Overview The primary purpose of the post of the Clinical Skills Facilitator is to provide clinical support, education and instruction to new graduate midwives and nurses in developing skills and competencies in order to fulfil their roles and responsibilities. To assist with the on-going changes within maternity services, implementation of the supportive care pathway and the development of midwifery practice, we are now seeking highly motivated, experienced, enthusiastic Midwives to apply for the post of Clinical Skills Facilitator. Successful candidates will work with a highly motivated multidisciplinary team in the pursuit of delivering "Excellence in the Care of Women & Babies". A key element of this post is the clinical credibility of the post holder. It is envisaged that the post holder will be acknowledged as an excellent resource to professionals within the Multidisciplinary Team. Organisational Context The HSE has created six new health regions. Each region is responsible for providing both hospital and community care for the people in that area. Bringing community health services and hospitals together means we can take a more patient-centred approach to healthcare. HSE Dublin and North East provides health and social care to North Dublin, Louth, Meath, Monaghan and most areas of Cavan. HSE Dublin and North East Region includes the following hospitals; Beaumont Hospital Cavan General Hospital Connolly Hospital Louth County Hospital Monaghan General Hospital Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Our Ladys Hospital Navan Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Rotunda Hospital Key Responsibilities Professional /Clinical The Clinical Skills Facilitator will: Act as a reference source of clinical expertise for the Midwifery Team Lead, facilitate and participate in audit of clinical practice and be responsible for the implementation of actions required by audit. Work within the midwifery team in the provision of a safe, effective, high quality service to women and babies. Be aware of the advances in midwifery practice and to be supportive of the development of the profession in consultation with the DNE Group for our Midwifery and Neonatal Service. Participate in the identification, development, delivery and evaluation of education, training programmes for midwifery and nursing staff. Actively participate in educational programmes specifically designed for the development of Maternity Staff e.g. PROMPT (Practical Obstetrical Multi-Professional Training). Sepsis Education and Anaphylaxis Training. Promote and support expansion of the role of the Midwife in relation to perineal suturing, IV Cannulation and IV Medication Programmes. Maintain a high level of professional and clinical leadership and conduct all duties in accordance with national and local policies and to support the implementation of any new developments in the maternity Unit. Ensure adherence to all standards and guidelines relating to professional nursing/midwifery practice according to hospital policies and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). Ensure midwifery care is provided to the highest professional standards using an Evidence-based approach. Be familiar with relevant report recommendations and be involved in the implementation of recommendations at local level. Maintain midwifery/nursing records ensuring that all documentation is according to the standards set by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). Promote the expansion of the role of the Midwife Encourage and participate in the midwifery/nursing research as required. Manage own caseload in accordance with the needs of the post 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 Ensure that service users and others are treated with dignity and respect Maintain midwifery records in accordance with local service and professional standards Be responsible for the development and maintenance of midwifery standards, protocols and guidelines consistent with the highest standards of patient care. Participate in the evaluation and management of the implementation of best practice policy and procedures. Maintain professional standards in relation to confidentiality, ethics and legislation Initiate and participate in research studies as appropriate Operate within the scope of practice - seek advice and assistance from his / her manager with any cases or issues that prove to be beyond the scope of his / her professional competence in line with principles of best practice and clinical governance Promote participation and advancement of the WHO 'Baby Friendly Hospital' Initiative Health & Safety The Clinical Skills Facilitator will: 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 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, storage and use of controlled drugs etc. Ensure completion of incident / near miss forms / clinical risk reporting 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) Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc. Standards as they apply to the role for example Creating a Better Future Together - National Maternity Strategy (2016) and the National Standards for Safer Better Maternity Services 2016 To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service. Education and Training The Clinical Skills Facilitator will: Facilitate the development of clinical skills of staff midwives and staff nurses in the practice area Work with the midwifery / nursing team in the Maternity Unit in establishing and maintaining a quality clinical learning environment. Maintains own continuing professional development including mandatory training Supervise and contribute to competency attainment for qualified staff in their development or expansion of roles. Participate in and act as a resource for Teaching and Mentoring of staff including newly recruited midwifery staff to the unit. Participate in continuing education of staff midwives and staff nurses. Engage in performance review processes including personal development planning as appropriate. Maintenance of own clinical competence by active participation in clinical practice Promote reflective practice for self and staff. Management The Clinical Skills Facilitator will: Comply with all relevant professional and statutory requirements (NMBI Guidelines, Code of Conduct and Scope of Practice, HIQA Standards for Safer Better Healthcare (2012) and the National Standards for Safer Better Maternity Services 2016 Adhere to and facilitate compliance with all relevant national, local and HR policies Promote and facilitate good communications within the maternity service and with external agencies. Provide a high level of professional and clinical leadership and conduct all duties in accordance with relevant policies. Provide staff leadership and motivation which is conducive to good working relations and work performance. Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace Formulate, implement and evaluate service plans and budgets in co-operation with the wider healthcare team. Manage all resources efficiently and effectively within agreed budget Lead on practice development within the clinical area Lead and implement change Promote, facilitate and participate in the development of Midwifery/Nursing policies and procedures. Monitor as appropriate and lead on proactive improvement Be responsible for the development updating and implementation of policies and procedures at area and hospital level. 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 Dublin North East Hospital Group. Actively participate in the Midwifery Management structure by 'acting up' when required Maintain all necessary clinical and administrative records and reporting arrangements Engage in IT developments as they apply to service user and service administration The above Job Description 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. Essential Criteria Each candidate must, at the latest date for receipt of completed applications for the post: Be registered in the Midwives Division of the Register of Nurses & Midwives maintained by Bord Altranais agus Cnimhseachais na hireann (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland) or be entitled to be so registered And Have at least 5 years post registration experience of which 2 must be in the speciality area of Midwifery And Have the clinical, managerial and administrative capacity to properly discharge the functions of the role And Demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development at the appropriate level Skills & Competencies Demonstrate the ability to lead on clinical practice and service quality Demonstrate promotion of evidence-based decision making Demonstrate practitioner competence and professionalism Demonstrate the ability to plan organise effectively Demonstrate the ability to build, lead and manage a team Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills including the ability to build and maintain relationships Demonstrate strong communication and influencing skills Demonstrate initiative and innovation in the delivery of service Demonstrate resilience and composure Demonstrate openness to change Demonstrate integrity and ethical stance Demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development Demonstrate the ability to relate midwifery research to midwifery practice Demonstrate knowledge of quality assurance practices and their application to midwifery procedures Demonstrate an awareness of HR policies and procedures including disciplinary procedures, managing attendance etc. Demonstrate an awareness of relevant legislation and policy e.g. legislation relevant to the service area, health and safety, infection control etc. Demonstrate an awareness of current and emerging midwifery strategies and policies in relation to the clinical / designated area. Demonstrate an awareness of the Health Service Transformation Programme Demonstrate a willingness to develop IT skills relevant to the role This Job Description is intended as a basic guide to the scope and responsibilities of the position and is subject to regular review and amendment. The role holder will be required to be flexible in this position and is expected to facilitate working additional hours on occasion, when requested. The Health Service Executive is an Equal Opportunities Employer.