The appointed person will be assigned to both operational and strategic managerial functions as determined by the Director of Nursing. This will include a strong focus on the provision of professional and clinical leadership across Nursing Services.

The post-holder will be responsible for ensuring the provision of high quality evidenced-based nursing practice in designated areas of responsibility and will be responsible for maintaining and developing Nursing Services. In doing so, the post-holder will ensure service user centeredness approach to service development.

The post-holder will have a lead role in the clinical governance of nursing services in defined service areas of urgent and ambulatory care. This will include; contributing to the development of key process and outcome standards and objectives, the development of Key performance indicators (KPIs) and monitoring of same and taking a lead in quality assurance programmes. To this end, the post-holder will be expected to influence and lead on identified clinical and non-clinical programmes as defined by the Director of Nursing.

The Assistant Director of Nursing role is a key nursing leadership role and as such the post-holder is central to the delivery of the Hospitals and RCSI Hospital Group Strategy and the national and local Nursing strategies.

There is currently 1 WTE permanent post available in the Nursing Department in Cavan Monaghan Hospitals.  The candidate will primarily be based in Cavan General Hospital with responsibility for Cavan General Hospital and Monaghan Hospital’s Urgent and Ambulatory Care services. 

A panel may be created from this campaign for Cavan & Monaghan Hospital from which current and future permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full time or part time duration may be filled   

Salary Scale - ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF NURSING

1/10/22  €64,188 €65,431 €66,630 €70,312 €71,472 €72,818 €74,077 €75,327 €79,212 

The RCSI Hospital Group includes the following hospitals;

• Beaumont Hospital
• Cavan General Hospital
• Connolly Hospital
• Louth County Hospital
• Monaghan General Hospital
• Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital
• Rotunda Hospital
• The Academic Partner for the Group is the RCSI. 

RCSI Hospital Group provides a national service and a regional service to Dublin and the North East and is committed to the provision of world-class care, exceptional clinical services with respect and compassion. 

Cavan & Monaghan Hospital’s Catchment Population of over 120,000 covering Counties Cavan & Monaghan, and parts of Counties Longford, Leitrim, and Meath. Cavan Monaghan Hospital is part of the RCSI Hospitals Group which covers a population in excess of 800,000.

Cavan & Monaghan Hospital provides a range of acute medical, surgical, obstetric, and gynaecological, paediatric services, day care, outpatient, diagnostic and support services.  Emergency services are provided on a 365-day, 24 hour basis.  Multi-disciplinary teams representative of medical, nursing / midwifery, health and social care professionals, management administration and general support staff play a pivotal role in the development, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of these services.  Cavan General Hospital has a total in-patient bed complement of 255 and 102 day beds.  Monaghan Hospital has a total of 54 in-patient beds inclusive of step-down and rehabilitation and 17 day beds. The total staff HSE complement is approximately 1279 in Cavan General Hospital and 159 in Monaghan Hospital.  The hospital is affiliated to the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) for medical education, to Dundalk Institute of Technology for nursing education and to University College Dublin (UCD), Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and the Institute of Technology for health and social care professional education.

This campaign will run in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA).

The CPSA is responsible for establishing the principles that should be followed when making an appointment. These are set out in the CPSA Code of Practice. The Code outlines the standards that should be adhered to at each stage of the selection process and sets out the review and appeal mechanisms open to candidates should they be unhappy with a selection process.

The CPSA Code of Practice can be accessed via https://www.cpsa.ie/.

 The Post-Holder will:

• Be responsible for the safe and effective operations of nursing services in ensuring patients have safe and timely access to services, expertise and support.
• Undertake strategic review and management of appropriate projects as defined by the Director of Nursing. This will include project planning and service delivery planning.
• Identify and implement operational processes, informed by best practice, in order to optimise use of resources and to ensure compliance with statutory requirements and to improve the experience and outcome of our service users.
• Promote best practice that is evidence-based with the ultimate outcome of improving patient care.
• Provide clinical leadership, support, expertise and managerial advice to all staff in the clinical area of responsibility.
• Create and promote healthy working relationships.
• Ensure Health Service Executive, Cavan Monaghan Hospitals and RCSI Hospital Group policies and protocols are implemented and adhered to. 

Key Duties: 

Service Management

The Post-Holder will:

• Practice an enabling management style with the front-line management team and other contributing professionals.
• Ensure that critical human and material resources are allocated in an effective way, monitor activity levels and intervene to align resources and maximise efficiencies reporting back to the Director of Nursing as appropriate.
• Actively participate in daily Bed Management meetings and promote the National Standards in Integrated Discharge Planning working closely with; the Patient Flow ADON, Complex discharge team, community liaison, inpatient specialty colleagues and hospital Bed Manager.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of a discharge policy and ensure good liaison with the Community Care Services.
• Monitor the effectiveness of the implementation of the discharge policy on each unit of responsibility, liaising closely with the ADON Patient Flow.
• Facilitate Clinical Nurse Managers, Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioners, and Nurse Specialists in deciding how the workload is to be measured, care delivered and quality monitored.
• Ensure that all nursing and support services are managed to optimise effectiveness, quality, safety and efficiency.
• Ensure co-ordination of staff deployment across service units / wards to meet fluctuations in demand.
• Evaluate the systems of nursing care delivery and recommend changes in nursing procedures, practices and policies in order to reflect an evidence-based practice approach to service delivery working closely with Nursing Practice Development Department in the hospital.
• Review and develop roster schedules across the service units / wards to provide for optimal scheduling versus workload requirements and skill mix and ensure a roster governance process of approval is in place and monitored.
• Participate in inter-disciplinary and inter-service policy planning groups in order to affect optimal clinical and non-clinical service delivery to service units / wards.
• Provide reports on matters affecting the implementation and monitoring of the service plans against the targets set.
• Participate in the overall financial planning of the service including the assessment of priorities in pay and non-pay expenditure.
• Develop fit for purpose policies, procedures and guidelines and implement and evaluate same within the urgent and ambulatory care nursing service.
• Prepare an annual report on nursing and related activities and expenditure in area of responsibility.
• Develop the concept of collaborative care planning in conjunction with other professionals.
• Participate as a key manager in the overall financial planning and management for Cavan Monaghan Hospital, including the assessment of priorities in pay and non-pay expenditure and other financial management practice.
• Work closely with the Director of Nursing in ensuring expenditure is controlled within budget and identify potential for efficiency savings through improved practices and innovation.
• Delegate, as appropriate, responsibility for budgetary control and implementation of weekly / monthly expenditure audit systems.
• Set and monitor performance standards, corporate and professional.
• Be available as required to work shift work and unsocial hours if required by the service.
• Lead and contribute effectively to the change process within Cavan Monaghan Hospital and the RCSI Hospital Group.
• Investigate complaints, review systems and processes and monitor the necessary action taken to resolve any underlying challenges. The post-holder will be expected to undertake a complaints officer role as defined by the Director of Nursing.
• Promote and support the delivery of quality improvement plans and other components of internal and external quality assurance programmes e.g. HIQA Programmes e.g. Hygiene, Infection Prevention & Control, Discharge Planning, Medication Safety

Human Resource Management:

The Post-Holder will:

• Ensure that a sufficient workforce planning approach to address vacancies arising from predictable staff turnover or to deal with periodic peaking of demand.
• Ensure development of relevant competencies for areas of specialist practice where cross cover will be required due to recruitment moratorium.
• Ensure all nursing staff in his / her designated area of responsibility are meeting local, regional and national policy relating to profession’s registration.
• Prepare with the Director of Nursing where relevant, business case proposals where critical positions need replacement.
• Ensure that policies and procedures facilitate the recruitment, induction and retention of nursing personnel.
• Facilitate and lead in the development and implementation of family friendly initiatives to support nursing personnel participate actively in the work force.
• Facilitate in the development of personal development planning for nursing personnel.
• Implement procedures for dealing with staff grievances, handling disciplinary matters or negotiating on conditions of employment appropriate to his / her work as set out in personnel policies.
• Empower Clinical Nurse Managers in management of all leave and absence management.
• Foster good employee relations and promote good communication among nursing staff and their interdisciplinary colleagues.
• Develop a shared sense of commitment and participation among staff in the management of change, the development of the nursing services and in responding to the changing health needs of patients.
• Ensure that modern standards of clinical nursing care are in operation and that regular monitoring of nursing care is undertaken through audit.
• Deal with relevant industrial relations issues relating to Nursing and allied staff in consultation with the Human Resources Dept. and the Director of Nursing where relevant.
• Participate in the formulation of relevant personnel policies and procedures.
• Keep the Director of Nursing appraised of any significant development within his / her area of responsibility and perform such additional duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Director of Nursing.
• Provide leadership and direction to all staff and ensure clear lines of communication.
• Advise on staff development programmes.
• Ensure that resources are deployed effectively and efficiently between wards and departments to ensure that sufficient number of skilled and experienced staff are available to meet a defined clinical demand.
• Advise Senior Nurse Managers when staff numbers and skill mix require reviewing to cope with fluctuating work load and case complexity in line with Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix in Adult Emergency Care Settings Framework processes.
• Ensure the maintenance of suitable environment for patients and staff with particular emphasis on safety factors.
• Work in a collaborative and co-ordinated manner with Consultants, Department Heads, Departments of Finance, Human Resources, and other disciplines essential to the maintenance and development of service delivery.

Education

The Post-Holder will:

• Identify the clinical learning needs of staff relevant to service requirements and individual personal development, thereby ensuring in-service training programmes meet service needs and fulfil the scope of practice for professional development.
• Provide for the organisation and the overseeing of clinical placements for student nurses.
• Take cognisance of service developments, facilitate and enable nursing personnel undertake relevant education and training programmes in order to discharge the developing roles of the Clinical Nurse Specialist and Advanced Nurse Practitioner.
• Support and facilitate the education and development requirements of the competency based approach to Nurse Management thereby ensuring effective nurse management.
• Monitor recent nursing research and new developments.
• Initiate, facilitate and take part in relevant nursing research and promote awareness of on-going and current research into issues affecting patient care in Cavan & Monaghan Hospitals.
• Ensure all nursing staff in his / her area of responsibility have access to the educational requirement for relevant national programs and policy.
• Liaise closely with Nursing Practice Development Coordinator to ensure the needs of services are addressed.
• Participate and be involved in the development and implementation of training programmes for both pre and post registration staff and other staff grades.
• Act as practice supervisor and assessor for nursing staff undertaking training or experiential learning towards personal, professional and leadership and management development.
• Be aware of current developments in Nursing and health services delivery.
• Keep the Director of Nursing aware of the developmental needs of the post and the service.
• Keep up to date by attendance at approved seminars, training / education programmes and reading current literature and recent nursing research.

Quality

The Post-Holder will:

• Ensure that all staff in your area are aware of the strategy ‘Building a Culture of Patient Safety’.
• Facilitate and support the development of Continuous Quality improvement programmes.
• Support and identify suitable Clinical Audit projects and support the implementation and monitoring of bench marking and Key Performance Indicators.
• Assist in the identification of suitable patient care groups that may benefit from revised models of care delivery including, Integrated Care Pathways and cross-sectoral planning and co-operation.
• Assist in the development and delivery of the Hospital Quality Improvement Programmes.

Professional Responsibilities

The Post-Holder will:

• Provide safe, comprehensive nursing care to service users within the guidelines laid out by An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (the Nurse and Midwifery Board of Ireland).
• Ensure that opportunities exist for the development of nursing practice, which reflects current research and best practice that is patient focused and cost effective
• Participate and advise on nursing and associated research projects
• Ensure that effective safety procedures are in place that complies with the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act.
• Participate and advise on the on-going development, implementation and monitoring of hospital policies and procedures.
• Be actively involved in and support continuous quality improvement initiatives including clinical audit and complaints management.
• Carry out on-going reviews of nursing workforce within areas of responsibility to ensure correct grades and skill mix of staff are available to deliver services and resources are effectively and efficiently utilised.
• Encourage participation and contribution from all grades / disciplines, to promote collaborative working, utilising synergies and sharing of innovative ideas.

Health & Safety / Risk Management

The Post-Holder will:

• Ensure that effective safety procedures are developed and managed to comply with statutory obligations.
• Be aware of risk management issues, identify risks and take appropriate action.
• Comply with the policies, procedures and safe professional practice of the Irish Healthcare System by adhering to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.
• Assist in the development, implementation and review of Health and Safety statements, as appropriate.
• Document appropriately and report any near misses, hazards and accidents and bring them to the attention of the relevant person(s).
• Maintain a feedback mechanism and report to senior management where appropriate.
• Work in a safe manner with due care and attention to the safety of self and others.
• Ensure adherence to policies in relation to the care and safety of any equipment supplied for the fulfilment of duty. Ensure advice of relevant stakeholders is sought prior to procurement.
• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role e.g. Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc. 

Clinical / Professional Practice

The Post-Holder will:

• Ensure that the requirements for An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing and Midwifery Board Ireland) for the Practice of Professional Nursing are met and upheld at all times.
• Support the philosophy, objectives and goals of the Nursing Service within Cavan Monaghan Hospital and the RCSI Hospital Group.
• Participate, co-operate and take the lead in quality initiatives against which clinical / non clinical practice and performance can be measured.
• Participate in audits of nursing practice and procedures.
• Assist in identifying specific areas in which improvements can be made and work to continuously improve standards of care delivered.

Clinical Governance

The Post-Holder will:

• Will take a leadership role in Clinical Governance, as defined by the Director of Nursing, working in partnership with Departmental and professional leads and the Clinical Director.
• Participate in the Senior Nursing Executive group meetings and a range of other operational and strategic fora as defined by the Director of nursing.
• Ensure that effective clinical governance procedures are maintained and evolve according to defined needs and demands.
• Contribute to the development of key process and outcome standards and objectives.
• Continuous development of key performance indicators, the analysis and associated quality improvement plan for each metric or performance suite.
• Clinical governance should be managed to comply with statutory obligations, in conjunction with relevant staff e.g. health and safety procedures, quality, risk management.
• Take appropriate action on any matter identified as being detrimental to service users and care or well-being that may be inhibiting the efficient provision of safe care.
• Ensure adherence to established policies and procedures e.g. health and safety, infection control, storage and use of controlled drugs etc.
• Ensure compliance with the quality and risk safety framework programme.
• Participate in accreditation programmes external and internal to the HSE.
• Maintain a continuous feedback mechanism with the Risk advisors and department managers and report to the Director of Nursing as appropriate.
• Ensure adherence to Hospital policies in relation to the care and safety of any equipment supplied for the fulfilment of duty. Ensure advice of relevant stakeholders is sought as part of the procurement process e.g. CNS Infection Prevention and Control, Occupational Therapist.

Information Technology

The Post-Holder will:

• Ensure the most effective and efficient use of developments in information technology for both patient care and administration in a manner that integrates well with systems throughout the organisation.

Health & Safety

The Post-Holder will:

• Ensure that effective safety procedures are in place to comply not only with the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act but also within the spirit of the hospital. Ensure that effective safety procedures are in place to comply with the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act.
• Take urgent remedial action and report all health and safety related incidents and accidents.
• Report and investigate Health and safety incidents in line with HSE and Cavan Monaghan Hospital’s policies and procedures

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post-holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.  This Job Description may be altered/modified to reflect the needs of the service.

1.  Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc.

(a) Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition:

(i) Are registered, or are eligible for registration, in the General Nurse Division, and other divisions as relevant to the specific service, of the Register of Nurses and Midwives, as appropriate, maintained by the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland [NMBI] (Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann). 

And

(ii) Have 7 years post registration nursing experience and 3 years nursing management experience at a minimum of Clinical Nurse Manager 2 (CNM 2) grade in an acute setting.

And

(iii) Have successfully completed a post-registration programme of study, as certified by the education provider, which verifies that the applicant has achieved a National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) major academic Level 8 or higher award maintained by Quality & Qualifications of Ireland (QQI) or can provide written evidence from the Higher Education Institute that they have achieved the number of ECTS credits equivalent to a Level 8 or higher standard in a health care or management related area.

And

(b) Candidates must possess the requisite clinical, leadership, managerial and administrative knowledge and ability for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.

2.  Annual registration

(i) Practitioners must maintain live annual registration in the General Nurse Division, and other divisions as relevant to the specific service, of the Register of Nurses and Midwives, as appropriate, maintained by the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland [NMBI] (Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann).

And

(ii) Practitioners must confirm annual registration with NMBI to the HSE by way of the annual Patient Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC).

Health

A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render and efficient service.

Character

Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Post Specific Requirements

• Have proven clinical and professional managerial ability, leadership, communication and organisational skills in the delivery of specialty services in the acute hospital setting.
• Demonstrate depth and breadth of management experience in an acute setting.
• Demonstrate depth and breadth of people & change management

Other requirements specific to the role

• Access to transport as this post will involve some travel 

Technical & Professional Knowledge

Has a command over the technical/ professional skills and knowledge required within the job holder’s role and continues to upskill to maintain high professional standards and continuous professional development requirements.

Leadership and Management

Manages performance to deliver team goals; demonstrates accountability for leading, directing, monitoring, and evaluating RCSI Hospital Group services. Creates a climate in which people want to do their best. Promotes confidence and positive attitude; influences others to follow a common goal.

Project Management

Applies disciplines of planning, organising, and managing resources to bring about the successful completion of a specific project; applies a project management approach to the delivery of activities and plans.

Commitment to Quality & Risk Management

The ability to focus on understanding stakeholder’s needs and expectations and to respond effectively and efficiently to them. Has a good knowledge of and is committed to offer a quality service through the achievement of goals, accreditation standards, other organisation/department standards and risk management frameworks and guidelines.

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Identifies and solves problems by understanding the situation, seeking additional information, developing, and weighing alternatives, and choosing the most appropriate course of action given the circumstances.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

Speaks and writes clearly, fluently, and effectively to both individuals and groups; communicates in a manner that will persuade, convince, and influence others, to motivate, inspire or encourage them to follow a particular course of action.

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.

The RCSI Hospital Group is an Equal Opportunities Employer.