Assistant Director of Nursing (Hermitage Clinic)

Job PurposeThe 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 & Transformation Nursing in the overall operational and strategic management of the nursing service. They will be responsible for ensuring professional nursing standards are maintained in line with NMBI standards.They will provide strategic leadership, operating in accordance with best practice National and International standards, accreditation and regulation. 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. Key Responsibilities  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 & Transformation in relation to relevant aspects of the role as required.In conjunction with the Director of Nursing & Transformation 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 & Transformation, 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 Site 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 & TransformationTake 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 required.In 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 & Transformation 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 & TransformationWork with the IT Department and clinicians in the development and implementation of the BHHC Digital Strategy.Participate in an on-call rotaProvide advice to the Director of Nursing & Transformation 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.Maintain good employee relations and promote good communication with all staff within and between departmentsEnsure 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.Create and maintain an environment conducive to evidence based teaching, learning and practiceContribute to service development through appropriate continuous education, research initiatives, keeping up to date with nursing literature, recent nursing research and new developments in nursing management, education and practice and attend staff study days as considered appropriate.Provide support/advice to those engaging in continuous professional development in their area of responsibility.Participate in the identification, development and delivery of induction, education, training and development programmes for nursing and non-nursing staff. 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 demonstrate proactive adherence to the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards.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.Essential Criteria Knowledge/Experience·       Be registered in the general division of the Register of Nurses maintained by NMBI·       Have 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 above·       Have or be willing to undertake a relevant Master’s Degree Programme Skills/ Competencies as per the BHHC Competency Framework ·        Technical & Professional Expertise·        Strategic Thinking·        Empowering and enabling leadership style·        A commitment to keeping up to date on quality, safety and clinical governance systems, and professional developments in nursing·        Building & Maintaining Relationships·        Effective co-ordination of resources·        Analytical Skills·        Resource Management & Proactive approach to planning·        Results Driven & Accountable·        Commitment to Quality·        Communication & Interpersonal Skills·        A high degree of commitment, professionalism and dedication to the philosophy of quality health care provision·        IT Skills (Word / Excel / Meditech)Desirable Skills / Competencies·        Presentation skills·        Budgetary skills·        Change management skills This Job Description is intended as a basic guide to the scope and responsibilities of the position and is subject to regular review and amendment. The role holder will be required to be flexible in this position and is expected to facilitate working additional hours on occasion, when requested.Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic is an Equal Opportunities Employer. If you require assistance due to a disability during the recruitment process, please email hr@hermitageclinic.ieInformal enquiries to Ms. Melanie McDonnell Director of Nursing and Transformation Melanie.McDonnell@blackrockhealth.com