Assistant Director of Nursing - Theatre and Surgical Services
UPMC Whitfield Hospital is seeking an experienced professional to manage the Theatre Services. The appointed person will have a pivotal role in coordinating and managing activity and resources within the clinical area.
The main responsibilities include clinical practice resource management, developing services, theatre scheduling portfolio, creating an effective learning environment, and the efficient management of human and financial resources to ensure a high-quality service.
The post holder will be responsible for staffing and staff development, facilitating communication and professional/clincal leadership. Clinical areas of responsibility include Theatre, Endoscopy Unit, and CSSD.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
Professional/Clinical: Play a key role in developing services within the theatre, endoscopy, and CSSD department. Lead the theatre team as a senior coordinator to manage patient care ensuring the highest professional standards using an evidence-based, care planning approach. Coordinate with Consultants, ADONs, and CNM2s to manage patient flow through the theatre department ensuring efficiency. Provide a high level of professional and clinical leadership.
Be responsible for the coordination, assessment, planning, delivery, and review of service user care by all staff in designated areas. Provide safe, comprehensive nursing care to service users within guidelines laid out by NMBI (Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland). In consultation with Clinical Nurse Managers II, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Consultants, and other disciplines, implement and assess quality management programmes. Encourage evidence-based practice using a care planning approach to nurse care, maintaining professional and clinical standards.
To ensure clinical expertise and level of competence of staff in a clinical setting. Formulate, manage, and implement best practice hospital policies and procedures. Ensure that all staff are fully aware of their duties and responsibilities. Foster good working relationships between colleagues and other staff by maintaining a high professional standard. Ensure patients, relatives, and members of the public who visit the hospital are treated with kindness and courtesy at all times.
Ensure the development of Research Based Nursing Practice within the area. Ensure Nursing policies, procedures, and standards are developed and revised. Be responsible for the training needs of all staff within the Theatre Department. Display qualities of leadership and good communications with all users of the service. Attend department meetings with Senior Nurse Managers. Contribute to the strategic management and planning process. Develop and assist in implementing staff development programme.
The Theatre Manager/Superintendent will participate and facilitate the personal development planning for all staff in the unit. Ensure Health & Safety standards are met and enforced. Provide cover for Senior Nurse Manager and participate in the 'out of hours' rota if required. Undertake other duties as required by the Director of Nursing.
Managerial Responsibilities: Provide necessary supervision, coordination, and deployment of nursing and support staff to ensure optimum delivery of care in the designated area through allocating work fairly and competently. Manage communication at departmental level and facilitate team building. Provide staff leadership and motivation which is conducive to good working relations and work performance. Manage all resources efficiently and effectively. Lead on practice development within the clinical area. Lead and implement change. Promote, facilitate, and participate in the development of nursing policies and procedures. Monitor as appropriate and lead on proactive improvement. Contribute to the formulation, development, and implementation of policies and procedures at area and hospital level. Actively participate in the Nursing Management structure by supporting the ADON and deputising in their absence when required to do so.
Manage the theatre schedule and bookings. Maintain all necessary clinical and administrative records and reporting arrangements. Human Resource Management: Manage defined devolved personnel functions, with particular emphasis on maximising recruitment and retention of nursing and non-nursing staff. Assist in the rostering of staff, taking cognisance of skill mix/case mix requirements and participate in the interviewing of staff for the Theatre Department. Facilitate team building and motivation. Supervise and support nursing and allied staff in performing their duties, in compliance with agreed policies and protocols. Advise Nurse Management where staffing complement either requires to be augmented or depleted, as dictated by specialist activity at a specified period of time. Ensure that all staff receive encouragement and counselling in developing nursing skills and job satisfaction. Ensure welfare of staff on duty.
Qualifications & Experience: Registered, or eligible for registration in the General Division of the live Register of Nurses kept by NMBI. Must have 3-5 years experience in a nurse management capacity within a theatre environment. Previous experience within a private healthcare setting would be advantageous. A qualification in Peri-operative Nursing is desirable. Ideally hold a post-registration qualification in healthcare management or equivalent. Commitment to continuous professional development and have an in-depth knowledge of models of nursing relating to the theatres and ward environment. Function as part of the hospitals nurse management team contributing to the smooth running of the patient journey from preadmission to discharge. Have the ability to build and maintain working relationships with all internal and external stakeholders. Thorough knowledge of accreditation standards and regulations. Previous experience working in an accreditation process would be beneficial. Excellent people, communication, and interpersonal skills. Ability to manage one's own workload effectively while responding flexibly to new demands at short notice and must have the ability to manage diverse issues on a daily basis. Ability to plan, organise, and deliver services in an efficient, effective, and resourceful manner, within a model of patient-centred care. Provide a high level of professional and clinical leadership. Demonstrate evidence-based decision making and work according to best practice. Demonstrate an awareness of HR policies and procedures. Have considerable experience in change management and a commitment to the hospital's continuous improvement agenda. Will play a leadership role in the continuous improvement programme in the hospital using lean tools and methodology. Display evidence of continuing professional development. Demonstrate an awareness of HR policies and procedures. Have experience in change management.