Assistant Director of Nursing

Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic is a state of the art 160 bed healthcare facility ideally located on at the junction of the N4 and M50 in Lucan, Co Dublin. The hospital provides a wide range of Emergency, Ambulatory, Interventional and Diagnostic care to for Adults and some services for Children. As a member of Irelands newest private health care group, Blackrock Health we are dedicated in ensuring our mission, vision and values are our guiding principles in ensuring our patients and staff have a world class experience.A career in Hermitage Clinic will ensure you are joining a diverse, dynamic and enthusiastic team of professionals, passionate about developing services to ensure we provide the best care in the most modern of facilities.About the roleThe role is responsible for the provision of quality service in line with the standards of nursing practice. The Assistant Director of Nursing will work with the Director of Nursing & Quality in operational management of nursing and other services across the Clinic. As a key member of the senior management team, the Assistant Director of Nursing will demonstrate managerial and leadership skills and facilitate effective communication with colleagues in the hospital. The position requires a strategic approach to the development of services and structures, embracing continuous quality improvement and the management of changes necessary to achieve organisational objectives. The successful candidate will also lead the implementation of evidence based nursing practice in keeping with national and international best practice.  OperationsWill provide strategic clinical and professional nurse leadership in conjunction with other members of the Senior Management Team and play a key role in the delivery of operational performance targets for clinical activityDeputise for the Director of Nursing & Quality in relation to relevant aspects of the role as required.In conjunction with the Director of Nursing & Quality and Clinical Nurse Managers take responsibility for the safe delivery and co-ordination of nursing services for patients, ensuring effective, efficient and quality specialist nursing care service.Collate and analyse clinical and other relevant information and ensure its availability to support clinical and resource evidence based decision-making.Develop a workforce plan in association with the Director of Nursing & Quality, including skill mix consideration through the identification of competencies and skills required to meet the service needs.Plan, develop and monitor human and budget resource plans to ensure an effective and efficient service and actively manage the use of agency and bank resources across the various nursing areas. Support the Nursing Services Managers, Clinical Nurse Managers, Education & Development and the Clinical Nurse Specialists in their roles and the development of the services they manage.Participate/lead projects on a hospital/organisational wide basis as nominated by the Director of Nursing & QualityTake the lead in the identified areas of clinical governance e.g. risk management, quality, complaints, and health & safety for nursing areas.Participate in the Bed Management process to ensure optimum utilisation.Participate in and lead out on specific audits as required and fully implement all standard guidelines as requiredIn partnership with lead clinicians, identify areas for service development and prepare business cases for such areas to include the rationale for development.Plan specialist nursing service, innovations and developments.Ensure that nursing care is based on the latest research findings and constitute best practice. Develop close links with other healthcare facilities relevant to the delivery and enhancement of services. Facilitate co-ordination, cooperation and liaison across health care teams, programmes and hospitalsMonitor complaints and investigate any nursing and clinical complaints, taking corrective action as appropriate and review audit to ensure there are no re-occurrences.Facilitate effective communication with patients, relatives, visitors and multi-disciplinary team as necessary ensuring patient confidentiality is respected and maintained at all times.Develop effective relationships with Medical Consultants, Clinical Nurse Managers and other relevant hospital staff to ensure safe, efficient management of nursing services.Liaise with the Director of Nursing & Quality on a regular basis, as appropriate, providing feedback on nursing activity and issues.Ensure that systems for the provision of clinical and non-clinical services are satisfactory and that they are timely and economically utilised.Undertake an annual review of nursing services including the preparation of an annual report for the Director of Nursing & QualityWork with the IT Department and clinicians in the development and implementation of the BHHC Digital Strategy. Provide advice to the Director of Nursing & Quality on matters relating to the care of patients.People ManagementProvide clinical and management leadership for CNMs, CNSs and Staff Nurses and ensure an effective learning environment for the multidisciplinary team and taking an active part in the delivery of care as appropriate.Work within the code of Professional Conduct for Nurses, participation in the development of the Scope of Practice and provide strong professional leadership and direction for nursing services.Promote an environment that is conducive to the development of best practice, enhances staff retention and promotes good employee relations.Maintain a high level of staff morale, promoting good communication, team spirit and job satisfaction among members of the multidisciplinary team. Strive to ensure that staff are accountable, responsible and have authority to practice and manage within their roles.Play a role in the recruitment and selection of nursing and support staff for the service.Ensure that staff nurses are effectively supported with annual reviews and the development of personal development plans.Comply with all HR system and policy requirements including recording of relevant dataEstablish a formal mechanism for communication among the nursing team including schedules for staff meetings.Learning and EducationProvide professional and personal development opportunities for all nursing and support staff working with the relevant Learning and Education specialists to develop an appropriate programme of learning and education based on a planned (individual, department and organisation) training needs assessment.Oversee that the requirements of NMBI for the practice of professional nursing are met and upheld including the development of an expanded scope of nursing practice.Maintain accurate records of all study leave and education resources used.  Working with the CNMs develop and implement an enhanced and consistent staff competence assessment process across the various Wards/Units. Facilitate study days and leave for CNMs/nurses, in accordance with the BHHC Study Leave Policy and within budgeted allowances.Quality Improvement and Risk ManagementEnsure that there is compliance with all relevant Hermitage Clinic guidelines, policies, procedures and relevant legislation and regulatory requirements. This includes responsibility for dealing with regulatory or professional bodies and inspections. Encourage continuous review and evaluation of policies, guidelines and existing practices through regular audit programmes and review engaging with the multi-disciplinary team where required.Promote a culture of continuous quality improvement across the department involving the team in continuous improvement initiatives and encouraging innovation.  Set and monitor core objectives, standards and key performance indicators for the service and monitor performance against these standards through internal and (where applicable) external audit.Lead out on the requirements of the hospitals accreditation process and take the role of standard leads as required.Participate fully in the requirement of the hospital’s risk management programme.Promote the delivery of a high standard of care to all patients. Encourage evidence-based practice and assist in the dissemination and implementation of research findings.Work with members of the Multidisciplinary team in devising Standard Operating Procedures for nursing Wards/Units.Provide clinical nursing leadership in proactively addressing ethical and quality of service issues with multidisciplinary team members and hospital management.Develop a culture of safety, promoting positive reporting of incidents and near misses; investigate and take remedial action on incidents or near misses involving patients and staff according to hospital policies, protocols and guidelines.  EssentialBe registered in the general division of the Register of Nurses maintained by NMBIHave at least seven years’ recent relevant post-registration nursing experience (full-time or equivalent hours part-time) in an acute hospital setting and at least three years at Clinical Nurse Manager 2 level or aboveHave or be working towards a relevant Master’s Degree ProgrammeHold an up to date Advanced Cardiac Life Support course or be willing to undertake sameWhy work at the Hermitage ClinicThe Hermitage Clinic are passionate about our people and believe in their development and growth. As a member of the Hermitage Medical Clinic team you can benefit from:Competitive salaryAn Education Support ProgrammeDevelopment opportunitiesOpportunities for career progressionAccess to a Pension SchemeSubsidised RestaurantFree staff car parkingEmployee Assistance ProgrammeLife AssuranceShould you have any queries in regard to the role or would like to have a confidential discussion please contact the Director of Nursing - mmcdonnell@hermitageclinic.ieThe Hermitage Clinic is an Equal Opportunities Employer with a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion and equality at all levels of the organisation. If you require assistance due to a disability during the recruitment process, please email hr@hermitageclinic.ie