NRS0965-
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Gastroenterology Care
(Colorectal Screening and Disease Management)
Job Specification, Terms & Conditions
Job Title and Grade / Clinical Nurse Specialist Gastroenterology Care(Colorectal Screening and Disease Management) (Grade Code 2632)
Competition Reference / NRS0965
Closing Date / Friday 1st November, 2013 @ 12:00 noon
Taking up Appointment / To be indicated at job offer stage
Organisational Area / All Health Service (HSE) Regions
Location of Post / The successful candidate will be based at a candidate screening colonoscopy unit (as identified by the National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS)) as part of the Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme. In the event of a relocation of a candidate screening colonoscopy unit within the HSE region, the post will transfer in line with such relocation. The successful candidate will be required to work in other candidate screening colonoscopy units within in the HSE Region from time to time.
A vacancy is currently available in the following site: -
- RoscommonGeneralHospital
Details of Service / The NCSS received approval to commence preparation and implementation of Ireland’s first Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme from the Minister for Health and Children on 15th January 2010. Screening means the investigation of people who have no symptoms of the disease or identifiable risk factors. The expectation is that potentially fatal conditions can be detected before they cause symptoms and at a stage when they can be effectively treated and cured (NCSS 2008). A phased implementation of a population-based colorectal cancer screening programme began in 2012. The initial screening phase targeted men and women aged 60-69 years. The colonoscopy capacity requirement is estimated to be approximately 6,000 per annum. The programme aims to extend to reach the full target population (55-74 age groups) as quickly as possible.
A total of 15 candidatescreening colonoscopy unitshave been identified by the NCSS to participate in the national colorectal cancer screening programme. Building sufficient colonoscopy capacity for the screening programme is essential in order to sustain the programme as well as maintaining and enhancing the symptomatic service capacity.
Reporting Relationship / The post holder is:
- Professionally accountable to the Director of Nursing or designated officer
- Clinically accountable to the Consultant Clinical Lead at the screening colonoscopy unit
- Will report to a designated Nursing Line Manager.
Purpose of the Post / The CNS in Gastroenterology Care: Colorectal Screening and Disease Management will contribute to the improvement of the health care experience and outcomes for patients attending for gastroenterology care including colorectal screening and disease management and will be required:
- *To attain academic qualifications at masters level (Level 9 NQAI) and fulfil the registration requirements set by An Bord Altranais for entry on the Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) register. (Please see below footnote *).
- To provide expert and timely care to patients identified as requiring a colonoscopy by theNational Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme.
- To contribute to the development of a patient centred screening service.
- To help develop a seamless screening service through close liaison with primary care services and symptomatic (diagnostic) services (including NCCP designated cancer centres).
- To improve patient outcomes through education and the promotion of healthy lifestyle through primary interventions.
- To evaluate the quality of the service provided through ongoing clinical audit, policy development and patient focused research.
Successful candidates are expected to pursue and obtain registration as an ANP (Gastroenterology Care: Colorectal Screening and Disease Management) within a 3-year period of appointment. Non-registration as an ANP (Gastroenterology Care: Colorectal Screening and Disease Management) may lead to redeployment within the organisation.
The Successful Candidate will have responsibility for preparing the sites for ANP Accreditation.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities / The CNSGastroenterology Care: Colorectal Screening and Disease Management will achieve competence in all aspects of the advanced practice role in accordance with criteria set down by the National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery (2008 4th Ed). CNSGastroenterology Care: Colorectal Screening and Disease Managementmust complete a full training programme at a recognised third-level education institution and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge and clinical competence to satisfy standards set by the Joint Advisory Group on Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (JAG) and/or the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, as well as the Regulatory Nursing Strategy to complement the National Cancer Screening service (NCSS): National Colorectal Screening Programme An Bord Altranais (2011). Clinical Practice will take place under the clinical supervision of the clinical lead/ designated supervisor.
Clinical Focus: Direct Care
The CNSGastroenterology Care: Colorectal Screening and Disease Managementwill:
- Manage a caseload of adults with colorectal disease
- Use the Irish Colorectal Care and Colorectal Nurses Association (ISCCNA) and other international evidence based standards and guidelines to undertake specialised nursing assessments
- Plan and initiate care and treatment modalities within agreed interdisciplinary protocols to achieve patient/client centred outcomes and evaluate their effectiveness
- Utilize assessment skills and techniques to determine each patient/family needs.
- Plan all care in collaboration with the patient
- Provide specialist advice to patients on appropriate products to meet their needs
- Liaise as appropriate with other members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) regarding any aspect of patient care
- Implement changes in health care service in response to patient/client need and service demand
- Develop, document and update care, discharge and teaching plans as necessary.
- Enable patients/clients, families and communities to participate in decisions about their health needs
- Provide safe, comprehensive care for patients and their families within the scope of practice guidelines set out by An Bord Altranais
- Evaluate the care/information given and reassess accordingly.
As a specialist in their area, the CNS in Gastroenterology Care: Colorectal Screening and Disease Management also has an important role in providing indirect care.
The CNS will:
- Provide patients/carers with advice, support and reassurance via telephone calls
- Identify health promotion priorities in the area of Colorectal disease
- Implement health promotion strategies for patient/client groups in accordance with public health agenda
- Maintain effective and appropriate communication and collaboration with other departments, members of the multidisciplinary team, other agencies, colleagues, personnel, patients and their relatives/carers
- Liaise with other teams both in the acute hospitals and in the community regarding the care of specific patients with colorectal disease
- Complete and maintain relevant documentation in a thorough and accurate manner.
The CNS in Gastroenterology Care: Colorectal Screening and Disease Management will:
- Use a patient centred approach in all aspects of practice ascertaining their views on aspects of their care
- Act as advocate for patients and their families in dealing with G.P’s, Hospital Consultants, Public Health Nurses and other health care professionals, by using specialist knowledge of colorectal disease management
- Influence practice and promote improved/new standards of care in relation to patients with a colorectal disease
- Respect the dignity and confidentiality of patients, serving as their advocate when necessary.
The CNSin Gastroenterology Care: Colorectal Screening and Disease Management will:
- Provide specialist information and education to Patients and their families with regard to improving their understanding, coping and effective management of their condition
- Provide both formal and informal teaching to a number of people; patients/clients, families, health care providers, including student and trained nurses, and care assistants. Take part in in-house multidisciplinary presentations and teaching to staff in the various acute hospitals
- Be self-directed in his/her learning to ensure continued professional credibility. Identify own Continuing Professional Development (CPD) needs and engage accordingly
- Identify areas where scope of practice can be advanced
- Provide mentorship, preceptor ship, teaching, facilitation and professional supervisory skills for nurses and other health care workers
- Act as preceptor to undergraduate and post-graduate student nurses on placement
- Plan and deliver staff teaching in relation to individual setting.
The CNSin Gastroenterology Care: Colorectal Screening and Disease Management will:
- Identify, critically analyze, disseminate and integrate nursing and other evidence into the area of colorectal disease
- Establish, implement and evaluate audit programmes of the service, the quality of care and the Clinical Nurse Specialist current practice, in line with local and regional developments, to include monitoring and health promotion programmes as relevant. Use the outcomes of audit to improve service provision
- Contribute to service planning and budgetary processes through use of audit data and specialist knowledge
- Review policies, procedures, guidelines and protocols in relation to the colorectal service to ensure they are continually updated in line with best practice evidence
- Record information on patients electronically, which will provide data for auditing the service
- Monitor, access, utilize and disseminate current relevant research to advise and ensure the provision of informed evidence based practice in the management of colorectal disease
- Understand the need for nursing research and be able to implement this process to contribute to the development of services provided
- Develop and promote research awareness among all staff in relation to colorectal disease.
The CNSin Gastroenterology Care: Colorectal Screening and Disease Management will:
- Provide leadership in clinical practice and act as a role model to staff nurses who work in the acute services or in the community
- Network with other CNS’ in colorectal care and other associations
- Generate and contribute to the development of clinical standards and guidelines
- Use specialist knowledge to support and enhance generalist nursing practice
- Liaise with multi-disciplinary team within the acute Hospitals and Community based to create a seamless service
- Participate in relevant associations i.e. World Council of Enterostomal Therapists and the Irish Stoma Care and Colorectal Nurses Association
- Contribute to nursing quality assurance by assisting in identification of recurring nursing problems and data collection.
The CNSin Gastroenterology Care: Colorectal Screening and Disease Management will:
- Comply with the policies, procedures and safe professional practice of the Irish Healthcare System by adhering to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.
- Have a working knowledge of HIQA Standards as they apply to the role, e.g. Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc.
It is not an exhaustive list and is subject to change in response to the changing needs of service. It will be reviewed with the post holder.
Eligibility Criteria
Qualifications and/ or experience / Candidates must at the closing date of application:
(i) Be registered in the relevant Division of the Register of Nurses kept by An Bord Altranais or be entitled to be so registered
And
(ii) Have at least 5 years post registration experience of which 2 must be in the specialty or
related area (Gastroenterology)
And
(iv) Have the ability to practice safely and effectively fulfilling his/her professional responsibility within his/her scope of practice
And
(v) Must demonstrate evidence of continuous professional development
And
(vi) From the 1st September 2010 must have a level 8 (or higher) post-registration National Qualifications Authority of Ireland major academic award relevant to the specialist area* (Gastroenterology).
*Advisory note: -
However the scope of the role is such that there may be a number of post-registration courses (level 8 NQAI) that may be considered relevant, and will be examined in terms of course content and competencies in order to determine relevance to the specialist area of Gastroenterology.
Age
Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation Act, 2004). A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age.
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 such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
Character
Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.
Post Specific Requirements, additional qualifications and/or experience required / Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience in Gastroenterology care nursing, as relevant to the post
Other requirements specific to the post / Access to transport is necessary.
Appointed candidates are expected to pursue and obtain registration as an ANP (Gastroenterology Care: Colorectal Screening and Disease Management) within a 3-year period of appointment. Non-registration as an ANP (Gastroenterology Care: Colorectal Screening and Disease Management) may lead to redeployment within the organisation.
Skills, competencies and/or knowledge / Candidates must demonstrate:
- practitioner competence and professional credibility – demonstrates a high level of clinical knowledge to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role
- the ability to lead on clinical practice and service quality
- promotion of evidence-based decision making; evidence-based clinical knowledge in making decisions regarding patient / client care
- effective analytical, problem solving and decision making skills
- the ability to plan and manage resources effectively
- strong interpersonal skills including the ability to build and maintain relationships
- effective communication and influencing skills
- commitment to providing and quality service including initiative and innovation in the delivery of service
- the ability to build and maintain relationships including an empowering and enabling leadership skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a multi disciplinary team
- resilience and composure
- openness to change
- integrity and an ethical stance
- a commitment to continuing professional development
- the ability to relate nursing research to nursing practice
- knowledge of quality assurance practices and their application to nursing procedures
- awareness of relevant legislation and policy e.g. legislation relevant to the service area, health and safety, infection control etc.
- awareness of current and emerging nursing strategies and policies in relation to the clinical / designated area
- awareness of the Health Service Transformation Programme
- a willingness to develop information technology (IT) skills relevant to the role
- awareness of the principles of colorectal cancer screening
- awareness of NCSS publications on colorectal cancer screening.
Competition Specific Selection Process
Shortlisting / Interview / Short listing may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application form. The criteria for short listing are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification. Therefore it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements.
Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not being called forward to the next stage of the selection process.
Those successful at the shortlisting stage of this process (where applied) will be called forward to interview.
Code of Practice / The Health Service Executive will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA). The Code of Practice sets out how the core principles of probity, merit, equity and fairness might be applied on a principle basis. The Code also specifies the responsibilities placed on candidates, feedback facilities for candidates on matters relating to their application, when requested, and outlines procedures in relation to requests for a review of the recruitment and selection process, and review in relation to allegations of a breach of the Code of Practice. Additional information on the HSE’s review process is available in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code Of Practice, Information For Candidates”.
Codes of Practice are published by the CPSA and are available on in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, Information For Candidates” or on
The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the job description may be reviewed.
This job description is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Gastroenterology Care
Colorectal Screening and Disease Management
Terms and Conditions
Tenure / The initial vacancy for this post is permanent and whole time. This post is pensionable. A panel will be formed from this recruitment campaign and future permanent or specified purpose vacancies of full time or part time duration will be filled from this panel. The tenure of these posts will be indicated at "expression of interest" stage.Appointment as an employee of the Health Service Executive is governed by the Health Act 2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointment) Act 2004.
Remuneration / The Salary scale for the post is as follows (as per the DOHC Consolidated Salary scales 01/01/2010):
€47, 089, 47,886, 48,559, 49,659, 50,874, 52,067, 53,260, 54,604, 55,852 (pro-rata)
Working Week / The standard working week applying to the post is 39
HSE Circular 003-2009 “Matching Working Patterns to Service Needs (Extended Working Day / Week Arrangements); Framework for Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016” applies. Under the terms of this circular, all new entrants and staff appointed to promotional posts from Dec 16th 2008 will be required to work agreed roster / on call arrangements as advised by their line manager. Contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8am-8pm over seven days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement (Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016).
Annual Leave / The Annual Leave applying to the post is to be confirmed at Job Offer stage and as determined by the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.
Superannuation / Membership of the HSE Employee Superannuation Scheme applies to this appointment.
Existing Members who transferred to the HSE on 1st January 2005 pursuant to Section 60 of the Health Act 2004 are entitled to superannuation benefit terms under the HSE Scheme which are no less favourable to those to which they were entitled at 31st December 2004.
Appointees to posts in the Mental Health Services which formerly attracted fast accrual of service should note that the terms of Section 65 of the Mental Treatment Act 1945 do not apply to New Entrant Public Servants as defined by Section 12 of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004.
Probation / Every appointment of a person who is not already a permanent officer of the Health Service Executive or of a Local Authority shall be subject to a probationary period of 12 months.
Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 / This post is one of those designated in accordance with Section 2 of the Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act, 1998. You will remain a designated officer for the duration of your appointment in this post or for the duration of your appointment to such other post as is included in the categories specified in the Ministerial Direction. Such officers will, on receiving a report of child abuse, formally notify the Senior Social Worker in the community care area in which the child is living.
Infection Control / Have a working knowledge of 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.
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