Clinical Nurse Specialist - Motor Neurone Disease Outreach Service

Role Summary

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 purpose of this Specialised Clinical Nurse Manager (CNM II) post is to provide advanced and specialised care and ongoing management to patients living with motor neurone disease (MND) and their families/carers who come under the care of the Beaumont Hospital MND service. 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 CNM II works as a key members 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. Whilst we have specified a mandatory requirement for specific criteria for the pre-requisites of this role, we welcome applications and expressions of interest from a variety of suitable alternative clinical backgrounds such as community or palliative care. Having a valid driver’s license, a car, and the ability to see patients in the community across different geographic areas of the country is a requirement for this post.

Duties and Responsibilities
The Clinical Nurse Specialist will:

Professional / Clinical
• Manage patient care to ensure the highest professional standards using an evidence based, care planning approach
• Provide a high level of professional and clinical leadership
• Be responsible for the co-ordination, assessment, planning, delivery and review of service user care by all staff in designated area(s)
• Provide safe, comprehensive nursing care to service users according to the Code of Professional Conduct as laid down by the Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing Midwifery Board Ireland) and Professional Clinical Guidelines
• Practice nursing according to

o Professional Clinical Guidelines
o National and Area Health Service Executive (HSE) guidelines.
o Local policies, protocols and guidelines
o Current legislation

• 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
• Collaborate with service users, family, carers and other staff in treatment / care planning and in the provision of support and advice
• Communicate verbally and / or in writing results of assessments, treatment / care programmes and recommendations to the team and relevant others in accordance with service policy
• Plan discharge or transition of the service user between services as appropriate
• Ensure that service users and others are treated with dignity and respect
• Maintain nursing records in accordance with local service and professional standards
• Adhere to and contribute to the development and maintenance of nursing standards, protocols, and guidelines consistent with the highest standards of patient care
• Evaluate and manage the implementation of best practice policy and procedures e.g. admission and discharge procedures, control and usage of stocks and equipment, grievance and disciplinary procedures
• Maintain professional standards in relation to confidentiality, ethics and legislation
• In consultation with the Directorate Nurse Manager (or designated deputy) and other disciplines, implement and assess quality management programmes
• Participate in clinical audit as required
• Initiate and participate in research studies as appropriate
• Devise and implement Health Promotion Programmes for service users as relevant to the post
• Operate within the scope of practice - seek advice and assistance from their manager with any cases or issues that prove to be beyond the scope of their professional competence in line with principles of best practice and clinical governance.

Health and 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 detrimental to staff and/or service user care or wellbeing / may be inhibiting the efficient provision of care
• Adequately identifies, assesses, manages and monitors risk within their area of responsibility.
• 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
• Liaise with other relevant staff e.g. CNS Infection Control.
• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc. and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role
• Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service
• Will ensure that lone working arrangements and travel with use of own vehicle are consistent with recommendations with national HSE policy for travel and subsistence (available online)

Education and Training
• 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 to attend staff study days as considered appropriate
• Be familiar with the curriculum training programme for student nurses and be aware of the clinical experience required to meet the needs of the programme
• Participate in the identification, development and delivery of induction, education, training and development programmes for nursing and non-nursing staff
• Provide support and supportive supervision to different levels of registered nurse and front-line staff where appropriate

• Supervise and assess student nurses and foster a clinical learning environment
• Engage in the HSE performance achievement process in conjunction with your Line Manager and staff as appropriate

Management
• Provide the necessary supervision, co-ordination and deployment of nursing and support staff to ensure the optimum delivery of care in the designated area(s)
• 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 nursing policies and procedures. Monitor as appropriate and lead on proactive improvement
• Contribute to the formulation, development 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 the community
• 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 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 them from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Skills, Competencies and Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate:

Professional Knowledge and Experience
For example:
• Demonstrate practitioner competence and professionalism
• Demonstrate an awareness of current and emerging nursing strategies and policy in relation to the clinical / designated area
• Demonstrate the ability to relate nursing research to nursing practice
• Demonstrate an awareness of HR policies and procedures including disciplinary procedures
• Demonstrate an awareness of relevant legislation and policy e.g., health and safety, infection control etc
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development
• Demonstrate a willingness to develop IT skills relevant to the role

Organisation and Management Skills
For example:
• Demonstrate the ability to plan and organise effectively
• Demonstrate the ability to manage deadlines and effectively handle multiple tasks
• Demonstrate an awareness of resource management and the importance of value for money
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in their approach to work

Building and Maintaining Relationships (including Team Skills and Leadership Potential)
For example:
• Demonstrate the ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a team
• Adopts a collaborative approach to patient care by co-ordination of care / interventions and interdisciplinary team working
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills including the ability to build and maintain relationships. Fosters good professional work relationships between colleagues
• Demonstrates the ability to lead on clinical practice

Commitment to providing a Quality Service
For example:
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to the delivery of quality service.
• Display awareness and appreciation of the service user and the ability to empathise with and treat others with dignity and respect.
• Demonstrates integrity and ethical stance.
• Demonstrate motivation, initiative and an innovative approach to job and service developments, is flexible and open to change.

Analysis, Problem Solving and Decision-Making Skills
For example:
• Demonstrates evidence-based decision-making, using sound analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Shows sound professional judgement in decision-making.
• Takes an overview of complex problems before generating solutions; anticipates implications / consequences of different solutions.
• Uses a range of information sources and knows how to access relevant information to address issues.
• Demonstrate resilience and composure in dealing with situations.

Communication Skills
For example:
• Demonstrate strong communication skills - presents written information in a concise, accurate and structured manner.
• Demonstrates the ability to influence others effectively.
• Anticipates and recognises the emotional reactions of others when delivering sensitive messages.

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: 

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 Midwives
held by An Bord Altranais and Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing and
Midwifery 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 the
application is being made or be entitled to be so registered.
OR
(iii) In exceptional circumstances, which will be assessed on a case by case basis
be registered in another Division of the register of Nurses and Midwives.

(iv) Have a minimum of 1 years’ post registration full time experience or an
aggregate of 1 years’ full time experience in the division of the register in which
the 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 time
experience in specialist area of Motor Neurone Disease.

(vi) Have successfully completed a post registration programme of study, as
certified by the education provider which verifies that the applicant has achieved
a Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), National Framework of Qualifications
(NFQ) major academic Level 9 or higher award that is relevant to the specialist
area of care (equivalent to 60 ECTS or above), and in line with the requirements
for specialist practice as set out by the National Council for Nursing and
Midwifery 4th ed (2008).

Alternatively provide written evidence from the Higher Education Institute that
they have achieved the number of ECTS credits equivalent to a Level 9 or higher
standard, relevant to the specialist area of care (equivalent to 60 ECTS or
above), and in line with the requirements for specialist practice as set out by the
National Council for Nursing and Midwifery 4th ed (2008)(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 professional
responsibility within his/her scope of practice

**Note 1: For Nurses/Midwives who express an interest in CNS/CMS roles and who
currently hold a level 8 educational qualification in the specialist area
(equivalent to 60 ECTS or above), this qualification will be recognised up to
September 2026.

(b) Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability, including a high standard of
suitability and clinical, leadership, managerial and administrative capacity for the proper
discharge of the duties of the office.

2. Annual registration
(i) Practitioners must maintain live annual registration on the appropriate/relevant Division
of the register of Nurses and Midwives maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board
of Ireland (Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) for the role.

(ii) Practitioners must confirm annual registration with NMBI to the HSE by way of the
annual Service user Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC).

3. Health
Candidates 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 such as would indicate a
reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

4. Character
Candidates for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Desirable

· Leadership or management experience
· A management qualification
· Completion of an affiliated post graduate diploma qualification (Level 9) in Neurosciences (or a commitment to complete this programme following appointment to the role)

If an appointee has previously been employed in the Civil or Public Service and that appointee is entitled to or in receipt of a pension from the Civil or Public Service or where a Civil/ Public Service pension comes into payment during the appointee’s re-employment that pension will be subject to abatement in accordance with Section 52 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012.

Please note: In applying for this position you are acknowledging that you understand that the abatement provisions, where relevant, will apply. It is not envisaged that the employing Department/ Office/ Body will support an application for an abatement waiver in respect of appointments to this position