Head of Urgent and Emergency Care, Grade VIII (10.13(2025))

Dublin - Ireland

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 12-10-2025

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Job Title: Head of Urgent and Emergency Care Grade VIII
Reference No: 10.13(2025)
Department / Directorate: COO Directorate
Reports to: Deputy Chief Operations Officer

Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) is a model 4 voluntary academic teaching hospital partnered with Trinity College and situated in south west Dublin. With a staff of over 4000 people from 63 different countries it provides both acute and tertiary care to an increasing population of circa 800000 people and is a provider of local regional and national specialties. It is also a National Urology Centre the second largest provider of dialysis services in the country Pelvic and Acetabulum National Centre and a designated Trauma Unit.

The Hospital is part of the newly established HSE Dublin & Midlands Region which serves a population of over 1.2 million across seven counties and operates under the governance of an independent Board of Directors who give their time on a voluntary basis. TUH is also supported by the Adelaide Health Foundation the Meath Foundation and Tallaght University Hospital Foundation.

TUH recognizes the role it plays in our community both as an employer and provider of healthcare and is committed to building a sustainable future for our region both now and into the future with a focus on patient outcomes.

The Hospital is ambitious recognising that healthcare delivery is undergoing seismic change and will be different now and into the future largely due to digital and technological advances along with research continuing to discover and test new treatment options. TUH wants to be a leader in determining that future. It is a Hospital without Walls always looking to optimise care both within and beyond in line with the Sláintecare vision of providing the right care in the right place at the right time whilst empowering our patients and staff.
TUH Vision and Values
The vision of the Hospital is People Caring for People to Live Better Lives through excellent health outcomes supported by evidenced based practice positive patient and staff experience in an empowering and caring environment. A culture of innovation and quality improvement in everything we do.
Our TUH CARE values for patients their families our community and staff are:

Collaborate together and with our academic and care partners
Achieve our goals positive outcomes and wellbeing
Respect for patients each other and our environment
Equity for patients and staff

At TUH we view our staff as our most valuable asset and every member of the Team is valued equally. We recognise that a skilled satisfied and motivated workforce is a prerequisite to high quality care.
A full overview of TUH is available on us

purpose of the role:
The Unscheduled Care Manager (UCSM) Grade VIII will be responsible for the safe and efficient delivery of patient centered care in Patient Flow. They will be responsible for the management of patients movement through Tallaght University Hospital to ensure efficient utilisation of beds within the Hospital and offsite facilities in accordance with Hospital policy.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Each candidate must on the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office:
Degree in relevant field
Have 6 years post-graduation experience
Experience in managerial and administrative discharge function
3 years management experience in an acute hospital setting.
Experience working in Patient flow or Bed Management at CNM 3 grade or higher for a minimum of two years

Be able to demonstrate managerial abilities.

Demonstrate evidence of continuing learning and professional development

Desirable

Clinical qualification in Nursing HSCP or relevant field
Have a Level 9 QQI Qualification or equivalent to NFQ level 9

2. Age Restrictions In Relation To Applications
Age restriction shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) 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 applications for the office occurs.

3. 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 as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

4. Be of good character.

5. Garda Vetting
Garda Vetting is sought for all employees and prospective employees of Tallaght University Hospital. Given the specialised nature of the services provided your appointment will be subject to satisfactory Garda Vetting and re-vetting in circumstances where the Hospital deems it appropriate. The Hospital will then process the necessary documentation to endeavour to obtain satisfactory Garda clearance for you. You are obliged to disclose previous and any criminal convictions acquired during the course of your employment. Should the Hospital obtain information from the Garda Vetting Unit to indicate that your Garda clearance report is not satisfactory and / or if you have supplied the hospital with false or misleading information in relation to your Garda clearance status the Hospital reserves the right to withdraw or terminate this contract in accordance with Tallaght University Hospital Garda Vetting policy.

6. Mandated and Designated Persons under Children First Act 2015
Schedule 2 of the Children First Act 2015 specifies the classes of persons defined as Mandated Persons for the purposes of the Act. This includes a range of disciplines that are employed by the hospital including all medical practitioners registered nurses physiotherapists psychologists social workers and others. This includes staff working in adult services. All mandated persons have two main legal obligations under the Children First Act 2015. Mandated persons under the legislation are required to report any knowledge belief or reasonable suspicion that a child has been harmed is being harmed or is at risk of being harmed. The Act defines harm as assault ill-treatment neglect or sexual abuse and covers single and multiple instances. Mandated persons are also required to assist Tusla if requested in assessing a concern which has been the subject of a mandated report. Designated Officer are required to receive reports of suspected child abuse or neglect from any person who is of the opinion that (a) a child has been or is being assaulted ill-treated neglected or sexually abused or (b) a childs health development or welfare has been or is being avoidably impaired or neglected. Full detailed list of mandated and designated staff together with details of their roles and responsibilities can be found on It is the responsibility of all staff employed by TUH to be aware of their roles and responsibilities under the legislation and to complete mandatory Children First Training.

PARTICULARS OF OFFICE

The appointment is fulltime permanent and pensionable

2. Remuneration:
Remuneration is in accordance with the salary scale approved by the Department of Health & Children. Current remuneration with effect from 1st August2025:

82258 by X increments to 99213

Salary scales will be updated in line with nationally agreed pay agreements and will be updated accordingly and retrospective payments applied as applicable.

3. Pension Arrangements and Retirement Age
There are three superannuation schemes currently in operation for staff in Tallaght University Hospital:

(a) Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (Non-New Entrant)
(b) Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (New Entrant)
(c) Single Public Service Pension Scheme

Please read carefully the summary of the criteria for the three superannuation schemes below. This will assist you in identifying which scheme membership is applicable to your employment circumstances.

(a) If you have been continually employed in the public service prior to the 1st April 2004 and you have not had a break in service of more than 26 weeks you will be included in the Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (Non-New Entrant) with a Minimum Retirement Age of 60 and a Maximum Retirement Age of 65.

(b) If you have been continually employed in the public service post the 1st April 2004 and you have not had a break in service of more than 26 weeks you will be included in the Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (New Entrant) with a Minimum Retirement Age of 65. There is no Maximum Retirement Age.

(c) If you have commenced employment in the public service as a new entrant or you are a former public servant returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks you will be included in the Single Public Service Pension Scheme effective from the 1st January 2013 with a minimum retirement age of 66 (rising to 67 and 68 in line with state pension changes). The maximum retirement age under this scheme will be age 70.

4. Duties:
The Grade VIII will perform such duties as are outlined in this job description.

5. Hours of work:
Normal working hours are 35 worked over 7 days (Monday Sunday). Your contracted hours of work are liable to change to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement. You may be required to participate on the Senior Management on-call rota.

6. Probation:
The successful candidate will be appointed initially for a probationary period of 6 months. During the probationary period progress or otherwise will be monitored and at the end of the probationary period the service will (a) be certified as satisfactory and confirmed in writing or if not satisfactory the probationary period may be extended by 3 months.

7. Annual Leave:
Annual leave entitlement is 30 working days (pro rata). The annual leave year runs from 1st of April to 31st March each year.

8. Sick Leave:
Payment of salary during illness will be in accordance with arrangements as approved from time to time by the Department of Health and Children.

9. Termination of Office:
The employment may be terminated at any time by giving three months notice on either side except where circumstances are dictated by the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act 1973/91. The Managements right under this paragraph shall not be exercised save in circumstances where the Management is of the opinion that the holder of the office has failed to perform satisfactorily the duties of the post or has misconducted himself/herself in relation to the post or is otherwise unfit to hold the appointment.

General Accountability

Maintain throughout the Hospital an awareness of the primacy of the patient in relation to all Hospital activities.
Ensure the provision of a high standard of care to the patient and families is consistent with the mission vision values and strategic plan of the Hospital.
Deputise for the DCOO in their absence.
Be responsible for the development and supervision of staff and the teaching of student nurses and health care assistants.
Support the DCOO in the implementation of hospital policy in all matters.
Demonstrate behaviour consistent with the values of the hospital.
Operate within own scope of practice seek advice and assistance from their manager with any cases or issues that prove to be beyond the scope of their professional competence in line with the principles of best practice and clinical governance.
Play an active role in patient education and be actively involved in health education and promotion.
Commitment to continuous professional development including completion of relevant internal training programmes available through our Centre for Learning & Development Prospectus.
Reporting relationship is to the DCOO.

Professional accountability is to the Director of Nursing if applicable.
You may be required to participate on the Senior Management on-call rota.

Specific Accountability
Managing the Service - Quality & Safety of Service / Delivery of Results

Ensure a high standard of care is delivered safely in accordance with the hospital policies procedures and guidelines.
Manage monitor and evaluate professional and clinical standards ensuring an evidence based care planning approach.
Lead in the management and development of services relevant to the unit.

Ensure the unit meets KPIs such as the HSE Quality care metrics. Develops processesto ensure optimal bed management operations and organizational throughput in line with national and local KPIs.

Promotes a culture of staff and patient safety.
Responsible for leading out on and project managing key programme and initiatives associated with the Hospital Strategic and Operational objectives; including identification of key resources and ICT systems required.
Ensure engagement and co-operation of multi-disciplinary team as required.

Interacts and collaborates with Medical and Nursing staff to identify upcoming discharges admissions and transfers on an ongoing basis.
Interacts and collaborates with Medical and Nursing staff to triage and secure appropriate adult ICU beds and adult inpatient beds.
Coordinates with the Patient Flow team to develop and gain efficient systems to maximize access to TUH.
Works diligently with the patient flow team to support timely access to appropriate TUH beds where necessary.
Communicates with patient flow team regarding the prioritizing of bed requests and ensure clinical appropriateness of allocations.
Attends bed management meetings and coordinates information shared to maximize efficient patient flow.
Facilitates all transfers/direct admissions to ensure appropriateness of admissions in relation to the most appropriate level of care bed availability and timeliness of transfers.
Communicates with the Emergency Department Managers and Emergency Department ADON and Admitted CNM 11 regarding bed availability and ensuring adherence to transfer times.
Recommends system changes based on data themes.
Studies themes or trends in data overtime to adjust systems to maximal efficiencies and report results to the Unscheduled Care Committee as requested.
To operationally oversee and take the necessary actions in the day to day management of admissions and discharges through patient flow to meet both HSE and local targets.
Maximise Throughput and ensure optimal LOS.
Oversight and communication with Bed Managers to ensure the timely allocation and transfer of patients to vacant beds.
Have a good knowledge of the Visual Hospital/Planned Patient Pathway Boards and the utilisation of a transparent visual system of bed management and discharge planning.
Have detailed understanding of the Long Term Care Delayed and Complex discharge processes and be aware of the national targets which must be adhered to.
Incorporate action plans to ensure DTOC KPIs are met.
Oversee and be proactive in monitoring all patients on the Delayed Transfer of Care (DTOC) portal ensuring a discharge plan is in place for each patient both on TUH and Tymon sites.
Oversee and monitor the activity of step-down/rehab beds to ensure maximum utilisation of external facilities.

Instigate and co-ordinate the actions required to ensure timely admission and discharge to prevent patients being delayed.
To contribute to the development of operational and strategic plans in the Hospital to ensure that agreed objectives are implemented and quality of standards maintained.
Develop and strengthen links with community services to identify patients who can safely continue treatment and care outside of acute setting.
Attend and chair community/offsite meetings as required.
Attend and chair daily operational and offsite huddles within the patient flow department.
Review inclusion/exclusion criteria with offsite facilities and update accordingly in a bid to meet service needs of TUH.
Provide staff management supervision support and teaching when necessary.
Ensure CORE is reviewed and updated daily as required. Monitor skill mix of staff when approving annual leave etc.
Monitor all staff mandatory training and ensure training matrix for the patient flow department is updated and maintained at all times.
Cross cover service as required when staff on annual/unexpected leave.
May perform other job related duties as required or assigned.

Managing Change - Problem Solving & Decision Making / Communications & Influencing

Have a can do attitude and implement unpopular decision for the benefit of the service through effective engagement.
In conjunction with the Executive/Clinical Director develops operating plans.
Makes well informed decisions amidst ambiguity.
Can make unpopular decisions for the greater long term good of the Hospital.
Tailors a range of techniques to persuade others explain complex information etc. Facilitate communications; between teams conflicting parties and to persuade others to create a culture of trust and honesty.
Takes into account others when making an important decision addresses team conflict sets clear goals embraces diversity and promotes collaboration and team strengths to achieve goals. Offers recognition.

Managing Yourself - Team player / Planning & Organising

Demonstrate flexibility if and when asked to work in other areas of the Service as needed.
Engage with professional development planning for self and others.
Act as a role model keep up to date with trends by ongoing education ensure that developments are research based/participate in research programmes.
Delegates effectively to the team and ensure timelines are met and efficient use of resources.
Assists in the development and implementation of operations plans to ensure smooth and consistent execution of tasks.
Research and promote quality initiatives that are evidence based.
Builds and uses networks of influences for planning and organising workload. Develops and implements operational plans essential systems and processes. Monitors performance evaluates impacts and risks.

Managing People People Management / Leadership

Set up processes for staff involvement in key decisions.
Promote staff engagement and empowerment.
Articulates the Hospitals strategic plan to relevant personnel and promotes the Hospitals core values.

Develop and facilitate educational and support programme for further knowledge and skills for members of the multi-disciplinary team.
Assist in training members of the multi-disciplinary team and change in practice of the delivery of care.
Use relevant educational opportunities to maintain the higher standards of care to patients.

Act as a role model at all times and support and monitor clinical staff in performing patient assessment of the patient the interpretation of data and the integration of knowledge.
Ensure that staffing levels and skill mix are appropriate and within the resource allocation.
Create and promote open communications healthy working relationships and stimulate initiative among the ward team
Review individual needs and plan appropriate care based on nursing needs.
Create a learning environment for all staff to encourage and promote staff development
Maintain a personal record of professional development.
Be responsible for orientation and training needs of all nursing staff and students assigned to the unit.
Assist and support mandatory training attendance for staff.
Participate in staff evaluation and staff performance with individuals involved and with teaching and supervisory staff.
Facilitate the arrangements necessary and participate where appropriate in education and training of other hospital staff as the need arises. This includes students at both undergraduate and post-graduate level.
Lead by example a professional punctual and dedicated team.

Completes and monitors duty rotas and staff planners and promotes wellbeing of staff.
Undertake counselling and appraisal of trained staff as required.
Assist in the recruitment selection and training of staff with professional advice and support from Human Resources.
Create and promote open communications healthy working relationships and stimulate initiative amongst ward staff.
Motivate team members by agreeing goals and objective through performance review.
Completion of relevant training and availing of supports in the Leadership Academy including coaching mentoring and leadership development as applicable.
Champions new initiatives. Demonstrates an ability to lead his/her team. Takes ownership. Inspire others. Lead by example while focusing on the achievement of operational and strategic goals.
Supervises duties of all non-nursing personnel.

Information Technology

Ensure that the team makes the most effective and efficient use of developments in information technology for both patient care and administrative support in a manner which integrates well with systems throughout the organisation.
Ensure that all staff are trained in the use of computer systems which are used in the management of patient episodes in the Hospital e.g.: EPR Pims Order comms Symphony sap core.

Health & Safety

Ensure the compliance of all your staff with the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.
Comply and enact Health and Safety responsibilities as outlined in Hospital policies protocols and procedures relevant to your area.
Prepare risk assessments and departmental safety statements as required.

Hygiene/Infection Control

Ensure you are aware of your responsibility for Hygiene awareness. Hygiene is defined as The practice that serves to keep people and environments clean and prevent infection.
Act as a role model and actively promote infection control and prevention and ensure that staff in your area familiarise themselves with the hospital infection control policies and guidelines as outlined in the Infection Control Manual.
Ensure that staff in your area are aware that they work in an area where there is potential for transmission of infection.
Ensure that all your staff are advised that they have a responsibility to prevent the transmission of infection particularly in relation to hand hygiene.

Quality Safety and Risk Management

Support the delivery of the Quality Safety and Risk Management Programme including the appropriate identification reporting and management of risks and incidents throughout the hospital.

Confidentiality

You will be aware of the confidential nature of Hospital work and in particular the right of patients to confidentiality. To this end you will not discuss workings of the Hospital or its patients or disclose any information of a confidential nature except as required to do so in the course of your work. No records documents or property of the Hospital may be removed from the premises of the Hospital without prior authorisation. You must return to the Hospital upon request and in any event upon the termination of your employment all documents or other property of the Hospital which are in your possession or under your control.

Data Management

Ensure compliance with the obligations required by the Data Protection Act 2018.

Development of Health Regions

The Hospital Structure is currently under review and therefore reporting relationships may change. The further development of Health Regions may require the post-holder to adopt a different reporting relationship and additional accountabilities. Full consultation will take place in advance of any such change.

Application process
Applications can be submitted on-line at by completing the application form and attaching your CV. Candidates should be aware that when applying for a post through the On-Line Application System (Candidate Manager) they will receive an automated replying acknowledging receipt of their application. Should you for any reason not receive this automated acknowledgement you should notify the Human Resources Department before the closing date otherwise your application will not be considered.
All candidates should note that in order to maintain a timely process the closing date and time for receipt of applications will be strictly adhered to.

Informal Enquiries to: Jerome Powell Chief Operations Officeremail:
Closing Date: Before close of business on: 24th October 2025

TUH Core Competencies:

Core Area	Competency	Level
Managing the service	Quality & Safety of Service	4
Managing the service	Delivery of Results	4
Managing Change	Problem Solving & Decision Making	4
Managing Change	Communications & Influencing	4
Managing Yourself	Team player	4
Managing Yourself	Planning and Organising	4
Managing People	People Management	4
Managing People	Leadership	4

Please go to for details of the core competencies

Required Experience:

Director

Job Title: Head of Urgent and Emergency Care Grade VIIIReference No: 10.13(2025)Department / Directorate: COO DirectorateReports to: Deputy Chief Operations Officer Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) is a model 4 voluntary academic teaching hospital partnered with Trinity College and situated in sou...

Collaborate together and with our academic and care partners
Achieve our goals positive outcomes and wellbeing
Respect for patients each other and our environment
Equity for patients and staff

Be able to demonstrate managerial abilities.