Job Title: Assistant Director of Nursing - Theatre Department
Department: Operating Theatre Department
Job Type: Permanent, Full Time
Hours: 39 hours
Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic is a private hospital providing a full range of medical and surgical care across a broad spectrum of specialities. Each Ward provides a range of services and this role is important in making a significant contribution, developing and maintaining best practice in nursing services at clinical areas.
The Hermitage Clinic is now part of Blackrock Health private hospital group along with the Blackrock Clinic, Galway Clinic, and Limerick Clinic, some of the most advanced hospitals in Irish private healthcare. As a JCI accredited hospital, The Hermitage Clinic is a progressive and pioneering hospital in which care for the patient is central to everything we do.
Role Purpose
The Assistant Director of Nursing will be responsible to co-ordinate and manage resources within the Operating Theatre Department to deliver a safe, effective surgical service while ensuring full utilisation of resource and capacity in the best interest of patients. Responsibilities include, service delivery, resource management, staff development, risk, quality, safety, communication and professional/clinical leadership. The Assistant Director of Nursing will demonstrate a capacity to adopt a leadership stance, make an impact, influence, energise and inspire others in the department/ organisation
Qualifications / Experience
Essential Criteria
Knowledge / Experience
(i) Be registered, or be 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)
And
(ii) Have 7 years post registration nursing experience and 3 years nursing management experience at a minimum of Clinical Nurse Manager 2 (CNM2) in an acute setting. 2 of which in an Operating Department
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
Skills / Competencies
-
Clinical Skills
-
Management skills
-
Leadership skills
-
IT skills
-
Quality focus
-
Risk Management
-
Clinical audit
-
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Key Responsibilities
Operations
-
Provide strategic clinical and professional nursing leadership for the Operating Theatre Department (7 theatres) and CSSD, as part of the Senior Nursing Management Team, contributing to the achievement of organisational and operational performance targets.
-
Take responsibility, in conjunction Clinical Nurse Managers, for the safe, effective, and coordinated delivery of perioperative and decontamination services, ensuring high-quality patient care across the surgical pathway.
-
Drive a strong focus on theatre utilisation, efficiency, and performance, ensuring optimal use of theatre capacity, minimisation of downtime, and achievement of productivity goals.
-
Lead initiatives to improve on-time starts, turnaround times, list management, and overall theatre throughput, using data and benchmarking to inform improvements.
-
Work collaboratively with Consultants, scheduling teams, and multidisciplinary colleagues to ensure effective planning and delivery of theatre lists, balancing elective and emergency demand.
-
Develop and implement a comprehensive workforce plan, ensuring appropriate staffing levels, skill mix, and competencies aligned with service demand.
-
Plan, monitor, and manage human and financial resources, ensuring efficient use of staffing, including agency and bank staff.
-
Support Clinical Nurse Managers (CNMs) and Theatre/CSSD teams in service delivery and development.
-
Lead and participate in hospital-wide operational and service improvement initiatives.
-
Take a lead role in clinical governance, including risk management, quality, complaints, and health & safety within perioperative services.
-
Ensure nursing care is delivered in line with evidence-based practice and best practice standards.
-
Oversee equipment management, including procurement, maintenance, and replacement programmes aligned with capital planning.
-
Develop and present business cases to support service development, expansion, and innovation.
-
Facilitate effective multidisciplinary communication and collaboration, ensuring seamless patient care pathways.
-
Monitor and manage complaints, incidents, and clinical risks, ensuring timely investigation and corrective action.
-
Maintain effective communication with patients and families, ensuring confidentiality, dignity, and respect at all times.
-
Liaise regularly with the Director of Nursing & Transformation, providing updates on performance, risks, and operational issues.
-
Lead the annual review of perioperative and CSSD services, including performance analysis and strategic recommendations.
-
Support implementation of digital health systems and theatre management technologies.
Leadership and Resource Management
- Provide strong, visible leadership to theatre and perioperative nursing teams, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and patient-centred care.
-
Manage departmental personnel functions, with particular focus on optimising recruitment, retention, and workforce development for nursing and healthcare assistant staff.
-
Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies, guidelines, and standard operating procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory, accreditation, and organisational standards.
-
Actively participate in the operational management of theatre services, ensuring efficient, safe, and high-quality patient care across all areas.
-
Contribute to the strategic development of the service plan, monitoring operational activity against agreed objectives and performance targets.
-
Participate in financial planning and resource allocation, including prioritisation of pay and non-pay expenditure, to ensure optimal use of departmental resources.
-
Assist with the direction and supervision of nursing services, ensuring high standards of care and effective management across clinical and functional areas.
-
Ensure modern standards of clinical nursing care are maintained, with regular monitoring through audit and quality review mechanisms.
-
Provide innovative and effective leadership, support, and professional advice to nursing and allied staff at all levels.
-
Offer guidance to nursing and other staff in the implementation of policies, procedures, and best practice frameworks.
-
Promote and maintain good employee relations, supporting effective communication and collaboration across the department and organisation.
-
Ensure all staff are aware of their responsibilities regarding risk management, quality initiatives, and clinical governance.
-
Develop and maintain effective internal and external communication channels, ensuring seamless service delivery and multidisciplinary collaboration.
-
Maintain regular communication with the Director of Nursing & Transformation on strategic, professional, and clinical matters requiring resolution or advice.
-
Advise on professional, clinical, quality, education, and development issues impacting the nursing profession and theatre services.
-
Provide expert professional leadership to nurses and support staff within the Operating Theatre Department.
-
Lead the implementation of changes in practice, process improvement, and service developments within the theatre environment.
-
Actively participate in projects, committees, and organisational initiatives, representing senior nursing leadership and contributing to service strategy and innovation
Strategic Development & Service Planning
-
Lead the strategic planning and development of theatre services, including capacity planning, infrastructure development, and workforce modelling.
-
Focus on maximising theatre utilisation and efficiency, with clear targets for on-time starts, turnaround times, cancellations, and overall productivity.
-
Use data and analytics to monitor theatre performance, identify trends, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
-
Develop robust business cases and proposals for theatre expansion, extended working week services, and innovative service delivery models.
-
Contribute to financial planning, including budgeting, cost control, and optimisation of theatre resources.
-
Engage with key stakeholders to ensure clinical and operational alignment with organisational objectives.
Learning and Education
-
Develop and sustain strong strategic partnerships with theatre clinical educators to ensure effective orientation, induction, and ongoing professional development for all theatre staff.
-
Maintain awareness of broader nursing and healthcare workforce issues to inform service planning and professional development strategies.
-
Assess and identify clinical learning needs of staff, aligning them with service priorities, and communicate recommendations to the Assistant Director of Nursing and Practice Development.
-
Monitor advancements in nursing research and practice innovation, initiating and participating in projects that enhance patient care and service delivery.
-
Take ownership of personal professional development through reflective practice, appraisal, and proactive engagement with leadership and educational opportunities.
-
Foster a culture of continuous learning by sharing knowledge and best practice with colleagues in formal and informal educational forums.
-
Actively support postgraduate and undergraduate perioperative nursing education programs, promoting an enriching and supportive learning environment.
-
Ensure compliance with mandatory training and professional standards, maintaining a safe and competent workforce.
-
Collaborate with the Education and Practice development team to design, implement, and evaluate induction, in-service, and professional development programs that meet service needs and promote excellence.
-
Represent the theatre nursing service in conferences, seminars, and professional networks, promoting research, education, and high standards of patient care.
-
Maintain and enhance an educational environment that supports staff development, patient safety, and service innovation.
Quality Improvement and Risk Management
-
Ensure compliance with all regulatory, statutory, and professional standards, including HIQA and JCI accreditation requirements, within the Operating Theatre Department.
-
Lead preparation for and participation in accreditation inspections and regulatory audits, ensuring ongoing readiness and adherence to best practice standards.
-
Promote a culture of continuous quality improvement, supported by audit, evaluation, and evidence-based practice.
-
Develop, implement, and regularly review policies, procedures, and clinical guidelines, ensuring they reflect current standards and best practice.
-
Establish and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) focused on theatre performance, including utilisation, efficiency, on-time starts, turnaround times, cancellations, and patient outcomes.
-
Lead and oversee risk management within theatre services, ensuring all clinical and operational risks are identified, assessed, and mitigated appropriately.
-
Ensure regular risk assessments are completed for all theatre processes, equipment, and clinical practices, with clear documentation and follow-up actions.
-
Investigate incidents and near misses, implementing remedial actions and sharing learning across teams to prevent recurrence.
-
Promote a just culture, encouraging staff to report incidents, near misses, and potential hazards without fear of reprisal.
-
Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and safety protocols.
-
Provide leadership in addressing ethical, clinical, and patient safety issues, ensuring risks to patients and staff are proactively managed.
-
Monitor trends in incidents, complaints, and safety data, using insights to inform continuous service improvement initiatives.
-
Ensure all staff are aware of their responsibilities regarding risk management, audit, and quality initiatives, fostering accountability and professional responsibility.
Why work at the Hermitage Clinic?
At the Hermitage Clinic, we are passionate about our people and believe in their development and growth. As a member of the team you can benefit from:
-
Competitive salary
-
Onsite parking
-
Pension
-
Annual bonus*
-
Discounted cafe
-
Sports and Social club
-
Employee Assistance Programme
-
Discounted onsite pharmacy
Please Note:
Job descriptions are a reflection of the present service requirements and may be subject to review and amendments to meet the changing needs of the service. Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received.
The Hermitage Clinic is an Equal Opportunities employer, and we are committed to creating an environment that promotes equality and dignity at work.
The Hermitage Clinic is committed to providing reasonable accommodation when needed. Please advise if you have particular requirements, so that we can look into arranging reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. You can contact us at [email protected]
It is essential that you have valid work permission for the Republic of Ireland to take up employment for this position, or in the case of critical skills, you must be eligible for a work permit.
