The purpose of the Clinical Nurse Specialist (Tissue Viability) post is to deliver care in line with the five core concepts of the role set out in the Framework for the Establishment of Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialist Posts (4th edition) National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery (NCNM) (2008).
The role of the CNS (Tissue Viability) will be to ensure that the CNS’s specialist knowledge and skills in tissue viability and pressure ulcer care are utilised to facilitate the provision of a quality client focused service that enhances the health status of that population.
Working towards the delivery of best practice for all clients will include the planning and provision of in-service training of nursing and midwifery colleagues and other healthcare professionals where appropriate.
The CNS (Tissue Viability) will have a pivotal role in meeting the emotional and informational needs of patients with complex wound management issues, their families and significant others. They will act as a key member of the team responsible for the care of this patient group.
The CNS (Tissue Viability) will liaise with all health care professionals involved in the management and on-going care of patients who require a tissue viability service. The post holder will have an important educational role and will be heavily involved in the development of quality initiatives relating to tissue viability. The post holder will be expected to maintain and update a database of patients attending the tissue viability service.
The CNS in Tissue Viability will be instrumental in the continued roll out of the Pressure Ulcer to Zero initiative HSE collaborative across Cavan Monaghan Hospitals.
1.Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc.
(a) Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition:
(i) Be a registered nurse on the active Register of Nurses or Midwives held by An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland) or be eligible to be so registered.
And
(ii) Be registered in a Division of the register of Nurses and Midwives in which the application is being made.
Or
In exceptional circumstances, which will be assessed on a case by case basis be registered in another Division of the register of Nurses and Midwives. |
And
(iii) Have a minimum of 1 year’s post registration full time experience or an aggregate of 1 years full time experience in the division of the register in which the application is being made (taking into account (a) (ii) if relevant)
And
(iv) Have a minimum of 1 year’s full time experience (or an aggregate of 1 year’s full time experience) in specialist area of Tissue Viability Care.
Or
If the applicant does not possess the relevant specialist experience, they will be supported to attain one year’s clinical specialist experience.
And
(v) Have successfully completed a post registration programme of study, as certified by the education provider, which verifies that the applicant has achieved a Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) major academic Level 8 or higher award or can provide written evidence from the Higher Education Institute that they have achieved the number of ECTS credits equivalent to a Level 8 or higher standard, relevant to the specialist area of Tissue Viability prior to application* (See Note 1).
Or
If the applicant does not possess the relevant QQI NFQ Level 9 qualification, the applicant will be supported to undertake the required postgraduate education, at QQI NFQ level 9 qualification (equivalent to 60 ECTS or above) relevant to the specialist area.
And
(vi) Be required to demonstrate that they have continuing professional development (CPD) relevant to the specialist area or will be supported to obtain the required CPD.
AND
(vii) Have the ability to practice safely and effectively fulfilling his/her professional responsibility within his/her scope of practice.
**Note: For Nurses/Midwives who express an interest in CNS/CMS roles and who currently hold a level 8 educational qualification in the specialist area (equivalent to 60 ECTS or above), this qualification will be recognised up to September 2026. The clinical experience requirements for this cohort of nurses/midwives remain consistent with the DoH (2019) policy, i.e. a minimum of 1 years’ experience in practice and a minimum of 1 years’ experience in the specialist area and they could be supported to progress on a candidate CNS/CMS Pathway.
All of the above must be achieved within 2 years for this pathway.
And
(b) Have the ability to practice safely and effectively fulfilling his/her professional responsibility within his/her scope of practice.
And
(b) Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability, including a high standard of suitability and clinical, leadership, managerial and administrative capacity for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.
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).
And
(ii) Confirm annual registration with NMBI to the HSE by way of the annual Patient Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC).
3. 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 and efficient service.
4. Character
Candidates for and any person holding the office must be of good character.
Post Specific Requirements
Demonstrate depth and breadth of nursing experience in the specialist area of Tissue Viability, as relevant to the role.
Other Post Specific Requirements
Access to appropriate transport as this post will include clinical input in both Hospital sites.
Job Specification CavMon3152 - Clinical Nurse Specialist Tissue Viability or Candidate CNS 0.5 WTE M