Eligibility Criteria
Qualifications and/ or experience
Candidates must
Be registered in the Register of Nurses kept by An Bord Altranais agus Cnaimhseachais na hEireann (Nursing Midwifery Board Ireland) or be entitled to be so registered
And
Have at least 5 years post registration nursing experience in older persons services of which 3years are at management level
And
Have adequate knowledge of nursing administrative procedures including a holding a Management qualification at least to QQI level 5
And
Demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development at the appropriate level.
And
Have the clinical, managerial and administrative capacity to properly discharge the functions of the role.
Annual registration:
Nurses must maintain live annual registration on the relevant division of the register of Nurses and Midwives maintained by NMBI
And
Confirm annual registration with NMBI to the Hospital by way of annual Patient Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC)
Age
Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation Act, 2004). A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age.
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 regular and efficient service.
Character
Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.
Post Specific Requirements, additional qualifications and/or experience required
Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience in the area of health care, as relevant to the posts.
Be willing to undertake further education to at least diploma level in infection , prevention and control relevant to Older persons setting, if not already holding such qualification
Skills, competencies and/or knowledge
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Demonstrate the ability to lead on clinical practice and service quality
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Demonstrate promotion of evidence-based decision making
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Demonstrate practitioner competence and professionalism
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Demonstrate the ability to plan and manage effectively
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Demonstrate the ability to build, lead and manage a team(s)
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Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills including the ability to build and maintain relationships
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Demonstrate strong communication and influencing skills
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Demonstrate commitment to providing a quality service
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Demonstrate strong problem solving and decision making skills
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Demonstrate initiative and innovation in the delivery of service
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Demonstrate resilience and composure
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Demonstrate openness to change
- Demonstrate integrity and ethical stance
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Demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development
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Demonstrate the ability to relate nursing research to nursing practice
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Demonstrate knowledge of quality assurance practices and their application to nursing procedures
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Demonstrate an awareness of HR policies and procedures including disciplinary procedures
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Demonstrate an awareness of relevant legislation and policy e.g. legislation relevant to the service area, health and safety, HIQA, infection control etc.
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Demonstrate an awareness of current and emerging strategies and policies in relation to the clinical / designated area
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Demonstrate a willingness to develop IT skills relevant to the role
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Demonstrate the ability to participate in the service planning and development process
Purpose of the Post
To support the Director of Nursing in the professional planning and commissioning of new services and new ways in order to deliver efficient and effective services with a key focus on patient centred experience and safe and effective outcomes of care.
To foster a collaborative approach to working with other managers and departments
To provide professional / clinical leadership in the designated area(s) of responsibility.
To oversee the management of resources including staffing and staff development and training.
To facilitate communication across the healthcare team.
The post of ADON has a pivotal role in service planning and development, coordinating and managing activity and resources within the clinical area. The ADON's responsibilities include: overseeing the quality of nursing care, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and adherence to legislative requirements, the development and implementation of policy and procedures, the monitoring of activity and the delivery of agreed levels of service. The ADON plays a key role in providing clinical and professional leadership and support and promoting the values of the Hospital. The ADON will support and provide oversight to CNM2s and CNM1s and CNM3 in their role which is fundamental in the delivery of safe care in the Hospital.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Professional /Clinical
The ADON will:
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Provide a high level of professional and clinical leadership, including coaching of clinical nurse manager colleagues.
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Provide safe, comprehensive nursing care to residents/ patients/service users within the guidelines laid out by the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland
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Work closely with the discharge coordinators, social workers and IDTs to facilitate smooth admissions and discharges in conjunction with the LPH team.
The ADON will practice nursing according to Professional Clinical Guidelines, local policies, protocols, guidelines and current relevant legislation and regulatory standards relating to Older Persons Services.
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Manage, monitor and evaluate professional and clinical standards ensuring an evidence based, care planning approach
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Manage own caseload in accordance with the needs of the post
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Participate in teams as appropriate, communicating and working in co-operation with other team members
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Formulate, manage and implement best practice policies and procedures in conjunction with the relevant manager.
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Ensure that residents/patients/service users and others are treated with dignity and respect
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Ensure the maintenance of nursing records in accordance with LPH and professional standards
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Adhere to and contribute to the development and maintenance of nursing standards, protocols and guidelines consistent with the highest standards of care
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Manage the implementation of best practice policy and procedures
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In consultation with other disciplines and colleagues, implement and assess quality management programmes as appropriate
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Participate in clinical audit with the QPS, as required and ensure that clinical audits are performed in the assigned areas
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Initiate and participate in research studies as appropriate
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Operate within the NMBI Scope of Practice - seek advice and assistance from his / her manager with any cases or issues that prove to be beyond the scope of his / her professional competence in line with principles of best practice and clinical governance
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Support staff to work in compliance with their Scope of Practice
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Assist CNMs in understanding KPI data and develop improvement strategies at Unit level
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Support CNMs in managing employee grievances effectively and fairly in accordance with policy
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Be responsible for oversight and planning of unit rosters, in keeping with dependency levels, budgetary considerations, skill mix etc.
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Actively manage the Activities staff and work collaboratively with the OT Department to oversee the provision of unit based meaningful activities
The Assistant Director of Nursing, in the absence of the DON/PIC, will be responsible for all aspects of bed management, to ensure the Hospital's bed base is utilised optimally and efficiently
Health & Safety
The ADON will:
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Ensure that effective safety procedures are developed and managed to comply with statutory obligations, in conjunction with relevant staff e.g. health and safety procedures, emergency procedures
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Take appropriate action on any matter identified as being detrimental to staff and/or resident/patient/service user care or wellbeing / may be inhibiting the efficient provision of care
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Ensure adherence to established policies and procedures e.g. health and safety, infection control, storage and use of controlled drugs etc.
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Participate in completion of incident / near miss forms as appropriate
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Maintain a feedback mechanism with the QPS Manager and report to senior management team where appropriate
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Ensure adherence to department 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 e.g. Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist etc.
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Work with the CNM3 and IPC lead on Infection Control for LPH, ensuring relevant training and awareness amongst staff, compiling statistics, supporting IPC liaison nurses in their work, liaising with external agencies as required, leading on vaccination campaigns, etc.
- Have a detailed knowledge of Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc.
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Participate in risk identification and management processes
Education and Training
The ADON will:
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Contribute 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
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Provide support and advice to those engaging in continuous professional development in his / her area of responsibility
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Be familiar with the curriculum training programme for student nurses and be aware of the clinical experience required to meet the needs of the programme. Participate in the preceptorship programme for students.
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Participate in the identification, development and delivery of induction, education, training and development programmes for nursing and non-nursing staff
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Provide support supervision and professional development of nursing staff
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Engage in personal development processes with staff, including personal development planning e.g. by setting own and staff objectives and providing and receiving feedback
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Organise and develop training programmes for all staff, in line with the organisations needs and maintain the required records
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Provide oversight/monitoring of compliance with mandatory training and nursing department specific training,
Management
The ADON will:
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Exercise authority and co-ordinate the functions of the assigned area(s)
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Provide support, advice and direction to staff as required
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Engage with the wider team and facilitate team building
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Facilitate communication at unit level and within the senior nurse team
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Provide staff leadership and motivation which is conducive to good working relations and work performance
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Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace
Manage and promote liaisons with internal / external bodies as appropriate e.g. intra-hospital service, the community,
Contribute to the strategic management and planning process
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Formulate service plans and budgets in co-operation with the wider team
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Lead on practice development within the clinical area.
Provide support to the CNMs in their role of managing resources, including staff, efficiently and effectively to ensure the highest standards of service
Assist in the management and evaluation of the implementation of the service plan and budget
Provide reports on activity and services as required
Assist and participate in the development and management of departmental and nursing policy with a particular emphasis on change management. Monitor as appropriate and lead on proactive improvement
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Ensure compliance with legal requirements, policies and procedures affecting service users, staff and other hospital matters
Actively participate in the Nursing Management structure by deputising as designated by DON/PIC.
Be part of the senior nursing management duty roster
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Engage in IT developments as they apply.
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Enable CNMs manage employee attendance consistently in accordance with the Managing Attendance Policy
Other Requirements
- Show innovation and creativity.
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Ability to motivate self and others.
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Demonstrate flexibility.
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Ability to proactively work with other members of the team.
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Supportive role towards staff and relatives.
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Solution focused approach to problem solving
The above Job Specification 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.
CLOSING DATE: WEDNESDAY 17TH JUNE 2026
