Job Specification Post Title: Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) Reports To: Director of Nursing Contract Type: Temporary Full-time 1. Purpose of the Post The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) will support the Director of Nursing in achieving the strategic goals of the organisation, the delivery of high-quality, person-centred care and the day to day running of the hospital. This leadership role involves clinical oversight, clinical governance, staff development, quality improvement, and strategic input to ensure safe and effective care aligned with national standards and legislation. The successful candidate will be a dynamic and energetic individual with experience of working at Assistant Director of Nursing/Clinical Nurse Management level in mental health and will have an in-depth knowledge of the Mental Health Commission requirements, leadership and governance with evidence of continuing professional development. The ADON must be aligned with the Hospital ethos and committed to delivering care that respects the dignity, autonomy, and rights of all our residents and people. 2. Duties and Responsibilities Clinical & Professional Leadership Lead and support the nursing team in the delivery of quality and evidence-based care. Ensure nursing practice meets professional, ethical, and regulatory standards and that the nursing and healthcare service provision is delivered to the highest standard of treatment, care and that safety is maintained. Foster a culture of continuous improvement, learning, and accountability. Support the training and development needs for the nursing and healthcare team. Offer expert advice on key areas of legislation affecting nursing practice, mental health services, and educational and clinical standards. Support the education, training and development of student nurses. Advocate for nursing perspectives in clinical decision-making and policy development, ensuring that frontline insights shape service delivery and organisational priorities, while working collegially with the MDT and wider team. Lead by example in maintaining professional accountability and regulatory compliance, ensuring nursing teams adhere to NMBI standards and best practice guidelines. Clinical Governance & Risk Management Promote safe, evidence-based care through standard operating procedures, policy development, policy compliance and best practices. Engage in the development of Corrective and Preventative Actions Plans (CAPAs) if required. Lead and support the implementation of a proactive risk management culture within nursing services. Identify, assess, and escalate potential clinical and organisational risks in a timely and transparent manner. Ensure that incident reporting systems are used effectively, and that all staff report concerns or near-misses in keeping with the incident reporting policy and Q-Pulse system in Bloomfield Hospital. Collaborate with the Quality, Risk and Compliance Manager to analyse incident trends, monitor risk registers, and implement mitigation strategies. Ensure timely completion of incident reviews, root cause analyses, and the implementation of corrective actions. Contribute to the maintenance of robust clinical governance structures, ensuring nursing representation in risk, audit, and safety committees. Ensure learning from incidents, complaints, and audits is shared with teams and embedded into practice to improve patient safety and outcomes. Provide nursing leadership within the hospitals clinical governance framework, ensuring accountability, patient safety, and continuous improvement in the organisation. Contribute to the development, implementation, and monitoring of clinical policies and quality assurance systems,ensuring they align with national standards and support safe, evidence-based practice. Contribute to clinical governance through visible, on-the-ground support for nursing teams, promoting staff development and high standards of care through regular presence on units, mentoring, and active engagement in day-to-day clinical practice. Compliance, Innovation & Quality Ensure nursing services are delivered in full compliance with relevant legislation, including the Mental Health Act 2001 (as amended), Mental Health Commission (MHC) regulations, and other statutory requirements. Support the implementation of the Judgement Support Framework (JSF) and participate actively in regulatory inspections and service reviews. Drive a culture of continuous quality improvement through the development, monitoring, and evaluation of nursing standards, protocols, and care pathways. Lead on the development and implementation of evidence-based clinical policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with best practice and residents needs. Collaborate with the Director of Nursing and senior management to embed risk management, incident reporting, and clinical audit processes into daily practice. Support and implement innovative models of care to improve resident experiences and enhanced care pathways. Promote the use of digital health tools, data analytics, and quality metrics to inform decision-making and service development. Support staff training and development in quality and safety initiatives, including infection control, medication management, safeguarding, and patient engagement. Foster a learning culture that encourages reflection, innovation, and accountability, in line with the hospitals mission and values. People & Culture Resource Management Promote a positive workplace environment for staff through strong team engagement and support structures. Assist with workforce planning, recruitment, induction, staff retention and staff development. Including managing rosters, leave planning, skills mix and resource allocation to ensure safe and effective staffing levels. Support rostering, leave management, and resource allocation to ensure safe staffing levels. Facilitate and contribute to the robust performance appraisal system, coaching & mentorship and staff wellbeing initiatives. Work collegially with the People and Culture team to ensure compliance with mandatory training and identify (and where appropriate facilitate) additional training needs within the nursing department. Support a respectful and inclusive workplace, aligned with the hospitals ethos and values. Strategic Planning & Service Development Identify opportunities for service enhancement to meet evolving mental health needs of our residents. Support the integration of the Hospitals models of care. Drive digital health and data-informed service development where appropriate. Work collaboratively with the senior management team on the development and implementation of the hospitals strategic direction, contributing to short term, medium term and long-term service development goals. Promote collegial working with multidisciplinary teams and stake holders. In the absence of the Director of Nursing, deputise when required. Lead or contribute to pilot projects and change initiatives, following project management plans and evaluating outcomes to support service improvement for the organisation. Engage in business planning, service reviews, and funding proposals, ensuring nursing priorities are reflected in resource allocation and future development. Communication & Collaboration Foster open, transparent, and respectful communication across all levels of the organisation, promoting a culture of collaboration and trust. Provide clear leadership and direction to the nursing team, ensuring that goals, expectations, and changes are effectively communicated. Represent the nursing department at senior management, clinical governance, multidisciplinary team (MDT), and external stakeholder meetings. Maintain regular and effective communication with the Director of Nursing, ensuring timely escalation of issues related to clinical practice, risk, or service delivery. Ensure effective communication with residents and their families, supporting inclusion, dignity, and shared decision-making in care planning where practicable. Support the development of communication skills across the nursing workforce, including documentation, reporting, conflict resolution, and team briefings. Communicate key updates from internal policy, SMT directives, national policy, regulatory bodies, and professional standards to nursing staff in an accessible and appropriate manner. Promote a safe environment where staff feel confident to raise concerns, report incidents, and share ideas for improvement. 3. Qualifications & Experience Essential: Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) with the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). Minimum of 7 years post registration nursing experience consisting of at least 3 years experience working in adult mental health services. Established and recent acute clinical and senior management experience in the areas of both Mental Health and Care of the Older Person in Ireland. Experience in a healthcare / hospital setting, including Acute Mental Health Care. Clinical experience of medical conditions and in palliative care. Extensive experience in managing staff, budgets and workforce planning. Possess an in-depth knowledge of the Mental Health Commission requirements, leadership and governance. Strong ability to lead, teach, manage, participate and play a key role in the practice education of students and promote and engage in the teaching/training/support of others as appropriate. Have a strong knowledge and experience of health, safety and other statutory regulations affecting a healthcare organisation. Evidence of continuing professional development. 4. Skills & Competencies Proven leadership and team management skills, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to inspire and develop nursing staff. Ability to influence and motivate teams, lead quality improvement, risk management, and clinical governance initiatives. Strategic thinker with experience in service development and change management. Analytical and problem-solving skills, particularly in risk management. Competence in change management and service improvement. Commitment to patient safety, quality care, and staff development. Capacity to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams. Strong knowledge of mental health nursing practice, relevant legislation, and regulatory standards. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with multidisciplinary teams, residents and external stakeholders. Commitment to professional ethics, accountability, and continuous personal development. Resilient, adaptable, and able to manage competing priorities in a dynamic healthcare environment Hours of duty:This post works across a Monday to Friday shift pattern working 39 hours per week.There is a weekend on call rotation. On occasion, the organisation may require out of hours cover. Job Type: Fixed term Contract length: 12 weeks Work Location: In person