Health & Wellbeing Lead

Location: Kingsriver Community, Kilkenny

Hours: 35 hours per week

Salary: Aligned to the HSE 2025 CNM1 Salary Scale

Reporting to: Innovation and Communication Manager

Contract Type: Permanent Full Time

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Role Purpose

The Health & Wellbeing Lead(CNM1 Grade) will provide clinical leadership, governance oversight, and operational coordination of health and wellbeing practices across Kingsriver Community.

The post holder will ensure the delivery of high-quality, safe, person-centred nursing care in compliance with HIQA Regulations, NMBI standards, HSE policy, and Kingsriver Community governance frameworks.

This role supports the Residential Services Manager in maintaining regulatory compliance, promoting positive health outcomes, managing clinical risk, and ensuring effective medication and safeguarding practices. The post holder will act as a senior clinical resource within the service and provide supervision and guidance to social care workers and health care staff.

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Key Responsibilities

1. Clinical Leadership & Governance

• Provide professional and clinical leadership consistent with CNM1 responsibilities.

• Support the Residential Services Manager in maintaining compliance with HIQA Regulations, particularly Regulation 23 (Governance & Management), Regulation 5 (Individual Assessment & Care Planning), Regulation 6 (Health care) and Regulation 29 (Medicines Management).

• Lead the implementation and monitoring of clinical governance systems within the designated centre(s).

• Oversee clinical documentation to ensure accuracy, quality, and regulatory compliance.

• Participate in service audits and contribute to continuous quality improvement initiatives.

• Support preparation for HIQA inspections and implementation of action plans.

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2. Health & Wellbeing Lead

• Develop, implement, and review individualised health and wellbeing plans in collaboration with residents and the multidisciplinary team.

• Coordinate access to primary care, specialist services, allied health professionals, and mental health services as required.

• Monitor health outcomes and ensure timely clinical interventions.

• Promote preventative healthcare initiatives, health screening, vaccination programmes, and health promotion activities.

• Support individuals with complex disability and/or mental health needs using evidence-based practice.

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3. Medication Management & Clinical Risk

• Oversee medication management systems, ensuring safe administration practices and adherence to policy.

• Conduct medication audits and review PRN protocols.

• Monitor psychotropic medication usage in line with national guidance.

• Review medication incidents and implement learning outcomes.

• Identify, assess, and manage clinical risks in collaboration with the RSM.

• Monitor restrictive practices and contribute to reduction strategies in line with national policy.

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4. Safeguarding & Protection

• Support safeguarding processes including preliminary screenings and risk assessments.

• Ensure concerns are appropriately reported and managed in line with HSE Safeguarding Policy.

• Promote a culture of safety, dignity, and rights-based practice.

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5. Leadership, Supervision & Staff Development

• Provide clinical supervision, guidance, and mentorship to nursing and care staff.

• Conduct clinical competency assessments where required.

• Deliver training in areas such as medication management, infection prevention and control, safeguarding, and mental health awareness.

• Support staff to implement person-centred and evidence-based practice.

• Contribute to workforce planning in collaboration with the RSM.

 

6. Service Development & Quality Improvement

• Contribute to policy development and review relating to health and wellbeing.

• Analyse incident trends and contribute to service improvement plans.

• Lead or contribute to annual clinical and medication audit programmes.

• Promote innovation and best practice in disability and mental health services.

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Essential Criteria

• Registered Nurse Intellectual Disability (RNID) or Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) with current active registration with NMBI.

• Minimum of 3 years’ post-registration experience working with people with disabilities and/or mental health needs.

• Demonstrated experience in clinical leadership or senior nursing practice.

• Strong knowledge of HIQA regulations and national standards for disability and/or mental health services.

• Experience in medication management and clinical risk oversight.

• Excellent communication, organisational, and leadership skills.

• Full clean driving licence and access to own transport.

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Desirable Criteria

• Experience working in community-based residential services.

• Training in Positive Behaviour Support, trauma-informed practice, or safeguarding.

• Experience leading audits or quality improvement initiatives.

• Management or leadership qualification.

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Professional & Regulatory Requirements

• Maintain active NMBI registration and adhere to the NMBI Scope of Practice Framework.

• Participate in continuing professional development.

• Garda Vetting clearance required.

• Occupational Health clearance required.

• Compliance with Kingsriver Community policies and procedures.

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Core Competencies

• Clinical Leadership

• Governance & Risk Management

• Person-Centred Practice

• Accountability & Professional Integrity

• Team Collaboration

• Decision-Making & Problem Solving

 

Informal enquiries to Liz O Neill- Innovation and Communication Manager via email loneill@kingsriver.ie or via phone 086 818 3244.

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Closing date: 20th March 2026. 
Interview Date: 31st March 2026.