HSE South West is recruiting an Assistant Director of Public Health Nursing to support the leadership and delivery of community nursing services across Primary Care in Cork. This is a permanent, whole-time opportunity for an experienced senior nurse to shape public health nursing practice and improve health outcomes for individuals, families and communities across the region.
About the Role
Reporting to the Director of Public Health Nursing, the Assistant Director of Public Health Nursing plays a central role in planning, coordinating and supporting community nursing services within Primary Care. The post holder provides senior professional and clinical leadership, helping to drive quality, consistency and continuous improvement in care delivered to people in their own homes and communities.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the Director of Public Health Nursing in planning, coordinating and managing community nursing services.
- Provide professional and clinical leadership to public health nurses and community nursing teams.
- Promote evidence-based practice, quality improvement and service development across Primary Care.
- Support workforce planning, supervision and the continuing professional development of nursing staff.
- Contribute to the delivery of national and regional public health priorities at community level.
Requirements
- Be registered in the relevant division of the Register of Nurses maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), or be eligible for such registration.
- Hold the relevant public health nursing qualification and post-registration experience as set out in the Job Specification.
- Demonstrate the management, leadership and clinical experience appropriate to a senior public health nursing role.
- Full essential and desirable criteria are detailed in the Job Specification, which applicants should read carefully before applying.
Remuneration
€71,437 – €82,016 per annum (HSE Assistant Director of Public Health Nursing scale, 6-point scale, plus LSIs where applicable), based on the HSE Consolidated Salary Scales effective 1 February 2026.
Location
These posts are based in Cork within HSE South West Primary Care Services, supporting community nursing teams in the South Lee area (Ballyphehane & South Lee) and the North Lee area (St Mary’s). The role is community-facing and embedded in Primary Care, with services delivered in homes, health centres and community settings. As part of HSE South West, the post holder contributes directly to the health and wellbeing of communities across the Cork and Kerry region.
Application Details
Reference: SWNM97489
Contract type: Permanent, Whole-time. Category: Nursing and Midwifery. This opportunity is open to both HSE and non-HSE applicants.
Informal enquiries are welcome:
- Ballyphehane & South Lee posts — Elizabeth Healy, DPHN South Lee, Elizabeth.healy@hse.ie, 021 4923915.
- St Mary’s post — Niamh Motherway, A/DPHN North Lee, Niamh.motherway@hse.ie, 086-7871872.
For any queries or technical issues with your application, please contact vicky.macsweeney@hse.ie. Candidates will normally be given at least two weeks’ notice of interview, though this may be reduced in exceptional circumstances.
Job Specification & Campaign Information
Applicants should download, save and read the Job Specification and Additional Campaign Information before completing the application form. A guide to completing the competency questions (Appendix 1) is also provided, and reading it is strongly recommended. All question areas must be completed in full.
