CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST INFECTION CONTROL NURSE
Job Specification & Terms and Conditions
Job Title and Grade
Campaign Reference
Closing Date
Proposed
Interview
Date (s)
Taking
up
Appointment
Organisational Area
Location of Post
Details of Service
Clinical Nurse Specialist Infection Control
Grade Code: 2402
NRS0436
Monday 4th July 2011, 12 noon
Week beginning 25th July 2011
To be agreed at job offer stage.
HSE West
Initial Vacancy in Roscommon County Hospital.
Roscommon County Hospital is part of the network of hospitals in the HSE West Region.
It is an acute general hospital servicing County Roscommon, East Galway and parts of
Longford, Leitrim and Westmeath. Roscommon County Hospital works closely with
Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe and other Acute Hospitals.
The Hospital provides 24 hour/7 days per week emergency medical and surgical
diagnostic and treatment services, together with both inpatient and outpatient services in
Physiotherapy, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Radiology and Speech and Language.
Other services on site include Theatre, Laboratory, Cardiac Rehabilitation and associated
services. The Hospital has 84 inpatient beds and 9 day beds.
Reporting
Relationship
Purpose of the Post
Principal Duties and
Responsibilities
Asst. Director of Nursing to the Director of Nursing
The management and delivery of effective quality assured patient centred care primarily in
the area of Infection Control and as part of Nursing structure within the Hospital.
Aims of the Post
The post holder will:1. Be responsible for clinical caseload in Infection Control. This caseload will include
patients from oncology, medicine, surgery, etc. and any other patient requiring
Infection Control support.
2. Be responsible for the provision of a nursing, education and management
consultation service in all areas of Infection Control.
3. Provide a service which optimises quality and continuity of care for patients/clients.
4. Provide an informed resource for nurses, doctors and other allied health
professionals and support staff
5. Provide a programme of education and training for multi-disciplinary staff that
benefits patients/clients.
6. Compliance with all national guidelines, Infection Control practices in line with
National Standards, An Bord Altranais guidance and Hospital/HSE policies.
Clinical
1 Act as a role model in the clinical area.
2. The role should include the assessment, planning and delivery of patient care in
Infection Control.
3. Act as a specialist Infection Control resource for health care professionals in the
hospital.
4
Anticipate the varied Infection Control needs of patients, devise and implement
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strategies to meet these needs and evaluate their effectiveness.
5
Establish and maintain good working relationships with nursing staff and all other
disciplines involved in care to provide good quality Infection Control for patients
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Act as patients advocate within the multi-disciplinary team.
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Ensure that the dignity of the patient is maintained at all times.
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Ensure patient confidentiality is maintained at all times
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Be responsible for ensuring hygiene and infection control standards are met and
actively enforced
10 Maintain a register of patients with specific Infection Control
concerns/issues/diagnosis.
11 Monitor and evaluate the documentation system for use in Infection Control.
12 Develop an Audit and Research system, which will measure effectiveness of care.
Management
1. Promote a safe clinical environment with due regard to health and safety and risk
management strategies.
2. Effectively manage the Infection Control requirements of a caseload of patients.
3. Manage personal and team workload effectively.
4. Participate actively in the development and strategic planning of the Infection
Control services in the hospital.
5. Identify the need for implementing and evaluate innovation in specialist Infection
Control in the hospital.
6. Maintain accurate records, including statistical data relevant to all aspects of
patient care and submit activity data as required.
7. Represent the Infection Control team at local, national and international meetings
as required.
8. Develop policies and guidelines in conjunction with Consultants and Nursing staff.
Education
1. Promote the role of specialist Infection Control services amongst appropriate
health care professionals throughout the hospital and within the HSE.
2. Identify the Infection Control education and training needs of staff and initiative
strategies to meet these needs.
3. Liaise with the relevant education departments and participate in teaching on
various aspects of pre and post registration nurses and allied healthcare
professionals.
4. Attend study days and conferences in order to update knowledge in the field of
Infection Control and related subjects.
5. Keep abreast of new developments in Infection Control through published
specialist Infection Control literature.
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Research
1. Research participation and clinical audit.
2. Promote and disseminate Infection Control research.
3. Set standards to offer a quality service.
4. Act as a nursing research resource in Infection Control for nursing staff through
the Hospital.
5. Initiate and participate in research projects being undertaken by the team.
6. Advise on the implementation of appropriate research findings.
7. Initiate and maintain audit processes with respect to Roscommon Hospital’s
ongoing position in relation to National Standards for Infection Control and
Hygiene.
General
The following general conditions apply:
1. All HSE and Hospital policies, procedures and guidelines to be adhered to.
2. Comply with all safety regulations and audits in line with Safety Health and
Welfare at Work Act 1989.
3. .To report, investigate and discuss untoward incidents/accidents involving patients,
staff and/or equipment.
4. Employees must attend fire lectures periodically and must observe fire orders.
5. In line with the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2004, smoking within
the Hospital Building is not permitted.
6. Hospital uniform code must be adhered to.
7. The successful candidate must embrace any new developments in IT/ Hospital or
HSE systems.
8. 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 .
The above Job Description 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
Qualifications and/ or
experience
Candidates must, on the closing date :

Be register in the relevant 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 practicing,
And
 Have a minimum of 2 years experience in the specialist area,
And
 Have the ability to practice safely and effectively fulfilling his/her professional
responsibility within his/her scope of practice
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And
 Must demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development
And
From 1st September 2010 must have a level 8 post-registration National Qualifications
Authority of Ireland major academic award
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
Post
Specific
Requirements
Skills, competencies
and/or knowledge
Age
Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new
entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation Act, 2004). A candidate
who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the first day of the
month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office
occurs.
N/A
Planning and Organising

Demonstrate evidence of effective planning and organising skills, including an
awareness of resource management and the importance of value for money
Patient/Customer Focus



Demonstrate a focus on quality
Demonstrate evidence of assertiveness with an emphasis on being an advocate
for Patients
Demonstrate evidence of ability to empathise with and treat patients, relatives and
colleagues with dignity and respect
Leadership & Teamwork



Demonstrate leadership and team management skills, including the ability to work
as part of a multi-disciplinary team
Demonstrate motivation and an innovative approach to job & service
developments
Demonstrate a teaching ability and an educational focus
Communication & Interpersonal Skills




Demonstrate effective communication skills including the ability to present
information in a clear and concise manner
Demonstrate an understanding of change management
Demonstrate a willingness to share knowledge and/or new ideas with staff and
colleagues
Demonstrate negotiation/influencing skills
Managing Resources

Demonstrate an ability to achieve efficiencies in resource usage/management
Professional Knowledge


Demonstrate knowledge of National Standards in Infection Control.
Demonstrate knowledge of current research in Infection Control
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





Campaign
Specific
Selection Process
Ranking/Shortlisting /
Interview
Demonstrate evidence of a good overview of the service and the reporting
structures within it
Demonstrate evidence of experience working in an acute hospital setting
area
Demonstrate evidence-based clinical knowledge in making decisions
regarding client care
Demonstrate knowledge of the Health Service Reform programme and
relevant national reports / strategies
Demonstrate knowledge of developments in Nursing
Demonstrate evidence of computer skills.
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 Codes 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.
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Terms and Conditions of Employment
Clinical Nurse Specialist Infection Control
Tenure
This appointment is permanent / specified purpose, whole-time / parttime and pensionable.
Remuneration
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 Salary scale for the post is: €47,089 - €55,852
Working Week
The standard working week applying to the post is: 37.5
Annual Leave
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).
The annual leave associated with the post is: 25 – 28 days
Superannuation
Membership of the HSE Employee Superannuation Scheme applies
to this appointment.
Existing Members who transferred to the HSE on 1st January 2005
pursuant to Section 60 of the Health Act 2004 are entitled to
superannuation benefit terms under the HSE Scheme which are no
less favourable to those to which they were entitled at 31 st
December 2004.
Appointees to posts in the Mental Health Services which formerly
attracted fast accrual of service should note that the terms of
Section 65 of the Mental Treatment Act 1945 do not apply to New
Entrant Public Servants as defined by Section 12 of the Public
Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004.
Probation
Every appointment of a person who is not already a permanent officer
of the Health Service Executive or of a Local Authority shall be subject
to a probationary period of 12 months as stipulated in the Department
of Health Circular No.10/71.
As this post is one of those designated under the Protection of
Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998, appointment to this post
appoints one as a designated officer in accordance with Section 2 of
the Act. You will remain a designated officer for the duration of your
appointment to your current post or for the duration of your
appointment to such other post as is included in the categories
specified in the Ministerial Direction. You will receive full information
on your responsibilities under the Act on appointment.
Protection
of
Persons Reporting
Child
Abuse
Act
1998
Health & Safety
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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