Nurse Tutor / Nurse Educator

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Working Hours: 78 hours per fortnight
Reporting To: Director of Nursing, with accountability to the Assistant Director of Nursing

Purpose of the Role

The successful candidate will play a key role in the planning, development, coordination, delivery and evaluation of evidence-based, quality-assured education and training programmes.

Quality, patient safety and person-centred care will remain central to the design, delivery and evaluation of all educational programmes.

Key Responsibilities

Teaching and Learning

• Identify and assess learning and development needs among registered nurses and Healthcare Assistants within the Approved Centre.

• Design, develop, coordinate and deliver educational programmes that maintain the professional integrity of each division of the NMBI nursing register.

• Develop and deliver appropriate education and training programmes for healthcare support staff.

• Identify, source and evaluate internal and external education providers to support programme delivery.

• Lead curriculum development and prepare educational programmes for Category 1 approval in accordance with the relevant Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) policies.

• Coordinate programme administration, including bookings, scheduling, timetabling and cancellations, in line with organisational policies and procedures.

• Contribute to the development and delivery of programmes leading to academic awards, ensuring compliance with the standards and requirements of relevant regulatory and academic awarding bodies.

• Regularly review programme content, educational materials and teaching methodologies to ensure they remain current, relevant and evidence-based.

• Drive continuous quality improvement through programme evaluation, review, improvement planning and the monitoring of corrective actions.

• Use relevant data to assess and measure the effectiveness of education and training initiatives.

• Participate in peer reviews and audits of educational programmes and related services in accordance with approved quality assurance procedures.

• Assess the impact of educational programmes on service delivery and the professional practices of nursing and healthcare support staff.

• Identify and coordinate the procurement of equipment and educational resources required for programme delivery, ensuring compliance with financial regulations.

• Develop and deliver face-to-face, online and blended learning programmes that address identified educational and professional development needs.

• Evaluate and audit the effectiveness of education and training programmes, preparing reports and recommendations for the Director of Nursing.

• Provide visible, practice-based support, supervision and education within clinical settings to facilitate the application of classroom learning to clinical practice.

• Promote nursing care that is consistent with current evidence, organisational policies and established educational standards.

Leadership and Management

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with nurse managers, nursing and healthcare staff, multidisciplinary colleagues, senior management and other relevant stakeholders.

• Collaborate with national Centres for Nurse Education and Centres of Nursing and Midwifery Education, the NMBI, Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), external examiners, third-level institutions and other relevant stakeholders.

• Promote a safe working environment through appropriate risk assessments, the identification of hazards and the implementation of suitable control measures.

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of educational programmes and related activities in accordance with organisational policies, programme approval requirements and data protection legislation.

• Maintain relevant statistical and operational data and prepare quarterly and annual reports for the Director of Nursing.

• Ensure the effective and responsible use of resources, in accordance with organisational financial regulations.

• Attend meetings, seminars and participate in committees and working groups as delegated by the Director of Nursing.

• Promote collaborative, team-based approaches to nursing care in partnership with Clinical Nurse Managers and senior nursing management.

• Lead the development, review and updating of policies, procedures and guidelines relevant to the Nurse Education function.

• Plan and prioritise workloads effectively, ensuring responsibilities are completed within agreed timeframes.

• Contribute to the ongoing development of Nurse Education in alignment with the organisation’s strategic objectives and vision.

Professional Responsibilities

• Remain informed of developments within the nursing profession, nurse education and the wider healthcare sector.

• Ensure that all educational programmes incorporate quality, patient safety and person-centred care principles.

• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of relevant legislation, policies, procedures, regulatory requirements, professional standards and quality assurance frameworks.

• Protect the confidentiality of learner records, particularly personal information and assessment or competency results, in accordance with data protection legislation.

• Promote research-informed and evidence-based practice throughout all education and training programmes.

• Apply a continuous quality enhancement approach to the development and delivery of educational programmes.

• Take responsibility for personal professional development, reflective practice and ongoing performance improvement.

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain a working knowledge of the Mental Health Commission, the Judgement Support Framework and other relevant standards and regulatory requirements.

• Ensure compliance with applicable requirements, including DGSA, Health and Safety Authority (HSA) standards, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare-Associated Infections, hygiene standards and relevant HSE protocols.

Essential Requirements

The successful candidate must meet the following criteria:

• Be registered in the General Division of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland register.

• Be registered, or eligible for registration, as a Nurse Tutor with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.

• Have a minimum of three years’ post-registration clinical experience.

• A dual qualification in General and Psychiatric Nursing is desirable.

Professional Knowledge and Expertise

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• An understanding of emerging developments within nursing and the wider healthcare sector.

• Knowledge of the organisation and management of continuing education and professional development in nursing.

• An understanding of curriculum design, development and the NMBI programme approval process.

• The ability to apply educational theory to teaching, facilitation, assessment and learner support.

• Knowledge of relevant legislation, professional regulatory requirements and the standards of academic awarding bodies.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to communicate information clearly, confidently and persuasively.

• The ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships.

• The ability to provide constructive feedback that supports and encourages learning.

• Strong IT literacy, including proficiency in email, PowerPoint, Excel, databases, search engines and other relevant applications.

Planning and Organisational Skills

• Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to achieve objectives within agreed deadlines.

• Effective planning and coordination skills, including resource management, scheduling and activity coordination.

• The ability to manage competing priorities, respond to unexpected situations and maintain an effective workload.

• The ability to manage budgets and ensure the efficient utilisation of resources.

Commitment to Quality Service Delivery

• The ability to maintain a professional and disciplined approach under pressure, demonstrating resilience, flexibility and persistence.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate information and make informed decisions efficiently.

• A commitment to self-assessment, reflective practice and continuous professional improvement.

• A strong commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centred care and education.

Leadership and Teamwork

• Demonstrate motivation, initiative and an innovative approach within a changing healthcare environment.

• Contribute positively to team development and collaborative working practices.

• Work effectively and cooperatively with multidisciplinary teams and other professional groups.

• Demonstrate the ability to lead projects and take initiative in developing new initiatives.

• Possess effective meeting management and chairing skills.

To know more contact Sonal Tikariha