JOB DESCRIPTION
Clinical Nurse Manager II - Ruttle Ward
Full Time - Permanent Position
Reference No: 08.012 (2024)
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
The Clinical Nurse Manager 2, Ruttle will be responsible for the safe and efficient delivery of patient centred care on a busy 31 bed Medical Ward. The CNM2 will manage and coordinate a smooth operation ensuring health and safety for all and the delivery of the highest standard of quality care at all times. The successful candidate will act as a role model and lead the team to promote a holistic service for all patients within the Medical Directorate and in line with the mission and vision of Tallaght University Hospital
QUALIFICATIONS
1. Each candidate must on the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office -:
2. Be registered in the General Division of the active Register held by Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland or be entitled to be so registered.
3. Have 5 years post registration experience and a minimum of 2 years in the specialty or related area.
4. Have the clinical, managerial and administrative capacity to properly discharge the functions of the role.
5. Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
6. Demonstrate evidence of continuing learning and professional development
Desirable
7. Have recent experience in a Leadership/Management role
8. Have a recognised qualification in Healthcare Management or be willing to undertake
2. Age Restrictions In Relation To Applications
Age restriction shall only apply to a candidate where they are not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004). A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed applications for the office occurs.
3. Health
A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
4. Be of good character.
5. Garda Vetting
Garda Vetting is sought for all employees and prospective employees of Tallaght University Hospital. Given the specialised nature of the services provided, your appointment will be subject to satisfactory Garda Vetting and re-vetting in circumstances where the Hospital deems it appropriate. The Hospital will then process the necessary documentation to endeavour to obtain satisfactory Garda clearance for you. You are obliged to disclose previous and any criminal convictions acquired during the course of your employment. Should the Hospital obtain information from the Garda Vetting Unit to indicate that your Garda clearance report is not satisfactory and / or if you have supplied the hospital with false or misleading information in relation to your Garda clearance status, the Hospital reserves the right to withdraw or terminate this contract in accordance with Tallaght University Hospital Garda Vetting policy.
6 Mandated and Designated Persons under Children First Act 2015 Schedule 2 of the Children First Act 2015 specifies the classes of persons defined as Mandated Persons for the purposes of the Act. This includes a range of disciplines that are employed by the hospital including all medical practitioners, registered nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists, social workers and others. This includes staff working in adult services. All mandated persons have two main legal obligations under the Children First Act 2015. Mandated persons, under the legislation are required to report any knowledge, belief or reasonable suspicion that a child has been harmed, is being harmed, or is at risk of being harmed. The Act defines harm as assault, ill-treatment, neglect or sexual abuse, and covers single and multiple instances. Mandated persons are also required to assist Tusla, if requested, in assessing a concern which has been the subject of a mandated report. Designated Officer are required to receive reports of suspected child abuse or neglect from any person who is of the opinion that (a) a child has been or is being assaulted, ill-treated, neglected or sexually abused, or (b) a child’s health, development or welfare has been or is being avoidably impaired or neglected. Full detailed list of mandated and designated staff together with details of their roles and responsibilities can be found on ; It is the responsibility of all staff employed by TUH to be aware of their roles and responsibilities under the legislation and to complete mandatory Children First Training.
PARTICULARS OF OFFICE
1. The position is fulltime, permanent and pensionable.
2. Remuneration:
Remuneration is in accordance with the salary scale approved by the Department of Health & Children. Current remuneration with effect from 1st June 2024 is:
€59,070 by 11 increments to €74,643 incl. 1 LSI
Salary scales will be updated in line with nationally agreed pay agreements and will be updated accordingly and retrospective payments applied as applicable.
3. Pension arrangements and retirement age
There are three superannuation schemes currently in operation for staff in Tallaght University Hospital:
(a) Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (Non-New Entrant)
(b) Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (New Entrant)
(c) Single Public Service Pension Scheme
Please read carefully the summary of the criteria for the three superannuation schemes below. This will assist you in identifying which scheme membership is applicable to your employment circumstances.
(a) If you have been continually employed in the public service prior to the 1st April 2004 and you have not had a break in service of more than 26 weeks, you will be included in the Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (Non-New Entrant) with a Minimum Retirement Age of 60 and a Maximum Retirement Age of 65.
(b) If you have been continually employed in the public service post the 1st April 2004 and you have not had a break in service of more than 26 weeks, you will be included in the Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (New Entrant) with a Minimum Retirement Age of 65. There is no Maximum Retirement Age.
(c) If you have commenced employment in the public service as a new entrant or you are a former public servant, returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks, you will be included in the Single Public Service Pension Scheme effective from the 1st January 2013 with a minimum retirement age of 66 (rising to 67 and 68 in line with state pension changes). The maximum retirement age under this scheme will be age 70.
4. Duties:
The CNM2 will perform such duties as are outlined in this job description.
5. Hours of work:
Normal working hours are 37.5 worked over 5 days. Your contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8 am to 8 pm over 7 days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement.
6. Probation:
The successful candidate will be appointed initially for a probationary period of 6 months. During the probationary period progress or otherwise will be monitored and at the end of the probationary period the service will (a) be certified as satisfactory and confirmed in writing or if not satisfactory, the probationary period may be extended by 3 months.
7. Annual Leave:
Annual leave entitlement is 25 to 28 working days (pro rata), depending on length of service, plus 10 Bank Holidays per annum as they occur. The annual leave year runs from 1st of April to 31st March each year.
8. Sick Leave:
Payment of salary during illness will be in accordance with arrangements as approved from time to time by the Department of Health and Children.
9. Termination of Office:
The employment may be terminated at any time by 2 months’ notice on either side except where circumstances are dictated by the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act 1973/91. The Management’s right under this paragraph shall not be exercised save in circumstances where the Management is of the opinion that the holder of the office has failed to perform satisfactorily the duties of the post or has misconducted himself/herself in relation to the post or is otherwise unfit to hold the appointment.
GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITY
9. Maintain throughout the Hospital awareness of the primacy of the patient in relation to all Hospital activities.
10. Encourage recognition of the patient as an individual, ensuring patients’ needs and comfort are given priority.
11. Work within the Scope of Practice
12. Comply with all existing Hospital policies
13. Demonstrate knowledge of the Hospital/Departmental emergency plans
14. Ensure the provision of a high standard of care to the patient and families is consistent with the mission, vision, values and strategic plan of the Hospital.
15. Demonstrate behaviour consistent with the Values of the Hospital.
16. Reporting relationship will be to the Assistant Director of Nursing.
17. Be professionally accountable to the Director of Nursing
SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITY
Clinical Responsibilities
18. Use a framework to assess individual patient needs consistent with Hospital nursing policies.
19. Ensure that appropriate Nursing Care is planned for individual patients based on needs assessment encompassing medical instruction and in line with established policies, procedures and guidelines.
20. Act as a role model at all times and support and monitor clinical staff in performing patient assessment, the interpretation of data and the integration of knowledge.
21. Support clinical nursing staff in the use of validated assessment tools e.g. Early Warning Scoring System (EWS), Glasgow Coma Score, Pain assessment tools, Medication protocols etc.
22. Ensure appropriate skill mix and resources allocated to patients
23. Review individual needs and plan appropriate care based on nursing needs.
24. Ensure verbal and written Nursing Reporting Systems are accurate and adequate.
25. Ensure that accurate nursing reports accompany patients who are being transferred to wards or referred to other hospitals.
26. Ensure clinical competence of staff in performing clinical activities including performance appraisal.
27. Facilitate change in work practices, procedures, techniques or technologies having regard to developments and in accordance with agreed core standards and best practice. Introduce and maintain systems for evaluating service being provided in conjunction with the ADON.
28. Maintain clinical skills by performing nursing care and participating in ongoing education.
29. Communicate with patients, relatives and visitors and arrange visits of Hospital Chaplains/Pastoral Care team.
30. Research and promote quality initiatives that are evidence based within the ward.
31. Supervise in co-operation with the Supplies Department the custody and stock level of all materials held in the Unit and the delegation of these duties to appropriate staff.
32. Promote awareness of risk management, complete risk assessments and maintain and update the risk register accordingly as part of clinical responsibility.
33. Report all incidents though the Incident Management system and investigate at the time for corrective actions. Ensure critical incidents are escalated and managed accordingly.
34. Facilitate the arrangement necessary and participate where appropriate, in education and training of other Hospital staff as the need arises. This includes students at both undergraduate and post-graduate level.
35. Undertake continuing professional development through formal and informal educational opportunities thus ensuring continuing credibility amongst nursing, medical and allied health professionals.
36. Liaise with Patient flow department regarding admission & discharge of patients.
37. Identify patients’ physical, social and psychological needs that may require referral to other agencies.
38. Record activity analysis on a daily basis and document same with the ADON in relation to standard of patient care and staffing standards.
39. Ensure that staffing levels and skill mix are appropriate and within the resource allocation.
40. Create and promote open communications, healthy working relationships stimulate initiative and empower the team to reach their full potential.
41. Take a pro-active role in the formulation of evidence based policies, protocols and guidelines for practice.
42. Have an awareness of and ensuring clinical area meets national and local KPI’s e.g. Acute Floor and National Acute Medicine Programme
Management Responsibilities
43. Direct supervision of staff within the Scope of Nursing.
44. Ensure a safe environment for patients and staff.
45. Assist the ADON in the recruitment, selection and interview process for staff.
46. Attend meetings as required by Hospital Management and keep staff briefed on developments in the Hospital.
47. Promote, nurture and maintain a high level of staff morale hence promoting team spirit and job satisfaction among nursing and other staff within the department.
48. Motivate team members, by agreeing goals and objective, through performance review.
49. Maintain team work and, only when necessary and in consultation with ADON, take action in accordance with the Hospital’s disciplinary policy.
50. Ensure all unit staff adhere to the Uniform Policy of the Hospital.
51. Actively and efficiently recognises and addresses staff issues as they emerge. Deal appropriately with behaviour outside acceptable limits for whatever reason i.e. emotional upset in staff, to patients or colleagues, undignified behaviour, absenteeism, late attendance, conflict, grievance etc.
52. Responsible for the training needs of all staff and students allocated to Ruttle ward.
53. Co-ordination and maintenance of equipment and investigate any mishaps, complaints and defects in supplies and equipment. Investigate the circumstances with appropriate staff and report findings as required.
54. Participate in cost awareness and cost control policies in the unit utilisation Systems for audit Purposes (I.T. or Paper).
55. As part of management of the department be involved in strategic planning and ongoing service needs in line with Nursing Strategic plan.
56. Positive active participation in Change Management and Development.
57. Display qualities of leadership and good communication with all service users and service providers.
58. Attend meetings and sit on committees of the Department/hospital as required.
59. Monitor Infection Control policies and liaise with Microbiology Team where indicated.
60. Ensure Health & Safety standards are met and enforced.
61. Use knowledge, judgement and experience to develop ways of coping with crisis situation i.e. Patient and staff.
62. Report accidents and incidents. Participate in the investigation and implement corrective actions accordingly (e.g. Route Cause Analysis, Serious Incident Management).
63. Be familiar with Hospital & Departmental Disaster Plans and its implementations.
64. Observe daily and uphold cleaning standards in the department. Report any inadequacies.
65. Liaise with HSSD Manager on areas of decontamination and sterilisation of equipment
Education
66. Create a learning environment for all staff, to encourage and promote staff development.
67. Undertake counselling and appraisal of trained staff as required.
68. Be responsible for orientation and training needs of staff and students assigned to Ruttle ward.
69. Provide lectures for students and learners as appropriate.
70. Oversee mandatory attendance for staff “In-Service” training programme where necessary.
71. Ensure availability of training manuals and resources for staff in unit.
72. Participate in performance appraisals and the development of staff.
73. Work closely with the Clinical Facilitator to ensure all staff meet their clinical and educational requirements and potential.
Self-Development
74. Maintain a personal record of professional development.
75. Act as a role model.
76. Keep up-to-date with trends through on-going education.
77. Promote and ensure the use of evidence based nursing care at all times
78. Ensure adherence to Hospital policies and The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland guidelines.
79. Assist the ADON in maintaining a level of excellence in patient care by maintaining standards and supporting the overall management of the ward.
Information Technology
80. Ensure that the team makes the most effective and efficient use of developments in information technology for both patient care and administrative support in a manner, which integrates well with systems throughout the organisation.
81. Ensure that all staff are trained in the use of computer systems, which are used in the management of patient episodes in the Hospital, e.g.: EPR, Pims, Order comms, Symphony, sap, core.
Health & Safety
82. Ensure the compliance of all your staff with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005.
83. Comply and enact Health and Safety responsibilities as outlined in Hospital policies, protocols and procedures relevant to your area.
84. Prepare risk assessments and departmental safety statements as required.
Hygiene/Infection Control
85. Ensure you are aware of your responsibility for Hygiene awareness. Hygiene is defined as “The practice that serves to keep people and environments clean and prevent infection.”
86. Act as a role model and actively promote infection control and prevention and ensure that staff in your area familiarise themselves with the hospital infection control policies and guidelines as outlined in the Infection Control Manual.
87. Ensure that staff in your area are aware that they work in an area where there is potential for transmission of infection.
88. Ensure that all your staff are advised that they have a responsibility to prevent the transmission of infection particularly in relation to hand hygiene.
Quality, safety and risk management
89. Support the delivery of the Quality, Safety and Risk Management Programme, including the appropriate identification, reporting and management of risks and incidents throughout the hospital.
Confidentiality
90. You will be aware of the confidential nature of Hospital work and in particular, the right of patients to confidentiality. To this end, you will not discuss workings of the Hospital or its patients or disclose any information of a confidential nature except as required to do so in the course of your work. No records, documents or property of the Hospital may be removed from the premises of the Hospital without prior authorisation. You must return to the Hospital upon request and, in any event, upon the termination of your employment, all documents or other property of the Hospital which are in your possession or under your control.
Data Management
91. Ensure compliance with the obligations required by the Data Protection Act 2018.
Development of Hospital Groups
92. The Hospital Structure is currently under review and therefore, reporting relationships may change. The development of Hospital Groups may require the post-holder to adopt a different reporting relationship and additional accountabilities. Full consultation will take place in advance of any such change.