Assistant Director of Nursing - Theatre Department

Assistant Director of Nursing - Theatre Department Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic Location: On site / Lucan, Co. Dublin, Ireland

Job type: Permanent / Full-time

Sector and subsector: Medical & Healthcare Nursing & Midwifery

Salary: Negotiable Salary

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 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.

• Clinical Skills
• Quality focus
• 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.
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