Registered Advanced Midwife Practitioner (RAMP) Neonatology
Job Specification & Terms and Conditions
Job Title and Grade
Registered Advanced Midwife Practitioner (RAMP) Neonatology
(Grade Code 2535)
Campaign Reference
NRS02446
Closing Date
Monday 7th September 2015 @ 12 noon (GMT)
Proposed Interview
Date(s)
Taking up Appointment
September 2015
Organisational Area
Health Service Executive (HSE) West
Location of Post
UL Hospitals , Limerick with initial assignment to University Maternity Hospital
Limerick (UMHL)
Details of Service
UMHL is a regional referral centre for maternity care operating as part of the
University Hospitals Group established in 2012.
A start date will be indicated at Job Offer stage
The group of hospitals includes, University Limerick Hospital (ULH), UMHL,
Ennis, Nenagh and St. John’s hospitals which operate as one single hospital
system of corporate and clinical governance.
UMHL provides a twenty-four hour, seven-day Midwifery and Obstetric service
for the region, including a 24-hour emergency service for all maternity
emergencies. The RAMP (Neonatology) post at UL Hospitals is aimed at
improving the process of care and service delivery in order to provide positive
outcomes for Neonates.
Accountability/Reporting
Arrangements
Professionally accountable to the Group Chief Director of Nursing and
Midwifery – UL Hospitals or delegate.
Clinically accountable to the Consultant Neonatologists.
Key Working
Relationships
Purpose of the Post
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Neonates/Service Users – neonatal interest groups
Clinically – multi-disciplinary team
Director/Assistant Director of Nursing/Midwifery
Senior nurses/midwives within health service
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
Higher Education Institution
Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Unit
Other relevant statutory and non statutory organisations
The overall purpose of the RAMP Neonatology is to provide advanced clinical
neonatal nursing expertise and leadership to improve the healthcare
experience and outcomes for neonates at UL Hospitals.
The RAMP
Neonatology will demonstrate practical and theoretical knowledge and critical
thinking skills that are acknowledged by their peers as exemplary and must
also demonstrate the ability to articulate and rationalise the concept of
advanced practice.
The main objectives of this advanced role are:
Principle Duties and
Responsibilities

To develop and advance the practice of neonatal nursing care and help
improve clinical outcomes, standards and safe quality of care for
neonates and their families.

To act as a resource for the continuing professional development of
neonatal nurses/midwives and NCHD’s in the neonatal unit through
leadership, mentoring, education and learning with the application of
research and evidence based practice (EBP).
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To meet the quality key performance indicators (KPI’s) for Neonatal
Services.
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To reduce the number of admissions to the NICU and reduce the
number of invasive interventions required.
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To enhance clinical outcomes through the promotion of Family Centred
Care (FCC) and developmental care.
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To lead in health promotion in the Neonatal Unit supporting staff,
parents and families achieve better neonatal health outcomes.
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To assess, diagnose and treat newborn infants requiring advanced
neonatal nursing care.
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To network on neonatal care locally, nationally and internationally
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To enhance effective discharge planning and lead initiatives to bring
about the smooth transition from hospital to home.
Autonomy in Clinical Practice
The Registered Advanced Midwife Practitioner Neonatology will be required to:
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Deliver quality direct care to a defined caseload
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Undertake and document a complete episode of patient/neonate care
in an accurate, timely and complete manner (assess, diagnose, treat
and discharge).
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Accept accountability and responsibility for clinical decision making at
advanced practice level by managing a caseload under clinical
supervision.
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Demonstrate expert clinical skills in the diagnosis and treatment of
neonates within a collaboratively agreed scope of practice framework
alongside other healthcare professionals.
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Undertake supervised clinical practice at advanced level
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Use professional judgement and decision making processes to refer
neonates to other health care professionals as required.
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Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team in the development and/ or
review of protocols and guidelines for RAMP led assessment,
intervention and treatment for neonates within agreed caseload for the
service.
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Participate in the future development of integrated care pathways
where appropriate, utilising evidence-based practice guidelines.
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Achieve clinical competence through engagement in clinical
supervision and peer review.
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Maintain professional competence by participating in professional
development initiatives specific to neonatal nursing within and outside
the current department.
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Recognise limitation in scope of practice and address theoretical and
practice gaps through continuing education, consultation with
colleagues and the supervising consultants.
Expert Practitioner
 Manage a mixed caseload of infants requiring neonatal care. (NICU,
HDU and SCBU) and follow-up in OPD.
 Admit neonates to the ICU, HDU or SCBU area when appropriate
 Interpret and extrapolate relevant history
 Undertake a comprehensive neonatal nursing assessment
 Order appropriate investigations and interpret results
 Perform invasive
procedures
and
non-invasive
diagnostic
and
therapeutic
 Use specialised clinical and theoretical knowledge to plan neonatal care
using appropriate management strategies
 Initiate the treatment of sick neonates including drug therapy as per
RAMP neonatology Collaborate Practice Agreement (CPA).
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Initiation and subsequent management of mechanical ventilation, which
will include monitoring of blood gases and altering ventilator settings
 Anticipate and circumvent possible complications
 Attend high-risk and emergency births and lead in the resuscitation and
stabilisation of preterm and ill neonates
 Continuously evaluate progress and where appropriate modify the plan
of care to optimise outcome.
 Communicate with parents regarding their infant’s condition, reason for
admission, management plan and prognosis.
 Perform audits and participate in research. Make appropriate changes
to current practice.
 Develop and or review PPPG’s and makes appropriate changes in line
with evidence based practice.
 Refer infants to appropriate team and the Consultant Neonatologist
 Order, undertake and interpret results and diagnostic procedures
relevant to neonatal care.
 Discharge infants home or to the postnatal wards having made the
appropriate follow up arrangements including referrals to the Public
Health Nurse and General Practitioner.
 Identifies situations of clinical risk and takes appropriate actions to
ensure a safe environment for the neonates and their families.
 Leads/participates in case review and debriefing activities as required.
 Delegates appropriate care intervention and monitoring to other
members of the nursing/midwifery team.
 Have involvement in postnatal wards and antenatal assessments. (i.e.
high-risk and preterm deliveries and the delivery of neonates with an
unexpected illness or congenital abnormality).
 Have a caseload in the OPD as the role develops. The role may entail
neonatal review of selected cases which are agreed with key
stakeholders. This will be pre-planned in conjunction with the
Consultant Neonatologist.
 Accept referrals, which fall within the agreed scope of practice.
 Responsible and accountable for clinical decision-making and ultimately
neonatal healthcare outcomes.
 Referral rights to various services, to ensure babies from diverse
backgrounds get the same access to care.
 Formulates a working diagnosis, initiate investigations and carry out
specific interventions/treatments based on neonate history and physical
assessment.
 Initiates continuous monitoring of neonates responses to interventions
and treatment.
 Provide phone support, a follow up clinic appointment and out of hours
support as required.
 Acts as a resource and utilises a wide range of clinical and critical
thinking skills to influence the review and development of the scope of
practice for the Registered Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioners
working in the Neonatal Department.
 Provides leadership in the implementation of HSE strategies e.g.
National Clinical programs.
 Provide clinical supervision and act as a mentor to nursing/midwifery
staff, undergraduate students and other healthcare professionals in the
clinical area.
 Implement patient safety strategies in line with organisation and
national patient safety agenda.
Professional and Clinical Leadership
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Articulate and rationalise the concept of advanced Nursing practice
within the framework of relevant legislation, The Scope of Nursing and
Midwifery Practice Framework (An Bord Altranais, 2000), The Code of
Professional Conduct (An Bord Altranais, 2000).
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Identify health promotion priorities and opportunities in the area of
neonatology and implement health promotion strategies for
patient/neonates in accordance with the public health agenda.
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Actively engage in leading and managing change in the delivery of
Neonatal Nursing according to neonates need and service demand
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Participate in service planning and budgeting in relation to Neonatal
Nursing.
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Provide leadership in clinical practice and act as a role model for
advanced nursing practice for all neonatal nursing staff.
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Act as a mentor in order to facilitate the education and professional
development of Nursing grades and other healthcare professionals.
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Identify areas of clinical practice relevant to the role that require
development.
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Participate in orientation, in-service training and midwife/nurse training
programmes as required.
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Participate in forums which evaluate quality and standards in clinical
practice.
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Promote an understanding of the role of the Registered Advanced
Midwife Practitioner and increase the awareness of midwives/nurses
and other grades of the scope of practice of the RAMP Neonatology.
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Contribute to the professional body of neonatal nursing knowledge and
practice – locally, nationally and internationally.
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Ensure that effective safety procedures are in place to comply with
Health & Safety Guidelines and Welfare at Work Act.
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Engage in the review of accidents, incidents and near misses related to
Neonatal Nursing. Undertake analysis as appropriate and furnish
reports on same.
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Accept referrals, which fall within the agreed scope of practice
Researcher
 Identify research priorities specific to Neonatal Nursing and the scope
of practice/caseload
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Lead, conduct, disseminate and publish nursing research to shape and
advance neonatal nursing practice, education and policy and the wider
agenda.
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Evaluates care and lead practice developments through research and
audit of practice.
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Initiate, participate in and evaluate audit of the client caseload and
other relevant areas.
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Utilise the outcome of audit to improve service provision or initiate a
change in practice.
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Initiate and foster link with third level education institutions and other
organisations in relation to research.
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Contribute to service planning and budgetary processes through use of
data and specialist knowledge.
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Develop data collecting systems that will inform and evaluate the
service provided by the RAMP Neonatology.
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Identify, critically analyse, disseminate and integrate best available
evidence into practice by developing evidence based guidelines and
protocols.
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Use the outcome of audits to make recommendation to improve
practice, budgetary processes and service planning.
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Assist in the analysis of the data for the Vermont Oxford Neonatal
Network (VON).
The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of
all duties involved and consequently, the Registered Advanced Midwife
Practitioner may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the
post, which may be assigned to him/her from time to time, which
contribute to the development of the Advanced Midwife Practitioner post
while in office.
Eligibility Criteria
Qualifications and / or
experience
Each candidate must, at the latest date for receipt of completed
applications for the post:
Be registered with Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing
and Midwifery Board of Ireland) as a Registered Advanced Midwife Practitioner
Neonatology or be entitled to be so registered
And
Be registered in the Midwives Division of the Register of Nurses & Midwives
maintained by Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing and
Midwifery Board of Ireland or be entitled to be so registered
And
Be educated to Masters degree level (or higher). The postgraduate
programme must be in nursing/midwifery or an area which reflects the
specialist field of practice (education preparation must include a substantial
clinical modular component(s) pertaining to the relevant area of specialist
practice)
And
Have a minimum of 7 years post-registration experience, which will include 5
years experience in the area of Neonatal nursing care
And
Have substantive hours at supervised advanced practice level
And
Have the competence to exercise higher levels of judgement, discretion and
decision making in the clinical area
And
Demonstrate competencies relevant to context of practice
And
Provide evidence of continuing professional development
Post Specific
Requirements
Other requirements
specific to the post
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Registered Nurse Prescriber
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Post registration qualification in Special & Intensive Care of the
Newborn (or higher)
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Substantive hours at supervised practice level to include 500 clinical
supervised hours in history taking, advanced physical assessment,
case management and pathology recognition
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Be an active member of professional associations and organisations
Skills, competencies
and/or knowledge
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Demonstrate evidence of ongoing professional development through
possession of a professional portfolio
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Possess current and valid certification for neonatal resuscitation and
STABLE course.
Have demonstrated core competencies relevant to the context of the scope of
practice on RAMP Neonatology.
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Demonstrates the possession of advanced knowledge and clinical
skills in the specialist area of practice.
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Have experience and demonstrate skills in teaching in the clinical area
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Demonstrates analytical skills
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Demonstrates self-motivation and the ability to motivate and encourage
others
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Demonstrates the ability to work autonomously
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Demonstrates planning and organisational skills
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Demonstrates evidence of continuing professional development
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Demonstrates evidence of information technology/ computer skills
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Demonstrates effective communication skills – oral and written
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Has a working knowledge of 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 and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing
and maintaining these standards.
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Demonstrate evidence of establishing systems, policy, structures
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Demonstrate leading on process, values and vision for service
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Demonstrate knowledge of Microsoft Office: word, excel, power-point,
outlook
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Possess valid and current (within previous 2 years) certification for
basic life support (BLS) , NRP and manual handling.
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Be knowledgeable in relation to the pathophysiology of acute and
chronic conditions encountered in the neonatal population.
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Possess advanced health assessment, diagnostic
managements skills relevant to neonatal care.
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Prioritise health problems and have the skills to undertake emergency
care including resuscitation and stabilisation.
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Differentiate between, normal, variations of normal and abnormal
clinical findings.
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Use advanced knowledge and expertise to educate parents and
prepare them for their parental role and the discharge of their baby.
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Demonstrate high visibility in the clinical setting as an autonomous
practitioner and role model demonstrating an expert level of
professional competency in the area of Neonatology.
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Demonstrate advanced practical and theoretical knowledge and critical
thinking skills to manage the defined caseload.
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Demonstrate competence to exercise higher levels of judgments,
discretion and decision making in the area of Neonatal Nursing within a
and clinical
defined scope of practice.
Campaign Specific
Selection Process
Ranking / 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 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 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.
Registered Advanced Midwife Practitioner (RAMP) Neonatology
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Tenure
The initial vacancy for this post is permanent and whole time. This post is pensionable.
A panel may be created from which permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or
part time duration may be filled. The tenure of these posts will be indicated at “expression
of interest” stage.
Appointment as an employee of the Health Service Executive is governed by the Health
Act 2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointment) Act 2004.
Remuneration
The Salary Scale (as at 01/07/13) for the post is:
Euro 54,870 – 55,952 – 56,996 – 60,201 – 61,210 – 62,382 – 63,477 – 64,566 – 65,066
(pro rata)
The standard working week applying to the post is: 39 hours (pro rata)
Working Week
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 applying to the post holder will be agreed at job offer stage
Superannuation
This is a pensionable position with the HSE. The successful candidate will upon
appointment become a member of the appropriate pension scheme. Pension scheme
membership will be notified within the contract of employment. Members of pre-existing
pension schemes who transferred to the HSE on the 01st January 2005 pursuant to
Section 60 of the Health Act 2004 are entitled to superannuation benefit terms under
the HSE Scheme which are no less favourable to those which they were entitled to at
31st December 2004
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
All HSE employees must have a working knowledge of 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.