Assistant Director of Nursing

Rathluirc(Charleville), County Cork, Ireland

We are currently recruiting for an Assistant Director of Nursing to join the team in Charleville Nursing Home.

Position Overview

The post of Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) is a senior clinical position which reports to the Director of Nursing (DON). The role will be responsible for providing clinical leadership, managing the day to day clinical practices in the centre, appropriate staff rostering, delegation and supervision, performance and development, clinical governance and assessment of risks.

The ADON will work collaboratively with the DON and Healthcare Manager as part of the senior management team in the Care Centre, providing clear communication and direction and deputising for the DON as required. The position reports to the Director of Nursing / Person in Charge.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Clinical Practice
  • Ensure that the home policies and expected clinical standards are read, understood and practiced at all times.
  • Conduct ward rounds (including those with GP) to ensure that the best clinical outcomes are achieved on a continuous basis.
  • Review nursing documentation to ensure this reflects the care and treatment required by each individual resident and that assessments and care plans are completed appropriately within agreed timeframes and reviewed as required.
  • Review residents at increased risk of pressure sores, falls and other adverse events, and those who are clinically unwell, providing advice, support and assistance through clinical practices and documentation so as to ensure appropriate management plan is in place.
  • Participate in handover and help troubleshoot any ongoing clinical issues and non clinical issues, escalating to the Director of Nursing as appropriate.
  • Ensure medication practices are carried out according to An Bord Altranais guidelines and as per recommended practice in the nursing home, and liaise with GPs and pharmacy with regards to medication reviews and audit. Ensure that all nursing staff are deemed competent in all aspects of medication management, and that their practice is safe. Ensure that education on medication management practices is provided to all newly appointed staff as part of their induction and that they fully understand all aspects of practice related to prescribing, administration and documentation of medications, including electronic prescriptions.
  • Undertake regular MAMS Medicines audits in the centre and ensure effective feedback and action plans are undertaken and reviewed.
• Staff Supervision & Education
  • Support the CNMs in the centre and provide direction, mentorship and regular communication.
  • Ensure a strong focus is placed on working alongside the CNMs, staff nurses and carers in the centre, maintain a visible presence in the clinical areas. Monitor practice in relation to care practices and give constructive feedback. Establish a team dynamic in the centre and ensure that the team works cohesively in planning, implementing and reviewing improvements to care and practice.
  • Carry out regular Performance Appraisals and education & professional development objectives with CNMs, Staff Nurses and Care Assistants. All CNM appraisals to be performed in conjunction with the DON.
  • Train, educate, develop and induct nursing and care staff.
  • Assess education needs and implement in house training, such as infection control, palliative and end of life care, understanding challenging behaviour, elder abuse.
  • Participate in regular communication with staff and help develop a team ethos within the centre.
  • Participate in staff interviews and reviews as appropriate.
  • Produce the roster; in this aspect, collaborate and communicate effectively with DON is vital. Monitor usage of temporary or agency staff, ensuring this is kept to a minimum. Understand the agreed staffing levels and maintain compliance with these.
• Auditing
  • Conduct clinical audits. Regularly review residents' documentation, ensuring appropriate and timely assessments, care planning and implementation of care is documented and reviewed.
  • Observe practice and monitor standards of cleanliness and hygiene, and foster an effective working relationship and good communication between nurses, carers, housekeeping and catering staff.
  • Ensure environmental and hand hygiene audits are carried out regularly and thoroughly, and that action plans are implemented and sustained.
  • Carry out medication audits, health & safety audits, risk assessments and draw up risk management plans in conjunction with DON.
  • Audit EpicCare, and address any issues in relation to documentation - in association with CNMs, staff nurses and carers (Touch screen).
• Residents/Relatives - Person Centred
  • Interact with and support residents and families on a daily basis. The ADON is a key point of contact for all relatives and visitors in conjunction with the DON.
  • Ensure that complaints are swiftly dealt with at the point of contact and if not, are escalated for resolution at DON level. Ensure that complaints are appropriately documented and followed up as required.
  • Assist and liaise with the multidisciplinary team, relatives and families.
• Management and Communication
  • The ADON, reporting to the DON is responsible for the day to day clinical practices in the centre. This post will also be responsible for the centre in the absence of the DON.
  • Open, honest and clear communication is required at all times when reporting to senior management, direct reports and all staff.
  • The ADON is part of the senior management team in the home and is responsible for ensuring that the care delivered is consistently of a high quality, and that those delivering the direct care to residents are appropriately skilled, competent, caring and conscientious.
  • The ADON is the team leader of the staff who provide the hands on care to our residents, and is a role model of excellent nursing care and practice, who leads by example.
  • The ADON will be regularly engaged in supervising staff, monitoring drug rounds, dealing with clinical issues, working with staff and obtaining crucial information on the day to day issues. By doing this the ADON can observe staff compliance with clinical standards, communication skills with residents and general working practices.
• Daily Activities
  • Check staff rosters and get cover for absences.
  • Be a good communicator - vital to the smooth running of any centre that staff, residents and relatives see this skill in the ADON.
  • Attend handovers and review progress of residents daily.
  • Support and develop clinical practice, so the ADON will be hands on with nurses and carers in the delivery of care. The benefit of having this supportive role on a daily basis cannot be overstated and leads to a more confident and competent staff group.
  • Implement Company Health and Safety Policy to safeguard the safety and welfare of staff, residents and others.

Skills and Attributes

• Excellent Leadership, Organisational and Communication skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively within a senior management team
• Sound decision making ability
• Ability to motivate self and others and work on own initiative
• Ability to work well and promote a team environment
• Appreciation of finance issues
• Results driven

Qualifications

• First level registration
• Registered on appropriate part of NMBI live register.
• Evidence of continuous Professional Development
• Previous management experience
• Proven track record in healthcare clinical management.
• Excellent Leadership, Organisational and Communication skills.
• Ability to work well and promote a team environment.
• Willingness to be flexible and adapt to the needs of the company.

All posts are subject to satisfactory references, medical and Garda vetting.

Note

This job description is intended to give the post holder an appreciation of the role and the range of duties, it does not attempt to detail every activity. Given the nature of the work, it must be stressed that maximum flexibility is required to work in the nursing home. Specific tasks and objectives will be agreed with the post holder periodically by the Home Manager.