JOB DESCRIPTION

Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) /Nursing Site Manager
Permanent Part Time (24 hours)

Reference No: 08.002 (2024)


PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The ADON/NSM will be responsible for the provision of the highest standard of nursing care to patients and to ensure the operational management of the hospital out of hours both day and night duty. The ADON/NSM will provide professional leadership to nursing staff, provide professional advice, and contribute to the development and implementation of nursing policy, strategy and provide oversight in the quality of service delivery ensuring effective patient care.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Each candidate must on the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office -:

• Be registered in the general division of the active Register of Nurses kept by The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) or be entitled to be so registered.
• Have at least 7 years recent post-registration nursing experience, and 3 years nursing management experience at a minimum of CNM2 grade in an acute setting.
• Possess a post graduate qualification at not less than level 8 on the NFQ framework in the area of healthcare or management related area.
• Candidates must possess the clinical, leadership, managerial and administrative knowledge and ability for the proper discharge of the office.
• Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrate evidence of higher learning and professional development.
• Have proven clinical and managerial ability with vision and leadership skills to lead and manage the nursing and services agendas in line with the HSE, Special Delivery Unit (SDU) and Dublin Midlands Hospital Group’s (DMHG) strategic goals and objectives within the areas of responsibility.

2. Age Restrictions In Relation To Applications
Age restriction shall only apply to a candidate where they are not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004). A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed applications for the office occurs.

3. 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 as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

4. Be of good character.

5. Garda Vetting
Garda Vetting is sought for all employees and prospective employees of Tallaght University Hospital. Given the specialised nature of the services provided, your appointment will be subject to satisfactory Garda Vetting and re-vetting in circumstances where the Hospital deems it appropriate. The Hospital will then process the necessary documentation to endeavour to obtain satisfactory Garda clearance for you. You are obliged to disclose previous and any criminal convictions acquired during the course of your employment. Should the Hospital obtain information from the Garda Vetting Unit to indicate that your Garda clearance report is not satisfactory and / or if you have supplied the hospital with false or misleading information in relation to your Garda clearance status, the Hospital reserves the right to withdraw or terminate this contract in accordance with Tallaght University Hospital Garda Vetting policy.

• Mandated and Designated Persons under Children First Act 2015

Schedule 2 of the Children First Act 2015 specifies the classes of persons defined as Mandated Persons for the purposes of the Act. This includes a range of disciplines that are employed by the hospital including all medical practitioners, registered nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists, social workers and others. This includes staff working in adult services. All mandated persons have two main legal obligations under the Children First Act 2015. Mandated persons, under the legislation are required to report any knowledge, belief or reasonable suspicion that a child has been harmed, is being harmed, or is at risk of being harmed. The Act defines harm as assault, ill-treatment, neglect or sexual abuse, and covers single and multiple instances. Mandated persons are also required to assist Tusla, if requested, in assessing a concern which has been the subject of a mandated report. Designated Officer are required to receive reports of suspected child abuse or neglect from any person who is of the opinion that (a) a child has been or is being assaulted, ill-treated, neglected or sexually abused, or (b) a child’s health, development or welfare has been or is being avoidably impaired or neglected. Full detailed list of mandated and designated staff together with details of their roles and responsibilities can be found on https://www.tusla.ie/children-first. It is the responsibility of all staff employed by TUH to be aware of their roles and responsibilities under the legislation and to complete mandatory Children First Training.

PARTICULARS OF OFFICE

1. The appointment is permanent, part time (24 hours) and pensionable.

2. Remuneration:
Remuneration is in accordance with the salary scale approved by the Department of Health & Children. Current remuneration with effect from 1st June 2024 is:
€68,629 by 9 increments to €84,692 [pro-rata]

Salary scales will be updated in line with nationally agreed pay agreements and will be updated accordingly and retrospective payments applied as applicable.

3. Pension arrangements and retirement age
There are three superannuation schemes currently in operation for staff in Tallaght University Hospital:

(a) Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (Non-New Entrant)
(b) Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (New Entrant)
(c) Single Public Service Pension Scheme

Please read carefully the summary of the criteria for the three superannuation schemes below. This will assist you in identifying which scheme membership is applicable to your employment circumstances.

(a) If you have been continually employed in the public service prior to the 1st April 2004 and you have not had a break in service of more than 26 weeks, you will be included in the Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (Non-New Entrant) with a Minimum Retirement Age of 60 and a Maximum Retirement Age of 65.

(b) If you have been continually employed in the public service post the 1st April 2004 and you have not had a break in service of more than 26 weeks, you will be included in the Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (New Entrant) with a Minimum Retirement Age of 65. There is no Maximum Retirement Age.

(c) If you have commenced employment in the public service as a new entrant or you are a former public servant, returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks, you will be included in the Single Public Service Pension Scheme effective from the 1st January 2013 with a minimum retirement age of 66 (rising to 67 and 68 in line with state pension changes). The maximum retirement age under this scheme will be age 70.

4. Duties:
The ADON/NSM will perform such duties as are outlined in this job description.

5. Hours of work:
Normal working hours are 24 hours worked over 7 days. Your contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8 am to 8 pm over 7 days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement.

6. Probation:
The successful candidate will be appointed initially for a probationary period of 6 months. During the probationary period progress or otherwise will be monitored and at the end of the probationary period the service will (a) be certified as satisfactory and confirmed in writing or if not satisfactory, the probationary period may be extended by 3 months.

7. Annual Leave:
Annual leave entitlement is 25-28 working days (pro rata), depending on length of service, plus 9 Bank Holidays per annum as they occur. The annual leave year runs from 1st of April to 31st March each year.

8. Sick Leave:
Payment of salary during illness will be in accordance with arrangements as approved from time to time by the Department of Health and Children.

9. Termination of Office:
The employment may be terminated at any time by 3 months’ notice on either side except where circumstances are dictated by the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act 1973/91. The Management’s right under this paragraph shall not be exercised save in circumstances where the Management is of the opinion that the holder of the office has failed to perform satisfactorily the duties of the post or has misconducted himself/herself in relation to the post or is otherwise unfit to hold the appointment.

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITY

The person chosen will:

• Maintain throughout the Hospital awareness of the primacy of the patients in relation to all hospital activities.
• The Nursing Site Manager will be accountable to the Medical Directorate Nurse Manager and professionally responsible to the Director of Nursing.
• The Nursing Site Manager will establish a clear leadership role for all hospital staff and act as a focal point of all management effort within the area of responsibility. He/ she will ensure the provision of the most efficient and effective standard of services that is possible within the available resources.
• Responsible for the implementation of the major disaster plan in Tallaght University Hospital.
• Undertake other relevant duties as may be determined from time to time by the Director of Nursing.

SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITY

Details of Function

Bed Management Nursing Site Manager Days

• Receive a detailed handover each morning from the Nursing Site Manager on night duty regarding the acuity & bed state of the hospital.
• Allocate available resources to the areas of greatest need.
• Attend all bed meetings and liaise with the Patient Flow Department regarding patient flow, ensuring appropriate use of beds in accordance with hospitals admissions policy.
• Liaise with the ward areas to help enable decision making and provide resources as available to expedite discharges, new admissions and transfers.
• Liaise and decide when fulfilling the post of Nursing Site Manager to provide additional beds or other in consultation with the Consultants and Executive on-call.
• Discuss policy / procedure issues relating to Bed Management with the Chief Operations Officer (COO), the Patient Flow Department, CNM’s and Senior Nursing Executive (SNE) when problems arise.
• Escalate concerns to the Executive on call in line with local policy
• While recognising that the escalation policy contain automatic triggers, the Nursing Site Manager will be responsible for ensuring that the policies are promptly implemented and recorded as implemented in accordance with the provisions of both National and local escalation policies.
• Provide handover to Nursing Site Manager regarding the acuity, and bed state of the hospital.

Bed Management Nights

• Receive handover from the Nursing Site Manager regarding the acuity and bed state of the hospital
• Allocate available resources to the areas of greatest need.
• Liaise with the ward areas to help enable decision making and provide resources as available to expedite discharges, new admissions and transfers.
• Liaise and decide when to provide additional beds or other in consultation with the Consultants and Executive on-call.
• Communicate re policy / procedure issues relating to Bed Management with the Chief Operations Officer (COO), the Patient Flow Department, CNM’s, and SNE when problems arise.
• Escalate concerns to the Executive on call in line with local policy
• While recognising that the escalation policy contains automatic triggers, the Nursing Site Manager will be responsible for ensuring that the policy is promptly implemented and recorded as implemented in accordance with the provisions of both National and local escalation policies.
• Liaise with the CNM on Nights to remain informed of clinically compromised patients and potential bed management implications.
• Provide handover to the Nursing Site Manager in the morning.

Staffing and Manpower planning

• Maintain good employee relations and promote good communication with all relevant staff.
• Give support and counsel to nursing and allied staff as necessary and take action in accordance with agreed service policy, if necessary
• Allocate both Nursing and HCA resources to the ward areas as required. Ensure that the resources are deployed and re aligned effectively and efficiently between wards and departments to cope with fluctuation of workload and care complexity.
• Review daily the enhanced supervision requirement with the CNM2s, the necessary/ required documentation, and re align resources as appropriate to each area to meet their needs within the available resources.
• Deal appropriately with staff issues which occur while notifying the appropriate ADON for that area of the issue and the outcome.
• Direct nursing and non-nursing staff in the event of any emergency situation within the hospital and in any disaster, which involves the hospital.
• Recommends improvements in the co-ordination of work scheduling between wards, departments, operating theatre, x-ray, negotiates these with other managers and department heads.

Quality Assurance

• Provide guidance to nursing and other staff in the implementation of nursing guidelines and policies
• Plan and guide activities to provide optimum patient care in accordance with service policies and procedure and undertake audits as required.
• Manage, monitor and evaluate professional and clinical standards ensuring an evidence based care planning approach in conjunction with the ADONs, Nurse Practice Development Coordinator and Directorate Nurse Managers.
• Ensure adherence to all standards and guidelines relating to professional nursing practice and behaviour

• Actively partake in audit of clinical practice e.g. Hand Hygiene, and Environmental audits.
• Liaise with the ward areas regarding action plans to improve standards of practice and delivery of care, in collaboration with the relevant ADONs.
• Lead on the use of quality improvement methodologies to ensure the delivery of quality improvement projects that will provide safer better healthcare across the patient pathway.
• Plan, negotiate and implement quality improvement changes required to ensure a high standard of care.
• Ensure that the requirement of HIQA for standards and documentation are met and upheld at all times.

• Investigate accidents, complaints and incidents as required and take corrective action as necessary.

• Report concerns re quality of nursing care, to the relevant ADON and Directorate Nurse Manager.

• Maintain professional standards in relation to confidentiality, ethics and legislation
• Assist in the development of service policies and procedures and the implementation of same and to update them as required

Support Services

• Initiate and communicate with heads of departments/staff providing services to the Wards/ Departments out of hours (Pharmacists, Technical Services, Catering Officer, Cleaning Officer, Mortuary staff, Pastoral care, Security Services and Materials Management Department to formulate workable proposals for improving services, policies and procedures.
• Note whether the work of support departments outside of regular working hours (e.g. in domestic services, catering, Portering, maintenance, linen, supplies, CSSD et al) is satisfactory; and if not, communicate with relevant managers to ensure such problems do not recur.

Budgeting

• Control expenditure within budget by monitoring the level of Agency/ Overtime/ Bank, and implement corrective measures as necessary.
• Review daily the needs for enhanced supervision resources and realign resources as appropriate in line with the needs of each department.
• Realign/redeploy staff as necessary to meet these changing demands and records same.

Education and Training

• Contribute to service development through appropriate continuous education, research initiatives, keeping up to date with nursing and relevant literature, recent nursing and relevant research and new developments in nursing management, patient flow management, education and practice and attend staff study days as considered appropriate.
• Provide support/advice to those engaging in continuous professional development in his/her area of responsibility

Health & Safety/ Risk Management:

• The Nursing Site Manager will ensure as part of the management team that prompt action is taken to identify general and specific health and safety risks. This will include regular consultation with appointed H&S representatives.
• 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.
• Oversee the documentation and reporting of any near misses, hazards and accidents and bring them to the attention of the relevant person(s).
• Work in a safe manner with due care and attention to the safety of self and others.
• The post holder has a duty to familiarise themselves with the relevant organisational policies:

• Major Accident Plan
• Escalation Policy
• Bed management Policies and procedures
• Risk Management Strategy and Policies,
• Hygiene Related Policies, Procedures and Standards
• Decontamination Code of Practise,
• Infection Prevention and Control Policies
• Safety Statement, Health & Safety Policies/Fire Procedure
• Data Protection and confidentiality Policies,
• Trust in care

Information Technology

• Ensure that the team makes the most effective and efficient use of developments in information technology for both patient care and administrative support in a manner, which integrates well with systems throughout the organisation.
• Ensure that all staff are trained in the use of computer systems, which are used in the management of patient episodes in the Hospital, e.g.: EPR, Pims, Order comms, Symphony, sap, core.

Health & Safety

• Ensure the compliance of all your staff with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005.
• Comply and enact Health and Safety responsibilities as outlined in Hospital policies, protocols and procedures relevant to your area.
• Prepare risk assessments and departmental safety statements as required.

Hygiene/Infection Control

• Ensure you are aware of your responsibility for Hygiene awareness. Hygiene is defined as “The practice that serves to keep people and environments clean and prevent infection.”
• Act as a role model and actively promote infection control and prevention and ensure that staff in your area familiarise themselves with the hospital infection control policies and guidelines as outlined in the Infection Control Manual.
• Ensure that staff in your area are aware that they work in an area where there is potential for transmission of infection.
• Ensure that all your staff are advised that they have a responsibility to prevent the transmission of infection particularly in relation to hand hygiene.

Quality, safety and risk management

• Support the delivery of the Quality, Safety and Risk Management Programme, including the appropriate identification, reporting and management of risks and incidents throughout the hospital.

Confidentiality

• You will be aware of the confidential nature of Hospital work and in particular, the right of patients to confidentiality. To this end, you will not discuss workings of the Hospital or its patients or disclose any information of a confidential nature except as required to do so in the course of your work. No records, documents or property of the Hospital may be removed from the premises of the Hospital without prior authorisation. You must return to the Hospital upon request and, in any event, upon the termination of your employment, all documents or other property of the Hospital which are in your possession or under your control.

Data Management

• Ensure compliance with the obligations required by the Data Protection Act 2018.

Development of Hospital Groups

• The Hospital Structure is currently under review and therefore, reporting relationships may change. The development of Hospital Groups may require the post-holder to adopt a different reporting relationship and additional accountabilities. Full consultation will take place in advance of any such change.

NOTE: The extent and speed of change in the delivery of health care is such that adaptability is essential at this level of appointment. The appointee will be required to maintain, enhance and develop their knowledge, skills and aptitudes necessary to respond to this changing environment. They will also be required to participate in and support the Hospital’s Digital transformation strategy which may impact work processes and role profiles in the future. The Job Description must therefore be regarded as an outline of the major areas of accountability at the present time, which will be reviewed and assessed on an on-going basis as advancements and developments evolve.

GENERAL

Applications can be submitted ‘on-line’ at www.tuh.ie/careers by completing the application form and attaching your CV.

Candidates should be aware that, when applying for a post through the 'On-Line' Application System (Candidate Manager) they will receive an automated replying acknowledging receipt of their application. Should you for any reason, not receive this automated acknowledgement, you should notify the Human Resources Department, before the closing date, otherwise your application will not be considered.

Closing Date: Before close of business on: 10th September 2024

Informal enquiries to Fiona Hillary, Medical, Directorate Nurse Manager Telephone (01) 4142713 or email fiona.hillary@tuh.ie

All candidates should note that, in order to maintain a timely process, the closing date and time for receipt of applications will be strictly adhered to