a valid multistate compact RN license.
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS)/CPR certification.
- Crisis Prevention and Intervention (CPI) certification or equivalent de-escalation certification.
- Valid Arizona driver's license.
- Ability to obtain or maintain an Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card.
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (RN-BC) strongly preferred.
Professional Experience- Minimum of 5 years of progressive professional nursing experience.
- At least 3 years of nursing leadership or supervisory experience within an acute psychiatric hospital, crisis stabilization unit, or inpatient behavioral health setting.
- Demonstrated experience overseeing nursing operations, clinical workflows, staffing, and patient safety initiatives.
- Hands-on experience with ADHS licensing surveys, The Joint Commission accreditation visits, CMS compliance audits, and AHCCCS/Medicaid behavioral health requirements.
- Experience managing psychiatric emergencies, behavioral health crises, and high-acuity patient populations.
- Experience supporting regulatory compliance, quality improvement initiatives, and interdisciplinary clinical operations.
Core Competencies- Strong nursing leadership, organizational, and staff management skills.
- Advanced understanding of psychiatric nursing practices, patient rights, and regulatory compliance.
- Excellent clinical judgment and decision-making abilities during high-pressure situations.
- Strong knowledge of restraint and seclusion regulations, crisis intervention, and patient safety standards.
- Commitment to compassionate, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented care.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with physicians, nursing leadership, regulatory personnel, and interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities across multiple clinical settings.
- Willingness to provide hands-on nursing support when needed.
- Strong attention to clinical documentation, quality assurance, and continuous improvement.
Physical Demands & Working Conditions- Ability to work onsite in inpatient psychiatric, crisis stabilization, residential, and outpatient behavioral health environments.
- Ability to travel between assigned healthcare locations as needed.
- Ability to respond effectively and appropriately during psychiatric emergencies and crisis situations.
- Ability to perform administrative duties involving computers, electronic health records, and communication systems.
- Ability to sit for extended periods and occasionally lift or move 5 or more pounds.
- Ability to perform essential job responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation.
If you meet all of our criteria and would like to be considered, please apply with your most updated Resume/CV. Cover letter and references are preferred but optional. We look forward to meeting with you!
Requirements- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required.
- Current, active, and unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in Arizona or a valid multistate compact RN license.
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS)/CPR certification.
- Crisis Prevention and Intervention (CPI) certification or equivalent de-escalation certification.
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive professional nursing experience.
- At least 3 years of nursing leadership or supervisory experience within an acute psychiatric hospital, crisis stabilization unit, or inpatient behavioral health setting.
