CHW Clinical Nurse Specialist Mental Health

Clinical Nurse Specialist Mental Health

Intellectual Disability

Job Specification & Terms and Conditions

Job Title, Grade

Clinical Nurse Specialist Mental Health (Intellectual Disability)

Grade Code 2625

Remuneration

The salary scale for the post as at 01/01/2024 is:

€58,485 €59,455 €60,273 €61,611 €63,089 €64,540 €65,991 €67,625 €69,143

Salary Scales are updated periodically and the most up to date versions can be found here: https://healthservice.hse.ie/staff/benefits-services/pay/pay-scales.html

Competition Reference

CHW026-CNSID-2024

Whole Time

Equivalent

1

Closing Date

Tuesday 14th May 2024 at 12 noon

Proposed Interview date(s)

As soon as possible following the closing date

Taking up Appointment

A start date will be indicated at job offer stage.

Location of Post/ Organisational Area

There are currently two permanent, whole-time vacancies available in Community Healthcare West.

A panel may be formed as a result of this campaign for CNS Mental Health, Intellectual Disability, Community Healthcare West from which current and future, permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part-time duration may be filled

Informal Enquiries

P.J. Rainey, Area Director of Nursing, St Mary’s Headquarters, Castlebar, Co Mayo

Email: pj.rainey@hse.ie

Phone: 094 9042040

Helen Earley, Area Director of Nursing, Dept of Psychiatry, Roscommon University Hospital, Co Roscommon

Email: helen.earley@hse.ie

Phone: 090 6632397

Details of Service

Community Healthcare West – Mayo Mental Health Services

Mayo Mental Health Services provide specialist assessment, care and treatment, for adults and older people. Services are provided in a number of different settings including; the individual’s own home, approved centres, outpatient clinics, community mental health centres and medium and low-support community residences.

These services are delivered by staff from a range of disciplines including psychiatric nurses, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, occupational therapists, and support staff in line with A Vision for Change & Sharing the Vision document. The strategy documents set out how services should be structured and delivered in Ireland and in conjunction with our voluntary partners to ensure the meaningful involvement of the service user in the management and delivery of a recovery focused mental health service in line with Vision for Change & Sharing the Vision document.

Mayo Mental Health Services are committed to working towards the development of a recovery orientated service that acknowledges the unique nature of each service users’ journey to wellness and health. The focus is on providing assessment and treatment at the least complex level.

Mayo Mental Health Services is a community based service. Each Community Mental Health Team is led by a Consultant Psychiatrist. In addition a Consultant Psychiatrist leads Psychiatry of Old Age, Rehabilitation and Recovery service and a Consultant Psychiatrist also leads Mental Health with Intellectual Disability.

Mental Health of Intellectual Disability (MHID) Service is a specialist service within Mayo Mental Health Services. Its aims to provide optimal mental health care for adults with a significant intellectual disability and mental illness/suspected mental disorder, with an associated level of complexity that requires input from a MHID service. This includes persons with a diagnosis of moderate, severe and profound intellectual disability. Specifically, the MHID service offers: Multi-disciplinary assessment, formulation and interventions that are person-centred, recovery focused and bases on a bio-psycho-social model. The MHID service is typically provided in the community with outpatient clinics, as well as home and service visits offered as appropriate. The MHID team will also continue to provide assessment and intervention to a person should they require admission to the Adult Mental Health Unit, Mayo University Hospital. The CNS in Mental Health of Intellectual Disability is an integrate part of this community bases team.

Community Healthcare West – Galway/Roscommon Mental Health Services

East Galway MHID services provides care to residents in a number of houses and independent living settings in Ballinasloe and surrounding area. The service user care model is in transition to a social care model. Service Users have varying levels of intellectual, mental health and physical care needs. The Multi-Disciplinary Team lead by the treating consultant provides input from nursing and allied health professionals to deliver a plan of care which reflects the choice and preference of the service user.

Multi-disciplinary Team meetings are held weekly in St Brigids Campus Ballinasloe

The Service is committed to delivery Person Centred Care in theory and in practice. Person Centred Care is a way of thinking and doing things that sees the person using health and social services as equal partners in planning, developing and monitoring care to make sure it meets their needs. This means putting people and their families at the centre of decisions and seeing them as experts working alongside professionals to get the best outcomes. Person Centred Planning may be defined as a way of discovering how a person wants to live their life and what is required to make that possible. Galway/Roscommon MHS is committed to care delivery underpinned by these values.

Reporting Relationship

The professional reporting relationship is to the relevant Nursing/Midwifery Line Manager.

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

Key Working Relationships

to include but not limited to

The CNS will work collaboratively with a range of internal and external stakeholders including:

Director/Assistant Director of Nursing/Midwifery/Line Manager

CNS’s, RANP/RAMP’s and other nursing grades

Multidisciplinary Team colleagues and other key stakeholders within services, including National Clinical and Integrated Care Programmes

Service users/families and/or carers

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland

Educational Bodies

Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Units

Centres of Nursing and Midwifery Education

National Clinical Leadership Centre

Other relevant statutory and non-statutory organisations

Purpose of the Post

The post of Clinical Nurse Specialist Mental Health Intellectual Disability — MHID has a pivotal role in the delivery of effective, recovery orientated, high quality, team based, integrated care for individuals over 18 years of age with comorbid intellectual disability and mental health problems.

The purpose of the post is the delivery of care in line with on the five core concepts of Clinical Nurse Specialist role as defined by the NCNM 4th edition (2008) in order to fulfil the role. The concepts are:

· Clinical Focus (Direct and Indirect Care)

· Service user/client Advocacy

· Education and Training

· Audit and Research

· Consultancy (including leadership in clinical practice)

The CNS post holder will deliver care in line with the five core concepts of the role 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 (NCNM) 2008.

Caseload

The CNS will focus on the following service user group:

Adults with a significant intellectual disability and mental illness/suspected mental disorder, with an associated level of complexity that requires input from a MHID service.

The CNS MHID (Mental Health Intellectual Disability) will manage a caseload of service users having responsibility for organising home visits, supporting families and carers on management strategies, psycho-education and liaising with respite and day services as required.

• The CNS of Mental Health (Intellectual Disability) accepts referrals from the Consultant Lead Multi-Disciplinary Team
• Completing a mental health assessment of the service user being referred, using evidence-based tools such as the mini PAS-ADD (psychiatric assessment schedule for adults with developmental disabilities).
• Formulating an individualised mental health care plan in collaboration with the service user, their family or carers and the multidisciplinary team.
• Using recovery-focused initiatives such as the wellness recovery action plan (WRAP), and working collaboratively with the service user, primary and secondary care and voluntary agencies in the pursuit of best health outcomes for the service user.
• Monitoring the mental health of the service user, organising reviews by consultants at outpatient clinics if required, submitting requests for additional supports, or facilitating admission to the approved centre if deemed necessary.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Focus

The CNS Intellectual Disability will be supported to:

Develop a strong service user focus whereby the specialty defines itself as nursing/midwifery and subscribes to the overall purpose, functions and ethical standards of nursing/midwifery.

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

The CNS Mental Health (Intellectual Disability) will:

• Provide a specialist mental health nursingservice for service users with a significant Intellectual Disability with a diagnosis of mental illness who require support and treatment through the continuum of care

· Undertake comprehensive service user assessment to include physical, psychological, social and spiritual elements of care using best evidence based practice in MHID care.

· Use the outcomes ofnursing/midwifery assessment to develop and implement plans of care/service user group management to contribute to the plans of service users, their families/carers and the MDT

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

· Make alterations in the management of service user condition in collaboration with the MDT and the service user in line with the nursing/midwifery aspect of agreed pathways and policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines (PPPG’s).

· Accept appropriate referrals from MDT colleagues

· Co-ordinate investigations, treatment therapies and service user follow-up

· Communicate with service users, family and/or carer as appropriate, to assess service user 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 service user, 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 service user with appropriate self-management strategies and escalation pathways

· Manage nurse led mental health clinics for adults with an intellectual disability with MDT input.

· clinics in collaboration with the MDT

· Identify health promotion priorities for the service user, family and/or carer and support service user 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 service user’ needs

Indirect Care

The CNS Mental Health (Intellectual Disability) will

• Identify and agree appropriate referral pathways for MHID service user

· Participate in service user case reviews with MDT colleagues

· Use a case management approach to service user 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 mental Health care

· Take a lead role in ensuring the mental health nursing service for service user with Mental Health and Intellectual Disability Care condition is in line with best practice guidelines and the Safer Better Healthcare Standards (HIQA, 2012)

Service user/Client Advocate

The CNS Mental Health (Intellectual Disability) will

· Communicate, negotiate and represent service user, family and/or carer values and decisions in relation to their condition to MDT colleagues in both Primary and Secondary Care as appropriate

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

· Respect and maintain the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of the service user, family and/or carers.

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

· Proactively challenge any interaction, nursing or otherwise, which fails to deliver a good quality service to service user.

Education & Training

The CNS Mental Health (Intellectual Disability) will

· Maintain clinical competence in MHID service user management within acute/rehabilitative nursing, nursing/midwifery, keeping up-to-date with relevant research to ensure the implementation of evidence based practice.

· Provide the service user, family and/or carer with appropriate information, education and other supportive interventions to increase their knowledge, skill and confidence and autonomy in managing their acute/rehabilitative mental health condition.

· Contribute to the design, development and implementation of education programmes and resources for the service user, family and/or carer in relation to acute/rehabilitative mental health to enable them to manage their own condition.

· Provide mentorship and preceptorship for nursing/midwifery colleagues as appropriate.

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

· Create exchange of learning opportunities within the MDT in relation to evidence based MHID carenursing/midwiferydelivery 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 nursing/midwifery educational programmes in MHID carecare

· In tandem with the line management structure, be responsible for addressing own continuing professional development (CPD) needs to maintain competencies required for the role.

· Use agreed protected time for research, education and professional development.

· With the line manager, use the Professional Development Planning Framework for Nurses and Midwives to plan and self-assess additional CPD needs.

Audit & Research

The CNS Mental Health (Intellectual Disability) will

• Establish and maintain a register of service user with a significant intellectual disability and mental illness/suspected mental disorder,with an associated level of complexity that requires input from a M.H.I.D service.

· Maintain a record of clinically relevant data aligned to National Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) as directed and advised by the DoN/M/Services in conjunction with the senior clinical decision maker.

· Identify, initiate and conduct nursing/midwifery audit and research relevant to the area of practice and take part in MDT audit and research.

· Identify, critically analyse, disseminate and integrate into practice, best evidence relating to care in Recovery Care

· Contribute to nursing/midwifery research on all aspects of MHID and Acute/Recovery care.

· Use the outcomes of audit to improve nursing service provision and advocate, when appropriate, for improvement of non-nursing/midwifery services

· 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 MHID nursing practice

Audit expected outcomes including:

· Collate data in MHID nursing care which will provide evidence of the effectiveness of the CNS interventions. Refer to National KPIs associated with the specialty. KPI’s should have a clinical nursing focus as well as a breakdown of activity - patients seen and treated.

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

Consultant (including leadership in clinical practice)

The CNS Mental Health (Intellectual Disability) will:

· Understand leadership in clinical practice with the aim of acting as a resource and role model for nursing model for recovery practice.

· Contribute the expanding nursing knowledge/expertise to the development of clinical standards and guidelines and support implementation

· Use growing specialist knowledge to support and enhanceown nursing practice and practice of colleagues.

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

· With the support of the DoN/M/line manager, attend integrated care planning meetings as required

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

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

• Network with other CNS’s in in acute mental illness and in related professional associationsand in related clinical and professional areas of practice.

Health and 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.

· 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/midwifery 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 CNS in MHID 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:

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

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

· Continually monitor the nursing/midwifery 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/midwifery 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/midwifery 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/Midwifery/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 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 them 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

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.

And

ii) Be registered in the Psychiatric division(s) of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) Register or be entitled to be so registered.

Or

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

(iii) 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

(iv) Have a minimum of 1 years’ experience or an aggregate of 1 years’ full time experience in specialist area of Intellectual Disability Care

And

(v) 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 Intellectual Disability 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 Intellectual Disability 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). Intellectual Disability area of care prior to application* (See **Note below).

And

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

(vii) 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 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.

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 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.

Post Specific Requirements, additional qualifications and or experience required

Demonstrate a depth and breadth of Mental Health Nursing and care of the adult with a significant Intellectual Disability.

Demonstrate the necessary level of professional knowledge and experience across a wide range of disorders and the management and care of these, across a number of settings including but not limited to:

Inpatients

Continuing Care

Promoting Independent Living

Rehabilitation

Managing Challenging Behaviours

Security & Risk

Deliberate Self Harm

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)

Essential Skills, competencies and/or knowledge

Professional Knowledge and Experience

The CNS 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

· 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 CNS Intellectual Disability

· In-depth knowledge of the pathophysiology of MHID

· The ability to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the patient with including taking an accurate history of their MHID condition and presenting problem.

· The ability to employ appropriate diagnostic interventions including (name some of these) 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.

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/midwifery 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 skill

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

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.

Other requirements specific to the post

Access to own transport as post will involve frequent travel

Competition Specific Selection Process

Short listing / 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.

Candidates who are successful at interview and subsequently meet the necessary registration requirements with NMBI will automatically be upgraded into the prepared Clinical Nurse/Clinical Midwife Specialist post.

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

The HSE is an equal opportunities employer.

Employees of the HSE bring a range of skills, talents, diverse thinking and experience to the organisation. The HSE believes passionately that employing a diverse workforce is central to its success – we aim to develop the workforce of the HSE so that it reflects the diversity of HSE service users and to strengthen it through accommodating and valuing different perspectives. Ultimately this will result in improved service user and employee experience.

The HSE is committed to creating a positive working environment whereby all employees inclusive of age, civil status, disability, ethnicity and race, family status, gender, membership of the Traveller community, religion and sexual orientation are respected, valued and can reach their full potential. The HSE aims to achieve this through development of an organisational culture where injustice, bias and discrimination are not tolerated.

The HSE welcomes people with diverse backgrounds and offers a range of supports and resources to staff, such as those who require a reasonable accommodation at work because of a disability or long term health condition.

For further information on the HSE commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, please visit the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion web page at https://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/diversity/

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 CPSA is responsible for establishing the principles that should be followed when making an appointment. These are set out in the CPSA Code of Practice. The Code outlines the standards that should be adhered to at each stage of the selection process and sets out the review and appeal mechanisms open to candidates should they be unhappy with a selection process.

The CPSA Code of Practice can be accessed via https://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, Intellectual Disability

Terms and Conditions of Employment

Tenure

The current vacancies available are 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 as at 01/01/2024 is:

€58,485 €59,455 €60,273 €61,611 €63,089 €64,540 €65,991 €67,625 €69,143

New appointees to any grade start at the minimum point of the scale. Incremental credit will be applied for recognised relevant service in Ireland and abroad (Department of Health Circular 2/2011). Incremental credit is normally granted on appointment, in respect of previous experience in the Civil Service, Local Authorities, Health Service and other Public Service Bodies and Statutory Agencies

Working Week

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

Annual Leave

The annual leave associated with the post will be confirmed at contracting stage and is in accordance with HSE Policy.

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.

Protection of Children Guidance and Legislation

The welfare and protection of children is the responsibility of all HSE staff. You must be aware of and understand your specific responsibilities under the Children First Act 2015, the Protections for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 in accordance with Section 2, Children First National Guidance and other relevant child safeguarding legislation and policies.

Some staff have additional responsibilities such as Line Managers, Designated Officers and Mandated Persons. You should check if you are a Designated Officer and / or a Mandated Person and be familiar with the related roles and legal responsibilities.

For further information, guidance and resources please visit: HSE Children First webpage.

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