Assistant Director of Nursing - Nurse Practice Development

• Permanent
• Full-time

Purpose of the post:

The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) Nurse Practice Development is responsible for supporting the Director of Nursing in clinical and professional leadership development implementation and evaluation of nursing practice standards clinical education quality improvement initiatives and professional development programmes. The role promotes evidenced based practice regulatory compliance person centred care and continuous improvement across nursing services.

The ADON for Nurse Practice Development works collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to ensure safe effective and high quality care delivery while supporting staff competency clinical governance and organisational objectives. The ADON for Nurse Practice Development will play a key role in the standardisation implementation education and support of the Electronic Health Record (EHR) and in the embedding of the Careful Nursing Philosophy and Professional Practice Model.

Key Duties / Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership

• Provide operational and professional management to the Nursing Practice Development CNM 2 Clinical Placement Co-ordinator (CPC) and Student Allocation liaison Officer (SALO).
• Support and oversee the coordination of practice development student placements and workforce support functions.
• Ensure effective supervision performance management and professional development of staff reporting to the ADON Nurse Practice Development.
• Support the Director of Nursing in the operational management of nursing services.
• Promote high standards of professional nursing practice in line with national standards policies and evidence-based guidelines.
• Provide visible clinical leadership and mentorship to nursing staff.
• Support the development and implementation of nursing policies procedures and clinical protocols.
• Promote staff engagement with digital transformation.

Practice Development

• Lead and coordinate nursing practice development initiatives across the service.
• Promote evidence-based practice and continuous quality improvement.
• Identify opportunities to enhance patient outcomes through innovation and service improvement.
• Facilitate reflective practice and professional learning.
• Support implementation of national healthcare standards and accreditation requirements.
• Assist with the in the development of nursing documentation standards within the Electronic Health Record (EHR) and ensure compliance with National Standards (HIQA JCI NMBI JAG).

Education and Staff Development

• Oversee the development delivery and evaluation of education programmes using a blended learning approach inclusive of online learning workshops information sessions and clinical skills fair.
• Identify learning and development needs through training needs analysis and clinical audits.
• Support clinical supervision preceptorship and mentorship and competency assessment.
• Encourage staff participation in education research and leadership opportunities.
• Promote and embed the Careful Nursing Philosophy and Professional Practice Model and support staff to translate this philosophy into their clinical practice.
• Support the planning implementation and evaluation of the Electronic Health Record across the clinical areas.
• Act as an EHR Superuser between nursing staff and the EHR digital team.
• Develop and manage online learning resources (e.g. Workday or equivalent platforms).

Quality and Clinical Governance

• Participate in internal and external quality and accreditation processes (e.g. JCI HIQA NMBI and JAG).
• Analyse audit findings and implement improvement plans.
• Ensure compliance with professional regulatory and organisational standards.
• Assist with incident review investigation and implementation of performance improvement plans.
• Promote a culture of safety accountability and person-centred care.
• Lead the implementation and ongoing monitoring of Nursing Quality Care Metrics across clinical areas.
• Analyse metric results to identify trends risks and areas for improvement.
• Facilitate the use of MEG dashboards to monitor performance and drive accountability.

Communication and Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to support integrated care delivery.
• Maintain effective communication with staff and external stakeholders.
• Participate in committees working groups and service development initiatives.
• Support change management and organisational development initiatives.

Administration and Reporting

• Maintain accurate records reports and documentation related to nurse practice development activities.
• Contribute to policy reviews strategic planning and service evaluations.
• Assist with budgetary planning related to education and development programmes where required.
• Prepare reports and presentations for senior management as requested.

7. Professional Development

• Practice in accordance with the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives Incorporating the Scope of Practice and Professional Guidance (NMBI 2025).
• Maintain professional competence and engage in continuous professional development.
• Contribute to service planning and evaluation.
• Support the development of nursing scope of practice.
• Promote nursing by actively contributing at national conferences and meetings.
• Keep up to date with undergraduate and relevant postgraduate nursing curriculum developments and with professional development requirements for nurse prescribing and for specialist and advanced nursing practice.

Essential Qualifications

• Be registered on the general division of the register with Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
• Post-registration nursing degree at level 9 (Masters Degree) or above on the NQAI framework
• Teaching & Assessing qualification
• Competent in the use of information technology management

Essential Experience

• 7 years post-registration experience in an acute hospital and 3 years nursing management experience at a minimum of Clinical Nurse Manager 2 (CNM 2) in an acute setting.

Desirable Experience

• Experience in clinical education quality improvement or practice development
• Management Course
• Previous management or project management experience
• Have evidence of continuing professional development

Essential Knowledge

• Knowledge of nursing guidelines policies procedures and protocols.
• Detailed understanding of the application of the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives Incorporating the Scope of Practice and Professional Guidance.
• Broad based knowledge of current nursing research issues pertinent to practice.
• Experience of clinical audit and standard setting.

Desirable Knowledge

• Evidence of own career development and personal development plan.
• Understanding of acute hospital nursing metrics and accreditation process.

Management Competencies

Awareness of the role and scope of the Assistant Director of Nursing Nursing Practice Development. Possess the following Nursing Management competencies:

• Knowledge / Experience Relevant to the Role
• Leading on Vision Values and Process
• Analytical Thinking
• Managing and Developing (Self and Others)
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Leadership

Other factors which are essential to the role

• Commitment to the overall aims of Bon Secours Mission Vision and Values
• A flexible positive attitude to performing a wide range of duties to meet the needs of the service

Bon Secours Health System is an equal opportunities employer. Our values of Human Dignity Compassion Stewardship Service and Integrity guide everything we do. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees have the opportunity to thrive. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds abilities and perspectives and provide reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require any assistance please contact