3
Clinical Nurse Specialist – Children’s Diabetes
Job Specification and Terms and Conditions
Job Title and
Grade
Clinical Nurse Specialist – Children’s Diabetes
Grade Code: 2632
Campaign
Reference
Closing Date
NRS0807
Proposed
Interview Date(s)
Taking up
Appointment
Organisational
Area
Week commencing 28th January 2013
Important Details
regarding the post
The HSE National Recruitment Service (NRS) is running 2 recruitment campaigns
concurrently at Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) level and Clinical Nurse Manager 2 (CNM2)
level for Children’s Diabetes
 The service believes that there is a limited applicant pool with the relevant Children’s
Diabetes Level 8 qualification and that posts may remain unfilled following completion of
this CNS campaign. Therefore in order to address this concern the NRS is running CNS
and CNM2 campaigns concurrently.
 Any posts not filled by CNS appointees may be filled by the CNM2 panel created on foot
of this campaign. A candidate appointed at CNM2 level must pursue and obtain a CNS
Level 8 National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI) major academic
award/qualification relevant to Children’s Diabetes within a 3 year period of
appointment. Non-obtainment of the specialist qualification may lead to redeployment
within the organisation (or termination of contract).
Thursday 20th December 2012
To be indicated at Job Offer stage
All HSE areas.
The CNS panel will take precedence over CNM2 panel.
Location of Post
A national panel will be formed arising out of this CNS competition for all CNS Children’s
Diabetes posts throughout the HSE.
There are current vacancies at:
 Mid-Western Regional Hospital Limerick 1 full time post and one part-time (.5) post.
 Cork University Hospital 1 full time post
Mid-Western Regional Hospital Limerick
Informal enquires to Ms. Maura Fitzgerald, Assistant Director of Nursing
Contact number 00353 61 482420 maura.fitzgerald@hse.ie
Cork University Hospital
Informal enquires to Ms. Helen Cahalane, Assistant Director of Nursing
Contact number 00353 86 7872211 helen.cahalane@hse.ie.
The CNS will be based in the respective regional acute hospital hub for paediatrics.
In Limerick, the Paediatric Diabetes centre will also provide specialist services for children
referred from Galway for Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII).
Details of Service
The CNS post has been developed following a recommendation from the National Clinical
Programme in Childrens Diabetes. In 2011 the National Paediatric and National Diabetes
Clinical Programmes established a subgroup to examine the delivery of diabetes care in
Ireland to all children less than 16 years of age. Phase 1 of their work was to focus on the
provision of Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII) for the treatment of suitable
children under 5 years with Type 1 Diabetes. CSII therapy has been selected as the
preferred method of treating Type 1 Diabetes in children under 5 years old as it can reduce
acute and chronic complications of the disease and improve the quality of life of children and
families living with diabetes.
A Model of Care (HSE 2012 – see also the Applicants Information Pack) has been
developed in order to provide this CSII Pump Therapy service to children with type 1
diabetes under five years old.
The key objectives in this model of care are to:
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


Provide CSII therapy to children under five, where appropriate.
Ensure that diabetes services and staffing levels are equitable in the five
centres nationwide
Reduce acute and chronic complications of type 1 diabetes
Improve the quality of life of children and their families living with diabetes
This should be viewed as Phase 1, i.e. the first step in a stepwise progression of the
evolution of a National Paediatric Diabetes Model of Care. The therapy will be provided in
five regional centres nationally with patients assessed for suitability using an agreed
method.
The CNS (Children’s Diabetes) post is part of a multidisciplinary team to develop an insulin
pump training programme for children less than 5 years of age.
The CNS (Children’s Diabetes) will be a resource for colleagues, allied professionals and an
advocate for the patient and family. The CNS will be responsible for the provision of a
nursing, education and clinical management consultation service in all areas of diabetes
care in children. They must provide a service, which optimises quality and continuity of care
for children with Diabetes.
Reporting
Relationship
Purpose of the
Post / Role
Summary
The post holder:

Is professionally accountable to the Director of Nursing (DON) or designated officer

Will report to the Assistant Director of Nursing or designated officer on operational
matters

Is clinically accountable to the Lead Consultant responsible for the service and patient
The role of the Clinical Nurse Specialist (Children’s Diabetes) is aligned to the National
Children’s Diabetes Programme with an initial focus on Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin
Infusion (Children’s Under 5’s) Clinical Programme.
The CNS (Children’s Diabetes) will work as part of the diabetes multidisciplinary team
providing all aspects of diabetes care to the caseload of children with diabetes.
The CNS (Children’s Diabetes) will co-ordinate and provide a children’s nursing service that
provides continuity of care for children with Type 1 Diabetes and their families and which
optimises quality and continuity of care for children with Diabetes.
The CNS will develop an insulin pump training programme in conjunction with other
members from the multidisciplinary team for children less than 5 years of age.
The CNS will be a resource for colleagues, allied professionals and an advocate for the
patient and ensure competence in area of specialty practice. Specifically the CNS will:
Principal Duties
and
Responsibilities

Co-ordinate a service that provides continuity of care for children with Type 1
Diabetes and their families

Plan, implement, deliver, and evaluate all Diabetes care given to the child and family

Act as an informed resource for health and social care professionals involved in the
care of children with Type 1 Diabetes on Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion
(CSII) pump therapy

Facilitate education and training for health and social care professionals in
collaboration with relevant stakeholders

Support collection of data in relation to children with Type 1 Diabetes on CSII pump
therapy
The CNS (Children’s Diabetes) will:
Clinical Responsibilities

In collaboration with other members of the multidisciplinary team and local healthcare
professionals and/or carers, assess, plan, implement, and evaluate diabetes nursing
care for a caseload of patients i.e. Children under 5s on CSII therapy

Assess the child’s /family/carer’s knowledge of diabetes management to include insulin
adjustment, recognition, prevention and treatment of hypoglycaemia, mild, moderate
and severe, testing for ketones, prevention of ketosis and DKA.

Co-ordinate care and support to the child and family with the multidisciplinary team.
Referral to psychology and social work as required.
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
Make variations, within agreed protocols and guidelines, in prescribed clinical options
as per the National Clinical Programme CSII Therapy model of care (HSE 2012).

Participate as a member of the multidisciplinary team and care for all children and their
families with Diabetes.

Plan, organise and deliver group education sessions for children and their families on
CSII pump therapy.

Collaborate with health and social care team to develop a plan of care within the
regional paediatric unit and the community.

Establish and maintain good working relationships with nursing staff and medical staff
involved in the provision of quality care to children with Diabetes.

Act as a resource to colleagues, members of the multidisciplinary team in the regional
paediatric unit, outpatients and community, including GPs, PHNs, School Teachers.

Articulate and demonstrate the concept of nursing specialist practice within the
framework of relevant legislation, the Scope of Nursing Practice Framework (ABA
2000), The Code of Professional Conduct (ABA 2000).

Perform nursing assessments and plan and initiate care and treatment modalities with
agreed interdisciplinary protocols to achieve patient/client centred outcomes; evaluates
their effectiveness.

Identify health promotion priorities in the area of specialist practice.

Implement health promotion strategies for patient and client groups in accordance with
the public health agenda.
Child/Family Advocacy

Act as the child’s advocate within the multidisciplinary team.

Collaborate with health and social care team to address ethical issues.

Ensure that the dignity of the child is maintained and respected at all times.

Collaborate with statutory and voluntary agencies to support the provision of optimum
care as required.

Enable patients/clients, families and communities to participate in decisions about their
health needs.

Articulate and represent patient/client interests in collaboration with the multidisciplinary
team.

Implement changes in healthcare service in response to patient/client need and service
demand.
Education and Training –child, self and others

Take every reasonable opportunity to sustain and improve knowledge and professional
competence of oneself with reference to An Bord Altranais Scope of Nursing Practice
Framework and code of professional conduct.

Identify the education and training needs of staff and initiate strategies to meet these
needs.

Support training and education of families, local hospitals, community health care
professionals about the needs of children with Type 1 diabetes on CSII pump therapy.

Liaise with the relevant education providers and participate in teaching on various
aspects of pre and post registration nurses and Therapy Professionals and Allied
Healthcare Professional programmes.

Attend study days and conferences in order to update knowledge in the field of
children’s nursing/ Diabetes and Insulin pump therapy.

Assist in developing education material e.g. information leaflets and booklets for parents
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and children relating to Insulin pump therapy.

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 (i.e. 2 years of taking up the post).

Provide mentorship, preceptorship, teaching, facilitation and professional supervisory
skills for nurses and other healthcare workers.

Identify own continuing professional development needs and engage accordingly.
Research & Audit

Audit the activities of the service with a view to assessing the effectiveness and
efficiency of the service.

Monitor and evaluate the service provided of the Clinical Nurse Specialist (Children’s
Diabetes).

Participate in data collection to support CNS role and service provision to children with
diabetes on CSII.

Demonstrate an interest in learning new techniques and skills and apply these to
practice.

Identify clinical issues of interest and ensure they are incorporated into clinical practice
through teaching and example.

Publish work related research and personal projects.

Identify and implement operational processes to the standards of best practice in order
to optimise use of resources and to ensure compliance with statutory requirements.

Establish clinical standards of care and ensure they are appropriately audited.

Maintain statistical data of patient/service activity and supply annual reports to line
manager.

Co-ordinate and develop nursing/clinical policies and protocols in area.

Monitor, access, utilise and disseminate current relevant research findings in order to
advise and ensure the provision of informed evidence based practice in the care of
children with Diabetes.

Be responsible for identifying opportunities for nursing research which would contribute
to the development of services.

Report accidents/incidents, complaints immediately to the consultant in charge of the
child and follow the Hospital’s Complaints policy.

Identify, critically analyse, disseminate and integrate nursing and other evidence into
the area of specialist practice.

Initiate and participate in evaluations and audits.

Use the outcomes of audit to improve service provision.

Contribute to service planning and budgetary processes through use of audit data and
specialist knowledge.
Consultancy

Act as and be available as a clinical resource and consultant, providing professional
advice inter and intra disciplinary, in the area of Children on CSII to those within and
outside the service in order to promote improved patient management and continuity of
care.

Accept referrals and to refer in line with local and regional guidelines.
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
Establish, standardise and monitor clear communication channels for such
consultations, inter and intra disciplinary.

Provide leadership in clinical practice and act as a resource and role model for
specialist practice.

Generate and contribute to the development of clinical standards of practice and
guidelines.

Use specialist knowledge to support and enhance generalist nursing practice.
Health & Safety

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.

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.

Contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional
practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.
Administration

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.

Requisition with due economy. Ensure that equipment is maintained according to
Hospital Policy.

Assist in the implementation of Information Technology developments.

Provide and efficient, effective, and high quality service, respecting the needs of each
patient/client.

Effectively manage time and caseload in order to meet the needs of a changing and
developing service.

Continually monitor the service to ensure it reflects current needs.

Implement and manage identified changes.

Ensure that confidentiality in relation to patient/client records is maintained.

Maintain accurate and up to date statistics of the service provided, including audit of
patient/client contacts.
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
Represent the specialist service at local, national and international meetings as
required.

Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records/data on all matters pertaining to the
planning, management, delivery and evaluation of this service in line with HSE
requirements.

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.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates, at the latest date for receipt of completed applications for the post, must:
Qualifications
and/ or
experience
Divide into
Desired and
Essential
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
Post Specific
Requirements
Essential skills,
competencies
and/or knowledge
Be currently registered in the Children’s Nursing Division (RCN) 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
Have at least 5 years post-registration experience in Childrens’ Nursing of which 2
years must include the care of the patient with diabetes*
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 hold a Level 8 NQAI post-registration, major academic award relevant to the
specialist area of Children’s Diabetes Nursing**.
*Examples of experience include working in Paediatric Unit, Emergency Departments,
Endocrinology ward
**Examples of qualifications relevant to the area include: Post Graduate Diploma in
Childrens Diabetes Nursing / Higher Degree/ MSc Diabetes (Warwick)
 The CNS 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 (i.e. 2 years of taking up the post).
Candidates must demonstrate:
 Practitioner competence and professionalism in order to carry out the duties and
responsibilities of the role.
 Expert knowledge of caring for children with Diabetes
 Overview of Children’s Healthcare Services
 Knowledge of relevant strategies and documents – to include:
o International Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD)
Guidelines
o National Clinical Programme (Childers Diabetes) Model of Care on CSII
Pump Therapy (HSE 2012).
 All clinical and theoretical knowledge appropriate to care of children with Diabetes on
CSII therapy.
 Knowledge of Clinical Developments in the Speciality
 Evidence based practice in dealing with Children with Diabetes
 A high level of clinical knowledge relevant to the role to include:
o International Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD)
Guidelines
o National Clinical Programme (Childers Diabetes) Model of Care on CSII
Pump Therapy (HSE 2012).
 The ability to lead on clinical practice and service quality
 The ability to relate nursing research to nursing practice
 A knowledge of quality assurance practices and their application to nursing procedures
 An awareness of relevant legislation and policy e.g. legislation relevant to the service
area, health and safety, infection control etc
 Practitioner competence and professionalism
 Promotion of evidence based decision making
 The ability to evaluate information and solve problems in a timely manner
 The ability to plan and organise effectively
 The ability to build and maintain relationships including team and leadership skills.
 Strong interpersonal, communication and influencing skills
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




Other
requirements
specific to the
post
Campaign
Specific Selection
Process
Ranking /
Shortlisting /
Interview
Initiative and innovation in the delivery of service and a commitment to providing a
quality service.
Resilience and composure
An openness to change
A commitment to continuing professional development
Develop a willingness to develop IT skills relevant to the role.
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.
Access to transport as travel may be involved
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
Child Protection
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 Senior Social Worker in the Community
Care Area in which the child is living.
The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as
structures change the job specification 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 Children’s Diabetes
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Tenure
The initial vacancies are permanent whole time and permanent part time. These posts
are pensionable. A panel will be formed from this recruitment campaign and future
permanent or specified purpose of full time or part time duration vacancies will be filled
from this panel. The tenure of these posts will be indicated at “expression of interest”
stage.
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: 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 applying to the post holder will be agreed at job offer stage and as
determined by the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997
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
31st 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 permanent appointment of a person who is not already a permanent officer of
the Health Service Executive or of a Local Authority shall be subject to a probationary
period of 12 months as stipulated in the Department of Health Circular No.10/71.
Protection of
Persons Reporting
Child Abuse Act
1998
As this post is one of those designated under the Protection of Persons Reporting
Child Abuse Act 1998, appointment to this post appoints one as a designated officer
in accordance with Section 2 of the Act. You will remain a designated officer for the
duration of your appointment to your current post or for the duration of your
appointment to such other post as is included in the categories specified in the
Ministerial Direction. You will receive full information on your responsibilities under the
Act on appointment.
Infection Control
Have a working knowledge of 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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