Candidate Clinical Nurse Specialist/clinical Specialist

Marymount University Hospital and Hospice, Cork is seeking an experienced and compassionate Candidate Clinical Nurse Specialist/Clinical Nurse Specialist to join our team. The purpose of this role is to provide specialist, person-centred palliative care to patients and families within the community setting. The Clinical Nurse Specialist will work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to assess, plan, coordinate, and deliver high-quality care, while supporting symptom management, patient education, and continuity of care across primary and secondary services. The cCNS/CNS will carry out the following duties:

• Undertake comprehensive patient assessments covering physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs, using evidence-based palliative care practice.
• Develop, implement, and review individualised care plans in collaboration with patients, families, carers, and the multidisciplinary team.
• Coordinate investigations, treatments, referrals, follow-up, and care pathways to support safe and seamless service delivery.
• Provide education, information, advice, and counselling to patients and families, including support for self-management and symptom control.
• Participate in case review, medication management, service development, and the promotion of best practice and clinical standards.

Essential Criteria:

Candidates must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms for the post:

• 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
• 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
• Have a minimum of 1 years’ experience or an aggregate of 1 years’ full time experience in specialist area of Palliative Care Nursing. OR
• If the applicant does not possess the relevant specialist experience, they will be supported to attain one year’s clinical specialist experience. AND
• 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 Palliative 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) nursing care prior to application* (See **Note 1 below). OR
• If the applicant does not possess the relevant QQI NFQ Level 9 qualification, the applicant will be supported to undertake the required postgraduate education, at QQI NFQ level 9 qualification (equivalent to 60 ECTS or above) relevant to the specialist area of Palliative care. AND
• Be required to demonstrate that they have continuing professional development (CPD) relevant to the specialist area. AND
• 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 CCNS 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. The clinical experience requirements for this cohort of nurses/midwives remain consistent with the DoH (2019) policy, i.e. a minimum of 1 years’ experience in practice and a minimum of 1 years’ experience in the specialist area and they could be supported to progress on a candidate CCNS/CMS Pathway. Please refer to Appendix 1 of the Additional Campaign Information for details on funding and support All of the above must be achieved within 2 years for this pathway. Have the ability to practice safely and effectively fulfilling his/her professional responsibility within his/her scope of practice.