***********PLEASE COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM FULLY, CV'S ARE NOT ACCEPTED********* Principal Duties and Responsibilities The Nursing Clinical Placement Coordinator will: Support of Nursing Students in the Clinical Setting Advise, encourage, support and facilitate nursing students' learning through a broad range of means e.g.
the identification of learning opportunities in the clinical areas, imparting knowledge and creating an environment that is conducive to learning in order that students can achieve maximum outcome from clinical placements. Help create a climate in which nursing students feel valued and supported. Encourage and promote the nursing students' application of theoretical knowledge to nursing practice in the clinical areas.
This can be achieved through the development of competencies, interpersonal skills, reflective practice; evidence based practice; and teaching and assessing in a clinical environment conducive to learning. Support registered nurses/midwives in their role as preceptor, assessor and clinical teacher. Act as a facilitator between the nursing student, the preceptor, associate preceptor relevant nurse manager and lecturers in the Department of Nursing and Healthcare in SETU.
Discuss where necessary, with the assigned lecturer the individual student's performance and specific learning needs. Assist in the supervision of nursing students during their clinical placements including external clinical placements.
Clinical placements include general and specialist placements.
The Clinical Placement Coordinator will link with the Director of Nursing / Director of Midwifery and Clinical Nurse Managers (CNMs) in the external placement sites. Assist nursing students to adapt to the clinical environment by the development and delivery of orientation programmes for nursing students. Inform students of their required professional standards based on the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives (NMBI 2025); local Practice Placement guidelines; and SETU Policies and Procedures for Practice Placements. Support and encourage reflective practice for nursing students.
Support student in the completion of their documentation by assisting them to link practice to the 'Domains of Competence'. Facilitate reflective practice sessions with nursing students through formal and informal interactions using structured reflective practice cycles, such as Gibb's Reflective Cycle as a theoretical model. Act as a resource and guidance for nursing students and nursing staff / preceptors on any issues relating to student clinical placements.
Assist the relevant managers, preceptors, and staff nurses/midwives in ensuring that nursing students are assigned to patient/client care as appropriate. Collaborate with all stakeholders to create a climate in which nursing students and nursing staff feel free to express themselves and seek assistance, support and advice. Give encouragement and support to assigned nursing students during the clinical placements and help build students' confidence. Encourage nursing students to access where appropriate, student support services in relation to personal issues/concerns. Deal with nursing students issues/challenges in an appropriate and timely manner adhering to set out local guidelines for same. Clinical Learning Environment Assist in creating a clinical environment, which enhances and increases nursing students' clinical competence.
The CPC will provide encouragement and support to assigned nursing students during clinical placements and enable nursing students to build confidence. In partnership with CNMs, the CPC will ensure that each nursing student is assigned a named preceptor, who is a registered nurse/midwife, for the duration of the clinical placement; and that a designated preceptor will undertake nursing student competency assessments. Monitor and report to the CNM, relevant nurse managers, Nurse Practice Development Co-ordinator and Student Allocation Liaison Officer (SALO) any practices, procedures or behaviour that could create a poor clinical learning environment for the nursing student and might adversely affect their performance.
Assist in formulating corrective measures for discussion with appropriate nursing personnel so as to achieve the highest standard and promote an environment conducive to best practice and learning. Be aware of staffing and skill mix available for patients and other learner groups requiring clinical experience and supervision in identified clinical areas. Assist in the development and revision of learning outcomes for the clinical placements in partnership with the CNM, link lecturers and nursing staff. Act as a resource person for clinical staff. Support relevant managers, staff nurses and preceptors in developing their teaching and preceptor role to ensure that the nursing students achieve clinical learning outcomes and competencies to their maximum potential. Undertake clinical learning environment audits in partnership with CNMs and lecturing staff in SETU. Facilitate the application of knowledge-based nursing practice and standards in clinical practice, including participating and working with staff, in-service improvement and practice development initiatives. Assist the organisation in identifying service needs, developing in-service training and education that enhances the clinical learning environment for nursing students and staff. Encourage the application of nursing theory to nursing practice in the clinical areas. Management of Clinical Placement Embed the Nurse Registration Programmes Standards and Requirements 5th edition (Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland 2023) into practice. Work as a member of the Nurse Practice Development team in preparation for Nursing & Midwifery Board Ireland site visits. Monitor nursing performance in the clinical setting and discuss the strengths and development needs with the student and the Registered Nurse/Midwife (Preceptor) CNM and relevant lecturing staff. Advise Registered Nurse/Midwife (Preceptor) and CNM of the learning needs of individual students as required. Act as a resource and guidance for nursing student and nursing staff on any issues relating to student clinical placements. Assist the relevant managers, preceptors, and nursing staff in ensuring that nursing students are assigned to patient/client care as appropriate Liaise with the SALO on all issues regarding both supernumerary and internship placement allocations of nursing students. Work in collaboration with the SALO in monitoring nursing students' attendance and all issues regarding both the supernumerary and rostered clinical placement allocations of the student. Be jointly involved with the Allocations staff in the preparation of external placements. Ensure that nursing students at all times meet the requirements of clinical placement guidelines adhering to all Policies, Procedures, Guidelines and Protocols including Infection Prevention & Control; Uniform and professional behaviour as set out in Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives (NMBI 2025). Advocate the HSE core values: "Care, Compassion, Trust and Learning" in role modeling and reflective practice discussions. Assessment of Competence The Registered Nurse/Midwife/Preceptor is the primary teacher in the clinical area.
The CPC should support clinical teaching and assessing and should be involved in the preparation of nursing students for practice placement where appropriate. Ensure that each nursing student is assessed by the designated preceptor in accordance with Nurse Registration Programmes Standards and Requirements 5th edition (Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland 2023). Educate and support both nursing students and preceptors regarding the assessment process.
Ensure the assessment process is carried out with due concern for fairness and accuracy. Maintain appropriate records and at all times be aware of the assigned student's progress.
The Clinical Placement Co-ordinator will support and assist nursing students and Registered Nurses/Midwives in the accurate completion of the student Competence Assessment Documentation. Verify the nursing student's progress through assessment in a collaborative approach with the Registered Nurse/Midwife (Preceptor). Be available to discuss the student's overall performance during their clinical placements.
Discuss strengths and weaknesses with the student, their preceptor and relevant manager. The Clinical Placement Co-ordinator will work in partnership with Preceptors, CNMs, Registered Nurses/Midwives and link lecturers in SETU to discuss individual nursing student's performance as required and when necessary assist in the implementation of a Learning Support Plan to facilitate competency development. Assist in creating a clinical environment that enhances and increases the nursing student competence. Provide individual clinical instruction/teaching and assistance to nursing students if required to do so and observe nursing students' performance in actual clinical situations. Provide ongoing training on the Competency Assessment Documentation as appropriate. Facilitate preceptorship training. Support of Nursing Staff in the Clinical Setting Advise, encourage, support and facilitate learning through a broad range of means e.g.
the identification of learning opportunities in the clinical areas, imparting knowledge and creating a quality clinical learning environment. Participate in teams / meetings / committees as appropriate, communicating and working in co-operation with other team members. Facilitate co-ordination, co-operation and liaison across healthcare teams and programmes. Adhere to and contribute to the development and maintenance of nursing standards, protocols and guidelines consistent with the highest standards of patient care. Maintain professional standards in relation to confidentiality, ethics and legislation. In consultation with Nursing Management and other disciplines, implement and assess quality improvement programmes. Participate in clinical audit and National Quality Care Metrics as required. Initiate and participate in research studies as appropriate. Devise and implement health promotion programmes for service users as relevant to the post. Support students to work within their scope of practice and within their level of competence. Provide a high level of professional and clinical leadership, demonstrating the values of compassion, care and commitment. Lead and participate in the development and evaluation of quality initiatives on behalf of the development of nursing services. Participate in the development, formulation and evaluation of guidelines, policies and procedures to enhance a quality service. Promote the guidelines for safety and best practice laid down by the hospital policies, Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland guidelines and relevant Acts such as Data Protection Act 2018, and The Health, Safety & Welfare at Work Act 2005. Practice Development Works as a member of the Nurse Practice Development Team and lead on quality initiatives such as standard setting, clinical audits, research, development of nursing documents and other initiatives to develop improved systems of work and incorporate evidence informed practice. Participate in nursing practice development initiatives including the provision of education, training, study days and information sessions when applicable. Participate in the development, formulation and evaluation of nursing policies, protocols, procedures and guidelines (PPPGs) to enhance a quality service. Support and participate in clinical audit within the hospital e.g.
National Quality Care Metrics, Care Bundles, Risk Assessments, Record Keeping, Medication Practices, Early Warning Scoring Systems Lead and implement change within the clinical area. Contribute to the formulation, development and implementation of policies and procedures at area and hospital level. Promote, encourage and participate in research, development and quality improvement initiatives.
Participate in multidisciplinary committees within the Health Service, Third Level Institute and Regional Centre of Nursing/Midwifery Education. Participate in nurse practice development initiatives, which foster the application of theory to practice and improved quality of care for patients and families. Take part in incident and clinical reviews as assigned by Nurse Practice Development Co-ordinator or Director of Nursing and facilitate any quality improvement initiatives arising from these reviews. Represent the Nurse Practice Development Team on local and regional groups if requested by the Nurse Practice Development Co-ordinator. Link with staff in the clinical areas facilitating the identification of practice development opportunities and the introduction of any new practices. Health & Safety Ensure that effective safety procedures are developed and managed to comply with statutory obligations, in conjunction with relevant staff e.g.
health and safety procedures, emergency procedures. Observe, report and take appropriate action on any matter which may be harmful to staff and/or patients utilising Trust in Care Policy (HSE 2005). Promote the welfare of children and to protect them from harm utilising the Children's First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Students (Department of Children and Youth Affairs 2017). As a mandated person under the Children First Act 2015 you will have a legal obligation to report child protection concerns and if requested, in assessing a concern which has been the subject of a mandated report. Observe, report and take appropriate action on any matter which may be detrimental to staff and/or service user care or well being / may be inhibiting the efficient provision of care. Assist in observing and ensuring implementation and adherence to established policies and procedures e.g.
health and safety, infection control, appropriate storage and use of controlled drugs etc. Ensure completion of incident / near miss forms / clinical risk reporting as required. Adhere to department policies in relation to the care and safety of any equipment supplied for the fulfilment of duty. Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) National Standards and Guidance and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards. Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service. External Links/Committees Act as a link between the nursing student, the preceptor, nurse/midwife manager and the Department of Nursing, SETU. Work in collaboration with the SETU's Student Allocations Officer in the monitoring of student nurse attendance and all issues regarding both the supernumerary and rostered clinical placement allocations of the student. Sit on the Practice Placement Group in SETU and attend and participate in meetings as required. Management Work effectively as part of the Nurse Practice Development team and maintain good working relationships with colleagues. Liaise closely with Nursing Practice Development Co-ordinator, other Clinical Placement Co-ordinators, SALO, lecturing staff and allocations staff in the Department of Nursing and Healthcare, SETU. Participate in teams / meetings / committees as appropriate, communicating and working in co-operation with other team members. Utilise knowledge of quality clinical learning environments when monitoring nursing students on clinical placements. The Clinical Placement Coordinator will be assigned to specific clinical areas.
Both the extent and location of these areas may change from time to time and will include cross cover. While the post is primarily concerned and designated to improving undergraduate nurse education, the post holder is expected to be aware of and work with other professionals involved in the whole continuum of nurse education (from undergraduate to continuing professional development). Manage own caseload in accordance with the needs of the post. Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace. Manage all resources efficiently and effectively within agreed budget. Ensure compliance with legal requirements, policies and procedures affecting service users, staff and other hospital matters. Manage and promote liaisons with internal/ external bodies as appropriate e.g.
intra-hospital service and the community. Engage in IT developments as they apply to service user and service administration. Maintain a high level of computer competence, so as to facilitate the efficient production and maintenance of student placement rosters and other IT based activities core to the role. Professional Development Maintain and develop competence in professional nursing matters and relevant specialist knowledge including reflective practice, research and leadership skills, assessment and supervision of students. Engage in continuing professional development by keeping up to date with nursing literature, recent nursing research and new developments in nursing management, education and practice and by attending study days and education programmes. Engage in performance review processes including personal development planning as appropriate. Participate in all activities and utilise all resources to enhance professional development. Keep up to date with any new additions/addendums to the Nurse Registration Programmes Standards and Requirements 5th edition (Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland 2023) and all other relevant publications that impact on the Nurse Undergraduate Programme. Keep up to date with curriculum developments in conjunction with SETU. Refer to the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives (NMBI 2025), which includes guidance on Scope of Practice, Professional Guidance on Record-Keeping, Professional Guidance on Social Media, and Professional Guidance on Research, to uphold professional standards in practice. Carry out such other duties appropriate to the office as may be assigned to him/her by the Nurse Practice Development Co-ordinator and/or Director of Nursing. The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.