Overview
Post Title: Candidate or Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner (CANP/RANP) Motor Neurone Disease
Post Status: Permanent
Department: NeuroCent Directorate
Location: Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9
Reports to: Directorate Nurse Manager, Consultant
Salary: Appointment will be made on CANP / RANP Pay scale (€70,025 - €79,081) / (€70,701 - €87,250) at a point in line with Government pay policy
Hours of work: Full time, 37.5 hours/week
Closing Date: Thursday 8th May 2025 @ 12noon
Please note the hospital reserves the right to close the competition early should a substantial number of applications be received.
Overview of Post
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) sets out the criteria for registration as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner as set out in Advanced Practice (Nursing) Standards and Requirements (NMBI, 2017). Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioners (RANPs) provide expert nursing skills and interventions which transcend traditional nursing roles and responsibilities. RANPs have significant experience, knowledge, and have received training to be able to competently deliver care and skills which serve as an adjunct to, instead of a replacement of, the work of medical colleagues.
The Candidate Advanced Nurse Practitioner (CANP/RANP) is also an advanced nursing role where the successful post holder will undertake academic preparation (over an agreed timeframe in line with hospital procedures) and develop clinical and leadership skills, competencies, and knowledge required to meet the criteria to be registered as a Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner (RANP) with NMBI. Appointment as a CANP or RANP will be contingent on the candidate’s prior experience and completion of required qualifications.
The scope of the CANP/RANP role reflects the incremental development of expertise and as such, the CANP cannot deliver care as an autonomous practitioner. Furthermore, the CANP/RANP will develop and submit their personal portfolio and all other necessary documentation to NMBI in order to register as a RANP. The overall purpose of the post is to provide safe, timely, evidenced based nurse-led care to patients at an advanced nursing level. This involves undertaking and documenting a complete episode of patient care (assess, diagnose, plan, treat and discharge patients) according to collaboratively agreed protocols, working within a scope of practice and demonstrating advanced clinical and theoretical knowledge. Critical thinking, clinical leadership, and decision making skills are added skills within this role.
The role will provide clinical leadership and professional scholarship in order to develop nursing practice and health policy at a local, regional and national level. The role will contribute to nursing research to shape and advance nursing practice, education and health care policy at local, national and international levels.
Motor Neurone Disease (MND) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare neurodegenerative disease characterised by loss of all voluntary muscle activity, cognitive, and behavioural change and death within 3-5 years of first symptom. The clinical management of MND/ALS is palliative from the time of diagnosis and is focussed on symptom control and adjustment to the progressive loss of neurological function and the certainty of early death.
The ethos of the MND service is to provide seamless and continuous care which involves a strong clinical component (hospital and community based) together with a liaison role with the multidisciplinary team (MDT), speciality, and community services. The MND RANP or CANP works as a key member of the consultant led inter-disciplinary team providing physical, psychological, social, and emotional support to patients and their family/carer through inpatient, outreach, and outpatient department services.
Key Working Relationships
Clinical Consultant Lead for the MND Service, Director of Nursing/Directorate Nurse Manager, RANPs and other nursing grades, Nurse Practice Development Co-ordinator, Prescribing site co-ordinator(s), Medical colleagues, Inter-professional colleagues, Patients/service users/families and/or carers, Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, Higher Education Institution, Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Unit, Centres of Nursing and Midwifery Education, National Clinical and Integrated Care Programme, National Leadership and Innovation Centre, Other relevant statutory and non-statutory organisations.
Responsibilities
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
The post holder’s practice is based on the six domains of competences as defined by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland’s (Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) Advanced Practice (Nursing) Standards and Requirements (NMBI 2017).
The domains are:
1. Professional Values and Conduct
2. Clinical-Decision Making
3. Knowledge and Cognitive Competences
4. Communication and Interpersonal Competences
5. Management and Team Competences
6. Leadership and Professional Scholarship Competences
Domain 1: Professional Values and Conduct
The CANP/RANP will gain increased competence in applying ethically sound solutions to complex issues related to individuals and populations by:
* Demonstrating accountability and responsibility for professional practice as a lead healthcare professional in the care of patients within their specialty.
* Collaborating with his/her supervisor and local stakeholder group to scope the caseload and remit of practice for the RANP role by defining inclusion and exclusion criteria.
* Articulating safe boundaries and engaging in timely referral and collaboration for those areas outside his/her scope of practice, experience, and competence by establishing, in collaboration with key stakeholders, referral pathways and locally agreed policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines to support and guide the RANP service.
* Demonstrating leadership by practising compassionately to facilitate, optimise, promote and support the health, comfort, quality of life and wellbeing of persons whose lives are affected by altered health, chronic disorders, disability, distress or life-limiting conditions.
* Selecting a professional practice model that provides him/her latitude to control his/her own practice, focusing on person centred care, interpersonal interactions and the promotion of healing environments.
* Emphasising a caring therapeutic relationship between the CANP/RANP and his/her patients, recognising that CANP/RANPs/RANPs work in partnership with their multidisciplinary team (MDT) colleagues.
* Articulating and promoting the advanced practice nursing service in clinical, political and professional contexts.
* Acting as a clinical leader and initiating and implementing changes in health services in response to the needs of patients.
* Contributing to strategic and innovative development of the neurology management services to ensure the constant provision of effective, high quality nursing care to patients with neurological conditions.
* Providing leadership in clinical practice and acting as a resource and role model for advanced nursing practice, sharing knowledge and expertise with colleagues.
* Advocating for advanced nursing practice in the area of neurology by undertaking teaching in the clinical area, classroom, and the wider multidisciplinary/patient community.
Domain 2: Clinical-Decision Making Competences
The CANP/RANP will enhance his/her advanced knowledge, skills, and abilities to engage in senior clinical decision-making by increasing his/her capability to:
* Conduct a comprehensive holistic health assessment using evidenced based frameworks, policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines to determine diagnoses and inform autonomous, advanced nursing care.
* Synthesise and interpret assessment information (particularly history) including prior treatment outcomes, physical findings and diagnostic data to identify normal, at risk and subnormal states of health.
* Demonstrate timely use of diagnostic investigations / additional evidence-based advanced assessments to inform clinical-decision making.
* Exhibit comprehensive knowledge of therapeutic interventions including pharmacological and non-pharmacological advanced nursing interventions, supported by evidence-based policies, procedures, protocols, and guidelines, relevant legislation, and relevant professional regulatory standards and requirements.
* Initiate and implement health promotion activities and self-management plans in accordance with the wider public health agenda.
* Discharge patients from the service as per an agreed supporting policy, procedure, protocols, guidelines and referral pathways.
* Manage a caseload - the CANP/RANP has the authority to manage an independent and autonomous caseload of patients that falls within a collaboratively agreed scope of practice.
* Assess referrals for Psychiatry or Psychology as required and expedite relevant referrals to supportive services.
Domain 3: Knowledge and Cognitive Competences
The CANP/RANP will actively contribute to the professional body of knowledge related to his/her area of advanced practice by enhancing his/her capability to:
* Provide leadership in the translation of new knowledge to clinical practice.
* Educate others using an advanced expert knowledge base derived from clinical experience, on-going reflection, clinical supervision, and engagement in continuous professional development.
* Demonstrate a vision for advanced practice nursing based on service need and a competent expert knowledge base that is developed through research, critical thinking, and experiential learning.
* Demonstrate accountability in considering access, cost, and clinical effectiveness when planning, delivering and evaluating care.
* Participate in development and continuous evaluation of Integrated Care Pathways, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
* Articulate and demonstrate the concept of advanced nursing practice within the framework of relevant legislation, the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives (NMBI, 2025) and the Scope of Nursing and Midwifery Practice Framework (NMBI, 2015).
* Develop advanced knowledge of the pharmacodynamics of medications for neurology, drug interactions for specific groups, and maintain awareness of teratogenicity issues for women.
* Contribute to the professional body of nursing knowledge both nationally and internationally by presenting at conferences, seminars, and workshops.
* Maintain expertise in clinical practice supported through ongoing clinical encounter, case discussions, clinics, journal clubs, attendance of Neuro radiology & Neurophysiology conferences and clinical supervision.
Domain 4: Communication and Interpersonal Competences
The CANP/RANP will negotiate and advocate with other health professionals to ensure the beliefs, rights and wishes of the person are respected by gaining increased competence and capability to:
* Communicate effectively with the healthcare team through sharing of information in accordance with legal, professional and regulatory requirements as per established referral pathways.
* Demonstrate leadership in professional practice by using professional language (verbally and in writing) that represents the plan of care, which is developed in collaboration with the patient and shared with the other members of the inter-professional team.
* Facilitate clinical supervision and mentorship through utilising one’s expert knowledge and clinical competences.
* Utilise information technology, in accordance with legislation and organisational policies, procedures, protocols, and guidelines to record all aspects of advanced nursing care.
* Function as an expert, educator, advocate, researcher, and leader in the area of their specialty management to patients, families and the MDT.
* Implement health promotion strategies for the patient group in accordance with the public health quality and safety agenda.
* Demonstrate appropriate use of electronic records and other forms of medical records in clinical settings with respect for data protection and collection.
* Liaise and develop strong links with charities and external agencies.
* Collaborate and coordinate the patient’s journey with MDT partnership.
* Manage and promote liaisons with internal and external bodies as appropriate.
Domain 5: Management and Team Competences
The CANP/RANP will manage risk to those who access the service through collaborative risk assessments and promotion of a safe environment by:
* Promoting a culture of quality care.
* Proactively seeking feedback from persons receiving care, families and staff on their experiences and suggestions for improvement.
* Implementing practice changes using negotiation and consensus building, in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team and persons receiving care.
* Engaging in forums which evaluate quality and standards in clinical practice and lead the promotion of effective clinical standards.
* Providing a visible, accessible advanced nurse service as well as delivery of formal and informal teaching and knowledge sharing initiatives.
* Responding to untoward events or incidents, determine the root cause of these through investigation, reporting on these events, and instigating remedial action to prevent these from happening again.
* Contributing to professional and healthcare policy at local, regional and national level.
* Facilitating communication and enhancing networks with healthcare teams and supportive services both internally and externally.
Domain 6: Leadership and Professional Scholarship Competences
The CANP/RANP will lead in multidisciplinary team planning for transitions across the continuum of care by enhancing his/her competence and capability to:
* Demonstrate clinical leadership in the design and evaluation of services.
* Engage in health policy development, implementation, and evaluation.
* Identify gaps in the provision of care and services pertaining to his/her area of advanced practice and expand the service to enhance the quality, effectiveness and safety of the service in response to emerging healthcare needs.
* Lead in managing and implementing change.
Research
The CANP/RANP has a professional responsibility to deliver the highest standard of evidenced based care to patients with neurological conditions. Therefore, the CANP/RANP will participate in the research process to develop and contribute to the existing body of knowledge in this area by:
* Identifying research priorities pertaining to the best practice relating to their specialty.
* Leading, conducting, disseminating, and publishing nursing research which shapes and advances nursing practice, education, the wider health policy and patient safety agenda.
* Identifying, critically analysing, disseminating and integrating nursing research and other evidence into this specialist area of clinical practice.
* Contributing to service planning and budgetary processes through the use of audit data and specialist knowledge.
* Continuously reviewing clinical practice guidelines/protocols in collaboration with the MDT and Consultants.
Clinical Governance
Clinical Governance is an integral part of the CANP/RANP role whereby healthcare professionals and teams demonstrate accountability for the quality, safety, and satisfaction of the delivery of care to patients with neurology. Clinical Governance supports the provision of the right care, at the right time, from the right person in a safe, caring environment. In conjunction with reporting relationships discussed above, the CANP/RANP has an operational responsibility to the Clinical Lead for their service.
The CANP/RANP will demonstrate adherence to the Clinical Governance agenda by:
* Participating in the organisation’s clinical governance programme.
* Initiating and contributing to the development of KPIs and outcome measures relevant to neurology management.
* Assisting in the monitoring of KPIs and responding to performance improvement initiatives as required.
* Taking appropriate action on clinical matters identified as being detrimental to the care and wellbeing of patients, families and staff.
* Ensuring adherence to the organisation’s policies, procedures and protocols on patient safety, infection control, medication prescribing and the provision, storage and use of medicinal products.
Clinical Supervision and Practice Portfolio
The CANP/RANP will develop a professional practice portfolio, incorporating evidence of learning from continuing professional development, clinical supervision, reflective practice, and review of his/her own scope of practice in accordance with regulatory requirements and service need.
The CANP/RANP engages in on-going clinical supervision as per a Service Level Agreement. The structure, process and outcome of clinical supervision must be explicit. The CANP/RANP maintains a record of clinical supervision in his/her professional practice portfolio.
Legislation, Regulation, Policy, and Guidelines
The CANP/RANP practises nursing according to:
* The Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives (NMBI 2025).
* Scope of Nursing and Midwifery Practice Framework (NMBI 2015).
* Values for Nurses and Midwives in Ireland – Care, Compassion and Commitment (Department of Health 2016).
* Advanced Practice Nursing Standards and Requirements (NMBI 2017).
* National Health Policies and Procedures.
* Local policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines.
* Current legislation.
The job description represents the main functions of the role and is subject to review and amendment to reflect changing practice in the service.
Qualifications
Selection Criteria: Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate requires for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post.
Mandatory Criteria (Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioners):
1. Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc
2. Annual registration
3. Health
4. Character
Mandatory Criteria (Candidate Advanced Nurse Practitioners):
1. Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc
2. Annual Registration
3. Health
4. Character
Desirable Skills (for either CANP or RANP):
* Level 8 (or above) or equivalent Post Graduate Qualification in the Specialty.
* A recognised management qualification.
Informal Enquiries ONLY to: (No applications will be accepted through this email address):
Name: Cam Salcedo
Title: Directorate Nurse Manager
Email address: camilosalcedo@beaumont.ie
Telephone: Internal Extension 8337 or mobile 087 385 9439
The Hospital
www.beaumont.ie
Management Unit: www.beaumont.ie/hr
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