Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health)
Job Specifications NRS02174
Table of Contents
Page
Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health) – Community Mental Health Nursing
Adult / Rehabilitation
Child & Adolescent (CAMHS)
Forensic Mental Health
Psychiatry of Later Life
2-8
Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health)
Addiction
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Deliberate Self Harm / Suicide Crises Assessment / Liaison Psychiatry
Eating Disorders
Family Therapy
Intellectual Disability (with a Mental Health diagnosis)
9 - 16
Page 1 of 16
Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health) – Community Mental Health Nursing
Job Specification & Terms and Conditions
Job Title, Grade,
Grade Code
Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health) – Community Mental Health Nursing
(Grade Code 2625)
Campaign
Reference
NRS02174
Closing Date
Friday 17 April 2015 12 noon
Proposed Interview
Date (s)
To be confirmed at a later date
Taking up
Appointment
Organisational Area
A start date will be indicated at job offer stage
Location of Post
Please note that the panel created from this recruitment campaign will be used to fill
vacancies at all HSE sites as appropriate for the following Specialty Areas:
All Health Service Executive (HSE) Areas – DML, DNE, West and South
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Adult / Rehabilitation
Child & Adolescent (CAMHS)
Forensic Mental Health
Psychiatry of Later Life
Live vacancies at the time of publication are listed on Page 1 of Additional Campaign
Information.
Details of Service
Mental Health Services are provided in a wide range of hospital and community based
locations. Hospital services include Emergency Department, Acute Admission,
Continuing Care, Rehabilitation , Care of the Older Person, Psychiatry of Later Life,
Intensive Treatment units. Community based Mental Health Services include: Home Care
Teams, Assertive Outreach, Early Intervention Services, Day Hospital Services, Day
Centre Services, Vocational Training / Sheltered Employment services, Residential Units
and High Support Hostels.
As the HSE moves towards an Integrated Care Model of Service Provision, you will be
required to work in a Primary Care/Secondary care or Community setting and across all
care groups as service needs develop, or rotate between both the hospital and a Primary
Care/Community setting.
The person appointed to this post will work within the Services working as part of multidisciplinary teams delivering a co-ordinated approach to client care.
Reporting
Relationship
The Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health) – Community Mental Health Nursing post
holder is
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Purpose of the Post
Principal Duties and
Responsibilities
professionally accountable to the Area Director of Nursing or their nominee
is clinically accountable to the Consultant Psychiatrist
The post of Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health) – Community Mental Health Nursing
has a pivotal role in the delivery of effective, recovery orientated, high quality, team based,
integrated care for individuals with mental health problems. The purpose of the role is also
to provide assessment and support the individual through the delivery of appropriate
treatment and recovery orientated interventions to support care in the community working
towards reduction in the need for acute hospitalisation. This may include: domiciliary
visits, family support, liaison with other services.
The Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health) – Community Mental Health Nursing will:
Clinical – Direct
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Assess and manage patient care to ensure the highest professional standards
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using an evidence based, care planning approach in all locations of care.
Plan implement, co-ordinate and evaluate care in collaboration with the service
user, the family/carer and the multidisciplinary team.
Effectively manage referrals to the team that require comprehensive assessment,
education of service user and family, other health care professional colleagues
and case management.
Provide a recovery orientated, person centred approach to care
Communicate verbally and / or in writing results of assessments, treatment / care
programmes and recommendations to the team and relevant others in accordance
with service policy.
Take cognisance of drug treatments and interactions and support medical staff
with medication management
Communicate with service users, advocacy groups, families, carers and provide
relevant information, education, advice, support and counselling when and where
necessary.
Provide verbal and written communications
Provide appropriate treatment and recovery interventions (psychosocial, cognitive
behaviour and wellness action plans)
Clinical – Indirect
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Provide a high level of professional and clinical leadership.
Practice nursing according to the Code of Professional Conduct and the Scope of
Practice Framework as laid down by the Nursing Midwifery Board Ireland (An Bórd
Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann)
Adhere to national, regional and local Health Service Executive (HSE) guidelines,
policies, protocols and legislation
Manage own caseload
Provide a service which optimises quality and continuity of care
Agree and establish as appropriate clear referral pathways to enhance
communication, social inclusion and vocational integration.
Participate in teams / meetings, committees as appropriate, communicating and
working in co-operation with other team members.
Facilitate co-ordination, co-operation and liaison across healthcare teams and
programmes
Collaborate with service users, family, carers and other staff in treatment / care
planning and in the provision of support, advice and education.
Maintain nursing records in accordance with local service and professional
standards
Adhere to and contribute to the development and maintenance of nursing
standards, protocols and guidelines consistent with the highest standards of
patient care.
Receive and contribute to ongoing clinical supervision to support clinical practice
Maintain professional standards in relation to confidentiality, ethics and legislation
In consultation with professional colleagues, implement and assess quality clinical
and management programmes
Participate in clinical audit on an ongoing basis
Initiate and participate in research studies as appropriate
In order to maximise health improvement devise and implement Health Promotion
strategies reflecting the specific needs of the individual service user.
Operate within the scope of practice – seek support and clinical supervision from
his / her manager with any cases or issues that prove professionally challenging.
Plan discharge or transition of the service user between services as appropriate
Ensure that the service users and others are treated with dignity and respect
Provide information, advice and education to the public on availability of services
out of hours /at times of crisis.
Develop recovery orientated plans with service users in collaboration with
professional colleagues, families and carers.
Identify and utilise professional and voluntary resources and facilities at local and
regional level
Education and Training
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Maintain clinical and nursing competence through engaging in continuing
professional development by keeping up to date with nursing literature, recent
nursing research and new developments in nursing management, education and
practice and to attend staff study days as considered appropriate.
Liaise with Centres of Nurse Education, teaching and education /academic
departments to provide expert education and support within the mental health
services and community.
Provide specialist and educational information / material to services users,
families, carers, professional colleagues, primary care teams and community
groups.
Participate in education programmes to community groups and the public which
promotes recovery, mental health promotion, social inclusion and vocational
integration.
Supervise and precept undergraduate and post graduate student nurses and
foster a clinical learning environment.
Engage in performance review processes including personal development
planning as appropriate.
Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace
Liaise with Primary Care Teams as appropriate
Ensure that effective clinical governance procedures are maintained and evolve
according to defined needs and demands in the specialist mental health services.
When required the Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health) will agree to
undertake the Nurse Prescribing of Medicinal Products Certificate, and achieve
the requirements to become a Registered Nurse Prescriber (RNP) in Ireland
within an agreed timeframe with DON.
When required the Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health) will be funded and
supported in response to service needs or specific speciality to undertake the
Nurse Prescribing of Medicinal Products Certificate, and achieve the requirements
to become a Registered Nurse Prescriber (RNP) in Ireland within an agreed
timeframe with DON.
Audit & Research
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Contribute to the development and implementation of information sharing
protocols, audit systems, referral pathways, person centred care plans.
Audit and research the service to evaluate the quality of patient care. Outcomes
should contribute to the service plan, to the care of service users and families.
Ensure the views of service users and are effectively sought and integrated into
the management and delivery of services
Ensure compliance with legal requirements, policies and procedures affecting
service users, staff and other hospital matters
Maintain all necessary clinical and administrative records and reporting
arrangements
Engage in Information Technology (IT) developments as they apply to service
user and service administration.
Have a dynamic role in the development of key performance indicators and
monitoring of same within services
Patient Advocate
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Act in collaboration with other members of the CMHT as a patient advocate,
involving communication, negotiation and representation of service users values
and decisions at all locations and meetings as appropriate.
Develop and support the concept of advocacy particularly in relation to patients
participation in decision making therapy enabling informed choice of treatment
options through education and information
Establish and maintain procedures for collaboration and cooperation between
secondary and primary care services and professionals
Establish, maintain and improve procedures for collaboration and cooperation
between vocational, social and vocational services and professionals
The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties
involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties
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as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and
to contribute to the development of the post while in office.
Eligibility Criteria
Qualifications and/ or
experience
Candidates must have at the latest date of application:
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Candidates must be registered in the Psychiatric Division of the Register of
Nurses kept by the Nursing Midwifery Board Ireland (Bord Altranais agus
Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) or be entitled to be so registered
And
Have at least 5 years post registration experience in the division of the register
in which the applicant is currently practicing
And
Have a minimum of 2 years experience in the specialist area
And
Have the ability to practice safely and effectively fulfilling his/her professional
responsibility within his/her scope of practice
And
Must demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development
And
Must have a level 8 post psychiatric registration Quality & Qualifications
Ireland major academic award relevant to the specialist area prior to
application.
Note: Post holders must maintain annual registration with Bord Altranais agus
Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing Midwifery Board Ireland)
Health
A candidate 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.
Character
Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.
Age
Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new
entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation Act, 2004). A candidate
who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the first day of the
month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office
occurs.
Post Specific
Requirements
Post registration qualifications must be relevant to the specialty area chosen.
Dependent on the Specialty Area chosen, applicants must demonstrate 2 years in the
specialty. Applicants choosing:
Adult / Rehabilitation Mental Health Services
Demonstrate depth and breadth of psychiatric nursing experience in an acute or
community setting working with Adults and / or in Rehabilitation in a Mental Health setting
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience in psychiatric nursing in a Child and
Adolescent Mental Health Nursing Service. Posts in this specialty area may include both
community and in patient settings.
Forensic Mental Health
Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience in psychiatric nursing in a Forensic Mental
Health setting. Posts in this specialty area may include both community and in patient
settings.
Psychiatry of Later Life
Demonstrate depth and breadth of psychiatric nursing experience in residential, in patient,
or community in a Psychiatry of Later Life Mental Health setting.
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Please note other post specific requirements will be outlined for each individual post that
arises, as needed.
Other requirements
specific to the post
Access to transport as posts will involve travel.
Skills, competencies
and/or knowledge
Candidates must demonstrate:
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Campaign Specific
Selection Process
Ranking / Shortlisting
/ Interview
Practitioner competence and professional credibility – demonstrates a high level of
mental health clinical knowledge to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities
of the role.
The ability to lead on mental health clinical practice and service quality
Promotion of evidence-based decision making
The ability to plan and manage resource effectively
Effective analytical, problem solving and decision making skills
Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to build and maintain relationships and
be an effective and leading multi-disciplinary team member
Effective communication and influencing skills
Initiative and innovation in the delivery of a quality service
Resilience and composure
Openness to change
Integrity and an ethical stance
A commitment to continuing professional development
The ability to relate nursing research to nursing practice
Knowledge of quality assurance practices and their application to nursing procedures
Awareness of relevant legislation and policy e.g. legislation relevant to mental health,
health and safety, infection control etc.
Awareness of current and emerging nursing strategies and policies in relation to the
mental health clinical area
Awareness of relevant Health Service Programmes
A willingness to develop IT skills relevant to the role
A ranking and or shortlisting exercise may be carried out on the basis of information
supplied in your application form. The criteria for ranking and or shortlisting are based on
the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies
and/or knowledge section of this job specification. Therefore it is very important that you
think about your experience in light of those requirements.
Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not being
called forward to the next stage of the selection process.
Those successful at the ranking stage of this process (where applied) will be placed on an
order of merit and will be called to interview in ‘bands’ depending on the service needs of
the organisation.
Code of Practice
The Health Service Executive will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of
Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA). The Code
of Practice sets out how the core principles of probity, merit, equity and fairness might be
applied on a principle basis. The Code also specifies the responsibilities placed on
candidates, facilities for feedback to applicants on matters relating to their application
when requested, and outlines procedures in relation to requests for a review of the
recruitment and selection process and review in relation to allegations of a breach of the
Code of Practice. Additional information on the HSE’s review process is available in the
document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, information for
candidates”.
Codes of practice are published by the CPSA and are available on
www.hse.ie/eng/staff/jobs in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of
Practice, information for candidates” or on www.cpsa.ie.
The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the job
description may be reviewed.
This job Specification is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither
Page 6 of 16
definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.
Page 7 of 16
Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health)
Tenure
Terms and Conditions of Employment
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 (as at 01/01/10) for the post is:
Euro 47,089 – 47,886 – 48,559 – 49,659 – 50,874 – 52,067 – 53,260 – 54,604 – 55,852
(pro rata)
Working Week
The standard working week applying to the post is: 39 hours (pro rata)
HSE Circular 003-2009 “Matching Working Patterns to Service Needs (Extended Working
Day / Week Arrangements); Framework for Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards
2016” applies. Under the terms of this circular, all new entrants and staff appointed to
promotional posts from Dec 16th 2008 will be required to work agreed roster / on call
arrangements as advised by their line manager. Contracted hours of work are liable to
change between the hours of 8am-8pm over seven days to meet the requirements for
extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement
(Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016).
Annual Leave
The annual leave associated with the post is to be confirmed at job offer stage.
Superannuation
Membership of the HSE Employee Superannuation Scheme applies to this appointment.
Existing Members who transferred to the HSE on 1st 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 to which they were entitled at 31 st
December 2004.
Appointees to posts in the Mental Health Services which formerly attracted fast accrual of
service should note that the terms of Section 65 of the Mental Treatment Act 1945 do not
apply to New Entrant Public Servants as defined by Section 12 of the Public Service
Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 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.
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.
Protection of
Persons Reporting
Child Abuse Act
1998
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.
Page 8 of 16
Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health)
Job Specification & Terms and Conditions
Job Title, Grade,
Grade Code
Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health) - Addiction
Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health) - Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health) - Deliberate Self Harm / Suicide Crises Assessment /
Liaison Psychiatry
Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health) - Eating Disorders
Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health) - Family Therapy
Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health) - Intellectual Disability (with a Mental Health diagnosis)
(Grade Code 2625)
Campaign
Reference
NRS02174
Closing Date
Friday 17 April 2015 at 12 noon
Proposed
Interview Date (s)
To be confirmed at a later date
Taking up
Appointment
Organisational
Area
Location of Post
A start date will be indicated at job offer stage
All Health Service Executive (HSE) Areas – DML, DNE, West and South
Please note that the panel created from this recruitment campaign will be used to fill vacancies at
all HSE sites as appropriate for the following Specialty Areas:






Addiction
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Deliberate Self Harm / Suicide Crises Assessment / Liaison Psychiatry
Eating Disorders
Family Therapy
Intellectual Disability (with a Mental Health diagnosis)
Live vacancies at the time of publication are listed on Page 1 of Additional Campaign Information.
Details of Service
Mental Health Services are provided in a wide range of hospital and community based locations.
Hospital services include Emergency Department, Acute Admission, Continuing Care,
Rehabilitation , Care of the Older Person, Psychiatry of Later Life, Intensive Treatment units.
Community based Mental Health Services include: Home Care Teams, Assertive Outreach, Early
Intervention Services, Day Hospital Services, Day Centre Services, Vocational Training /
Sheltered Employment services, Residential Units and High Support Hostels.
As the HSE moves towards an Integrated Care Model of Service Provision, you will be required to
work in a Primary Care/Secondary care or Community setting and across all care groups as
service needs develop, or rotate between both the hospital and a Primary Care/Community
setting.
The person appointed to this post will work within the Services working as part of multi-disciplinary
teams delivering a co-ordinated approach to client care.
Reporting
Relationship
The Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health) post holder is
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professionally accountable to the Area Director of Nursing or their nominee
is clinically accountable to the Consultant Psychiatrist
Page 9 of 16
Purpose of the
Post
Principal Duties
and
Responsibilities
The post of Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health) has a pivotal role in the delivery of effective,
recovery orientated, high quality, team based, integrated care for individuals with mental health
problems. The purpose of the role is also to provide assessment and support the individual
through the delivery of appropriate treatment and recovery orientated interventions to support care
in the community working towards reduction in the need for acute hospitalisation. This may
include: domiciliary visits, family support, liaison with other services.
The Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health) will:
Professional Responsibilities
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Practice nursing according to the Code of Professional Conduct and the Scope of Practice
Framework as laid down by the Irish Nursing Midwifery Board (An Bórd Altranais agus
Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann)
Adhere to national, regional and local Health Service Executive (HSE) guidelines, policies,
protocols and legislation
Work within their scope of practice and take measures to develop and maintain the
competence necessary for professional practice
Maintain a high standard of professional behaviour and be accountable for their practice
Be aware of ethical policies and procedures which pertain to their area of practice
Respect and maintain the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of the patient
Follow appropriate lines of authority within the Nurse Management structure.
Clinical – Direct
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Develop services in the specialty area in line with the National Clinical Programme Model
of Care and associated guidance documents.
Work in collaboration with other members of the mental health and primary care team in
assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating an individualised plan of care for
individuals presenting with self harm/suicidal ideation which meets each individual’s
needs. This will encompass:
- Standardised nursing and risk assessments of the individual presenting to review
and adjust risk in line with the persons needs
- Planning patient care – the CNS will work closely alongside the GP and within
agreed protocol driven guidelines to develop an individualised plan of care and
develop risk management plans
- Work in collaboration with the person as experts in their own care, promoting the
principles of recovery, choice and personalisation
- Deliver patient care in conjunction with the patient/family/significant others for
support as appropriate
- Support, educate and empower the person in decision-making regarding coping
mechanism and resilience building.
- Evaluate patient care through audit and research to evaluate the quality of patient
experience and care in collaboration with the service user, General Practitioner,
their family/carer and the multidisciplinary team. Outcomes of audit /research
should also contribute to the service plan of care to these individuals and their
families in acute /community and outpatients settings.
- Develop and establish person centred pathways of care for these individuals in
collaboration with family, primary and secondary services, voluntary and
vocational as appropriate. .
Carry a clinical caseload and manage as designated within the patient care pathway. This
may involve delivering interventions with patients assessed and engaged with the service
and may involve shared case management until the person is transferred to the relevant
Community Mental Health Team, Statutory of Voluntary Service.
Establish systems to support effective liaison between General Practitioners, Community
Mental Health Teams , Statutory Service Providers and Voluntary Service Providers
Communicate verbally and / or in writing results of assessments, treatment / care
programmes and recommendations to the GP, team and relevant others in accordance
with service policy.
Act as a clinical support /resource to staff in the Primary Care and to the staff in the
Community and advise on care provision for people who self harm or are in crisis/
suicidal.
Communicate with service users, advocacy groups, families, carers and provide relevant
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information, education, advice, support and counselling when and where necessary.
Explore the need to develop support programmes with other voluntary/ statutory partners
where indicated.
Deliver specialist evidenced bases therapeutic interventions post assessment: cognitive
behavioural, psychosocial and dialectical behaviour interventions
Undertake early and crisis intervention measures as appropriate
Carry out joint assessments with GPs and where appropriate jointly manage the care of
patients in the community with their GP.
Clinical – Indirect
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Accept referrals from Primary Care Services and any member of the nominated Clinical
Team to which they are attached.
Provide a high level of professional and clinical leadership.
Provide a service which optimises quality and continuity of care
Participate in the department’s clinical governance process: i.e. teams / meetings,
committees as appropriate, communicating and working in co-operation with other team
members.
Facilitate co-ordination, co-operation and liaison across primary and secondary healthcare
teams and programmes
Collaborate with service users, family, carers and other staff in treatment / care planning
and in the provision of support, advice and education as appropriate.
Adhere to and contribute to the development and maintenance of nursing standards,
protocols and guidelines consistent with the highest standards of patient care.
Advise and support GP’s upon referrals onto specialist secondary care mental health
services.
In partnership with GP, Primary Care, CMHT and community support groups seek to
establish shared care protocols and care pathways in respect of service users specialist
needs.
Undertake carers support during times of distress or difficulty.
Receive and contribute to ongoing clinical supervision to support clinical practice
Operate within the scope of practice – seek support and clinical supervision from his / her
manager with any cases or issues that prove professionally challenging.
In consultation with professional colleagues, implement and assess quality clinical and
management programmes
Initiate and participate in research studies as appropriate
In order to maximise health improvement devise and implement Health Promotion
strategies reflecting the specific needs of the individual service user.
Ensure that effective clinical governance procedures are maintained and evolve according
to defined needs and demands in the specialist mental health services
Education and Training
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






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Maintain clinical and nursing competence through engaging in continuing professional
development by keeping up to date with nursing literature, recent nursing research and
new developments in nursing management, education and practice and attend staff study
days as considered appropriate.
Attend national training /education programme associated with the National Clinical
Programme
Deliver education & training programme to staff working in primary and secondary
services as required
Liaise with Centres of Nurse Education and Higher Institutes of Education (HEI) inform the
design and delivery of specialist education and support within the mental health services
and community.
Provide specialist and educational information / material to services users, families,
carers, professional colleagues, primary care teams and community groups.
Participate in education programmes to community groups and the public which promotes
recovery, mental health promotion, social inclusion and vocational integration.
Supervise and precept undergraduate and post graduate student nurses and foster a
clinical learning environment.
Engage in performance review processes including personal development planning as
appropriate.
Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace
Page 11 of 16
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Liaise with Primary Care Teams and Community Mental Health teams as appropriate
When required the Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health) will be funded and supported
in response to service needs or specific speciality to undertake the Nurse Prescribing of
Medicinal Products Certificate, and achieve the requirements to become a Registered
Nurse Prescriber (RNP) in Ireland within an agreed timeframe with DON.
Audit & Research
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Manage the specialist area referral data, keeping an up to date monthly account of
statistics that will include data on self referrals, total numbers, discharge destinations,
stress factors and follow up.
Contribute to the development and implementation of information sharing protocols, audit
systems, referral pathways, person centred care plans.
Conduct audit in relation to their area of responsibility in order to evaluate the quality,
quantum and outcomes of patient care.
Submit data as required by the Mental Health Service National Clinical Programme in the
agreed format and within the agreed timeframes.
Promote individual best practice interventions in accordance with the identified needs of
patients
Undertake and lead in clinical and organisational audit to continually evaluate the
effectiveness of the service provided against established research / evidence
Also be expected to support the research agenda with other members of the team in
relation to impact of services and outcomes.
Ensure the views of service users and are effectively sought and integrated into the
management and delivery of services
Ensure compliance with legal requirements, policies and procedures affecting service
users, staff and other hospital matters
Maintain all necessary clinical and administrative records and reporting arrangements
Engage in Information Technology (IT) developments as they apply to service user and
service administration.
Have a dynamic role in the development of key performance indicators and monitoring of
same within services
Patient Advocate
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Act in collaboration with other members of the PCT and CMHT as a patient advocate,
involving communication, negotiation and representation of service user’s values,
decisions and needs as appropriate.
Develop and support the concept of advocacy particularly in relation to patients
participation in decision making enabling informed choice of treatment options through
education and information
Liaise with other health services professionals in the development and ongoing delivery of
this service by coordinating regular MDT meetings.
Establish, maintain and improve procedures for collaboration and cooperation between
acute hospital services, community services, primary care services and voluntary services
Establish, maintain and improve procedures for collaboration and cooperation between
vocational and social services and professionals
Consultant
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Act as a resource in providing specialist information, advice and care in liaison with the
GP and Practice Nurse
Act as a resource in providing education to the public on availability of services out of
hours.
Promote the role of the CNS among healthcare staff
Work with, support, advise and help build up the knowledge and expertise of the other
healthcare professionals in the team involved in providing care for service users
presenting through regular formal and informal education.
Health & Safety

Comply with the policies, procedures and safe professional practice of the Irish Healthcare
System by adhering to relevant legislation, regulations and standards
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Document appropriately and report any near misses, hazards and accidents and bring them to
the attention of relevant / designated individual(s) in line with best practice
Work in a safe manner with due care and attention to the safety of self and others
Be aware of risk management issues, identify risks and take appropriate action
Comply with department procedures with regard to assessment, recommendation and / or
manufacturing of all assistive devices
Promote a culture that values diversity and respect
Attend mandatory Health and Safety training
Have a working knowledge of the Mental Health Commission’s Quality Framework standards
as they apply to the role.
Administration
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Ensure the efficient action of complaints in accordance with HSE Policy
Contribute to policy development and formulation, performance monitoring, business planning
and budgetary control
Ensure that records are safeguarded and managed as per HSE / local policy and in
accordance with relevant legislation
Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records / data on all matters pertaining to the
planning, management, delivery and evaluation of this service in line with Health Service
Executive requirements
Requisition with due economy. Ensure that equipment is maintained according to Service
Policy
Assist in the implementation of Information Technology developments
Undertake other duties as required by the Director of Nursing or his / her designate
The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties
involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as
appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to
contribute to the development of the post while in office.
Candidates must have at the latest date of application:
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And
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And
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And
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And
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And
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Candidates must be registered in the Psychiatric Division of the Register of Nurses
kept by the Nursing Midwifery Board Ireland (Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na
hÉireann) or be entitled to be so registered
Have at least 5 years post registration experience in the division of the register in
which the applicant is currently practicing
Have a minimum of 2 years experience in the specialist area
Have the ability to practice safely and effectively fulfilling his/her professional
responsibility within his/her scope of practice
Must demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development
Must have a level 8 post psychiatric registration Quality & Qualifications Ireland major
academic award relevant to the specialist area prior to application.
Note: Post holders must maintain annual registration with Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na
hÉireann (Nursing Midwifery Board Ireland)
Health
A candidate 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.
Character
Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.
Age
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Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant
(within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation Act, 2004). A candidate who is not
classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the first day of the month in which
the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office occurs.
Post Specific
Requirements
Post registration qualifications must be relevant to the specialty area chosen.
Dependent on the Specialty Area chosen, applicants must demonstrate 2 years in the specialty
are chosen. Applicants choosing:
Addiction
Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience in psychiatric nursing to include specific experience
in mental health alcohol and drug services, dual diagnosis, and therapeutic interventions
applicable to the service user needs and that of their family.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Demonstrate depth and breadth of psychiatric nursing to include experience in the utilisation of
evidenced based CBT skills and techniques in various settings.
Deliberate Self Harm/Suicide Crisis Assessment/Liaison Psychiatry
Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience in psychiatric nursing to include experience in the
assessment of self harm presentations to acute hospital, primary care with specific reference to
care planning, managing risk and safety plans.
Eating Disorders
Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience in psychiatric nursing to include experience in the
assessment, care planning and team working of eating disorders presentations to acute hospital,
primary care, community mental health team and specified units.
Family Therapy
Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience in psychiatric nursing to include experience in
family therapy, utilising evidence based skills and competencies, working directly with families
in the community setting.
Mental Health and Intellectual Disability
Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience in psychiatric nursing to include experience in
working with service user with a mental health and intellectual disability across various settings
both residential and community. Working with family and carers, supporting and advising
colleagues in the care planning process.
Please note other post specific requirements will be outlined for each individual post that arises,
as needed.
Other
requirements
specific to the
post
Skills,
competencies
and/or knowledge
Access to transport as posts may involve travel.
Candidates must demonstrate:
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Practitioner competence and professional credibility – demonstrates a high level of mental
health clinical knowledge to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role.
Display evidence based clinical knowledge and skills in risk assessment and risk
management
Have an in depth knowledge of psychiatric clinical presentations and appropriate treatment
interventions for the specialist area chosen
Competent in delivering the relevant psychosocial, cognitive behavioural and dialectical
behavioural interventions to the service user
The ability to lead on mental health clinical practice and service quality
Promotion of evidence-based decision making
The ability to plan and manage resources effectively
Effective analytical, problem solving and decision making skills
Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to build and maintain relationships and be an
effective and leading multi-disciplinary team member
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Campaign
Specific Selection
Process
Ranking /
Shortlisting /
Interview
Effective communication and influencing skills
Initiative and innovation in the delivery of a quality service
Resilience and composure
Openness to change
Integrity and an ethical stance
A commitment to continuing professional development
The ability to relate nursing research to nursing practice
Knowledge of quality assurance practices and their application to nursing procedures
Awareness of relevant legislation and policy e.g. legislation relevant to mental health, health
and safety, infection control etc.
Awareness of current and emerging nursing strategies and policies in relation to the mental
health clinical area
Awareness of relevant Health Service Programmes
A willingness to develop IT skills relevant to the role
A ranking and or shortlisting exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in
your application form. The criteria for ranking and or shortlisting are based on the requirements of
the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies and/or knowledge section of
this job specification. Therefore it is very important that you think about your experience in light of
those requirements.
Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not being called
forward to the next stage of the selection process.
Those successful at the ranking stage of this process (where applied) will be placed on an order of
merit and will be called to interview in ‘bands’ depending on the service needs of the organisation.
Code of Practice
The Health Service Executive will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice
prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA). The Code of Practice sets
out how the core principles of probity, merit, equity and fairness might be applied on a principle
basis. The Code also specifies the responsibilities placed on candidates, facilities for feedback to
applicants on matters relating to their application when requested, and outlines procedures in
relation to requests for a review of the recruitment and selection process and review in relation to
allegations of a breach of the Code of Practice. Additional information on the HSE’s review
process is available in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice,
information for candidates”.
Codes of practice are published by the CPSA and are available on www.hse.ie/eng/staff/jobs in
the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, information for candidates” or
on www.cpsa.ie.
The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the job
description may be reviewed.
This job Specification 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.
Page 15 of 16
Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health)
Tenure
Terms and Conditions of Employment
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 (as at 01/01/10) for the post is:
Euro 47,089 – 47,886 – 48,559 – 49,659 – 50,874 – 52,067 – 53,260 – 54,604 – 55,852
(pro rata)
Working Week
The standard working week applying to the post is: 39 hours (pro rata)
HSE Circular 003-2009 “Matching Working Patterns to Service Needs (Extended Working
Day / Week Arrangements); Framework for Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards
2016” applies. Under the terms of this circular, all new entrants and staff appointed to
promotional posts from Dec 16th 2008 will be required to work agreed roster / on call
arrangements as advised by their line manager. Contracted hours of work are liable to
change between the hours of 8am-8pm over seven days to meet the requirements for
extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement
(Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016).
Annual Leave
The annual leave associated with the post is to be confirmed at job offer stage.
Superannuation
Membership of the HSE Employee Superannuation Scheme applies to this appointment.
Existing Members who transferred to the HSE on 1st 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 to which they were entitled at 31 st
December 2004.
Appointees to posts in the Mental Health Services which formerly attracted fast accrual of
service should note that the terms of Section 65 of the Mental Treatment Act 1945 do not
apply to New Entrant Public Servants as defined by Section 12 of the Public Service
Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 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.
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.
Protection of
Persons Reporting
Child Abuse Act
1998
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.
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