Assistant Director of Nursing
Job Specification & Terms and Conditions
Job Title and Grade
Assistant Director of Nursing – Infection Prevention and Control Lead Nurse on HCAI and
AMR National Clinical Programme (Grade Code 2910)
Campaign Reference
HCAI=healthcare associated infections
AMR= antibiotic resistance
NRS1376
Closing Date
Monday, 17th November 2014 @ 12 Noon
Proposed
Interview
Date (s)
Taking
up
Appointment
Organisational Area
Mid December 2014
Location of Post

A start date will be indicated at job offer stage.
National Remit covering all Health Service Executive (HSE) areas - South, West, Dublin
North East and Dublin Mid Leinster
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Details of Service
Department: This permanent full time role will be part of the national Quality Patient
Safety (QPS) department as part of the HCAI and AMR clinical programme team
Location: Dr Steeven’s Hospital, Dublin 8.
Geographical area: National remit as part of the national HCAI AMR Clinical
Programme.
Informal enquiries:
Contact: - Rosin Breen, National Programme Manager HCAI & AMR and Rheumatology
Email: - roisinbreen@rcpi.ie
The person appointed to this post will work within the QPS Directorate; working as part of
multi-disciplinary teams delivering work associated with the HCAI and AMR national
clinical care programme.
Quality and patient safety is the responsibility of all staff and is core to service provision
and is embedded in service delivery across the health care divisions. Quiality and patient
safety goals will be delivered by a combination of strong management and clinical
leadership with clear accountability for quality in the service delivery divisions, and
effective programmes and initiatives driven by all divisions.
The key focus areas for quality and patient safety divsion in 2014 are:
 Commitment to supporting the development of an open and transparent culture with
defined accountability for quality and safety
 Clear governance and accountability for quality and safety at all levels of the health
service and divisions
 Improving the patient experience within health services
 Supporting quality improvement throughout the health system to improve outcomes
and reduce patient harm
 Ensuring that standards, policies and guidelines are understood and appropriately
implemented
 The development and use of a comprehensive set of quality and safety indicators to
measure the quality and safety of our services and take appropriate action to improve
poor performance including medication safety, healthcare associated infections (HCAI)
and the national early warning score (NEWS)
 Ensuring that there is a robust risk assessment (from a patient safety perspective) of
any reconfiguration of services required to meet financial and staffing constraints
 Continued development of the controls assurance process that requires all managers
to provide assurance on their accountabilities for clincial and sopcial serivces to the
same level as is required for financial accountability.
Healthcare- associated infections (HCAI) harm patients and in some cases, result in
severe illness and death. HCAI also costs our healthcare system money. The potentially
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NRS1376 Assistant Director of Nursing – Infection Prevention and Control Lead Nurse on HCAI and AMR National Clinical Programme
preventable HCAI which are likely to cause severe infection or patient mortality, include
bloodstream infections (BSI) caused by infected vascular catheters and ventilatorassociated pneumonia (VAP). If such infections are caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria,
such as MRSA, the mortality rate can be more than doubled. The emergence and spread
of antibiotic resistance (AMR) is likely to seriously impair our ability to deliver modern
healthcare, and is globally recognised as a major threat to human health.
Many HCAI can be prevented, provided every healthcare worker applies simple measures
as outlined in the national clinical programme for prevention of HCAI and AMR. The
programme has two principle overall aims to ensure that the prevention and control of
HCAI and AMR is a key priority in the HSE;
 Every healthcare worker and all parts of the healthcare system recognise that the
prevention and control of HCAI and AMR is a key element of clinical and non-clinical
governance.
 Our healthcare systems have processes in place to ensure safe healthcare is reliably
delivered irrespective of the healthcare setting
Quality:
Access:
Value:
Prevent HCAI and AMR prevents patient illness and deaths
All patients are entitled to access healthcare without acquiring a
preventable HCAI/AMR colonisation. Preventing HCAI and AMR will free
up hospital beds so that other patients can access them.
Prevention saves money and bed days
The programme has three main work streams that focus on get the basics of safe care
right ALL THE TIME in acute and non acute settings
1. Improve hand hygiene
2. Use antimicrobials appropriately
3. Prevent medical device-related infections i.e. IV lines
Reporting
Relationship

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Purpose of the Post
Provide innovative nursing leadership, advice and guidance based on current best
practice, support the modernisation of services and drive the infection prevention and
control clinical professional and practice contribution to the ongoing design,
implementation and evaluation of the strategic goals of the HCAI and AMR programme
National Director for Quality and Patient Safety Directorate, HSE or designated officer.
Professional reporting relationship to the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director,
Office of Nursing Midwifery Services Directorate or Designate.

The National Clinical Programme for HCAI and AMR Working Group and the RCPI
Clinical Advisory Group require an ADON working at national level to drive and
support the development and implementation of HCAI/AMR programme initiatives. The
ADONs role involves working across acute and community services.

The HCAI and AMR ADON, on behalf of the HSE Director of Quality and Patient
Safety and the Office of Nursing and Midwifery Services (ONMSD), will represent the
programme nationally and be a point of contact between the HCAI AMR programme
and ONMSD.

The HCAI and AMR ADON will work, in a nursing leadership capacity, with the
Programme Clinical Lead and Programme Manager, local executive management
teams (in particular the Directors of Nursing and Infection Prevention Control
Committees) and local change groups.

He/she will provide intensive programme and change management support to sites.
He/She will be required to work collaboratively with other interdependent clinical
programmes and their clinical and nurse leads; the relevant Divisions of the HSE
Directorate to include the Special Delivery Unit and the Quality and Patient Safety
Directorate to ensure joined up approach to development and implementation of the
HCAI and AMR programme.
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NRS1376 Assistant Director of Nursing – Infection Prevention and Control Lead Nurse on HCAI and AMR National Clinical Programme
Principal Duties and
Responsibilities
1. Work with the clinical programme lead to create awareness and recognition of the
principles underpinning the HCAI and AMR programme at national, regional and local
level.
2. Lead out on the, clinical, professional and practice contribution of nursing to the
ongoing design, implementation and evaluation of the HCAI and AMR programme
initiatives primarily (but not exclusively) focusing on the following areas:
 Preventing medical device-related infections through e.g., implementation of care
bundles and national campaigns such as the STOP campaign.
 Hand hygiene: Assist the hand hygiene work stream with deliverables e.g.
national guideline implementation, hand hygiene auditor training, development of
promotional tools and educational resources.
3. Develop and support the implementation and standardisation of policies, guidelines
and pathways for HCAI and AMR.
4. Liaise with sites in hospitals and community services regarding HCAI and AMR,
communicating the benefits of programme solutions and managing stakeholder buy in
to the solution and provide advice and support on infection prevention and control,
quality, patient safety and risk.
5. Provide advice and support the National Clinical Leads on infection prevention and
control issues escalated to the HCAI and AMR programme.
6. Advise the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director, HSE in relation to changes in
current infection prevention and control practices, structures and professional issues in
relation to HCAI and AMR.
7. Liaise with clinical leads, lead nurses on other national clinical programmes to promote
alignment and integration of all HCAI and AMR programme solutions.
8. Link with the relevant Divisions in the Health Services Directorate, the Quality and
Patient Safety Directorate, the Special Delivery Unit, the Office of Nursing and
Midwifery Services Director (ONMSD), Hospital Groups and Successor ISA areas to
support and promote an integrated approach to the clinical governance and of the
HCAI and AMR programme in a manner that enhances both quality and patient safety.
9. Identify all key infection prevention and control aspects related to the HCAI and AMR
programme and develop, in consultation with the relevant Directors of Nursing, Clinical
microbiologists, Infection Prevention Control (IPC) Committees, Regional IPC
Committes, National Clinical Leads, ONMSD and the Director of Nursing/Midwifery
Reference Group, the strategies of the programme. This includes supporting the HCAI
and AMR programme to:
 Ensure that the solution design, national implementation plan and supporting
guidance documentation is complete, specifically in relation to the nursing aspects
 Provide direction and guidance in relation to nursing workforce planning relating to
the HCAI and AMR programme and development of advanced and specialist roles
 Provide advice and direction in relation to nurse education and training to support
the implementation of the HCAI and AMR programme.
 Participate in national programme meetings and key meetings between the
programme and sites.
10. Provide an education role by creating/contributing to a HCAI and AMR or infection
prevention and control nursing forum/learning community that captures learning from
existing local good practices. Use this learning to educate others and to update the
overall model for the programme.
11. Liaise with senior nurse managers responsible for monitoring and quality assuring the
nursing delivery systems related to the HCAI and AMR programme.
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NRS1376 Assistant Director of Nursing – Infection Prevention and Control Lead Nurse on HCAI and AMR National Clinical Programme
12. Represent the HSE/Clinical Strategy and Programmes Directorate/ONMSD regarding
nursing issues within the HCAI and AMR programme and maintain good collaborative
relationships with external stakeholders e.g. Relevant Government Departments, State
Agencies, Regulatory Bodies, Higher Education Institutions and Nursing Unions.
13. Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA)
Standards as they apply to the role for example, National Standards for Safer Better
Healthcare and the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections,
Hygiene Standards etc.
14. Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records / data on all matters pertaining to the
planning, management, delivery and evaluation of this service in line with HSE
requirements.
15. To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste
initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.
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
Candidates must on the latest date of receiving completed application forms for the office:
a) Be registered in the General or Midwifery Division of the Register of Nurses &
Midwives maintained by An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann
(Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland) or be entitled to be so registered
and
b) Have had experience in Nursing Management
and
c) Have had satisfactory general nursing experience
and
d) 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
e) Candidates must have undertaken training in management appropriate to the post.
Note:
Please note that appointment to and continuation in posts that require statutory registration
is dependent upon the post holder maintaining annual registration in the relevant division
of the register maintained by An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann
(Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland)
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.
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NRS1376 Assistant Director of Nursing – Infection Prevention and Control Lead Nurse on HCAI and AMR National Clinical Programme
Post
Specific
Requirements


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

Other
requirements
specific to the post
Skills, competencies
and/or knowledge
Possess a Quality and Qualifications Ireland Level 8 or higher (or equivalent
qualification) in infection prevention and control.
Demonstrate significant depth and breath of experience in the area of infection
prevention and control.
Demonstrate experience in developing, implementing and evaluating quality
improvement initiatives relating to HCAI and/or AMR prevention and control.
Demonstrate significant and relevant senior nursing management experience in acute
and/or older people services.
Demonstrate continuous professional development, as relevant to the post.
Access to transport as post will involve frequent travel
Knowledge/Professional Knowledge
 Demonstrate a high knowledge of HCAI and AMR prevention and control
 Demonstrate an indepth knowledge of risk management, clincial audit and educational
research.
 Demonstrate knowledge of quality assurance practices and their application
Leadership
 Demonstrate leadership and managerial skills at a significantly high level within clinical
practice and quality initiatives
Teamwork
 Demonstrate an ability to build and maintain relationships/work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
 Demonstrate evidence of influencing skills in a complex work environment.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills
 Demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills.
Planning and Organising
 Demonstrate evidence of effective planning and organisational skills including
awareness of resource management and value for money.
 Demonstrate good problem solving, evidence based decision making, analytical and
decision-making skills.
 Demonstrate initiative and innovation, identifying areas for improvement, implementing
and managing change.
Other essential skills for the post are:
 Demonstrate integrity and ethical stance
 Demonstrate resilience and composure
 Demonstrate a comittment to continued professional development
 High personal energy and positive approach, requiring minimal direction, the ability to
work under-pressure, deal with challenges and meet deadlines.
 General competency in terms of business analysis, evaluation, project management
and report writing and understanding of the importance of same within an evidence
based continuous improvement approach.
 Data literacy - can use Microsoft Excel, understands average length of stay, day case
rates and other key pathway metrics
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 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.
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NRS1376 Assistant Director of Nursing – Infection Prevention and Control Lead Nurse on HCAI and AMR National Clinical Programme
Code of Practice
Those successful at the shortlisting stage of this process (where applied) will be called to
interview.
The Health Service Executive will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of
Practice prepared by the Commission 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 Code also specifies the responsibilities placed on
candidates, facilities for feedback to 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
www.hse.ie/eng/staff/jobs in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of
Practice, Information for Candidates” or on www.cpsa.ie.
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.
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NRS1376 Assistant Director of Nursing – Infection Prevention and Control Lead Nurse on HCAI and AMR National Clinical Programme
Assistant Director of Nursing
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Tenure
The post is permanent and whole time.
The post is pensionable. A panel will be created from which permanent and
specified purpose vacancies of full or part time duration will be filled. The
tenure of these posts will be indicated at “expression of interest” stage.
Appointment as an employee of the Health Service Executive is governed by
the Health Act 2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and
Appointment) Act 2004.
Remuneration
The Salary scale for the post is: €54,870 - €65,066
Working Week
The standard working week applying to the post is to be confirmed at Job
Offer stage.
Annual Leave
Superannuation
Probation
Protection
of
Persons
Reporting Child Abuse Act
1998
Infection Control
HSE Circular 003-2009 “Matching Working Patterns to Service Needs
(Extended Working Day / Week Arrangements); Framework for
Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016” applies. Under the terms
of this circular, all new entrants and staff appointed to promotional posts
from Dec 16th 2008 will be required to work agreed roster / on call
arrangements as advised by their line manager. Contracted hours of work
are liable to change between the hours of 8am-8pm over seven days to
meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the
terms of the Framework Agreement (Implementation of Clause 30.4 of
Towards 2016).
The annual leave associated with the post to be confirmed at job offer
stage.
This is a pensionable position with the HSE. The successful candidate will
upon appointment become a member of the appropriate pension scheme.
Pension scheme membership will be notified within the contract of
employment. Members of pre-existing pension schemes who transferred to
the HSE on the 01st January 2005 pursuant to Section 60 of the Health Act
2004 are entitled to superannuation benefit terms under the HSE Scheme
which are no less favourable to those which they were entitled to at 31st
December 2004
Every appointment of a person who is not already a permanent officer of the
Health Service Executive or of a Local Authority shall be subject to a
probationary period of 12 months as stipulated in the Department of Health
Circular No.10/71.
As this post is one of those designated under the Protection of Persons
Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998, appointment to this post appoints one as a
designated officer in accordance with Section 2 of the Act. You will remain
a designated officer for the duration of your appointment to your current
post or for the duration of your appointment to such other post as is
included in the categories specified in the Ministerial Direction. You will
receive full information on your responsibilities under the Act on
appointment.
Have a working knowledge of Health Information and Quality Authority
(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.
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NRS1376 Assistant Director of Nursing – Infection Prevention and Control Lead Nurse on HCAI and AMR National Clinical Programme