Senior Behavior Support Specialist Or Clinical Nurse

Avista is a dynamic disability service providing clinical support and residential services to children, young persons and adults with complex disability needs and their families. This post is being recruited for children and young people supported by Blanchardstown CDNT. The successful candidate will be joining the interdisciplinary team with excellent access to supervision and support. The candidate will work in partnership with CDNT clinicians, children and their families, and the staff in special school(s) in the Blanchardstown region to support children and young people with high support needs in relation to their regulations. Danu Community Special School is currently the only special school in Blanchardstown.

The Behaviour Support Specialist / Clinical Nurse Specialist (Autism) will provide specialist assessment, intervention, and support to Autistic children and young people (0–18 years) and complex behavioural needs who attend the Blanchardstown CDNT. This role will also involve supporting pupils who attend Danu CSS.

The post holder will work as part of an interdisciplinary team in line with Progressing Disability Services (PDS) principles, supporting children and their families to achieve meaningful participation, improved regulation, and enhanced quality of life as identified in their Individual Family Support Plan (IFSP) in collaboration with other members of the team.

JOB ADVERTISEMENT

APPLICATIONS ARE INVITED FOR THE FOLLOWING AVISTA CDNT POSITIONS:

Full Time Permanent Senior Behavior Support Specialist (35hpw)

or

Clinical Nurse Specialist (37.5hpw)

Blanchardstown CDNT, Dublin 15

Salary Scale:

·Clinical Nurse Specialist €62,699 - €79,227 LSI

OR

·Behaviour Support Specialist (Play Therapist equivalent): €63,324 - €74,050

*Salary subject to Relevant Public Sector Experience and pro-rated for hours of work.

REF: 99645

Essential Criteria:

· Senior Behaviour Support Specialist Role - Level 8 Health or Social Care Qualification with CORU registration where appropriate.

· Clinical Nurse Specialist Role - Level 9 QQI qualification in the specialist area or related to Nursing with NMBI Registration.

· A minimum of 3 years post registration experience in supporting Autistic children/ young people with complex needs around their regulation/ behaviour within a rights-based & neuroaffirmative framework.

· Excellent communication, interpersonal, teamwork, IT Skills and effective caseload management skills.

· Full driving licence with access to own transport.

Desirable Criteria:

· Experience working within a CDNT or similar multidisciplinary setting.

· Specialist postgraduate qualification in a related area e.g.:

o Autism

o Paediatric Neurodevelopmental Conditions

o Child & Adolescent Mental Health

· Experience delivering specialist workshops and training programmes

Applicants should possess Level 2 behavioral competencies of Avista competency framework as set out in the job descriptions

Why work with us?

• Excellent Career Progression Opportunities.
• Comprehensive Pension Scheme
• Supportive and innovative working environment.
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Paid Maternity Leave & Sick Pay scheme
• Bike to work Scheme
• Tax Saver Travel Scheme

Please submit a Cover letter and CV as application via our website careers section at: https://www.rezoomo.com/company/avista/

Informal enquiries to Liam Callaghan, Children’s Services Manager or Katie Collins Children’s Disability Network Manager, email; liam.callaghan@avistaclg.ie or Katie.collins@avistaclg.ie

Closing date for receipt of applications: 1st July 2026.

Avista reserves the right to close the competition early should a sufficient number of applications be received.
A panel may be formed from which current and future Full Time, Part-Time, Permanent or Temporary vacancies across Avista may be filled.

Avista is a public body and subject to Freedom of Information and Data Protection Requests.

Avista is an equal opportunities employer.