About this role
Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON)
The Chesapeake | A LifeSpire of Virginia Community
Department: Nursing
Reports To: Director of Nursing (DON)
Location: Newport News, Virginia
Make a Difference in the Lives of Those You Serve
Are you a compassionate nursing leader who is passionate about quality care, team development, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults? The Chesapeake, a LifeSpire of Virginia community, is seeking an Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) to support our nursing team in delivering exceptional, resident-centered care.
This is an opportunity to bring your clinical expertise and leadership skills to a community that values dignity, compassion, teamwork, and the well-being of its residents. Working in partnership with the Director of Nursing, you will help guide daily nursing operations, mentor team members, promote quality improvement, and ensure residents receive the highest standard of care.
Why Join LifeSpire of Virginia?
At LifeSpire of Virginia, our mission is centered on enriching the lives of older adults through compassionate service and a commitment to well-being. As part of The Chesapeake team, you will have the opportunity to:
- Make a meaningful impact: Help residents receive personalized care that honors their individual needs, preferences, and dignity.
- Lead and inspire: Support, mentor, and develop nursing professionals while fostering a culture of teamwork and accountability.
- Advance quality care: Contribute to clinical excellence, continuous improvement, and positive resident outcomes.
- Be part of a mission-driven organization: Join a team dedicated to serving older adults and supporting their quality of life.
- Grow professionally: Expand your leadership experience while collaborating with an experienced nursing management team.
Position Summary
The Assistant Director of Nursing works under the direction of the Director of Nursing to support the delivery of quality nursing care and services throughout the Healthcare Center at The Chesapeake.
This position assists with clinical oversight, resident care planning, staffing, employee development, regulatory compliance, and quality improvement. The ADON serves as a clinical leader and role model, helping ensure that nursing practices promote resident safety, dignity, choice, and overall well-being.
Qualifications
- Graduate of an accredited school of nursing with an active Registered Nurse (RN) license in good standing with the Commonwealth of Virginia.
- Three to five years of experience in a nursing supervisory capacity, or a demonstrated equivalent level of skills and knowledge.
- Thorough, current knowledge of nursing care methods and practices.
- Previous experience in a skilled nursing facility preferred.
- Knowledge of applicable state and federal healthcare regulations and employment laws preferred.
- Understanding of geriatric care, the aging process, and the nursing process.
- Demonstrated ability to supervise, lead, train, mentor, and support nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs).
- Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and leadership abilities.
- A compassionate, resident-focused approach to care and service.
- Current Healthcare Provider CPR/AED certification covering adults, children, and infants, or a plan in place to obtain certification.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
1. Resident Care and Clinical Oversight
- Support the management and delivery of direct resident nursing care, including participation in individualized care plans, establishment of nursing standards and goals, and ongoing monitoring of resident needs and outcomes.
- Conduct daily rounds to observe care delivery and gather feedback from residents, families, and staff. Identify opportunities for improvement related to resident needs, staffing, supplies, infection prevention, and safety.
- Review daily reports with nursing staff and participate in daily stand-up meetings to communicate changes in resident conditions and ensure significant medical concerns are promptly reported to the Director of Nursing and/or Healthcare Administrator.
- Ensure appropriate follow-up or delegation of tasks resulting from clinical reports and team communications.
- Participate in the development and implementation of resident-centered care plans that incorporate individual preferences, needs, and goals.
- Evaluate care practices, identify barriers to resident-directed care, and work with the team to develop solutions.
- Attend resident care conferences or arrange for an appropriate designee when necessary.
- Encourage residents and families to participate in shared problem-solving, care decisions, and care planning.
- Provide leadership for the Healthcare Center during the Director of Nursing's absence.
- Collaborate with nursing management to ensure appropriate nursing coverage and support for after-hours emergencies.
- Oversee the development and coordination of organized, appropriate discharge plans for residents.
- Monitor physician visits, documentation, and required certification and recertification processes for timeliness and compliance.
- Promote efficient daily operations through effective planning, organization, goal setting, and responsiveness to changing resident and operational needs.
2. Staffing and Staff Development
- Collaborate with the nursing leadership team to maintain appropriate staffing levels that meet resident care needs and align with established budgets.
- Assess resident acuity and care requirements and recommend appropriate staffing levels, skill mix, equipment, and supplies to the Director of Nursing and/or Healthcare Administrator.
- Monitor employee time records for attendance, punctuality, and overtime utilization, addressing concerns as appropriate.
- Participate in interviews for nursing department positions and submit hiring recommendations to Human Resources.
- Collaborate with Human Resources and/or the Staff Development Coordinator to coordinate new employee orientation and preceptorship programs.
- Monitor the timely completion of employee performance evaluations.
- Identify staff training needs and communicate recommendations to the Staff Development Coordinator to support ongoing education and in-service training.
- Apply the organization's progressive disciplinary process consistently when documenting and addressing performance concerns.
- Promote employee engagement, professional development, and retention through effective leadership and support.
3. Leadership, Mentoring, and Team Development
- Partner with the Director of Nursing to model and promote resident-centered care, helping staff honor resident preferences and overcome barriers to individualized service.
- Assist with the development and delivery of orientation programs for new nursing employees.
- Help select and prepare experienced nursing staff to serve as preceptors and monitor the progress of new employees during their training period.
- Provide ongoing coaching, counseling, encouragement, and constructive feedback to help staff achieve their highest level of performance.
- Demonstrate personal accountability, professionalism, self-discipline, and sound judgment in all aspects of the role.
- Communicate effectively and respectfully with colleagues, residents, families, and guests, both verbally and in writing.
- Contribute ideas and practical recommendations that improve care delivery, team performance, and operational effectiveness.
- Demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning, professional growth, and the development of new skills.
- Maintain a professional presence and represent The Chesapeake and LifeSpire of Virginia positively through appropriate conduct, communication, appearance, and adherence to organizational standards.
4. Quality Improvement and Regulatory Compliance
- Participate in investigations of unexpected resident outcomes, including pressure injuries, medication errors, falls, injuries of unknown origin, and other accidents.
- Help ensure investigation findings are used to develop and implement appropriate corrective actions and improvement plans.
- Support ongoing readiness for inspections and surveys conducted by regulatory agencies.
- Help ensure nursing staff understand applicable licensure, certification, and regulatory requirements.
- Follow established policies and procedures while promoting high standards of quality, safety, and resident satisfaction.
- Identify opportunities for improvement, take initiative in resolving concerns, and support the achievement of departmental goals.
- Collaborate with nursing leadership and staff to strengthen care practices, promote accountability, and improve resident outcomes.
Our Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a confident, compassionate RN leader who combines clinical knowledge with strong communication, organizational, and mentoring skills. You are committed to developing nursing teams, supporting resident choice and dignity, maintaining regulatory compliance, and creating an environment where residents and staff feel respected and supported.
You understand that exceptional care goes beyond clinical tasks. It requires listening, collaboration, accountability, and a genuine commitment to enhancing the lives of those you serve.
Join The Chesapeake, a LifeSpire of Virginia community, and help make every day meaningful for our residents and the team members who care for them.