Assistant Director of Nursing Mental Health Services

Job Specification & Terms and Conditions

Job Title and
Grade / Assistant Director of Nursing (Mental Health Services)
Grade Code 2542
Campaign
Reference Number / NRS0658
Closing Date / Thursday 28th November 2013 @ 12 Noon
Proposed Interview Date (s) / Mid January 2014
Taking up Appointment / A start date will be indicated at appointment stage.
Location of Post / There are currently vacancies in the following areas: -
  • HSEDublin Mid Leinster- Dublin South Central - Initial assignment to St Loman’s Hospital , Palmerstown. A panel will be created for Dublin South Central from which current and future vacancies will be filled.
  • HSE South– Cork Mental Health ISA. A panel will be created for Cork ISA from which current and future vacancies will be filled.
  • HSE South – Kerry Mental Health Services. A panel will be created for Kerry from which current and future vacancies will be filled.
  • HSE Mid West Mental Health Services – 2 posts (Post One- Initial Assignment to Limerick MHS, Post Two- Initial Assignment to Clare MHS). A panel will be created for Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary from which current and future vacancies will be filled.

Organisational Area / HSEDublin Mid Leinster
HSE South
HSE West
Details of Service / The person appointed to this post will work within the Integrated Services Directorate; working as part of multi-disciplinary teams delivering a coordinated approach to client care
HSEDublin Mid Leinster- Dublin South Central
Dublin South Central Service combines the former Dublin South City Service, Dublin West South West Mental Health Service and part of the Linn Dara Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services into a new extended catchment area. The service operates a range of community mental health services including acute adult inpatient beds provision in both St James’s Hospital & TallaghtHospital. In patient child and adolescent services are provided at the interim unit at St Lomans Palmerstown campus until the new facility is built in CherryOrchardHospital. The service consists of sevengeneral adult mental health sector teams and three CAMHs community teams and there are plans to further develop Mental Health Intellectual Disability services within the context of the extended mental health catchment area.
Thegeneral adult sectors offer a range of services that include Community Mental Health Teams, DayHospital, Day Centre and Homecare Teams. There is a Rehabilitation Teams including an Assertive Outreach Team and Psychiatry of Later Life service in operation throughout the service.
Informal Enquiries
Colum Bracken, Director of Nursing, Dublin West / South West MHS
Email:
Tel: - 01-7782042
HSE South – Cork Mental Health ISA
Cork Mental Health ISA provides an extensive range of services to a population of approximately 519,032.
There are 140 acute beds based as follows: 26 beds in St. Stephen’s Hospital, 50 beds in St. Michael’s Unit, Mercy University Hospital, 46 beds in South Lee Mental Health Services, Cork University Hospital and 18 beds in Centre for Mental Health Care and Recovery, Bantry General Hospital.
There is an 18 bed Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit located in Carraig Mor Centre, Shanakiel, Cork. 9 Community Residences with a total of 122 beds. 4 Continuing Care Units with 139 beds. Also in MountAvernia there is 46 beds to cater for 65 and older age groups.
Thegeneral adult sectors offer a diverse range of services including comprehensive acute inpatient care which is augmented by a liaison team based on the 7 day service model. Multidisciplinary care is provided and delivered through Community Mental Health Teams, DayHospitals, Day Centres and Home Based Treatment Team. The Rehabilitation Teams include Psychiatry of Later Life and Assertive Outreach where emphasis is on person centred care, patient safety and quality outcomes.
Informal Enquiries
Mr. Ned Kelly, Area Director of Nursing
Email:
Tel: 021-4921697
HSE South – Kerry Mental Health Services
The Kerry Mental Health Services serves a population of 145,502 (CSO, 2011) over a large geographic area and for the purpose of service delivery the county is divided into five sectors as follows:
Tralee (North Kerry) / Population 28,165
Listowel / Population 26,467
Dingle/Castleisland/Farranfore(Tralee East) / Population 31,050
Killarney / Population 30,896
Kenmare/Caherciveen/Killorglin (South Kerry) / Population 28,924
The service is delivered in a combination of community based facilities located in each sector such as community day services, high support hostel accommodation, out-patient clinics, with shared in-patient facilities for the county in the form of a 37 bed Approved Centre acute admission unit at KerryGeneralHospital and 31 beds at The O’Connor Unit Approved Centre, Killarney. Community residences and group homes provide long term accommodation. A range of day services support people undergoing recovery and newer services interface with Primary Care. A Specialist Rehabilitation Service is also provided.
Two Approved Centres are located in Kerry including the Acute Admission Unit, KerryGeneralHospital and The O’Connor Unit, Killarney.
The Kerry Mental Health Service will consist of three Community Mental Health Teams based on a geographic population per team consistent with the Vision for Change Policy. In addition to the existing Specialist Rehabilitation Team it is envisaged that an Old Age Psychiatry Team will be developed.
Each sector is served by a multi disciplinary team usually consisting of a Consultant Psychiatrist, NCHD, Nurses, Community Mental Health Nurses, and Secretarial support. Social Worker, Psychologists and Occupational Therapists are currently shared between the areas.
Informal Enquiries
Name: Ms. Mary O’Mahony, Area Director of Nursing
Email:
Tel: (066) 7199774
HSEMid West Mental Health Service ( Clare , Limerick, North Tipperary)
The Mid West Mental Health Serviceprovides a comprehensive range of services to a population of 380,000 people.
Acute inpatient beds are situated in Ennis (39beds) and Limerick (40beds).
Community services are provided by multidisciplinary mental health teams offering a diverse range of treatment options.
Specialist services are provided by Psychiatry of Old age, Community Rehabilitation and CAMHS teams. High, medium and low support accommodation options are available and links with non statutory agencies are well established.
All services offer a combination of community and inpatient recovery focused alternatives.
Informal Enquiries
Catherine Adams, Area Director of Nursing
Email:
Tel: 061 461244/1458
Reporting Relationship / The Assistant Director of Nursing will report to the Director of Nursing, Mental Health Services or designated officer.
Purpose of the Post / To support the Director of Nursing in his/her overall management responsibilities and professional standards for the Mental Health Services. To lead and support the continued development of the Mental Health Services and to participate in meeting HSE policy objectives for Mental Health Services. The Assistant Director of Nursing will operate in accordance with the policies of the HSE, and in work collaboration with other professionals and service managers to achieve the service goals in the area of Mental Health.
The Assistant Director of Nursing will be required to work with members of the Multi Disciplinary Team to implement the strategic objectives for the Mental Health Services.
The Assistant Director of Nursing will be responsible to the Director of Nursing for the delivery of an efficient Mental Health nursing service within the hospital and in the community. They will be responsible for ensuring professional nursing standards are maintained in line with An Bord Altranais standards. S/he will be concerned with the execution of policy decisions and with the management and effective utilisation of resources. The role will not be limited by reference to this profile and should reflect established practices in relation to the Assistant Director of Nursing, Mental Health Services. It would be expected in the normal course of events that the role will evolve as professional and service demands change. In particular, the profile will need to be adapted at local level to meet specific requirements in relation to the management of specific functional responsibilities.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities / Management
The Assistant Director of Nursing will:
  • take responsibility for the appropriate and effective management of the Mental Health Services as delegated by the Director of Nursing
  • participate in the development of the divisional and overall service plan and in the monitoring and review of activity against the plans
  • be expected to problem solve and generate options for their team in their managerial role
  • participate in the overall financial planning including implementing the necessary controls for the service relating to pay and non-pay expenditure
  • assist with the direction and supervision including clinical supervision and mentoring of the nursing staff to provide a high level of patient care and ward/department/functional area/sector management
  • to oversee nursing clinical caseloads and manage accordingly
  • provide innovative and effective leadership, support and advice to nursing and allied staff at all levels
  • provide guidance to nursing and other staff in the implementation of nursing and hospital catchment area policies
  • maintain good employee relations and promote good communication with all relevant Ward Staff and Departments
  • give support and counsel to nursing and allied staff as necessary and take action in accordance with agreed HSE policy, if necessary
  • plan and guide activities to provide optimum patient care in accordance with HSE policies and procedure
  • ensure adherence to all standards and guidelines relating to professional nursing practice and behaviour
  • take responsibility for leading out on service wide initiatives and groups that support the overall service managerial function
  • undertake other relevant duties as may be determined from time to time by the Director of Nursing or other designated officer
Professional /Clinical Responsibilities
The Assistant Director of Nursing will:
  • Provide a high level of professional and clinical leadership
  • Provide safe, comprehensive nursing care to service users in accordance with An Bord Altranais guidelines, legislative requirements, HSE regional and local operational procedures
  • Have a working knowledge of Mental Health Commission standards as applied to Approved Centres and Mental Health Settings including Quality & Standards Framework and Mental Health Act legislation
  • Manage, monitor and evaluate professional and clinical standards ensuring an evidence based care planning approach
  • Manage own case load in accordance with the needs of the post
  • Participate in teams as appropriate, communicating and working in co-operation with the other team members and the wider multi disciplinary teams
  • Facilitate co-ordination, cooperation and liaison across health care teams and programmes
  • Formulate, manage and implement best practice policies and procedures
  • Ensure that service users and others are treated with dignity and respect
  • Adhere and contribute to the development and maintenance of nursing standards, protocols and guidelines consistent with the highest standards of patient care
  • Maintain professional standards in relation to confidentiality, ethics and legislation
  • participate in development of quality initiatives including clinical audit, standard setting, investigation of complaints and untoward incidents
Education and Training
The Assistant Director of Nursing will:
  • Contribute to service development through appropriate continuous education, research initiatives, keeping up to date with nursing literature, recent nursing research and new developments in nursing management, education and practice and attend staff study days as considered appropriate
  • Provide support/advice to those engaging in continuous professional development in his/her area of responsibility
  • Participate in the identification, development and delivery of induction, education, training and development programmes for nursing and non-nursing staff
  • Participate in in-service training, orientation programmes and appraisals of all nursing staff. Also, participate in nurse training programmes and any other programmes pertaining to future development in the hospital
  • Provide support supervision and professional development of appropriate staff
  • Engage in performance review processes including personal development planning e.g., by setting own and staff objectives and providing and receiving feedback
Health & Safety/ Risk Management:
The Assistant Director of Nursing will:
  • Ensure that effective safety procedures are developed and managed to comply with statutory obligations
  • Be aware of risk management issues, identify risks and take appropriate action
  • Comply with the policies, procedures and safe professional practice of the Irish Healthcare System by adhering to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.
  • Assist in the development, implementation and review of Health and Safety statements, as appropriate
  • Document appropriately and report any near misses, hazards and accidents and bring them to the attention of the relevant person(s)
  • Maintain a feedback mechanism and report to senior management where appropriate
  • Work in a safe manner with due care and attention to the safety of self and others
  • Ensure adherence to policies in relation to the care and safety of any equipment supplied for the fulfilment of duty. Ensure advice of relevant stakeholders is sought prior to procurement
  • Have a working knowledge of HIQA Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc
Note
This broad outline reflects the recommendation in the Commission on Nursing that middle nursing and midwifery management should:
  • have a defined management role and not merely retain a "gatekeeping" administrative function
  • have defined management responsibility with explicit delegation of authority from The Director of Nursing
  • have definite functional roles either in managing units of care or in the management of functional responsibilities such as in bed management and practice development co-ordination; and
  • have the authority to manage their area of responsibility without constant reference to more senior management. However, as in all management, there should be effective communication with front-line and senior management.
  • liaise with Practice Development Co-ordinators
The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.
Eligibility Criteria
Qualifications and/ or experience / Each candidate must have at the latest date of application: -
a)Candidates must
(i)Be registered in the Psychiatric Division of the Register of Nurses kept by Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland) or be entitled to be so registered.
(ii)Have had experience of Psychiatric nursing
(iii)Have had satisfactory knowledge of psychiatric nursing administrative
procedures
b)Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and management ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.
and
c)Candidates must have undertaken training in management appropriate to the post.
Health
A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
Character
Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character
Age
Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation Act, 2004). A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office occurs.
Post Specific Requirements / Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience in Nursing in the Psychiatric setting, as relevant to the post including:
  • Demonstrate experience of working across a wide variety of Mental Health Services especially dual diagnosis.
  • Demonstrate evidence of policy development and the ability to translate policy into action
  • Demonstrate knowledge and experience of quality audit/assurance systems

Other requirements specific to the post / Access to transport as the post may involve travel.
Skills, competencies and/or knowledge / The post holder must :
Professional/Clinical knowledge
  • Demonstrate a high degree of commitment, professionalism and dedication to the philosophy of quality health care provision
  • Demonstrate specific knowledge of Mental Health Legislation, Quality Framework Mental Health Services in Ireland and “Vision for Change”
Planning and Managing Resources
  • Demonstrate knowledge of organisation and management of nursing resource and practice
  • Demonstrate knowledge of clinical assessment systems
  • Demonstrate planning and prioritising the development of resources to ensure safe practice and maximise effectiveness to the service
Initiation and Management of Change
  • Demonstrate commitment as a change agent towards the development of Mental Health services for people with an Mental Health
  • Demonstrate the ability to effectively lead others
  • Demonstrate examples of working effectively with people who possess a variety of skills, experience and interests in order to bring maximum benefit for the Mental Health Services
  • Demonstrate a commitment to providing a quality service
  • Is innovative and encourages innovation in others
Managing Self and Others
  • Demonstrate the ability to identify strengths and weaknesses of team members and provide opportunities for improvement
  • Demonstrate the ability to work with other members of the Mental Health / Mental Health team to ensure maximum effectiveness and efficient use of personnel
  • Has the ability to effectively motivate others
  • Demonstrate strong leadership skills
Problem Solving & Decision Making:
  • Demonstrate the ability to evaluate information, make timely decisions and solve problems.
Communication Interpersonal Skills
  • Demonstrates strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • Presents compelling arguments by understanding and anticipating the agendas of others. Uses information and facts to build an effective case; will involve and consult with key stakeholders tactfully and listen to their views.
  • Ability to work in partnership with a wide variety of stakeholders
  • Demonstrate an ability to build and maintain relationships/work as part of a multi-disciplinary team
  • Balances diplomacy with assertiveness
  • Demonstrate the ability to negotiate effectively
  • Demonstrate evidence of influencing skills in a complex work environment

Campaign Specific Selection Process
Ranking/Shortlisting / Interview / Shortlisting may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application form. The criteria for ranking and or shortlisting are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification. Therefore it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements.
Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not being called forward to the next stage of the selection process.
Those successful at the shortlisting stage of this process (where applicable) will be called to interview
Code of Practice / The Health Service Executivewill run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commissioners for Public Service Appointments (CPSA). The Code of Practice sets out how the core principles of probity, merit, equity and fairness might be applied on a principle basis. The Codes also specifies the responsibilities placed on candidates, feedback facilitates for applicants on matters relating to their application when requested, and outlines procedures in relation to requests for a review of the recruitment and selection process and review in relation to allegations of a breach of the Code of Practice. Additional information on the HSE’s review process is available in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, information for candidates.
Codes of practice are published by the CPSA and are available on in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, information for candidates or on
The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the job description may be reviewed.
This job description is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.