Clinical Nurse Specialist Heart Failure (General)
Job Specification
Job Title and
Grade
Competition
Reference
Closing Date
Clinical Nurse Specialist Heart Failure (CNS) (Grade Code 2632)
Proposed
Interview Date(s)
Taking up
Appointment
Organisational
Area
Location of Post
Week Commencing 14th November 2011
NRS0499
19th October 2011 at 2:00pm
To be indicated at job offer stage
All Health Service Executive (HSE) Regions
Initial vacancies are available in the following sites: HSE Dublin Mid Leinster
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Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore
St. Colmcille’s Hospital, Loughlinstown
HSE Dublin North East
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Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown
Cavan General Hospital
HSE South
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Cork University Hospital
Waterford Regional Hospital
HSE West
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Reporting
Relationship
Purpose of the
Post
Galway University Hospital
Limerick Regional Hospital
Sligo General Hospital
A panel will be formed from this recruitment campaign and future permanent or specified
purpose vacancies will be filled from this panel. The tenure of these posts will be indicated at
"expression of interest" stage.
The post holder:
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Is professionally accountable to the Director of Nursing (DON) or designated clinical officer
as required and works in partnership with the multi disciplinary team.
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Will report to the Assistant DON or designated officer as required on operational matters.
The role of the CNS (Heart Failure) is to provide for the care and on-going management of
patients with heart failure. The post holder will be required to work as a key member of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) providing physical, psychological and emotional support to heart failure
patients and their families throughout their heart failure disease trajectory. She/he will act as a
liaison between Heart Failure Services, Primary Care Teams, and other agencies. The post
holder will work as part of the MDT to achieve the strategic objectives of the Heart Failure
Service in hospitals nationally, to develop the nursing role within the heart failure services in line
with the Heart Failure National Clinical Programme Model of Care and associated guidance.
The CNS (Heart Failure) will have direct involvement in and extensive knowledge of the
specialist area of practice and will be responsible for providing clinical advice and support for
patients and their families and for other members of the multi-disciplinary team.
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Principal Duties
and
Responsibilities
Specialty practice of the CNS includes:
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Clinical practice
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Education and training
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Research implementation and audit
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Consultancy roles
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Advocate
Professional Responsibilities
The CNS (Heart Failure) will:
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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 Board (An Bórd Altranais) and the National
Clinical Guidelines
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 Practice
The CNS (Heart Failure) will:
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Work in collaboration with other members of the multidisciplinary team in assessing, planning,
implementing and evaluating an individualised plan of care for patients with heart failure related
illnesses which meets each patient's needs.
Provide a specialist nursing service for patients with a diagnosis of heart failure who require
support and treatment, throughout their care continuum
Provide an efficient, effective, and high quality service, respecting the needs of each patient
Effectively manage time and caseload in order to meet the needs of a changing and
developing national heart failure service within agreed protocols make variations in
prescribed clinical options
Accept appropriate referrals from members of the multidisciplinary team and other allied health
professionals.
In collaboration with medical staff, refer patients for diagnostic tests and investigations which
have been agreed within set protocols
Evaluate clinical problems in conjunction with others team members, co-ordinate investigations,
therapies and patient follow-up
Provide nurse led secondary disease prevention clinics in conjunction with the Consultant
Monitor and ensure maintenance of adequate and effective discharge planning for patients
returning to their own homes or residential care
Arrange referrals to other appropriate specialist services in consultation with the consultant
Provide psychological support for patients and their families.
Communicate with patients, families and friends, assess needs and provide relevant support,
information, education, advice and counselling when and where necessary
Develop close working links with other Cardiology Services
Work closely with colleagues across the integrated services programme in order to provide
a seamless service delivery to the client within the integrated services programme
Contribute to the development and implementation of information sharing protocols, audit
systems, referral pathways, individual care plans and shared care arrangements
Educate and provide supportive care to the patient and their family through all stages of heart
failure disease trajectory
Identify and utilise professional and voluntary resources and facilities at local and national level
by direct or indirect referral
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Participate in the Departmental Clinical Governance processes, working in partnership with
the Head of Department, Clinical Nurse Manager 3 (CNM3) and Clinical Governance lead
and local heart failure governance group
Maintain professional standards including patient and data confidentiality
Education and Training
The CNS (Heart Failure) will:
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Maintain clinical competence in patient management, aligned to current and future
developments in the field of Heart Failure.
Keep abreast of current trends in Nursing through reading, attending seminars and having
thorough knowledge of Nursing Policy and Standards.
Maintain and develop personal practice standards and keep informed of progress and up to
date knowledge in the field of Cardiovascular Health nursing.
Seek advice and assistance with assigned cases which prove to be beyond the scope of his
/her professional competence
Identify patient and carer education needs
Educate patients and their carers about their heart failure, self care/management and
effective coping strategies
Develop, with the team, relevant education material for patients and their carers
Identify the educational needs of other professionals including student nurses and
participate in training programmes for nursing staff and other members of the multi
disciplinary team and key stakeholders
Work with and supervise the care given by Student Nurses and provide for their personal
and professional development.
Co-operate with colleagues and in providing maximum learning opportunities for all staff and
students.
Use every opportunity for discussion, demonstrations and teaching for both patients and
staff.
Liaise and foster good communications with the Nurse Education Centre.
Participate in the orientation programmes of all new staff within the department and inservice programmes.
Audit and Research
The CNS (Heart Failure) will:
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Maintain an awareness of current development and research findings with regard to this
speciality
Promote individual best practice interventions in accordance with the identified needs of
patients
Take a pro-active role in the formulation of evidence based policies, procedures and
guidelines for practice
Participate in clinical and organisational audit to continually evaluate the effectiveness of the
service provided against established research I evidence
Initiate and promote nursing research and associated research in this specialist area
Contribute to ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the service as appropriate
Ensure that Hospital Standards are maintained and monitored to improve the quality of total
care to all who come into contact with Hospital Services.
Promote and support the delivery of quality improvement plans and other components of
internal and external quality assurance programmes e.g. HIQA Programmes, Hygiene,
Infection Prevention & Control, Discharge Planning.
Contribute to the development of key performance indicators and monitoring of same within
the Heart Failure service
Continually monitor the service to ensure it reflects current needs
Implement and manage changes identified within the Heart Failure Service
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Patient Advocate
The CNS (Heart Failure) will:
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Act as patient advocate, involving communication, negotiation and representation of heart failure
patients values and decisions in collaboration with other members of the MDT
Liaise with other health service providers in the development and ongoing delivery of the
national heart failure service.
Develop & support the concept of advocacy particularly in relation to patients' participation in
decision making thereby enabling informed choice of treatment options
Provide and advocate for appropriate assessments, supports and strategies for patients with
disease related changes and difficulties
Establish, maintain and improve procedures for collaboration and cooperation between
Acute services, Community services, Primary Care and voluntary organisations
Ensure that the physical, psychological and spiritual needs of the patient are attended to
and collaborate with other health care staff as required.
Take appropriate action on any matter identified as being detrimental to staff and/or service
user care or well being / may be inhibiting the efficient provision of care
Ensure the views of all consumers are effectively sought, channelled and acted upon
Adopt and develop the concept of customer care and challenge any interaction which fails to
deliver a quality service to internal and external customers
Ensure the efficient action of complaints in accordance with HSE Policy
Consultant
The CNS (Heart Failure) will:
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Act as resource in providing specialist knowledge, expertise and care in liaison with the
multidisciplinary team.
Promote the role of the Heart Failure Nursing Services among health care staff.
Work with, support, advise and help build up the knowledge and expertise of the other
healthcare professionals involved in providing care for Heart Failure patients
Represent the unit at local, national and international meetings as required
Health & Safety
The CNS (Heart Failure) will:
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Comply with the policies, procedures and safe professional practice of the Irish Healthcare
System by adhering to relevant legislation, regulations and standards
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
Employees must attend mandatory Health and Safety Training
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
Administration
The CNS (Heart Failure) will:
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Participate in the development of operational and service planning for the delivery of Heart
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Eligibility Criteria
Qualifications
and/ or
experience
Failure services
Contribute to policy development and formulation, performance monitoring, business
planning and budgetary control
Maintain accurate and up to date statistics of the service provided, including records of
patient contacts
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.
Ensure that records are safeguarded and managed as per HSE / local policy and in
accordance with relevant legislation
Submit activity data / furnish appropriate reports to the DON as required
Ensure that the care setting is maintained in good order using appropriate models, that
supplies are adequate and that all equipment is in good working order and ready for
immediate use
Requisition with due economy. Ensure that equipment is maintained according to Hospital
Policy.
Assist in the implementation of Information Technology developments.
Undertake other duties as required by the DON 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 on the closing date of application:
 Be registered in the General Division of the Register of Nurses kept by An Bord
Altranais 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 practising
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
 From the 1st September 2010 must have a Level 8 post-registration National
Qualifications Authority of Ireland major academic award relevant to the specialist area
prior to application e.g. a relevant post-registration qualification in cardiovascular/heart
failure care at NQAI level 8.
Age
No age restriction shall apply to a candidate except where he/she is not classified as a new
entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act,
2004). In this case the candidate 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.
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.
Post Specific
Requirements,
additional
qualifications
and/or experience
required
Character
Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.
Candidates must:
 Have undertaken and registered with the Irish Nursing Board (An Bórd Altranais) or agree to
undertake, within an agreed timeframe, the Nurse Prescribing of Medicinal Products
Certificate.
 Have undertaken or agree to undertake, within an agreed timeframe, the Nurse Prescribing
of Ionising Radiation Certificate.
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Skills,
competencies
and/or knowledge
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Other
requirements
specific to the
post
Competition
Specific Selection
Process
Shortlisting /
Interview
Demonstrate practitioner competence and professionalism in order to carry out the duties
and responsibilities of the role
Display evidence-based clinical knowledge in making decisions regarding client care
Displays the ability to anticipate, by using expert knowledge, changes in patient's condition
in the cardiac care environment. (This includes the skills and competence to identify both
adverse reactions to treatment and subtle deterioration in condition, intervening
appropriately, interpreting and analysing blood/investigative results and clinical symptoms to
inform diagnosis, modifying treatment/care regimes accordingly, requesting further tests,
reporting and making recommendations to the appropriate member of the multidisciplinary
team and implement the appropriate actions required.)
Functions autonomously, without direct supervision in specialist nursing practice
Demonstrates sound judgment in assessing the emotional and physical care of the patient in
a holistic manner.
Demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development
Demonstrate evidence of effective planning and organising skills
Demonstrate the ability to build and maintain relationships including the ability to work
effectively as part of a MDT
Demonstrate evidence of ability to empathise with and treat patients, relatives and
colleagues with dignity and respect
Demonstrate effective analytical, problem solving and decision making skills
Demonstrates excellent communication skills, including sufficient command of the English
language so as to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role
Demonstrates an awareness of legislation and standards relevant to the role
Demonstrate an awareness of developments within the HSE
Demonstrate knowledge of the HSE Transformation Programme
Demonstrate a willingness to engage and 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 Commissioners 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, feedback
facilitates for 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.
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Clinical Nurse Specialist
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Tenure
The initial vacancies for this post are permanent and whole time. This post is pensionable. A
panel will be formed from this recruitment campaign and future permanent or specified purpose
vacancies 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: €47,089 - 47,886 - 48,559 - 49,659 - 50,874 - 52,067 - 53,260 54,604 - 55,852 9 (pro rata)
Working Week
The standard working week applying to the post is 37.5 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 an 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
This post is one of those designated in accordance with Section 2 of the Protection of Persons
Reporting Child Abuse Act, 1998. You will remain a designated officer for the duration of your
appointment in this post or for the duration of your appointment to such other post as is included in
the categories specified in the Ministerial Direction. Such officer will on receiving a report of child
abuse formally notify the Principal Social Worker in the community care area in which the child is
living. An information pack containing more specific details will be issued on appointment to the post.
Confidentiality
In the course of your employment you may have access to, or hear information concerning the
medical or personal affairs of patients and/or staff, or other health service business. Such records
and information are strictly confidential and, unless acting on the instructions of an authorised
officer on no account must information concerning staff, patients or other health service business
be divulged or discussed except in the performance of normal duty. In addition, records must
never be left in such a manner that unauthorised persons can obtain access to them and must be
left in safe custody when no longer required.
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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