CHW Clinical Nurse Specialist, Mental Health

Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health) – General Adult / Rehabilitation/Crisis Resolution

Job Specification & Terms and Conditions

Community Healthcare West

Job Title and Grade

Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health)

General Adult / Rehabilitation/Crisis Resolution Mental Health Team

(Grade Code 2625)

Campaign Reference

CHW056-CNSGAR-2024

Closing Date

Tuesday 24th September 2024 at 12 noon

Proposed Interview Date (s)

It is anticipated interviews will be held as soon as possible following the closing date

Taking up Appointment

A start date will be indicated at job offer stage.

Organisational Area

Community Healthcare West, Galway/Roscommon Mental Health Service

Location of Post

There is currently one permanent whole-time vacancy for Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health) on the Crisis Resolution Team GR2 Galway City initially.

A panel may be created as a result of this campaign for Clinical Nurse Specialist, (Mental Health) – General Adult / Rehabilitation/Crisis Resolution in the Galway/Roscommon Mental Health Service, Community Healthcare West, from which permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part time duration for Clinical Nurse Specialist, (Mental Health) – General Adult / Rehabilitation/Crisis Resolution in the Galway/Roscommon Mental Health Service may be filled.

Informal Enquiries

James Begley

Assistant Director of Nursing, Adult Acute Mental Health Unit,

Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital, Galway

Tel. 087 4138554

Email : james.begley@hse.ie

Reporting Relationship

The post holder will report to the relevant Area Director Nursing, Mental Health Services, and designated Assistant Director of Nursing Mental Health Services / Nurse Manager.

The clinical reporting relationship is to the senior clinical decision maker who has responsibility for the service/service user.

Purpose of the Post

The post of Clinical Nurse Specialist (Crisis Resolution Mental Health) is to provide a pivotal role in the delivery of a patient/client centred effective, recovery orientated, high quality, team based, integrated care for individuals with mental health crisis in the community. This specialist practice will encompass a major clinical focus which comprises assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of care given to patients / clients and their families.

Caseload

The Clinical Nurse Specialist on the Crisis Resolution Team will be required to provide treatment, care and support to individuals (age range 18 – 65 years of age) in mental health crisis. They will have a pivotal role in service planning and development, risk assessment and management, co-ordinating and managing activities and resources within the clinical area. They will also be responsible to take a lead role in ensuring that the service being provided to individuals in mental health crisis is service user centred and is in line with best practice guidelines.

Details of the Service/Background to the post

Galway Roscommon Adult Mental Health services

• Galway Roscommon Adult Mental Health Services provides Acute Inpatient, Residential and Community Mental Health Services for a population of 315,000 approximately
• The services is divided into six sectors in line with “Sharing the Vision”. Each sector has a population of 50,000 approx. At present Galway Roscommon Mental Health Service is extending and developing the community services in relation to Homebased Treatment Teams, Crisis Intervention/Resolution Teams, Rehabilitation Teams and specialist teams in line with the needs of the population and “Sharing the Vision”
• Areas covered by the services include the urban and rural centres of Co Galway (including Galway City) and Co Roscommon (including Roscommon town). Galway Roscommon Mental Health Services consists of inpatient and community mental health services strategically located in Counties Galway and Roscommon.
• Acute Adult Inpatient Units are located in Galway City (attached to University Hospital Galway) and Roscommon town (attached to Roscommon University Hospital). An inpatient unit for Psychiatry of Later Life is situated in Ballinasloe. There are 5 approved centres in Galway and Roscommon Mental Health Services licences and regulated under the Mental Health Act 2001.
• Community Mental health Teams are located in each of the sectors providing Mental Health care and treatment in Day Centres, Day hospitals, Residential units and the individuals who avail of our service at own home.

As the HSE moves towards an Integrated Care Model of Service Provision, you will be required to work in a Primary Care/Secondary care and Community settings and across all care groups as service needs develop, or rotate between both the hospital and a Primary Care/Community setting.

The person appointed to this post will work within the Services working as part of multi-disciplinary teams delivering a co-ordinated approach to client care.

Mental health describes a spectrum that extends from positive mental health, through to severe and disabling mental illness. A strategic goal for mental health services is to promote the mental health of our population in collaboration with other services and agencies including reducing the loss of life by suicide. The mental health reform programme reaffirms the move from traditional institutional model of mental health care, towards a recovery focussed, clinically excellent model that involves service users in all aspects of the design and delivery of the service in line with Vision for Change policy (2006). The vision for mental health services is to support the population to achieve their optimal mental health through the following key priorities:

• Ensure that the views of service users, family members and carers are central to the design and delivery of mental health services

• Design integrated, evidence based and recovery focussed Mental Health Services

• Deliver timely, clinically effective and standardised safe mental health services in adherence to statutory requirements

• Promote the mental health of our population in collaboration with other services and agencies including reducing loss of life by suicide

• Enable the provision of mental health services by highly trained and engaged staff and fit for purpose infrastructure.

The person appointed to this post will work as part of multi-disciplinary teams delivering co-ordinated individualised care to people experiencing mental health crisis.

Crisis Resolution Teams (CRTs) are community-based multidisciplinary teams that provide rapid assessment and intensive support to individuals who are in a mental health crisis. CRTs can provide an alternative to inpatient admission in the service user’s own environment and/ or in a community setting, with the active involvement of service users and their family, carers and supporters, and interagency liaison with local partners. Support from these teams is time limited, providing intensive intervention and support with sufficient flexibility to respond to different service user or carer needs for an average period of up to six weeks. The service will be service user centred and recovery-focused. Typically, this entails a range of multidisciplinary team therapeutic approaches, including medication management, psychological interventions, peer support and evidence-informed family or social interventions, utilising the person’s own lived experience and strengths as much as possible.

The Crisis Resolution Team will provide a service to Galway city area initially. The Service plays a key role at all stages of care from assessment to diagnosis and treatment.

The person appointed to this post will work within the service as part of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) delivering a co-ordinated approach to patient care.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The post holder’s practice is to deliver care consistent with the five core concepts of Clinical Nurse Specialist role as set out in the Framework for the Establishment of Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialist Posts, 4th edition, National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery (2008) in order to fulfil the role. The concepts are:

• Clinical Focus (Direct and Indirect)

• Patient/Client Advocate

• Education and Training

• Audit and Research

• Consultancy (including leadership in clinical practice)

Clinical Focus

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (Crisis Resolution Mental Health) will be supported to:

Develop a strong service user focus whereby the specialty defines itself as nursing and subscribes to the overall purpose, functions and ethical standards of nursing. The clinical practice role may be divided into direct and indirect care. Direct care comprises the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of care to the service user, family and/or carer. Indirect care relates to activities that influence and support the provision of direct care.

Direct Care

Clinical Nurse Specialist (Crisis Resolution Mental Health) will:

· Provide a specialist nursing service for patients with a diagnosis of an acute mental health problem/distress who require support and treatment through the continuum of care.

· Undertake comprehensive patient assessment to include physical, psychological, social and spiritual elements of care using best evidence based practice in Crisis Intervention/resolution care.

· Use the outcomes of patient assessment to develop and implement plans of care/case management in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) and the patient, family and/or carer as appropriate.

· Monitor and evaluate the patient’s response to treatment and amend the plan of care accordingly in conjunction with the MDT and patient, family and/or carer as appropriate.

· Make alterations in the management of patient’s condition in collaboration with the MDT and the patient in line with agreed pathways and policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines (PPPG’s).

· Accept appropriate referrals from MDT colleagues.

· Co-ordinate investigations, treatment therapies and patient follow-up.

· Communicate with patients, family and /or carer as appropriate, to assess patient’s needs and provide relevant support, information, education, advice and counselling as required.

· Where appropriate, work collaboratively with MDT colleagues across Primary and Secondary Care to provide a seamless service delivery to the patient, family and/or carer as appropriate.

· Participate in medication reconciliation taking cognisance of poly-pharmacy and support medical and pharmacy staff with medication reviews and medication management.

· Identify and promote specific symptom management strategies as well as the identification of triggers which may cause exacerbation of symptoms. Provide patients with appropriate self-management strategies and escalation pathways.

· Manage nurse led Crisis Intervention/Resolution clinics with MDT input.

· Identify health promotion priorities for the patient, family and/or carer and support patient self-care in line with best evidence. This will include the provision of educational and health promotion material which is comprehensive, easy to understand and meets patient’s needs.

Indirect Care

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (Crisis Resolution Mental Health) will:

· Identify and agree appropriate referral pathways for patients with acute Mental Health Problems or Distress

· Participate in case review with MDT colleagues.

· Use a case management approach to patients with complex needs in collaboration with MDT in both Primary and Secondary Care as appropriate.

· Take a proactive role in the formulation and provision of evidence based PPPGs relating to Crisis Intervention care.

· Take a lead role in ensuring the service for patients with an Acute Mental Health problem or distress or condition is in line with best practice guidelines and the Safer Better Healthcare Standards (HIQA, 2012).

Patient / Client Advocate

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (Crisis Resolution Mental Health) will:

· Communicate, negotiate and represent patient’s family and/or carer values and decisions in relation to their condition in collaboration with MDT colleagues in both Primary and Secondary Care as appropriate.

· Develop and support the concept of advocacy, particularly in relation to patient participation in decision making, thereby enabling informed choice of treatment options.

· Respect and maintain the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of the patient, family and/or carer.

· Establish, maintain and improve procedures for collaboration and cooperation between Acute Services, Primary Care and Voluntary Organisations as appropriate.

· Proactively challenge any interaction which fails to deliver a quality service to patients.

Education & Training

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (Crisis Resolution Mental Health) will:

· Maintain clinical competence in patient management within Crisis Intervention/resolution nursing, keeping up-to-date with relevant research to ensure the implementation of evidence based practice.

· Provide the patient, family and/or carer with appropriate information and other supportive interventions to increase their knowledge, skill and confidence in managing their Mental Health Problem, Distress or condition.

· Contribute to the design, development and implementation of education programmes and resources for the patient, family and/or carer in relation to Crisis Intervention/resolution care thus empowering them to self-manage their condition.

· Provide mentorship and preceptorship for nursing colleagues as appropriate.

· Participate in training programmes for nursing, MDT colleagues and key stakeholders as appropriate.

· Create exchange of learning opportunities within the MDT in relation to evidence based Crisis Intervention/resolution care delivery through journal clubs, conferences, etc.

· Develop and maintain links with Regional Centres for Nursing & Midwifery Education (RCNMEs), the Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Units (NMPDUs) and relevant third level Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) in the design, development and delivery of educational programmes in Crisis Intervention/resolution care.

· Be responsible for addressing own continuing professional development needs.

Audit & Research

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (Crisis Resolution Mental Health) will:

· Establish and maintain a register of patients with Mental Health Problems, Distress or conditions within Clinical Nurse Specialist (Crisis Resolution Mental Health) Caseload.

· Maintain a record of clinically relevant data aligned to National Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) as directed and advised by the Area Director of Nursing.

· Identify, initiate and conduct nursing and MDT audit and research projects relevant to the area of practice.

· Identify, critically analyse, disseminate and integrate best evidence relating to transferring Crisis Intervention care into practice.

· Contribute to nursing research on all aspects of Crisis Intervention/resolution care.

· Use the outcomes of audit to improve service provision.

· Contribute to service planning and budgetary processes through use of audit data and specialist knowledge.

· Monitor, access, utilise and disseminate current relevant research to advise and ensure the provision of informed evidence based practice.

Audit expected outcomes including:

· Collate data which will provide evidence of the effectiveness of Clinical Nurse Specialist interventions undertaken. They should have a clinical nursing focus as well as a breakdown of activity - patients seen and treated.

· Evaluate audit results and research findings to identify areas for quality improvement in collaboration with nursing management and MDT colleagues (Primary and Secondary Care).

Consultant (including leadership in clinical practice)

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (Crisis Resolution Mental Health) will:

· Provide leadership in clinical practice and act as a resource and role model for Crisis Intervention/resolution practice.

· Generate and contribute to the development of clinical standards and guidelines and support implementation.

· Use specialist knowledge to support and enhance generalist nursing practice.

· Develop collaborative working relationships with Clinical Nurse Specialist’s/Registered Advanced Nurse’s/Midwife Practitioner/MDT colleagues as appropriate, developing person centred care pathways to promote the integrated model of care delivery.

· With the support of the Area Director of Nursing attend integrated care planning meetings as required.

· Where appropriate develop and maintain relationships with specialist services in voluntary organisations which support patients in the community.

· Liaise with other health service providers in the development and on-going delivery of the National Clinical Programme model of care.

· Network with other Clinical Nurse Specialist (Crisis Resolution Mental Health) in related professional associations.

Health & Safety:

These duties must be performed in accordance with local organisational and the HSE health and safety polices. In carrying out these duties the employee must ensure that effective safety procedures are in place to comply with the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act (2005). Staff must carry out their duties in a safe and responsible manner in line with the local policy documents and as set out in the local safety statement, which must be read and understood.

· 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.

· Have a working knowledge of the Mental Health Legislation, Regulations and Mental Health Commission rules, codes and guidance documents.

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

Quality, Risk and Safety Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of all staff to:

· Participate and cooperate with legislative and regulatory requirements with regard to quality, risk and safety

· Participate and cooperate with local quality, risk and safety initiatives as required

· Adequately identifies, assesses, manages and monitors risk within their area of responsibility

· Participate and cooperate with internal and external evaluations of the organisation’s structures, services and processes as required, including but not limited to, The National Hygiene Audit, National Decontamination Audit, Health and Safety Audits and other audits specified by the HSE or other regulatory authority

· Initiate, support and implement nursing quality improvement initiatives in their area which are in keeping with local organisational quality, risk and safety requirement

· Contribute specialist expertise to the development of PPPGs and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards

· Comply with Health Service Executive (HSE) Complaints Policy

· Respond immediately and appropriately to ensure the safety of any service user that you are aware has been put at risk

· Ensure completion of incident/near miss forms and clinical risk reporting

· Adhere to department policies in relation to the care and safety of any equipment supplied and used to carry out the responsibilities of the role of Clinical Nurse Specialist (Crisis Resolution Mental Health) in care.

Specific Responsibility for Best Practice in Hygiene

Hygiene is defined as: “The practice that serves to keep people and environments clean and prevent infection. It involves the study of preserving one’s health, preventing the spread of disease, and recognising, evaluating and controlling health hazards. In the healthcare setting it incorporates the following key areas: environment and facilities, hand hygiene, catering, management of laundry, waste and sharps, and equipment” (HIQA, 2008; P2).

It is the responsibility of all staff to ensure compliance with local organisational hygiene standards, guidelines and practices.

Management/Administration:

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (Crisis Resolution Mental Health) will:

· Provide an efficient, effective and high quality nursing service, respecting the needs of each service user, family and/or carer

· Effectively manage time and caseload in order to meet changing and developing service needs

· Continually monitor the nursing service to ensure it reflects current service user and organisational needs

· Implement and manage identified changes

· Ensure that confidentiality in relation to service user records is maintained

· Understand the need to represent the specialist nursing service at local, national and international fora as required

· Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records and data on all matters pertaining to the planning, management, delivery and evaluation of nursing specialist care and ensure that this service is in line with HSE requirements.

· Contribute to the service planning process as appropriate and as directed by the Director of Nursing/Line Manager

· To 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 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 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 have at the latest date of application:

1. Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc.

(a)

i) Be a registered nurse on the active Register of Nurses and Midwives held by An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland) or be eligible to be so registered.

And

ii) Be registered in the Psychiatric Division of the register of Nurses and Midwives Board of Ireland (by An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) register for which the application is been 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.

And

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)

And

v) Have a minimum of 1 years’ experience or an aggregate of 1 years’ full time experience in specialist area of Mental Health Crisis Team Adult Care.

And

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). Crisis Intervention/Resolution in mental health care prior to application* (See **Note 1 below).

And

vii) Be required to demonstrate that they have continuing professional development (CPD) relevant to the specialist area.

And

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.

And

(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.

And

(ii) Confirm annual registration with NMBI to the HSE by way of the annual Patient Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC).

4. 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.

5. Character

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

Post Specific Requirements

Crisis Intervention/Resolution Mental Health

Demonstrate the necessary level of professional knowledge and experience across a wide range of disorders and dysfunctions and the management and care of these in line with the Clinical Nurse Specialist role core concepts of clinical focus, patient/client advocate, education and training, audit and research, consultant, across a number of settings.

Professional Knowledge refers to appropriate care for this particular client group

Demonstrate depth and breadth of Nursing/Midwifery experience in the specialist area of Crisis Intervention/resolution in Mental Health.

· Have undertaken or agree to undertake, within an agreed timeframe, the Nurse Prescribing of Medicinal Products Certificate.

· Formally apply for entry onto the Interim ONMSD CNS database (until the database is transferred to its permanent location)

Skills, Competencies and/or Knowledge

Professional Knowledge and Experience

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (Crisis Resolution Mental Health) will:

· Practice in accordance with relevant legislation and with regard to The Scope of Nursing & Midwifery Practice Framework (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, 2015) and the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, 2021)

· Maintain a high standard of professional behaviour and be professionally accountable for actions/omissions. Take measures to continuously develop and maintain the competences required for specialist practice

· Adhere to the Nursing & Midwifery values of Care, Compassion and Commitment (DoH, 2016)

· Adhere to national, regional and local HSE PPPGs

· Adhere to appropriate lines of authority within the nurse/midwife management structure.

· Demonstrate practitioner competence and professionalism as it related to CNS

· Demonstrate an awareness of current and emerging nursing strategies and policy in relation to the clinical/specialist 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.

Demonstrate:

· An in-depth knowledge of the role of the Clinical Nurse Specialist (Crisis Intervention/Resolution Mental Health)

· In-depth knowledge of the pathophysiology of Crisis Intervention/Resolution Mental Health.

· The ability to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the patient with acute mental health problem/distress issues including taking an accurate history of their (Mental, physical health etc.) condition, risk profile and presenting problem.

· The ability to employ appropriate diagnostic interventions to support clinical decision making and the patients’ self- management planning

· The ability to formulate a plan of care based on findings and evidence based standards of care and practice guidelines.

· The ability to follow up and evaluate a plan of care.

· Knowledge of health promotion principles/coaching/self-management strategies that will enable service user/client to take greater control over decisions and actions that affect their health and wellbeing.

· An understanding of the principles of clinical governance and risk management as they apply directly to the CNS role and the wider health service.

· Evidence of teaching in the clinical area.

· A working knowledge of audit and research processes.

· Evidence of computer skills including use of Microsoft Word, Excel, E- mail, PowerPoint.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Demonstrate:

· Emotionally intelligent communication skills

· Ability to build and maintain relationships particularly in the context of personal and team relationships

· Ability to present information in a clear and concise manner

· Ability to provide constructive feedback to encourage future learning

· Demonstrates the ability to influence others effectively

Organisation and Management Skills:

Demonstrate:

· Evidence of effective organisational skills including awareness of appropriate resource management and the importance of value for money

· Ability to plan and organise effectively

· Ability to attain designated nursing service targets, manage deadlines and multiple activities

· Ability to work autonomously

· A willingness to be flexible in response to changing local/organisational requirements.

Building & Maintaining Relationships including Team and Leadership skills

Demonstrate:

· The ability to work on own initiative as well as the ability to build and maintain relationships with MDT colleagues.

· With the required support, demonstrate leadership in clinical practice

· A knowledge of change management and team management skills

· Adopts a collaborative approach to patient care by co-ordination of care/interventions and interdisciplinary team working.

Commitment to providing a quality service:

Demonstrate:

· Awareness and respect for service user and family/carers’ views in relation to their care

· A strong commitment to providing quality improvement programmes

· The ability to conduct audits

· Demonstrates integrity and ethical stance.

· Demonstrate motivation, initiative and an innovative approach to job and service developments, is flexible and open to change.

Analysing and Decision Making

Demonstrate:

· Adopts an overview of complex problems before generating solutions and anticipates implications

· Effective analytical, problem solving and evidenced-based decision making skills

· Uses a range of information sources and knows how to access relevant information to address issue.

· Shows sound professional judgement in decision-making; applies research findings to improve nursing practice and processes.

· Takes an overview of complex problems before generating solutions; anticipates implications / consequences of different solutions.

Other Requirements Specific to the Post

Will be indicated at expression of interest stage if applicable e.g. access to transport.

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 www.hse.ie/eng/staff/jobs in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, Information for Candidates” or on www.cpsa.ie.

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 (Mental Health) – General Adult / Rehabilitation/Crisis Resolution

Terms and Conditions of Employment

Tenure

The initial vacancy is permanent and whole time. 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 Appointments) Act 2004 and Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Amendment Act 2013.

Remuneration

The Salary Scale for the post is (as at 01/06/2024):

€59,070 - €60,049 - €60,876 - €62,227 - €63,720 - €65,185 - €66,651 - €68,302 - €69,834

Working Week

The standard working week applying to the post is to be confirmed at Job Offer stage.

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 will be confirmed at contracting 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.

Age

The Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act, 2018* set 70 years as the compulsory retirement age for public servants.

* Public Servants not affected by this legislation:

Public servants joining the public service, or re-joining the public service with a 26 week break in service, between 1 April 2004 and 31 December 2012 (new entrants) have no compulsory retirement age.

Public servants, joining the public service or re-joining the public service after a 26 week break, after 1 January 2013 are members of the Single Pension Scheme and have a compulsory retirement age of 70.

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.

Mandated Person Children First Act 2015

As a mandated person under the Children First Act 2015 you will have a legal obligation:

· To report child protection concerns at or above a defined threshold to TUSLA.

· To assist Tusla, if requested, in assessing a concern which has been the subject of a mandated report.

You will remain a mandated person 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. and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.

Health & Safety

It is the responsibility of line managers to ensure that the management of safety, health and welfare is successfully integrated into all activities undertaken within their area of responsibility, so far as is reasonably practicable. Line managers are named and roles and responsibilities detailed in the relevant Site Specific Safety Statement (SSSS).

Key responsibilities include:

· Developing a SSSS for the department/service[1], as applicable, based on the identification of hazards and the assessment of risks, and reviewing/updating same on a regular basis (at least annually) and in the event of any significant change in the work activity or place of work.

· Ensuring that Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is integrated into day-to-day business, providing Systems Of Work (SOW) that are planned, organised, performed, maintained and revised as appropriate, and ensuring that all safety related records are maintained and available for inspection.

· Consulting and communicating with staff and safety representatives on OSH matters.

· Ensuring a training needs assessment (TNA) is undertaken for employees, facilitating their attendance at statutory OSH training, and ensuring records are maintained for each employee.

· Ensuring that all incidents occurring within the relevant department/service are appropriately managed and investigated in accordance with HSE procedures[2].

· Seeking advice from health and safety professionals through the National Health and Safety Function Helpdesk as appropriate.

· Reviewing the health and safety performance of the ward/department/service and staff through, respectively, local audit and performance achievement meetings for example.

Note: Detailed roles and responsibilities of Line Managers are outlined in local SSSS.

[1] A template SSSS and guidelines are available on the National Health and Safety Function/H&S web-pages

[2]See link on health and safety web-pages to latest Incident Management Policy