Clinical Nurse Manager 3 for Motor Neurone Disease and Neurology

Role Summary
Motor Neurone Disease (MND) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare neurodegenerative disease characterised by loss of all voluntary muscle activity, cognitive, and behavioural change and death within 3-5 years of first symptom. The clinical management of MND/ALS is palliative from the time of diagnosis and is focussed on symptom control and adjustment to the progressive loss of neurological function and the certainty of early death. The purpose of this Clinical Nurse Manager (CNM III) post is to coordinate and lead the national clinical nurse specialist MND service which provides advanced, specialised care and ongoing management of patients living with motor neurone disease (MND) who come under the care of the National MND service, based in Beaumont Hospital. The successful post holder will support the Directorate Nurse Manager (as outline below) in ensuring that national care delivery is of the highest standard. The ethos of the MND service is to provide a national service that is seamless, providing continuous care which involves a strong clinical component (hospital and community based) together with a liaison role with the multidisciplinary team (MDT), speciality, and community services.

The MND CNM III works as a key member of the inter-disciplinary team providing physical, psychological, social, and emotional support to patients and their family/carer through inpatient, outreach, and outpatient department services. Additionally, the CNM III will provide leadership and management of specialised clinical nurse manager II team members and clinical nurse specialists within the Neurosciences Department. Whilst we have specified a mandatory requirement for specific criteria for the pre-requisites of this role, we welcome applications and expressions of interest from a variety of suitable alternative clinical backgrounds such as community or palliative care. Having a valid driver’s license, a car, and the ability to see patients in the community across different geographic areas of the country is a requirement for this post.

Duties and Responsibilities
The Clinical Nurse Manager III will:

Professional / Clinical
• Provide a high level of professional and clinical leadership within the National Motor Neurone Disease service and the Neurosciences Department
• Provide safe, comprehensive nursing care to service users according to the Code of Professional Conduct as laid down by the Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing Midwifery Board Ireland) and Professional Clinical Guidelines
• The Manager will practice nursing according to:
• Professional Clinical Guidelines
• National and Area Health Service Executive (HSE) guidelines
• Local policies, protocols and guidelines
• Current legislation

• Manage, monitor and evaluate professional and clinical standards ensuring an evidence based, care planning approach
• Manage own caseload in accordance with national service needs
• Participate in teams as appropriate, communicating and working in co-operation with other team members
• Facilitate co-ordination, co-operation and liaison across healthcare teams and programmes
• Collaborate with service users, family, carers and other staff in treatment / care planning and in the provision of support and advice
• Communicate results of assessments, treatment / care programmes and recommendations to the team and relevant others in accordance with service policy / as required
• Formulate, manage and implement best practice policies and procedures
• Ensure that service users and others are treated with dignity and respect
• Ensure the maintenance of nursing records in accordance with local service and professional standards
• Adhere to and contribute to the development and maintenance of nursing standards, protocols and guidelines consistent with the highest standards of patient care
• Evaluate and manage the implementation of best practice policy and procedures e.g. admission and discharge procedures, control and usage of stocks and equipment, grievance and disciplinary procedures
• Maintain professional standards in relation to confidentiality, ethics and legislation
• In consultation with other disciplines, implement and assess quality management programmes as appropriate
• Participate in clinical audit as required and ensure that clinical audits are performed in his/her area(s) of responsibility
• Initiate and participate in research studies as appropriate
• Devise and implement Health Promotion Programmes for service users as relevant to the post
• Operate within Scope of Practice - seek advice and assistance from his / her manager with any cases or issues that prove to be beyond the scope of his / her professional competence in line with principles of best practice and clinical governance
• Ensure staff work in compliance with the Scope of Practice
• Will practice and coordinate care in a national context including, but not limited to, in-patient, outpatient, and outreach services

Health & Safety

• Ensure that effective safety procedures are developed and managed to comply with statutory obligations, in conjunction with relevant staff e.g. health and safety procedures, emergency procedures
• 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 adherence to established policies and procedures e.g. health and safety, infection control, storage and use of controlled drugs etc
• Ensure completion of incident / near miss forms and lead out on investigations, reviews, and recommendations
• Maintain a feedback mechanism with the clinical risk manager and report to senior management team where appropriate
• Ensure adherence to department policies in relation to the care and safety of any equipment supplied for the fulfilment of duty. Ensure advice of relevant stakeholders is sought prior to procurement e.g. CNS infection control, Occupational Therapist
• Have a working knowledge of the 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. and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role
• To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service
• Will ensure that lone working arrangements and travel with use of own vehicle are consistent with recommendations with national HSE policy for travel and subsistence (available online)

Education and Training

• Contribute to national service development through appropriate continuous education, research initiatives, keeping up to date with nursing literature, recent nursing research and new developments in nursing management, education and practice and attend staff study days as considered appropriate
• Provide support advice to those engaging in continuous professional development in his / her area of responsibility
• Be familiar with the curriculum training programme for student nurses and be aware of the clinical experience required to meet the needs of the programme
• Participate in the identification, development and delivery of induction, education, training and development programmes for nursing and non-nursing staff
• Provide support supervision and professional development of appropriate staff
• Engage in performance review processes including personal development planning e.g. by setting own and staff objectives and providing and receiving feedback

Management

• Exercise authority, line management, and co-ordinate the functions of the assigned area(s)
• Will deputise for the Directorate Nurse Manager – this will include the provision of accessible, visible leadership within the Directorate
• Provide support, advice and direction to staff as required
• Engage with the wider healthcare team and facilitate team building
• Facilitate communication at ward and departmental level and within the senior nurse/midwife team
• Provide staff leadership and motivation which is conducive to good working relations and work performance
• Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace
• Manage and promote liaisons with internal / external bodies as appropriate e.g. intra-hospital service, the community, voluntary organisations
• Contribute to the strategic management and planning process
• Formulate service plans and budgets in co-operation with the wider healthcare team
• Lead on practice development within the clinical area
• Manage resources, including staff, efficiently and effectively to ensure the highest standards of service
• Manage and evaluate the implementation of the service plan and budget
• Provide reports on activity and services in a digital format as required
• Develop and manage departmental and nursing policy with a particular emphasis on change management. Monitor as appropriate and lead on proactive improvement.
• Ensure compliance with legal requirements, policies and procedures affecting service users, staff and other hospital matters
• Actively participate in the Nursing Management structure by ‘acting up’ when required
• Engage in IT developments as they apply to service user and service administration

Skills, Competencies, and Knowledge

Professional Knowledge & Experience
For example:
• Demonstrate practitioner competence and professionalism
• Demonstrate an awareness of current and emerging nursing strategies and policy in relation to the clinical / designated area
• Demonstrate the ability to relate nursing research to nursing practice
• Demonstrate an awareness of HR policies and procedures including disciplinary procedures
• Demonstrate an awareness of relevant legislation and policy e.g., health and safety, infection control etc
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development
• Demonstrate a willingness to develop IT skills relevant to the role

Proactive Approach to Planning & Managing Resources
For example:
Maintains awareness and promotes the corporate agenda. Leads on translating the corporate agenda into practical service planning
• Shows awareness of national service needs; is able to analyse and assess current systems and demand levels to develop best system / approach based on needs
• Acts as the conduit to ensure that the learning from new service practices actively shapes future service plans
• Shows system understanding and the ability to balance multiple resourcing issues; can skilfully deploy and adjust human resources to meet changes, demands and contingencies

Leadership & Team Management Skills
For example:
• Demonstrates the ability to lead on clinical practice
• Articulates a vision and sets clear objectives for national service delivery
• Demonstrate the ability to work within, lead and manage a team
• Is open to, leads and manages change. Makes a positive case for change / introduces new ways of working and sells the benefits of change to others; supports and monitors the implementation of change

Commitment to providing a Quality Service
For example:
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to the delivery of a quality and integrated national service
• Demonstrate the ability to lead on service quality and participate in the service planning and development process
• Demonstrate knowledge of quality assurance practices and their application to nursing procedures
• Demonstrate motivation, initiative and an innovative approach to job and service developments

Analysis, Problem Solving and Decision Making Skills
For example:
• Demonstrates evidence-based decision-making, using sound analytical and problem-solving ability
• Shows sound professional judgement in decision-making; applies research findings to improve nursing practice and processes
• Takes an overview of complex problems before generating solutions; anticipates implications / consequences of different solutions
• Uses a range of information sources and knows how to access relevant information to address issues

Communication and Interpersonal
For example:
• Demonstrates sensitivity to issues arising from multiple stakeholders
• Demonstrates good negotiation skills and assertiveness as appropriate
• Tailors communication to suit the needs of the audience and demonstrates sensitivity, diplomacy and tact when dealing with others
• Demonstrates resilience and composure in dealing with situations

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.

Selection Criteria
Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post.
Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.

Mandatory

1. Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc
(a) Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition:
(i) Are registered in the relevant division of the Register of Nurses & Midwives
maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland [NMBI](Bord
Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) or entitled to be so registered.

(ii) Have at least 5 years post registration full time (or an aggregate of 5 years post
registration full time) experience of which 2 years (or an aggregate of 2 years post
registration full time experience) must be in the speciality or related area.

(iii) Have the clinical, managerial and administrative capacity to properly discharge
the functions of the role.

(iv) Candidates must demonstrate evidence of continuous professional development.

(b) Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability including a high standard of
suitability and clinical, managerial and administrative capacity to properly discharge the
functions of the role.

2. Annual registration
(i) On appointment, practitioners must maintain live annual registration on the relevant
division of the Register of Nurses and Midwives maintained by the Nursing and
Midwifery Board of Ireland (Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann).

(ii) Confirm annual registration with NMBI to the HSE by way of the annual Patient
Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC).

3. Health
Candidates 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.

4. Character
Candidates for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Desirable

· Leadership or management experience
· A management qualification
· A teaching qualification
· Completion of an affiliated to the specialty post graduate diploma qualification (Level 9)

If an appointee has previously been employed in the Civil or Public Service and that appointee is entitled to or in receipt of a pension from the Civil or Public Service or where a Civil/ Public Service pension comes into payment during the appointee’s re-employment that pension will be subject to abatement in accordance with Section 52 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012.

Please note: In applying for this position you are acknowledging that you understand that the abatement provisions, where relevant, will apply. It is not envisaged that the employing Department/ Office/ Body will support an application for an abatement waiver in respect of appointments to this position