Assistant Director Of Nursing

1. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

• The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) assists the Director of Nursing (DON) to organise, plan, co-ordinate and evaluate administrative and managerial activities within the Department of Nursing Service in SCH under his/her charge.

2. POLICY

• The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) is a key leadership role dedicated to supporting the Director of Nursing (DON) in the delivery of high-quality, resident-centred nursing care within SCH under his/her charge.
• This role is committed to fostering a culture of excellence, safety, and continuous improvement, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulatory and professional standards.
• The ADON must meet the experience and qualification requirements specified under the Healthcare Services Act (HCSA), including relevant professional registration, educational qualifications, and demonstrated leadership experience in healthcare settings.
• The ADON must hold a position as a Nurse Manager, Nurse Clinician, or a higher-level nursing role. This ensures that the individual possesses the necessary expertise and competencies to support clinical governance, staff development, and operational management effectively.
• The ADON works collaboratively with the DON and multidisciplinary teams to develop, implement, and review nursing policies, procedures, and practices that promote optimal resident outcomes, staff development and uphold the organisation’s standards of care.
• The ADON reports to the DON and deputises in the DON’s absence.

3. ROLE OF THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF NURSING

• Supervision:

  • The ADON provides leadership and supervision in the daily operations in the nursing department within SCH under his/her charge.
  • The ADON monitors nursing activities, communicates changes, conducts performance evaluations and disciplines staff as needed, and provides regular updates to the DON.
  • Consistently provide feedback to staff so as to ensure that staff comprehends necessary changes to maintain the operations of the Nursing Services.

• Administration:

  • The ADON ensures the proper handling of personal health information to enforce compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA).
  • Oversees and be responsible for the daily management and operations of the Home and provides regular updates to the DON.

• Regulatory Compliance:

  • The ADON ensures regulatory compliance by conducting mock surveys, interviewing residents and randomly assessing medical administration records.

• Resident Care:

  • Despite the trend that administrative nurses, such as an ADON, spend the majority of their time completing administrative tasks, they are still responsible to provide resident care, as needed, in the absence of other trained nurses.

4. KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Quality and Safe Care

  • Effectively plans, coordinates and evaluates nursing services in consult with the DON.

  • Coordinates residential care activities in collaboration with the Nurse Managers (NM) and nursing team.

  • Provides a safe and healthy environment by ensuring compliance with SCH policy regarding infection control, fire safety and security.

  • Communicates and collaborates with intra- and inter-departmental staff, residents and relatives to ensure care coordination and integration or care services.

  • Leads quality assurance activities to monitor and evaluate the quality and appropriateness of nursing care. Ensures quality audits are planned and conducted periodically, and follow up with NMs on areas for corrective improvements.

  • Investigates and evaluates reports of unusual occurrences, take timely and appropriate action and forwards the reports to the DON.

  • Monitors and analyses trends and changing needs of residents. Draws up plans to accommodate trends in residential nursing care and makes recommendation to DON to ensure cost-effective service and optimal outcomes are maintained and/or enhanced.

  • Supervises and provides clinical guidance to the healthcare team by:

    • Conducting nursing rounds to identify clinical and service issues with the aim of addressing and closing gaps in care.
    • Identifying and presenting resident care issues for professional transdisciplinary discussions at clinical conference and other platforms.

• Management and Leadership

  • Provides leadership to the team of nursing and care staff and oversight of multi-disciplinary care providers such as occupational therapists, physiotherapists, nursing students, volunteers and others.
  • Assists the DON in identifying new programmes for the residents and special projects to meet any service gaps.
  • Possess knowledge and skills to develop and implement nursing standards of practice.
  • Possess leadership, communication, conflicts resolution and problem-solving skills.
  • Discuss and exchange views with nursing supervisors to identify and recognise staff and residents’ needs.
  • Serves as a resource person and provides clinical expertise to the healthcare team on professional and nursing matters.
  • Initiates clinical quality improvement and research activities to enhance resident care management and improve practices.
  • Ensures nursing personnel complete nursing competencies in line with the SCH’s nursing department competencies guidelines.
  • Evaluates senior nurses under his/her charge and guides them in the process of performance appraisal and management.
  • Ensures appropriate skills mix and adequate manpower resourcing for all shifts and types of services.
  • Maintains the records of nursing personnel (sick leave, duty roster and annual leave).
  • Assists the DON in all duties and deputises in his/her absence or as requested.

• General

  • Participates in nursing continuous quality improvement initiatives, in-services education programs, department meeting and committee functions as assigned.
  • Continues personal professional development through training and continuing education.
  • Attends conferences and seminars related to maintain and/or upgrade both clinical and managerial skills.
  • Participates in the SCH’s and nursing committees as needed.
  • Evaluates and recommends new equipment and supplies as needed.
  • Meets with the nursing staff and other department staff on a regular basis to resolve problems and improve the standard of service.
  • Supports and promotes fairness in the workplace to create an environment where all staff feel safe and engaged in their roles.
  • To perform other duties as requested by the DON.

5. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• State Registered Nurse (Full Registration) with the Singapore Nursing Board (SNB).

• Degree in Nursing or equivalent (health-related).

• Advanced Diploma in a clinical specialty.

• Minimum of ten years progressive clinical in acute or residential care and administrative experience.

• At least two years of working experience in a similar position in a medium or large-sized nursing home; or at least five years of nursing experience as a Senior Nurse Manager in an acute, community hospital or nursing home.

• Evidence of continued professional development.

6. SKILLS AND QUALITIES

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate teams.
• Excellent leadership skills.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Team player.