Overview
Post Title: Clinical Nurse Specialist / Candidate CNS RespiratoryPost Status: PermanentDepartment Medical Directorate, Beaumont HospitalLocation: Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9 Reports to: CNM 3 / Directorate Nurse Manager Salary: Appointment will be made on CNM 2 Payscale (€60,854 - €76,897) at a point in line with Government pay policyHours of work: Full Time, 37.5 Hours Per Week – 1 WTEClosing Date: Friday 11th April 2025 @ 12noon Please note the hospital reserves the right to close the competition early should a substantial number of applications be received. Position Summary:The Respiratory Nurse Specialist/candidate nurse specialist will have a pivotal role in meeting the psychological, emotional and informational needs of people with Respiratory and their families/ significant others. He/she will be a key member of the inter-disciplinary clinical team responsible for the care of Respiratory patients. The Respiratory Nurse Specialist/candidate nurse specialist should liase closely with all clinicians involved in the diagnosis, management and ongoing care of all patients attending Beaumont Hospital with Respiratory conditions. He/ she will liase with other health care professionals involved in patient care within the hospital, with other health care agencies as appropriate and with community services. While being autonomous, the Respiratory Nurse Specialist/ candidate nurse specialist should be aware of his/her own scope of practice and the need to refer patients to specialist services. The post holder will have an important educational role within the inter-disciplinary team and will play a role in the development of quality initiatives. The post holder will be expected to maintain and update a Respiratory patient database.
Responsibilities
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:The five core concepts are:1. Clinical Focus2. Patient/Client Advocate3. Education and Training4. Audit and Research5. Consultant Clinical Focus – The Respiratory Nurse Specialist will – • Provide a specialist nursing service for patients with a diagnosis of Respiratory conditions who require support and treatment through the continuum of care • Undertake comprehensive patient assessment to include physical, psychological, social and spiritual elements of care using best evidence based practice in Respiratory care • Use the outcomes of patient assessment to develop and implement plans of care/case management in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) and the patient, family and/or carer as appropriate. • Monitor and evaluate the patient’s response to treatment and amend the plan of care accordingly in conjunction with the MDT and patient, family and/or carer as appropriate. • Make alterations in the management of patient’s condition in collaboration with the MDT and the patient in line with agreed pathways and policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines (PPPG’s). • Accept appropriate referrals from MDT colleagues • Co-ordinate investigations, treatment therapies and patient follow-up • Communicate with patients, family and /or carer as appropriate, to assess patient’s needs and provide relevant support, information, education, advice and counselling as required • Where appropriate work collaboratively with MDT colleagues across Primary and Secondary Care to provide a seamless service delivery to the patient, family and/or carer as appropriate • Participate in medication reconciliation taking cognisance of poly-pharmacy and support medical and pharmacy staff with medication reviews and medication management • Identify and promote specific symptom management strategies as well as the identification of triggers which may cause exacerbation of symptoms. Provide patients with appropriate self-management strategies and escalation pathways. • Manage nurse led Respiratory clinics with MDT input • Identify health promotion priorities for the patient, family and/or carer and support patient self-care in line with best evidence. This will include the provision of educational and health promotion material which is comprehensive, easy to understand and meets patients needs Patient AdvocateThe Respiratory Nurse Specialist/candidate nurse specialist will –• Communicate, negotiate and represent patient’s family and/or carer values and decisions in relation to their condition in collaboration with MDT colleagues in both Primary and Secondary Care as appropriate • Develop and support the concept of advocacy, particularly in relation to patient participation in decision making, thereby enabling informed choice of treatment options • Respect and maintain the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of the patient, family and/or carer • Establish, maintain and improve procedures for collaboration and cooperation between Acute Services, Primary Care and Voluntary Organisations as appropriate • Proactively challenge any interaction which fails to deliver a quality service to Education and training The Respiratory Nurse Specialist/candidate nurse specialist will –• Maintain clinical competence in patient management within Respiratory nursing, keeping up-to-date with relevant research to ensure the implementation of evidence based practice. • Provide the patient, family and/or carer with appropriate information and other supportive interventions to increase their knowledge, skill and confidence in managing their Respiratory condition. • Contribute to the design, development and implementation of education programmes and resources for the patient, family and/or carer in relation to Respiratory thus empowering them to self manage their condition. • Provide mentorship and preceptorship for nursing colleagues as appropriate. • Participate in training programmes for nursing, MDT colleagues and key stakeholders as appropriate • Create exchange of learning opportunities within the MDT in relation to evidence based Respiratory care delivery through journal clubs, conferences etc. • Develop and maintain links with Regional Centres for Nursing & Midwifery Education (RCNMEs), the Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Units (NMPDUs) and relevant third level Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) in the design, development and delivery of educational programmes in Respiratory care. • Be responsible for addressing own continuing professional development needs Audit and Research The Respiratory Nurse Specialist/candidate nurse specialist will –• Establish and maintain a register of patients with Respiratory conditions within the CNSp/cCNsp caseload. • Maintain a record of clinically relevant data aligned to National Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) as directed and advised by the DON. • Identify, initiate and conduct nursing/midwifery and MDT audit and research projects relevant to the area of practice. • Identify, critically analyse, disseminate and integrate best evidence relating to Respiratory care into practice • Contribute to nursing/midwifery research on all aspects of Respiratory care. • Use the outcomes of audit to improve service provision• Contribute to service planning and budgetary processes through use of audit data and specialist knowledge • Monitor, access, utilise and disseminate current relevant research to advise and ensure the provision of informed evidence based practiceConsultancy • Provide leadership in clinical practice and act as a resource and role model for Respiratory practice• Generate and contribute to the development of clinical standards and guidelines, having regard to national and international advancements in Respiratory nursing• Work with, support, advise and help build up knowledge of expertise of the primary care team in providing an appropriate system of care to meet the needs of the patient and their family/carers.• Develop collaborative working relationships with local Respiratory CNSp/cCNSp, Registered Advanced Nurse /MDT colleagues as appropriate, developing person centred care pathways to promote the integrated model of care delivery.• Maintain a network of contacts and communications links with other professionals and or organisations in the Respiratory field and attend conferences applicable to the area.• Participate in the implementation of the national clinical care programmes and their agreed models of care for patients and their families as they relate to the role• Use specialist knowledge to support and enhance generalist nursing practice The job description indicates the main function and responsibilities of the post and is subject to review and amendment. Other specific work not covered in this job description may also be assigned by the directorate nurse manager from time to time.
Qualifications
Selection Criteria: Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post. Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria. Mandatory: (Clinical Nurse Specilaist)1. Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc(a) Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition:(i) Be a registered nurse/midwife on the active Register of Nurses and Midwivesheld by An Bord Altranais and Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing andMidwifery Board of Ireland) or be eligible to be so registered.(ii) Be registered in the division(s) of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland(Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) Register for which theapplication is being made or be entitled to be so registered.OR(iii) In exceptional circumstances, which will be assessed on a case by case basisbe registered in another Division of the register of Nurses and Midwives.(iv) Have a minimum of 1 years’ post registration full time experience or anaggregate of 1 years’ full time experience in the division of the register in whichthe application is being made (taking into account (ii) (iii) if relevant)(v) Have a minimum of 1 years’ experience or an aggregate of 1 years’ full timeexperience in specialist area of Respiratory Care. (vi) Have successfully completed a post registration programme of study, ascertified by the education provider which verifies that the applicant has achieveda Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), National Framework of Qualifications(NFQ) major academic Level 9 or higher award that is relevant to the specialistarea of care (equivalent to 60 ECTS or above), and in line with the requirementsfor specialist practice as set out by the National Council for Nursing andMidwifery 4th ed (2008).Alternatively provide written evidence from the Higher Education Institute thatthey have achieved the number of ECTS credits equivalent to a Level 9 or higherstandard, relevant to the specialist area of care (equivalent to 60 ECTS orabove), and in line with the requirements for specialist practice as set out by theNational Council for Nursing and Midwifery 4th ed (2008).Respiratory ofcare prior to application* (See **Note 1 below).(vii) Be required to demonstrate that they have continuing professional development(CPD) relevant to the specialist area.(viii) Have the ability to practice safely and effectively fulfilling his/her professionalresponsibility within his/her scope of practice**Note 1: For Nurses/Midwives who express an interest in CNS/CMS roles and whocurrently hold a level 8 educational qualification in the specialist area(equivalent to 60 ECTS or above), this qualification will be recognised up toSeptember 2026. (b) Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability, including a high standard ofsuitability and clinical, leadership, managerial and administrative capacity for the properdischarge of the duties of the office.2. Annual registration(i) Practitioners must maintain live annual registration on the appropriate/relevant Divisionof the register of Nurses and Midwives maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Boardof Ireland (Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) for the role.(ii) Practitioners must confirm annual registration with NMBI to the HSE by way of theannual Service user Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC).3. HealthCandidates for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable ofundertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate areasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.4. CharacterCandidates for and any person holding the office must be of good character. Mandatory: (Candidate Clinical Nurse Specilaist)1. Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc(a) Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition:(i) Be a registered nurse/midwife on the active Register of Nurses and Midwivesheld by An Bord Altranais and Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing andMidwifery Board of Ireland) or be eligible to be so registered(ii) Be registered in the division(s) of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland(Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) Register for which theapplication is being made or be entitled to be so registered.ORIn exceptional circumstances, which will be assessed on a case by case basisbe registered in another Division of the register of Nurses and Midwives.(iii) Have a minimum of 1 years’ post registration full time experience or anaggregate of 1 years’ full time experience in the division of the register in whichthe application is being made(iv) Have a minimum of 1 years’ experience or an aggregate of 1 years’ full timeexperience in specialist area of Respiratory CareORIf the applicant does not possess the relevant specialist experience, they will besupported to attain one year’s clinical specialist experience(v) Have successfully completed a post registration programme of study, ascertified by the education provider which verifies that the applicant has achieveda Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), National Framework of Qualifications(NFQ) major academic Level 9 or higher award (equivalent to 60 ECTS orabove) that is relevant to the specialist area of care and in line with therequirements for specialist practice as set out by the National Council forNursing and Midwifery 4th ed (2008).Alternatively provide written evidence from the Higher Education Institute thatthey have achieved the number of ECTS credits equivalent to a Level 9 or higherstandard (60 ECTS or above), relevant to the specialist area of care and in linewith the requirements for specialist practice as set out by the National Councilfor Nursing and Midwifery 4th ed (2008). Respiratory care prior toapplication* (See **Note below).ORIf the applicant does not possess the relevant QQI NFQ Level 9 qualification,the applicant will be supported to undertake the required postgraduateeducation, at QQI NFQ level 9 qualification (equivalent to 60 ECTS or above)relevant to the specialist area.(vi) Be required to demonstrate that they have continuing professional development(CPD) relevant to the specialist area or will be supported to obtain the requiredCPD.(vii) Have the ability to practice safely and effectively fulfilling his/her professionalresponsibility within his/her scope of practice.**Note: For Nurses/Midwives who express an interest in CNS/CMS roles and whocurrently hold a level 8 educational qualification in the specialist area(equivalent to 60 ECTS or above), this qualification will be recognised up toSeptember 2026. The clinical experience requirements for this cohort ofnurses/midwives remain consistent with the DoH (2019) policy, i.e. a minimumof 1 years’ experience in practice and a minimum of 1 years’ experience in thespecialist area and they could be supported to progress on a candidateCNS/CMS Pathway.All of the above must be achieved within 2 years for this pathway.(b) Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability, including a high standard ofsuitability and clinical, professional and administrative capacity for the proper discharge of theduties of the office.2. Annual registration(i) Practitioners must maintain live annual registration on the appropriate/relevant Divisionof the register of Nurses and Midwives maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Boardof Ireland (Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) for the role.(ii) Confirm annual registration with NMBI to the HSE by way of the annual Service userSafety Assurance Certificate (PSAC).Please note that appointment to and continuation in posts that require statutory registration isdependent upon the post holder maintaining annual registration in the relevant division of theregister maintained by Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing &Midwifery Board of Ireland) by way of the Service user Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC)3. HealthCandidates for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable ofundertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate areasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.4. CharacterCandidates for and any person holding the office must be of good character. Further Information for CandidatesSupplementary information: The Hospitalwww.beaumont.ieManagement Unit:www.beaumont.ie/hr Informal Enquiries ONLY to: Name:Yvonne Whelan Title:Directorate Nurse Manager Email address:yvonnewhelan@beaumont.ieTelephone:01 852 8197