Assistant Director of Nursing – Theatre Department
Lucan, County Dublin, Ireland
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.
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
Registered or eligible for registration in the General Nurse Division, and other divisions as relevant, to the Register of Nurses and Midwives, as appropriate, maintained by the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland.
At least 7 years of post- registration nursing experience and a minimum of 3 years nursing management experience, including at least 3 years in an acute setting, 2 years in an operating department and credit for a Clinical Nurse Manager 2 (CNM2) qualification.
Successfully completed a post- registration programme of study with a National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) Level 8 or higher, or equivalent ECTS credits.
Demonstrated clinical, management, leadership, IT, quality, risk management skills and excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Key Responsibilities
Provide strategic clinical and professional nursing leadership for the Operating Theatre Department (7 theatres) and CSSD as part of the Senior Nursing Management Team.
Take responsibility for safe, effective, and coordinated delivery of peri‑operative and de‑contamination services, ensuring high‑quality patient care.
Drive theatre utilisation, efficiency and performance, ensuring optimal use of capacity, minimisation of downtime and achievement of productivity goals.
Lead initiatives to improve on‑time starts, turnaround times, list management and overall throughput.
Collaborate with consultants, scheduling teams and multidisciplinary colleagues to plan and deliver theatre lists.
Develop and implement workforce plans, staffing levels, skill mix and competencies aligned with demand.
Manage financial and human resources, including agency and bank staff.
Support clinical nurse managers and theatre/CSSD teams in service delivery and development.
Lead and participate in hospital‑wide operational and service improvement initiatives.
Oversee clinical governance, risk management, quality, complaints and health & safety within peri‑operative services.
Ensure evidence‑based practice and best practice standards are implemented.
Oversee equipment management, procurement and maintenance.
Develop and present business cases for service development and innovation.
Facilitate multidisciplinary communication for seamless care pathways.
Monitor and manage complaints, incidents and clinical risks.
Maintain communication with the Director of Nursing & Transformation.
Lead annual review of peri‑operative services and strategic recommendations.
Support implementation of digital health systems and theatre management technologies.
Provide leadership, recruitment, retention and workforce development support to nursing and healthcare assistant staff.
Implement and evaluate policies, guidelines and SOPs.
Participate in financial planning and resource allocation.
Provide professional leadership and promote strong employee relations.
Ensure staff competence in risk management, quality and governance.
Develop internal and external communication channels.
Provide expert guidance in changes to practice and service development.
Represent senior nursing leadership in committees, projects and initiatives.
Engage in continuous improvement, planning and performance measurement.
Develop and maintain learning and education programmes for staff.
Ensure training and professional standards for compliance.
Support postgraduate and undergraduate peri‑operative education programmes.
Promote research, education and high standards of patient care.
Lead quality improvement and risk management activities.
Maintain readiness for accreditation and audits.
Develop, implement, and review policies and clinical guidelines.
Establish and monitor key performance indicators related to theatre performance.
Lead and oversee risk management across theatre services.
Promote a just culture for incident reporting.
Benefits
Competitive salary
On‑site parking
Pension
Annual bonus*
Discounted cafe
Sports and social club
Employee Assistance Programme
Discounted on‑site pharmacy
EEO Statement
The Hermitage Clinic is an Equal Opportunities employer, and we are committed to creating an environment that promotes equality and dignity at work. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation when needed.
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