CHW Clinical Nurse Specialist Cardiovascular Disease, Integrated Care

Clinical Nurse Specialist Cardiovascular Disease - Integrated Care

HSE West and North West

Job Specification & Terms and Conditions

Job Title, Grade, Grade Code

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNSp) Cardiovascular Disease – Integrated Care

(Grade Code: 2632)

Campaign Reference

CHW080-CNSCDIC-2024

Closing Date

Wednesday 20th November 2024 @ 12noon.

Proposed Interview Date

Interviews will be held as soon as possible following the closing date. Please note you may be called forward for interview at short notice.

Taking up Appointment

A start date will be indicated at job offer stage.

Location of Post

Ballinasloe Ambulatory Care Hub, HSE West and North West, 1st Floor, Right Side, St Brigids, Ballinasloe, Co Galway

Informal Enquiries

Andrea Devine

Operational Lead Integrated Care Programme Chronic Disease

Ballinasloe Ambulatory Care Hub, HSE West and North West, 1st Floor, Right Side, St Brigids, Ballinasloe, Co Galway. H53N243

Tel :0909624218

Mobile: 0871038409

Email: andrea.devine@hse.ie

Reporting Relationship

· The post holder’s professional reporting relationship is to the Director of Public Health Nursing (DPHN) or designated Nursing Manager as required and works in partnership with the Integrated Cardiology Team.

· Clinical governance for the CNSp is through the associated Consultant Cardiologist providing governance to the Integrated Cardiology Team.

· Will report to the Operational Lead Integrated Care ICPCD Specialist Community Team on operational and administrative matters.

Details of the service/Background to the post

In line with Sláintecare (2017) and the Department of Health’s Capacity review (2018), a shift in healthcare service provision is now required to place the focus on integrated, person-centred care, based as close to home as possible. In order to enable this, the Integrated Care Programme for the Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease (ICPCD) is supporting the national implementation of a model of integrated care for the prevention and management of chronic disease as part of the Enhanced Community Care Programme (ECC). The Model of Care for the Integrated Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease has a particular focus on preventive healthcare, early intervention and the provision of supports to live well with chronic disease.

The investment in the ECC programme will be delivered on a phased basis with a view to national coverage being achieved within a two- to three- year period. Three priority areas have been identified as follows:

The focus is on providing an end-to-end pathway that will reduce admissions to acute hospitals by providing access to diagnostics and specialist services in the ambulatory care hubs in a timely manner. For patients who require hospital admission, the emphasis is on minimising the hospital length of stay, with the provision of post-discharge follow up and support for people in the community and in their own homes, where required. A shared local governance structure across the local acute hospitals and the associated CHO will ensure the development of a fully integrated service and end-to-end pathway for individuals living with chronic disease.

The ECC Programme is underpinned by a set of key principles including:

• Eighty percent of services delivered in Primary Care are through the GP and CHNs;
• Identifying and building health needs assessments at a CHN level (approximate population of 50,000) based on a population stratification approach to include identification of people with chronic disease and frequent service users, thereby ensuring the right people get the right service based on the complexity of their health care needs;
• Utilisation of a whole system approach to integrating care based on person centred models, while promoting self-care in the community;
• The Older Persons and Chronic Disease Service Models set out an end to end service architecture for the identification and management of frail older adults with complex care needs and people living with chronic disease;
• Learning from, and delivering services, based on best practice models and the extensive work of the integrated care clinical programmes to date, particularly in the areas of Older Persons and Chronic Disease;
• Embed preventive approach to chronic disease into all services;
• Availability of a timely response to early presentations of identified conditions and the ability to manage appropriate levels of complexity related to same in the community;
• Resources applied intensively in a targeted manner to a defined population, implementing best practice models of care to demonstrate the delivery of specific outcomes and sustainable services; and,
• The need to frontload investment, coupled with reform to strengthen community services.

Ambulatory care hubs are sites identified outside of the hospital setting that will provide access to specialist services within the community. Each hub will be affiliated with a local hospital and will serve a population of approximately 150,000 and will focus primarily on the prevention and management of chronic diseases. These hubs will be established to support the provision of care closer to home and to facilitate ready access to diagnostics, specialist services and specialist opinions in order to enhance the delivery of patient-centred care, support early intervention and avoid hospital admission, where possible.

Each site will develop a suite of pathways that provide access to the hubs and to diagnostics including ECHO and NTProBNP testing, radiology and laboratory testing. The integrated care services will receive clinical governance from dedicated Specialist Consultants to ensure the provision of the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

The Integrated Cardiology Service will support:

· A holistic, multidisciplinary approach to the care of individuals with chronic cardiovascular disease

· Provision of a reformed outpatient service that utilises telehealth and other ICT measures to facilitate a more effective and efficient delivery of care

· Reduced waiting times for patients for hospital-based outpatient services

· Timely access to specialist services and specialist opinion for patients with cardiovascular disease in the community

· Early intervention pathways/ rapid access clinics for acute, chronic or newly presenting cardiovascular conditions

· Development of pathways for the management of chronic cardiovascular disease

· The early assessment and implementation of pathways that will support GP-led primary care, efficient discharge back to the community where appropriate and reduce the need for repeated hospital-based outpatient reviews

· Provision of oversight and implementation of self-management support services for chronic cardiovascular disease, including cardiac rehabilitation

· Facilitating access and reporting of non-invasive cardiology testing e.g. ECHO and NTProBNP testing for GPs

· Providing improved integration of early discharge, outreach and potential admission avoidance programmes

The report Preventing Chronic Disease: Defining the Problem (2014) outlines the impact of known risk factors of chronic diseases on the health of our population. The application of specialty focused knowledge and skills of the CNSp (Cardiovascular Disease – Integrated Care), can fulfil a number of these principles including better integrated care across institutional boundaries, disease prevention and the requirement to support and strengthen self-care in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team (MDT).

The CNSp role will involve 80% working with General Practitioners (GP’s) and MDT’s in Ambulatory Care Hubs and 20% working in Secondary Care and/ or to support the Consultant Cardiologist delivering care in the Ambulatory Care Hub.

Purpose of the Post

The role of the CNSp will differ according to the needs and configuration of established cardiology services at each site. The purpose of this Clinical Nurse Specialist, Cardiovascular Disease - Integrated Care post is to provide expertise and specialist nursing services to patients with a cardiovascular condition both in the hospital outpatient settings and in primary care. The post holder will liaise between acute cardiology services and integrated cardiology services in the community along with other agencies to deliver effective evidenced based care. They will use resources efficiently to achieve the best possible outcomes in keeping with the ICP CD model of care and HIQA standards.

The person appointed to this post will work in newly formed Cardiology Integrated Care services. The post holder will work as part of a multidisciplinary team delivering coordinated evidence based care for patients in primary care whilst liaising closely with secondary care. The CNSp (CVD-IC) will deliver nurse-led clinics to provide support to patients and their GPs in creating care management plans, assisting with diagnosis development and will provide education to patients and staff.

In order to ensure continuity of service to patients the CNSp may be required to rotate/cover other parts of the integrated cardiology service such as Cardiac Rehabilitation. This will also promote service integration and enhance skillset development. It will be dependent on identified service needs at each site. If deemed appropriate, site rotation should occur within the first 3-6 months of taking up the post. The CNSp (CVD-IC) caseload will focus initially on the following patient groups:

• At high risk of developing cardiovascular disease Heart Failure
• Atrial Fibrillation
• Ischaemic Heart Disease

Role Responsibilities

The CNSp 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 Post, 4th ed. National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery (NCNM) 2008. The concepts are:

• Clinical Focus
• Patient/Client Advocate
• Education and Training
• Audit and Research
• Consultant

Clinical Focus

The CNSp. will have a strong patient 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 patient, family and/or carer. Indirect care relates to activities that influence others in their provision of direct care. The CNSp will work in conjunction with other team members in co-ordinating and developing the Integrated Care service to meet the needs of the population it serves in line with the objectives of the organisation.

Direct Care

The CNSp (CVD-IC) will:

· Provide a specialist nursing service for patients with cardiovascular disease that incorporates evidence based knowledge, investigative and analytical skills and specialist assessment techniques to triage comprehensibly assess and manage a range of complex presentations.

· Use the outcomes of patient assessment to develop and implement plans of care/case management in conjunction with the GP/Consultant/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 GP/Consultant/MDT and patient, family and/or carer as appropriate.

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

• Manage nurse led cardiology clinics with GP/Specialist input

· Evaluate clinical problems using objective measurement tools

· In conjunction with other team members, co-ordinate investigations, therapies and patient follow-up in secondary or primary care as appropriate.

• Use a case management approach to patients with complex needs, to include prescribing of appropriate medications if a Registered Nurse Prescriber (RNP) under governance protocols with a collaborative working agreement with each practice.

· Use agreed direct pathway for patients who may present/become clinically unwell at time of attending/engaging with the service.

• In collaboration with the GP and Consultant, co-ordinate investigations, treatment therapies and patient follow-up and referrals as required.
• 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.
• 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/de-escalation plans.
• Identify health promotion priorities for the patient, family and/or carer and support patient self-care in line with best evidence and using the principles laid out by MECC (Make Every Contact Count). This will include the provision educational and health promotion material which is comprehensive, easy to understand and meets patients’ needs
• Assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain informed consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
• Communicate with patients, families and friends, assess needs and provide relevant support, information, education, advice and counselling when and where necessary.

Indirect Care

• Identify and agree appropriate referral pathways for patients with cardiovascular disease
• 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
• Take a proactive role in the formulation and provision of evidence based PPPGs relating to Integrated Care. Contribute to the development and implementation of information sharing protocols, audit systems, referral pathways, individual care plans and shared care arrangements through regular collaboration/meetings with cardiology nurses locally and nationally.
• Manage clinical risk within own clinical caseload, to have up to date knowledge of indications, contraindications and precautions for any treatment skills and techniques selected and applied throughout an individual course of treatment.
• Arrange referrals to other appropriate specialist services as deemed necessary
• Refer for further clinical psychological evaluation if felt necessary or requested by the patient and/or their family.
• Effectively manage time and caseload in order to meet the needs of an evolving service
• Work closely with colleagues across services in order to provide a seamless integrated service for the patient
• Identify and utilise professional and voluntary resources and facilities at local and national level by direct and indirect referral
• Refer to relevant services to assist with procurement of domiciliary equipment and therapies that may be required by the patient
• Participate in the Departmental Clinical Governance processes, working in partnership with the Head of Departments, CNM3/ADON, and Clinical Governance lead and local cardiology governance groups.
• Ensure that effective clinical governance procedures are maintained and evolve according to defined needs and demands in cardiology care.
• Maintain professional standards including patient and data confidentiality in line with HSE policy
• Develop and implement strategies as part of the Integrated Cardiology Care Team for delivering effective care within a changing environment using IT and alternative delivery strategies as needed.

Patient/Client Advocate

CNSp (CVD-IC) will:

• Communicate, negotiate and represent patient’s family and /or carer values and decisions in relation to their condition in collaboration with GP/Consultant/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

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

· Participate in meetings as a patient and service representative when requested to advocate and support the development of services/staff in cardiology care

· Support the development of local patient advocacy groups pertinent to specialty

· Provide and advocate for appropriate assessments, supports and strategies for patients with disease related changes and difficulties.

Education & Training:

CNSp (CVD-IC) will:

• Maintain clinical competence in patient management within cardiology 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 cardiovascular conditions.
• Contribute to the design, development and implementation of education programmes and resources for the patient, family and/or carer in relation to cardiovascular disease thus empowering them to manage their own condition independently and autonomously.
• 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 cardiovascular 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 cardiovascular care;
• Develop and deliver education and training programmes for the wider primary and secondary care MDTs as requested or deemed necessary
• Be responsible for addressing own continuing professional development needs.

Audit & Research:

CNSp (CVD-IC) will:

· Collect and maintain a record of clinically relevant data and National KPI’s as directed and advised by the Cardiac Rehabilitation Coordinator, the National Clinical Programmes and senior management.

· Provide annual reports/updates on patient numbers and activity levels as required for service planning.

• Identify, initiate and conduct nursing and collaborative MDT audit and research projects relevant to the area of practice.
• Identify, critically analyse, disseminate and integrate best evidence relating to cardiovascular care into practice.
• Contribute to nursing research on all aspects of cardiology nursing care.
• Use the outcomes of audit to inform service provision and the need for change.
• 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.

· Contribute to the examination of patients and staffs experiences when engaging with Cardiac Rehabilitation and Integrated services

• Assures all patient evaluations are performed and results communicated to the appropriate stakeholders.
• Represent the department/ team at local, national and international meetings and conferences as appropriate.

Consultant:

CNSp (CVD-IC) will:

· Provide leadership in clinical practice and act as a resource and role model to primary care staff in the area of cardiology practice.

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

· Use specialist knowledge in cardiology care to support and enhance generalist nursing/midwifery practice.

· Develop collaborative working relationships with local cardiology CNSp’s/ Registered and Candidate Advanced Nurse Practitioner’s/ GP’s/ Consultant’s/ MDT colleagues as appropriate, developing person centred care pathways to promote the integrated model of care delivery.

· With the support of the DPHN, attend integrated care planning meetings as required.

· 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 ICP CD model of care.

· Network with other CNSp’s in cardiology care and in related professional associations.

· Support the development of local disease specific patient support groups by acting as a specialist resource and point of contact for educational elements as needed.

· Liaise with other chronic disease specialist teams (such as diabetes) to discuss joint management/assessment needs of patients as necessary.

· Be required to lead out on elements of nursing as a representative for cardiology integrated care.

Health & Safety

These duties must be performed in accordance with local organisational & 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)9. 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.

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.
• 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 authorities
• To initiate, support and implement quality improvement initiatives in their area which are in keeping with local organisational quality, risk and safety requirements.
• Contribute to the development of PPPGs and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.
• 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 CNSp. in HF care.

Specific Responsibility for Best Practice in Hygiene

Hygiene in healthcare is defined as “the practice that serves to keep people and the environment clean and prevent infection. It involves preserving ones health, preventing the spread of disease and recognising, evaluating and controlling health hazards” (HSE 2006)10

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

Management/ Administration

The CNSp. (CVD-IC) will:

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

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

· Develop and monitor implementation of agreed policies, procedures and safe professional practice by adhering to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.

· Ensure the safety of self and others, and the maintenance of safe environments and equipment used in cardiac rehabilitation by assessing and managing risk in their assigned area(s) of responsibility.

Administrative

CNSp (CVD-IC) will:

· Review and evaluate the nursing service regularly, identifying changing needs and opportunities to improve services in conjunction with MDT

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

· Inform the DPHN/ Cardiac Rehabilitation Co-ordinator of staff issues (needs, interests, views) as appropriate

· Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace

· Participate in the control and ordering of stock and equipment

· Keep up to date with organisational developments within the Irish health service

· Engage in IT developments as they apply to clients and service administration

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 him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Eligibility Criteria

Qualifications and/or experience

Applicants must have at the latest date for receipt of completed applications for the post:

1. Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc

(a) Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition:

(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 General 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

(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 Generl 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 Cardiovascular 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 Cardiovascular 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 Cardiovascular 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). (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 andMidwifery Board of Ireland (Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) for the role.

And

(ii) Practitioners must 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.

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 & Midwifery Board of Ireland) by way of the Service user Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC)

Other Requirements specific to the Post

· It is recommended that the CNSp in consultation with line management consider completing the Nurse & Midwife Medicinal Product Prescribing and, if clinical relevant to the role, Nurse Prescribing Ionising Radiation programmes in line with the evolving service requirements.

· Access to own transport as a significant portion of the appointees work will be carried out “off-site”. This means that the appointee will travel to patient’s home/ place of residence and community hubs to perform duties related to the role.

Competencies, Skills and/or Knowledge

Professional Knowledge

The CNSp (CVD-IC) 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, 2014)
• Maintain a high standard of professional behaviour and be professionally accountable for actions/omissions. Take measures to develop and maintain the competences required for professional practice
• Adhere to the Nursing & Midwifery values of Care, Compassion and Commitment (DoH, 2016)
• Adhere to national, regional and local HSE PPPGs
• Adhere to relevant legislation and regulation
• Adhere to appropriate lines of authority within the nurse management structure

Demonstrate:

• An in-depth knowledge of the role of the CNSp (CVD-IC)
• In-depth knowledge of the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease
• The ability to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the patient with cardiovascular disease, Including taking an accurate history of their cardiovascular condition 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/motivational interviewing and self-management strategies that will enable people 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 CNSp (CVD-IC) 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 & Interpersonal Skills

Demonstrate:

• Effective communication skills
• Ability to build and maintain relationships particularly in the context of MDT working
• Ability to advocate strongly and consistently on behalf of patients and the cardiology service
• Ability to present information in a clear and concise manner
• Ability to manage groups through the learning process
• Ability to provide constructive feedback to encourage future learning
• Effective presentation skills

Organisation & Management skills:

Demonstrate:

• Evidence of effective organisational skills including awareness of appropriate resource management
• Ability to attain designated targets, manage deadlines and multiple tasks
• Ability to be self-directed, work on own initiative
• A willingness to be flexible in response to changing local/organisational requirements

Building & Maintaining Relationships including Team and Leadership skills

Demonstrate:

• Leadership, change management and team management skills including the ability to work with MDT colleagues.

Commitment to providing a quality service:

Demonstrate

• Awareness and respect for the patient’s views in relation to their care

· Evidence of providing quality improvement programmes

· Evidence of conducting audit

• Evidence of motivation by on-going professional development.

Analysing & Decision Making

Demonstrate:

• Effective analytical, problem solving and decision making skills.

Other requirements specific to the post

· Access to appropriate transport to fulfil the requirement of the role.

Campaign Specific Selection Process

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/ short listing are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification. Therefore it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements.

Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not being called forward to the next stage of the selection process.

Those successful at the ranking stage of this process (where applied) will be placed on an order of merit list and will be called to interview in ‘bands’ depending on the service needs of the organisation.

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 Code of Practice sets out how the core principles of probity, merit, equity and fairness might be applied on a principle basis. The Codes also specifies the responsibilities placed on candidates, feedback facilities for candidates on matters relating to their application, when requested, and outlines procedures in relation to requests for a review of the recruitment and selection process, and review in relation to allegations of a breach of the Code of Practice. Additional information on the HSE’s review process is available in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code Of Practice, Information For Candidates”.

Codes of Practice are published by the CPSA and are available on www.hse.ie in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, Information For Candidates” or on www.cpsa-online.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 (Cardiovascular Disease – Integrated Care)

Terms and Conditions of Employment

Tenure

The initial vacancies for this post are permanent whole time. This post is pensionable. A panel will be formed from this recruitment campaign and future permanent or specified purpose vacancies of whole-time or part-time duration will be filled from this panel. The tenure of these posts will be indicated at “expression of interest” stage

Appointment as an employee of the Health Service Executive is governed by the Health Act 2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointment) Act 2004.

Remuneration

The Salary Scale for the post is:

€59,661 €60,649 €61,485 €62,849 €64,357 €65,837 €67,318 €68,984 €70,532 €73,194 €75,389 LSI

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 37.5 hours.

Annual Leave

The annual leave associated with the post is to be confirmed at job offer stage.

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.

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 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. 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 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