Candidate Advanced Midwife Practitioner (cAMP) Neonatalogy
Job Specification & Terms and Conditions
Job Title and Grade
Candidate Advanced Midwife Practitioner Neonatology (cAMP)
(Grade Code 2536)
Campaign Reference
NRS02446
Closing Date
Monday 7th September 2015 @ 12 noon (GMT)
Proposed Interview
Date(s)
Taking up Appointment
September 2015
Duration of Post
This is a Candidate AMP position and the successful applicant is expected to
pursue and obtain registration as an RAMP Neonatalogy within a 12 month
period of appointment. Non-registration as an RAMP Neonatology may lead to
redeployment within the organisation.
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. 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.
A start date will be indicated at Job Offer stage
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 Registered Advanced Midwife Practitioner (RAMP) Neonatology when fully
implemented within the service will be responsible for a defined caseload of
neonates. The RAMP neonatology will utilise expertise and higher levels of
judgement. The RAMP’s caseload will involve utilising advanced levels of
knowledge and skills, expert practice, skills autonomy, responsibility and
accountability
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
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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
Purpose of the Post
The clinical site for the AMP Neonatology has already been prepared and
successfully accredited by the Nursing Midwifery Board of Ireland.
The main purpose of the Candidate AMP Neonatology post is for the individual
to work towards meeting and achieving successfully the core concepts of the
role as detailed within the job specification for this accredited post. This will
include the cAMP developing and submitting their personal AMP portfolio and
all other necessary documentation to NMBI in order to register as an RAMP
Neonatology within the agreed time frame of one year.
Concurrently, the individual will continue to develop their clinical skills,
competencies and knowledge required in order to meet the criteria to be
registered as an RAMP with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
(NMBI).
The overall purpose of the RAMP post is to provide safe, timely, evidenced
based nurse-led care to neonates at an advanced nursing level .This involves
undertaking and documenting a complete episode of neonatal care (assess,
diagnose, plan, treat and discharge neonates) according to the collaboratively
agreed protocols and scope of practice in the clinical setting; demonstrating
advanced clinical and theoretical knowledge, critical thinking and decision
making skills.
To support a safe environment for neonates by increasing the use of evidence
based clinical guidelines, address family expectations and promote wellness
and evaluate care given.
To provide professional and clinical leadership in order to develop
nursing/midwifery practice and health policy at local, regional and national
level.
To lead, conduct, disseminate and publish neonatal nursing research to shape
and advance nursing practice, education and health care policy at local,
national and international levels.
In the case of application for additional posts in an area already accredited by
the NMBI, the candidate will contribute to the application as directed by the
Group Chief Director of Nursing/Midwifery
Principle Duties and
Responsibilities
Autonomy in Clinical Practice
The Candidate Advanced Midwife Practitioner Neonatology will be required to:

Identify through collaboration with Consultant Neonatologist and key
stakeholders the responsibilities of the agreed neonatal caseload
establishing clinical supervision requirements and processes to support
cAMP to prepare for registration.

Be aware of the clinical governance structures within University of
Limerick Hospitals and outside the organisation that support advanced
nursing practice including indemnity.

Develop /review collaboratively agreed clinical decision making
frameworks/ protocols /referral pathways to support nurse led delivery
of care to the defined neonate caseload for the entire episode of care.

Develop the core clinical skills and competencies to become an
autonomous practitioner skilled in the delivery of quality direct care to
neonates through consultant supervision and record these in his/her
portfolio
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Develop the specialist competencies relevant to the defined scope of
practice and caseload. Through consultant supervision and record
these in his/her portfolio.

Develop a professional portfolio which meets the standard expected for
registration as an RAMP for submission to the NMBI.

Develop expert knowledge and skills in all aspects of neonatal
assessment, risk stratification and management of the neonate for
whom the post has being accredited.
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Develop practical and theoretical knowledge and critical thinking to a
level that will be seen as exemplary amongst peers and will be
recognised and acknowledged as an authority in the specialist area of
neonatal nursing.

Develop close links with all members of the multidisciplinary team to
ensure that a safe quality driven evidence based service is being
delivered to all neonates within their caseload.

Develop excellent skills in undertaking and documenting a complete
episode of neonatal care in an accurate, timely and complete manner
(assess, diagnose, treat and discharge).

Develop the ability to accept accountability and responsibility for clinical
decision making at advanced practice level by managing a caseload
under clinical supervision.

Develop expert clinical skills in the diagnosis and treatment of
neonates within a collaboratively agreed scope of practice framework
alongside other healthcare professionals.

Undertake supervised clinical practice at an advanced level in the
specialist area of practice.

Develop the ability to use professional judgement, clinical reasoning
and decision making processes to refer neonates to other health care
professionals as described in the site preparation documentation.

Participate in the future development of integrated care pathways
where appropriate, utilising evidence-based practice guidelines.

Achieve clinical competence through engagement in education, clinical
supervision and peer review on an ongoing basis.
Expert Practitioner
The Candidate Advanced Midwife Practitioner Neonatology will develop the
ability to:
 Articulate and rationalise the concept of advanced neonatal nursing
practice within the framework of relevant laws, rules and guidelines that
govern nursing/midwifery practice including, but not exclusively, The
Scope of Nursing and Midwifery Practice Framework (An Bord
Altranais, 2000), The Code of Professional Conduct (An Bord Altranais,
2000) Guidelines for Midwives (An Bord Altranais 2000), The Nurses
Act (Government of Ireland 2011)
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Be identified in the clinical setting as an autonomous practitioner and
role model demonstrating an expert level of professional competency in
the area of neonatal nursing.
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Develop a means of improving practice through exploring practice
issues with team members, development of practice protocols and
research and audit initiatives.

Develop skills in order to function in a variety of roles including clinical
and consultative, clinical practice development, teacher, coach,
manager and researcher.
 Demonstrate advanced practical and theoretical knowledge and critical
thinking and decision making skills to manage a neonate caseload
including comprehensive neonatal assessments which will involve:
o
A focussed history of presenting illness
o
Additional health history and risk stratification according to the
specialist field
o
Advanced physical examination
o
Ordering, undertaking and interpreting tests as per agreed scope
of practice
 Planning and managing care with an holistic focus, encouraging the
family to be involved in care.

Identify health promotion priorities and opportunities in the area of
clinical practice.

Deliver person centred care and advocate a health promotion and
quality of life ethos.
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Evaluate care given through engagement surveys, major incident
follow up, audits of compliance with relevant policies, procedures
protocols and guidelines.

Implement health promotion strategies for neonates in accordance with
the public health agenda.
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Implement neonatal safety strategies in line with organisation and
national safety agenda.
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To assess service demand and capacity and plan accordingly.
Professional and Clinical Leadership
The Candidate Advanced Midwife Practitioner Neonatology will be required to
develop the ability to:
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Articulate and communicate a vision of nursing/midwifery practice for
the specialist area that can be developed beyond the current scope of
practice and demonstrate a commitment to the development of such
areas.
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Integrate neonatal assessment, diagnosis, plan of care treatment and
discharge with the organisation’s nursing /midwifery philosophy and
model.
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Develop good communication skills, verbal , written and listening
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Develop appropriate nursing documentation to meet the needs of the
new service with input from the multidisciplinary team.
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Maintain confidentiality of neonate records.
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Manage the integration of the RAMP role into the multidisciplinary team
and the effect of the new role on the work of other healthcare
professionals.

Promote an understanding of the role of the Advanced Nurse/Midwife
Practitioner and increase the awareness of nurses/midwives and other
grades of the scope of practice of the AMP.
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Provide professional leadership, strategic direction, expert advice and
support to the clinical teams.

Identify areas of neonatal nursing care management that require
development and demonstrate a commitment to such development.

Develop the nurse led service in line with changing service and
healthcare needs.
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Ensure that any expansion of services is justified through exploration of
service need, neonate demand and resource allocation.

Contribute to professional development in nursing/midwifery and health
policy development at local, regional and national level.

Develop the skills to actively engage in leading and managing change
in the delivery of health care services according to neonate/client need
and service demand.

Develop skills to participate in service planning and budgeting

Develop skills to procure and effectively manage resources required for
service provision and development.

Develop skills to provide leadership in clinical practice and to act as a
role model for advanced neonatal nursing practice for all
Nursing/Midwifery staff and the multidisciplinary team.

Demonstrate the ability to act as a mentor and preceptor in order to
facilitate the education and professional development of other nursing
grades and healthcare professionals

Participate in facilitating learning and education of nurses (both
undergraduate and post-graduate levels) and other health
professionals in the clinical area. Provide teaching in the classroom
and in the clinical area as well as presenting at conferences, seminars
and workshops to enhance the advanced nursing role.

Deliver and/or participate in in-service training, orientation and nurse
training programmes as required.
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Share a vision of clinical practice with key stakeholders,
communication with, valuing and enabling their contribution to care.

Engage in a forum which evaluates quality and standards in clinical
practice-develop the ability to lead in the promotion of clinical
standards.
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Assess and evaluate parents of neonates’/clients’ experience
/satisfaction with the service; analyse and utilise the findings to improve
neonate safety and quality of care.
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Contribute to the service plan by producing an annual working report,
outlining the level of current service provided, the achievements and
challenges of the service and a future plan for the service.
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Contribute to the professional body of neonatal nursing knowledge and
practice nationally and internationally by developing writing, publishing
and presentation skills.
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Recognise limitations in scope of practice and address theoretical and
practice gaps through continuing education, consultation with
colleagues and consultant.
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Work to achieve excellence through continuously improving the
standard and quality and safety of nursing care.

Help to lead quality and safety improvement, risk management and
standard setting projects in conjunction with clinical governance
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Ensure that effective safety procedures are in place to comply with
Health & Safety Guidelines and Welfare at Work Act
Researcher
The Candidate Advanced Midwife Practitioner Neonatology will develop the
following skills in order to:
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Identify research priorities specific to clinical practice and the scope of
practice/caseload.
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Participate in and collaborate with the multidisciplinary team in
undertaking research.
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Develop skills to lead and engage in the review of accidents, incidents
and near misses in specialist area. Undertake analysis as appropriate
and furnish reports on same.

Lead, conduct, disseminate and publish neonatal nursing research to
shape and advance neonatal nursing practice, education and policy
and the wider health agenda

Identify, critically analyse disseminate neonatal nursing and other
evidence into clinical practice.
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Promote an ethos so evidenced based practice through accessing and
disseminating current speciality specific and profession specific
publications.
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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 links 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.

Develop data collecting systems that will inform and evaluate the
service provided by the Advanced Midwife Practitioner Neonatology.

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 Candidate 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 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 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
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.
Post Specific
Requirements
Other requirements
specific to the post
Skills, competencies
and/or knowledge

Be registered with NMBI as a Nurse Prescriber or agree to enter into a
contractual agreement to complete same successfully within 1 year of
appointment to cAMP Neonatology.
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Post registration qualification in Special & Intensive Care of the
Newborn (or higher)

Have undertaken a competency based education in advanced nursing
practice neonatology. This will have included clinical supervised hours
in history taking, advanced physical assessment, case management
and pathology recognition.

Be an active member of professional associations and organisations

Demonstrate evidence of ongoing professional development through
possession of a professional portfolio

Possess current and valid certification for neonatal resuscitation and
STABLE course.

Demonstrates the possession of specialist knowledge and clinical skills
in the specific area of practice: Neonatal intense care, HDU care,
SCBU care.
Campaign Specific
Selection Process
Ranking / Shortlisting /
Interview

Have experience and demonstrate skills in teaching in the clinical area

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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Can articulate a working knowledge of HIQA Standards as they apply
to the role, i.e. Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the
Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene
Standards etc. and demonstrates compliance with associated HSE
protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards.

Demonstrate competence of Microsoft Office: word, excel, power-point,
outlook
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Possess valid and current certification for basic life support (BLS) and
manual handling
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.
Candidate Advanced Midwife Practitioner (cAMP)
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.
The appointment is whole-time and Candidate AMP’s are required to have progressed to
being eligible to be a Registered AMP with the NMBI within 1 year of commencement of the
post.
Given the developmental nature of this service the successful Candidate Advanced Midwife
Practitioner will be required to adhere to the terms as set out below which are specific to
this appointment.

In line with criteria and standards set out by NCNM for Accreditation of Advanced
Nurse Practitioners and Advanced Midwife Practitioners (2008) and adopted by An
Bord Altranais (DOHC SI 3 2010), the successful candidate will be required to
engage in a process of self-development and structured education and clinical
supervision specific to (neonatal nursing) in order to develop advanced clinical
nursing knowledge and critical thinking skills to gain competence necessary to
independently provide efficient, effective, safe neonate care to a specific caseload
which has been previously agreed.

The Candidate Advanced Midwife Practitioner is expected to demonstrate the core
and specific competencies deemed necessary to manage the particular scope of
practice and must undertake formal competency assessment to an agreed standard
in order to progress towards submission of a personal portfolio to The Nursing and
Midwifery Board of Ireland for registration as a Registered Advanced Midwife
Practitioner.

The timeframe for submission of the individual portfolio will be agreed with the
Group Director of Nursing/Midwifery and relevant clinical lead in order to progress
the development of an AMP service (where none exists) and facilitate the strategic
development of future AMP candidates and additional neonate services.

Where a new AMP service is being developed the Candidate Advanced Midwife
Practitioner is expected to actively lead the preparation and development of the
clinical site and job description in line with Framework for the Establishment of
Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Advanced Midwife Practitioner Posts (NCNM
2008b) adopted by An Bord Altranais (DOHC SI 3 2010).

Failure to successfully achieve essential milestones (outlined above) within an
agreed timeframe will result in termination of the AMP career pathway and return to
a previously held substantive post OR re-deployment within the organisation or
cease employment if not employed by HSE mid west prior to employment.
Remuneration
The Salary Scale (as at 01/01/10) for the post is:
€47,089 - €47,886 - €48,559 - €49,659 - €50,874 - €52,067 - €53,260 - €54,604 - €55,852
(pro rata)
Candidates who are successful at interview and subsequently meet the necessary
registration requirements with NMBI will automatically be upgraded into the prepared AMP
post.
Working Week
The standard working week applying to the post is: 39hours (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
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 01 st 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 31 st 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.
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 officers 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.
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.