Assistant Director of Nursing – Intellectual Disability Services

• 57 community houses and 2 campus-based residences at St Mary’s, Drumcar
• 8 day services located in Drogheda, Blackrock, and Dundalk
• This is a dynamic and expanding service, offering you the opportunity to take on a leadership role in a multi-site, community-based setting.

• Oversee staffing levels across designated centres, addressing skill mix, risk areas and budgets.
• Manage recruitment, placement, retention, relocation, and contracted hour changes.
• Ensure relief staff are appropriately scheduled, trained, inducted and supported.
• Support equitable shift allocation, supervision and monitoring of staff availability.
• Lead, motivate and support nursing and healthcare teams to provide high-quality, evidence-based care.

• Oversee requests for new residential placements and changes in support needs.
• Work with individuals, families, staff, and MDT colleagues to assess and plan transitions.
• Coordinate with external stakeholders to ensure smooth referral and admission processes.

• Support and deputise for the Director of Nursing.
• Lead service planning, financial management, and resource allocation.
• Ensure compliance with HIQA standards, NMBI guidelines, and HSE/SJOG policies.
• Promote quality improvement, clinical audit, risk management, and safeguarding.
• Contribute to policy development and the implementation of best practice models of care.

• Create an environment conducive to ongoing learning, professional development, and reflective practice.
• Support student placements, in-service training, and postgraduate development for nursing staff.
• Provide coaching, supervision, and performance management to support staff growth and development.

• Ensure effective safety procedures are in place across the service.
• Actively participate in quality and safety committees, maintaining the risk register.
• Ensure all incidents are reported and managed through NIMS.
• Support infection prevention, safeguarding, and compliance with all statutory requirements.

• Registered (or eligible to register) in the Intellectual Disability Division of the NMBI Register.
• Minimum of 7 years’ post-registration experience in intellectual disability nursing.
• At least 3 years’ management experience at Clinical Nurse Manager 2 (CNM2) level or higher, with 3 years spent in an Intellectual Disability setting.
• A Level 8 (or higher) qualification in healthcare or management.
• Strong leadership, governance, and administrative skills.
• Access to appropriate transport to meet the needs of a multi-site service.

• A collaborative, empowering leadership style that promotes teamwork and innovation.
• Ability to monitor and evaluate service performance, ensuring continuous quality improvement.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with staff, families, and stakeholders.
• Commitment to professional development, clinical governance, and service-user advocacy.
• Flexibility and resilience to lead in a changing healthcare environment.

• A permanent, pensionable contract with HSE-linked salary and benefits.
• The opportunity to shape and lead services in a respected, mission-driven organisation.
• The chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of adults with intellectual disabilities.
• A collaborative, values-driven culture that supports diversity, equality and inclusion.
• Professional growth and development through training, education, and career progression.

Occupop