The Theatre Quality Lead (CNM2) promotes, facilitates and supports the provision of excellent care for all patients attending the Operating Theatre Department, working collaboratively with all staff to promote a culture of continuous improvement to drive quality, person-centred care. The position requires a strategic approach to the development of services and structures, embracing continuous quality improvement and the management of changes necessary to achieve organisational objectives.
Job Background/Context
Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic is a private hospital providing a full range of medical and surgical care across a broad spectrum of specialities. The Operating Theatre Department provides a range of surgical services, and this role is pivotal in ensuring and maintaining best practice in Theatre services.
Key Responsibilities
Operations/ Quality Improvement and Risk Management
Ensure compliance with all relevant Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic guidelines, policies, procedures and relevant legislation and regulatory requirements. This includes responsibility for dealing with regulatory or professional bodies and inspections
Encourage continuous review and evaluation of policies, guidelines and existing practices through regular audit programmes and review, engaging with the multidisciplinary team where required
Promote a culture of continuous quality improvement across the Operating Theatre Department, involving the team in continuous improvement initiatives and encouraging innovation
Set and monitor core objectives, standards and key performance indicators for the service, and monitor performance against these standards through internal and external audit
Lead out on the requirements of the hospital's accreditation process
Ensure the department's readiness for HIQA inspections.
Participate fully in the requirement of the hospital's risk management programme
Promote the delivery of a high standard of care to all patients. Encourage evidence-based practice and assist in the dissemination and implementation of research findings
Work with members of the multidisciplinary team in devising Standard Operating Procedures
Provide clinical nursing leadership in proactively addressing ethical and quality of services issues with multidisciplinary team members and hospital management.
Develop a culture of safety, promoting positive reporting of incidents and near misses. Investigate and take remedial action on incidents or near misses according to hospital policies, protocols and guidelines.
Act as an advisor to and in collaboration with CNM colleagues and ADON triumvirate to promote excellent care.
Manage own caseload in accordance with the needs of the department
Work with members of the Multidisciplinary team in devising Standard Operating Procedures for the development of the department
Participate in unit-based and interdepartmental QI activities.
Demonstrate willingness to assist co-workers whenever needed.
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.
Leadership and Management
Promote and affect a responsible and accountable culture amongst staff.
Manage staff objective setting frameworks and review meeting to support staff development.
Project manage new initiatives as required.
Prepare business plans as required to support department requirements and developments.
Recommend and promote cost control initiatives wherever necessary.
Contribute to formulating or updating policies and procedures, which comply with agreed best practices.
Ensure that the Theatre adheres to established hospital and departmental policies and procedures.
Show leadership by achieving high morale, based on professional performance, high-quality organisational and communication skills.
Maintain awareness within the speciality of current developments in Theatre especially in relation to guidelines and compliance with best practice.
Provide updates of service reports to ADON and Consultants as required relating to Theatre..
Provide specialist knowledge, expertise and care in liaison with the multidisciplinary team.
Maintain good communication and liaise effectively with the ADON's, between all wards and departments, medical and nursing staff, clinical support service staff, finance managers and administrative staff within the hospital..
Provide reports on activity and services in a digital format as required.
Develop and manage departmental and nursing policy with a particular emphasis on change management. Monitor as appropriate and lead on proactive improvement.
Act as a member of relevant committees or working groups as required.
Actively participate in the Nursing Management structure by 'acting up' when required
Learning and Education
Provide professional and personal development opportunities for all nursing and support staff working with the relevant Learning and Education specialists to develop an appropriate programme of learning and education based on a planned (individual, department and organisation) training needs assessment.
Ensure that all mandatory training is undertaken to a satisfactory level and promote and facilitate staff training, development within the department.
Oversee that the requirements of NMBI for the practice of professional nursing are met and upheld including the development of an expanded scope of nursing practice.
Maintain accurate records of all study leave and education resources used.
Develop and implement an enhanced staff competence assessment relevant to the Department.
Provide support advice to those engaging in continuous professional development in his / her area of responsibility.
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.
Essential Criteria
Knowledge/
Experience
Be registered in the general division of the Register of Nurses maintained by NMBI
Have at least five years recent relevant post-registration nursing experience (full-time or equivalent hours part-time) in an acute hospital setting and a minimum of two years nursing experience in Theatre nursing
Have a recognised post-registration nursing course - Higher Diploma or Post Graduate appropriate to the position is essential i.e. Quality, or in pursuit of same
Proven clinical and professional management, risk management and clinical audit ability
Skills/ Competencies
Quality focus
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Management skills
Leadership skills
Negotiating Skills
Risk Management
Clinical audit competence
IT skills
Presentation skills
Desireable Skills
Knowledge/ Experience
Health Care Management qualification, preferably at third level
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.
Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic is an Equal Opportunities Employer
