Clinical Nurse Specialist (Tissue Viability)

Clinical Nurse Specialist (Tissue Viability)

Job Specification & Terms and Conditions

Job Title and Grade / Clinical Nurse Specialist (Tissue Viability)
(Grade Code 2632)
Campaign Reference / NRS02696
Closing Date / Tuesday 10th November 2015 @ 12 noon
Proposed Interview Date (s) / Late November 2015
Taking up Appointment / A start date will be indicated at job offer stage.
Location of Post / South Tipperary General Hospital, Clonmel, Co Tipperary.
There is one permanent, whole-time vacancy available at this location.
A panel may be created on foot of this campaign for South Tipperary General Hospital from which all current and future, permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full time or part time duration may be filled.
Informal enquiries to:
Oonagh Keating - Assistant Director of Nursing
Tel: 052-6177158
Email:
Details of Service / South Tipperary General Hospital (STGH) is a 193 bed (168 Inpatient and 25 Day) Level III Acute General Hospital.
STGH provides Emergency Department, General Medicine, General Surgery, Obstetrics / Gynaecology, Paediatrics, and Day Case Oncology services to the catchment areas of South Tipperary, West Waterford and part of North Tipperary. Individual specialty catchment populations vary from 92,000 - 134,000.
Outreach clinics are provided at several locations including Thurles, Tipperary Town and Cashel.
The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Tissue Viability will have a pivotal role in co-ordinating and developing the established tissue viability service for South Tipperary General Hospital and will be expected to play a leading role in defining a strategy for the prevention and management of all acute and chronic wounds.
The CNS will embrace the five core concepts of the clinical nurse specialist role to ensure the provision of a high quality holistic service for the patient/client in need of the service.
The CNS will be responsible for assessing current treatment, improving the management of wounds in STGH, improving clinical outcomes, monitoring cost effectiveness in care provision and supporting practice development and education in relation to tissue viability nursing. In addition the CNS will work closely with all professions to ensure a seamless and integrated service. The CNS will also attend the hospital’s very busy outpatient clinics.
Reporting Relationship / The post holder will:

Be clinically accountable to the Director of Nursing & Midwifery
Report to the Assistant Director of Nursing or designated officer

Purpose of the Post / The role of the CNS in Tissue Viability will be to ensure that the CNS’ specialist knowledge and skills in tissue viability and stoma care are utilised to facilitate the provision of a quality client focused service that enhances the health status of that population.
Working towards the delivery of best practice for all clients will include the planning and provision of in-service training of nursing and midwifery colleagues and other healthcare professionals where appropriate.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities / Clinical Focus
The Clinical Nurse Specialist (Tissue Viability) will:

Perform nursing / midwifery assessments and plan and initiate care and treatment modalities within agreed interdisciplinary protocols to achieve patient / client centred outcomes and evaluate their effectiveness.
Identify and implement health promotion priorities in the area of wound and stoma care practice.
Implement health promotion strategies for patient / client groups in accordance with the public health agenda.
Manage a case load of patients that require tissue viability input.
Articulate and demonstrate the concept of nursing and midwifery specialist practice within the framework of relevant legislation, the Scope of Nursing & Midwifery Practice Framework (ABS 2000), The Code of Professional Conduct (ABA 2000) and Guidelines for Midwives (ABA 2001).

Management
The Clinical Nurse Specialist (Tissue Viability) will:

Provide an efficient, effective, and high quality service, respecting the needs of each patient / client.
Effectively manage time and caseload in order to meet the needs of a changing and developing service.
Continually monitor the service to ensure it reflects current needs.
Implement and manage identified changes.
Ensure that confidentiality in relation to patient /client records is maintained.
Maintain accurate and up to date statistics of the service provided, including audit of patient / client contacts.
Represent the specialist service at local, national and international meetings as required.
Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records / data on all matters pertaining to the planning, management, delivery and evaluation of this service in line with HSE requirements.

Patient Advocate
The Clinical Nurse Specialist (Tissue Viability) will:

Enable patients / clients, families and communities to participate in decisions about their health needs.
Articulate and represent patient / client interests in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.
Implement changes in healthcare service in response to patient / client need and service demand.
Influence practice and promote improved/new standards of care in relation to patients requiring wound and stoma care.

Education and Training
The Clinical Nurse Specialist (Tissue Viability) will:

Provide mentorship, preceptorship, teaching, facilitation and professional supervisory skills for nurses and midwives and other healthcare workers.
Provide specialist information and education to patients and their families with regard to improving their understanding, coping and effective management of their condition.
Educate patients / clients, families and communities in relation to their healthcare needs in the specialist area of practice.
Identify own continuing professional development needs and engage accordingly.

Audit and Research
The Clinical Nurse Specialist (Tissue Viability) will:

Identify, critically analyse, disseminate and integrate nursing / midwifery and other evidence into the management of wound and stoma care.
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 the use of audit data and specialist knowledge.
Review policies, procedures, guidelines and protocols in relation to the tissue viability service to ensure that they are continually updated in line with best practice evidence.
Monitor, access, utilise and disseminate current relevant research to advise and ensure the provision of informed evidence based practice in the management of wound and stoma care.
Understand the need for nursing research and be able to implement this process to contribute to the development of the services provided.
Develop and promote research awareness among all staff in relation to wound and stoma care management.

Consultant
The Clinical Nurse Specialist (Tissue Viability) will:

Provide leadership in clinical practice in relation to tissue viability and act as a resource and role model to staff nurses working in the acute services or community.
Network with other CNS’ in Tissue Viability and other associations.
Generate and contribute to the development of clinical standards of practice and guidelines.
Use specialist knowledge to support and enhance generalist nursing / midwifery practice.
Liaise with multidisciplinary teams within the acute hospitals and community based to create a seamless service.
Contribute to nursing quality assurance by assisting in the identification of recurring nursing problems and data collection.

Health & Safety
The Clinical Nurse Specialist (Tissue Viability) will:

Contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.

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.
Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

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.
Eligibility Criteria
Qualifications and/ or experience / Candidates must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms for the post: -

Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc.

(a) Be registered in the General Division of the Register of Nurses kept by Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland) or be entitled to be so registered.
and
(b) Have at least 5 years post registration experience in the division of the register in which the applicant is currently practising;
and
(c) Have a minimum of 2 years experience in the specialist area (Tissue Viability)
and
(d) Have the ability to practice safely and effectively fulfilling his/her professional responsibility within his / her scope of practice.
and
(e) Demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development.
and
(f) From the 1st September 2010, must have a level 8 (or higher) post registration Quality & Qualifications Ireland major academic award relevant to the specialist area of Tissue Viability, prior to application*.
* A copy of your Level 8 (or higher) recognised post registration qualification and transcript must be submitted with your Application Form. Failure to submit these documents may result in you not being brought forward to the next stage of the selection process.

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.

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 on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office occurs.
Please note that appointment to and continuation in posts that require statutory registration is dependent upon the post holder maintaining annual registration in the relevant division of the register maintained by Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland).
Post Specific Requirements / Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience in the specialist area of Tissue Viability, as relevant to the role.
Other requirements specific to the post / N/A
Skills, competencies and/or knowledge / Candidates must:

Demonstrate practitioner competence and professional credibility.
Demonstrate a high level of clinical knowledge to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role.
Demonstrate the ability to lead on clinical practice and service quality.
Demonstrate promotion of evidence-based decision making; evidence-based clinical knowledge in making decisions regarding patient / client care.
Demonstrate the ability to plan and manage resources effectively.
Demonstrate effective analytical, problem solving and decision making skills.
Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills including the ability to build and maintain relationships.
Demonstrate effective communication and influencing skills.
Demonstrate initiative and innovation in the delivery of service.
Demonstrate resilience and composure.
Demonstrate openness to change.
Demonstrate integrity and an ethical stance.
Demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development.
Demonstrate the ability to relate nursing research to nursing practice.
Demonstrate knowledge of quality assurance practices and their application to nursing procedures.
Demonstrate awareness of relevant legislation and policy e.g. legislation relevant to the service area, health and safety, infection control etc.
Demonstrate awareness of current and emerging nursing strategies and policies in relation to the clinical / designated area.
Demonstrate awareness of the Health Service Transformation Programme.
Demonstrate a willingness to develop IT skills relevant to the role.

Campaign Specific Selection Process
Ranking/Shortlisting / Interview / A ranking and or shortlisting exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application form. The criteria for ranking and or shortlisting 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 ranking stage of this process (where applied) will be placed on an order of merit and will be called to interview in ‘bands’ depending on the service needs of the organisation.
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, facilities for feedback to applicants 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 (Tissue Viability)

Terms and Conditions of Employment

Tenure / The current vacancy available is 0.85wte.
The post is pensionable. A panel may be created from which permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part time duration may be filled. 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 (as at 01/01/2010) is:
€47,089 – €47,886 – €48,559 – €49,659 – €50,874 – €52,067 – €53,260 – €54,604 – €55,852
Contracted hours which are less than the standard weekly working hours for the grade will be paid pro rata to the full time equivalent.
Working Week / The standard working week applying to the post is 39 hours per week pro rata.
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 associated with the post is to be confirmed at Job Offer stage.
Superannuation / This is a pensionable position with the HSE. The successful candidate will upon appointment become a member of the appropriate pension scheme. Pension scheme membership will be notified within the contract of employment. Members of pre-existing pension schemes who transferred to the HSE on the 01st 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 which they were entitled to at 31st December 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 as stipulated in the Department of Health Circular No.10/71.
Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 / As this post is one of those designated under the Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998, appointment to this post appoints one as a designated officer in accordance with Section 2 of the Act. You will remain a designated officer for the duration of your appointment to your current post or for the duration of your appointment to such other post as is included in the categories specified in the Ministerial Direction. You will receive full information on your responsibilities under the Act on appointment.
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.