Cork University Hospital, part of the HSE South West region, is seeking an experienced and dedicated nursing professional to join our Theatre team as Clinical Nurse Manager 1. This permanent wholetime position offers an excellent opportunity to lead and develop theatre nursing services in one of Ireland’s premier acute hospitals.
About the Role
As Clinical Nurse Manager 1 (Theatre), you will provide clinical leadership and day-to-day management of nursing staff within the Operating Theatre department at Cork University Hospital in Wilton. This is a permanent position reporting to senior nursing management, responsible for maintaining the highest standards of perioperative patient care and theatre efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and supervise the theatre nursing team to deliver safe, effective perioperative patient care
- Manage daily theatre operations including staff allocation, equipment readiness, and case scheduling
- Ensure compliance with infection control protocols and theatre safety standards specific to surgical environments
- Coordinate with surgical teams, anaesthetists, and other clinical staff to optimize patient flow
- Provide clinical expertise in scrub and circulating roles across various surgical specialties
- Monitor and maintain theatre supplies, instruments, and specialized surgical equipment
- Participate in staff development, training, and performance management for theatre nurses
- Implement quality improvement initiatives to enhance theatre efficiency and patient outcomes
Required Qualifications
Essential Requirements
- Current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI)
- Minimum 3 years post-registration experience, with substantial theatre nursing experience
- Specialist qualification in Theatre/Perioperative Nursing (or commitment to obtain within agreed timeframe)
- Demonstrated clinical expertise in scrub and circulating nursing roles
- Proven leadership and staff management capabilities in acute healthcare settings
- Strong understanding of infection prevention, surgical safety protocols, and theatre standards
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for multidisciplinary team collaboration
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience in a supervisory or team leader role within theatre settings
- Experience across multiple surgical specialties (general, orthopedic, cardiac, etc.)
- Knowledge of HSE policies, procedures, and clinical governance frameworks
- Post-graduate qualification in nursing management or leadership
What We Offer
- Salary: HSE Clinical Nurse Manager 1 scale – €56,081 to €66,045 per annum (8 incremental points, effective March 2025)
- Benefits: Comprehensive HSE benefits package including pension scheme, annual leave entitlement, and sick leave provisions
- Career Development: Access to continuing professional development, HSE training programs, and theatre-specific education opportunities
- Working Arrangements: Permanent wholetime contract with structured theatre roster including on-call requirements
- Location: Modern theatre facilities at Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork
- Theatre-Specific Support: Access to state-of-the-art surgical equipment, ongoing skills training, and specialist theatre resources
Additional Resources
Candidates are strongly advised to download and review all supporting documentation before applying:
- Application Form: Download the official HSE application form – this must be completed and submitted for your application to be considered
- Detailed Job Specification: Review the comprehensive job specification document outlining full duties, competencies, and selection criteria for post reference CUHN86318
All required documents are available through the application portal.
Ready to Apply?
If you’re an experienced theatre nurse ready to take the next step in your career and lead a dedicated perioperative team at Cork University Hospital, we want to hear from you. Applications must be submitted by 12:00 noon on 14th October 2025. Interviews will be scheduled as soon as possible after the closing date, with candidates typically receiving at least two weeks’ notice.
For informal enquiries about this position, please contact: Noreen O’Leary, Assistant Director of Nursing Email: noreen.oleary@hse.ie Phone: 0877872340
