JOB DESCRIPTION & PERSON SPECIFICATIONAssistant Director of NursingFixed Term Post (1 year)

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Assistant Director of Nursing

REPORTING TO: Director of Nursing and Quality

Key Working Director of NursingRelationships: Senior Management Team

Senior Nursing & Medical ColleaguesMultidisciplinary colleaguesExternal regulatory organisations

SALARY SCALE: ADON Department of Health & Children salary scales

HOLIDAYS: 28 days per annum pro rata

HEALTH: A candidate for and any person holding the office must be free from any defect or disease which would render him/her unsuitable to hold the office and be in a state of health as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to attend regular and efficient service.

CHARACTER: A candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

HOURS OF WORK: Hours per work to be agreed. Details of starting and finishing times, which may vary in accordance with Hospice needs, will be notified to you by your Head of Department/Deputy. There will be times when you will be required to work outside of the normal office hours.

WORKING WEEK: Will be determined by Director of Nursing and Quality

ETHICAL CODE: The post holder is requested to respect the special charism, ethos and tradition of Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services and to observe and comply with its general policies, procedures and regulations.

CONFIDENTIALITY: You will have access to various types of records/information in the course of your work. Such records and information are strictly confidential and unless acting on the instruction of an authorised person, on no account must information concerning staff, patients or other hospice business be divulged or discussed except in the performance of normal duty. In addition, records may never be left in such a manner that unauthorised persons can obtain access to them and must be kept in safe custody when no longer required.

JOB PURPOSE: The post holder has responsibility for promoting excellence in clinical care and practice across the organisation. You will be required to provide professional leadership and advice, whilst managing all aspects of nursing services.

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Principle Duties and Responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Development Support Delivery of the Nursing Strategy, to ensure high professional standards of

nursing practice and patient care are achieved, and a culture of continuous quality improvement is promoted.

Lead and contribute to specific nursing related objectives to secure achievement of key performance standards and targets.

Ensure that a balance is achieved between encouraging innovation in practice and securing the fundamentals of care.

Nurse Lead on specific areas (e.g. Workforce) as delegated by the Director of Nursing Quality and Allied Health Professionals.

Engage in partnership working with external regulatory agencies and public health colleagues.

With Director of Nursing and senior Medical Leads promote a culture of effective multi-professional team working.

Work on all issues pertaining to Integrated Governance.

Expert Practice Work with the Director of Education to develop and share best practice in relation to

improving patient experience and delivery of safe, effective and responsive care. Work within clinical specialities to ensure priorities for nursing practice are implemented

and standards of nursing care are monitored. Work clinically for one session per week providing strong role modelling and the opportunity to work directly with patients and staff to assess key issues in practice development.

Participate in the process of reviewing and updating clinical policies ensuring they are evidence based.

Participate in the development of Performance Management goal setting. Provide support and corporate development for specialist nursing roles. Provide leadership on privacy and dignity throughout the organisation ensuring

appropriate standards are set and maintained. Maintain a safe work environment in co-operation with the Hospice Management Team

and with reference to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. Adhere to policies laid down by the above Act.

Leadership Participate in the Department of Nursing duty manager on call rota. Represent the Organisation at Regional and National Forums. Work closely with Clinical Nurse Managers to support individual staff and team

development. Ensure there is robust leadership in terms of environmental and facilities management, in

conjunction with the Infection Control Nurse Specialist and Clinical Nurse Managers to achieve excellent external reports on hygiene standards and Infection Control rates across the organisation.

Strengthen and encourage the commitment to Mission and Ethics at all levels. In conjunction with Director of Nursing and Director Lead for Human Resources, sustain a

fluid Recruitment and Retention agenda. Keep the Director of Nursing appraised of any significant development within your area of

responsibility

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Develop a shared sense of commitment and participation among nursing staff in the management of change, development of nursing services and in responding to the changing health needs of patients.

Act as a role model across the organisation to support quality and safety evidenced by successful external inspection reports

Management Actively contribute to the performance management and monitoring of standards across

the organisation, taking remedial action where necessary to ensure that corporate objectives and targets are achieved along with all performance monitoring requirements.

Ensure that there are effective mechanisms in place for the early resolution of complaints and concerns raised by patients/ carers /relatives.

Ensure full, appropriate and timely responses to formal complaints and that there is a robust process in place to meet internal/ external deadlines.

Assist in the monitoring of nursing budgets. Delegate as appropriate to relevant ward staff promoting their leadership roles. Work

closely with the multidisciplinary teams, establishing good working relationships to ensure high standards of patient/family care.

As a member of the senior Nursing Department, undertake accountability and responsibility for the supervision of nursing.

Receive and give appropriate reports to the Director of Nursing and deputise for him/her as required.

Participate/lead on projects, working groups or committees as directed and agreed by Director of Nursing.

Communication and Relationships Use highly developed leadership and influencing skills with the ability to enthuse,

motivate and involve individuals and teams within the organisation. Use political judgement in understanding and working with complex policy and diverse

interest groups. Ensure that there are clear systems to enable the flow of communication within your

areas of responsibility.

General

To adhere to Departmental and Hospice policies at all times. To perform such other duties appropriate to the post as may be assigned from

time to time by the Director of Nursing & Quality or the Assistant Director of Nursing or a nominee.

Self-Development

To be aware of current developments and issues in health care by reading current literature and keeping abreast of new developments, attending ‘in-house’ seminars, lectures and courses when possible and as appropriate in consultation with your Head of Department.

To assume responsibility for his/her own professional development and safe work practice.

To ensure a safe environment for himself/herself, colleagues and visitors.Professional

To have a working knowledge of Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services policies. To present and act in a professional manner at all times and ensure colleagues

do likewise.

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Garda Vetting:

Arrangements have been introduced, on a national level, for the provision of Garda Clearance in respect of candidates for employment in areas of the Health Services, where it is envisaged that potential employees would have substantial access to children or vulnerable individuals. Each candidate will be required to complete a Garda Vetting form.

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 will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances. It is not intended to be exhaustive but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which individuals work

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These duties and responsibilities are a reflection of the present service requirements and may be subject to review and amendment to meet the changing needs of the service.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Factors Essential Desirable

Qualifications Registered on the Live

Register in the General Division of the Register of Nurses as maintained by the NMBI.

Teaching Qualification Management

Qualification Masters level Degree

or equivalent experience

Experience Minimum of five years

Management experience

Have wide general nursing experience and proven leadership qualities.

Have experience/ qualification in Palliative Care/Gerontology or Rheumatology.

Evidence of consistent updating of clinical skills and knowledge

Demonstrable coaching & development skills within clinical practice

Financial management experience

Competent and confident IT skills - Word, Excel, Power Point and e-mail

Core CompetenciesPeople Management Sets up formal

structures/processes to ensure staff

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involvement in key decisions

Keeps abreast of and anticipates staffing needs within departments

Clarifies individual roles, responsibilities and accountabilities

Leadership Embraces organisational change initiatives, establishing structure/roles to support it

Convincingly communicates benefits of change to others

Shows strong initiative; can work outside of standard protocol when necessary

Able to bring new ideas/initiative to fruition

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Able to act quickly to address urgent matters

Demonstrates lateral thinking to generate non-obvious solutions to problems

Has basic finance and budgeting knowledge and draws on this to make decisions

Grasps how all decisions (both big and small) might affect other colleagues/customers, departments or the hospital

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Planning & Organising Ensures most effective allocation and use of resources

Anticipates problems and issues and takes preventative action to address these

Can multi-task, without losing focus

Manages competing and changing priorities

Organisational Knowledge

Understands how each departments contributes to overall strategic goals

Uses knowledge of structures within Blackrock Hospice Services to achieve goals

Understands national health strategies relevant to their service

Communication Demonstrate strong communications and influencing skills

Draws on a variety of communication methods to fit situation/circumstances

Listens openly, using questions to check for understanding/avoid misinterpretation

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