Job Specificationand Terms and Conditions

Job Title and Grade / Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)Ophthalmology CAWTTemporary / SecondmentGrade Code: 2632
Competition Reference / NRS0686
Closing Date / Tuesday 15th May 2012
Proposed Interview Date (s) / Week commencing 11th June 2012
Taking up Appointment / A start date will be indicated at job offer stage
Organisational Area / Co-operation and Working Together (CAWT) Border Region – this includes:
Health Service Executive (HSE) Dublin North East (DNE)
Health Service Executive (HSE) West
Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT)
Southern Health and Social Care Trust (SHSCT)
Location of Post / Health Service Executive (HSE) Dublin North East (DNE) with initial vacancies in
  • Louth Hospitals(Dundalk/ Drogheda) within the Louth/ Meath Hospital Groupwith ability to travel to Cavan Hospitals
  • Cavan GeneralHospital within the Cavan/ Monaghan Hospital Groupwith ability to travel to Louth Hospitals

Details of Service / To provide an ophthalmology service for patients who reside in border counties with a primary focus on patients living in Louth, Cavan and Monaghan. This will include a streamlining of services for patients from the point of referral (Primary Care) to include Outpatient appointment and Day Case procedure with follow up care as required.
Reporting Relationship / The post holder :
  • Is professionally accountable to the Director of Nursing (DON) or designated officer as required.
  • Will report to the Asst. DON or designated officer as required on operational matters.
  • Is clinically accountable to the Ophthalmology Consultant

Purpose of the Post / With the ageing population, the number of people with major eye disease is projected to increase substantially by the year 2020. Age related eye disease (AREDs) leading to low vision and blindness with it’s subsequently impact on loss of independence and reduced quality of life, is becoming a major public health concern. In order to decrease morbidity from the most common AREDs (age related macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataract and diabetic retinopathy) integrated coordinated timely screening, diagnosis, and treatment is essential to prevent or correct vision loss, and ensure appropriate medical and supportive care management.
Based on demographic and epidemiology assessment and examination of current referrals in acute and primary care (population 231,000 within Louth, Cavan and Monaghan) the prevalence of cataract within the population is estimated at approximately 4,600 patients (not all requiring surgery).
Currently people resident in the border counties of Louth, Cavan and Monaghan are required to travel to Dublin to access Acute Ophthalmology services within the Dublin Hospitals.
The purpose of this post is to co-ordinate and effectively manage a Day case Ophthalmology Service integrating with the Community Ophthalmic Service for patients living in Louth, Cavan and Monaghan and provided in closer proximity to their home. A percentage of patients will also require referral for diagnostic investigations and/or treatment to include inpatient surgery and this requires onward referral to the MaterHospital
This complies with the Health Service Executive and Cross Boarder and Working Together principles of better access to services for patients with improved quality outcomes and decreasing costs to services.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities / CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES
  1. To provide expert assistance to the ophthalmologist using specialist skills e.g.assessing visual acuity, slit lamp examination of the eye, including measurement of intra-ocular pressure (Tonometry), auto-refraction, and focimetry.
  2. To establish “Nurse Led Clinics” e.g. in assessment of ophthalmic surgical patients, Pre-assessment Clinicsand stable glaucoma patients, review clinics and record the information in accordance with Hospital Protocols.
  3. To carry out Keratometry and Biometry i.e. A Scan and B Scan (ultrasound) and to consult with surgeons regarding special intra-ocular lens implant (IOL) prior to surgery and order IOL with theatre staff when required.
  4. To carry out post operative slit lamp examination on patients, in accordance with the “First Dressing Protocol”, and to instruct the patient on their post operative care e.g. cataract, glaucoma, retinal, squint, lid surgery etc.
  5. To provide health information on all aspects of eye care including diabetic and glaucoma eye care, and promote wearing of protective eye equipment.
  6. To assist in the provision of a Diabetic Eye Screening service as required.
  7. To liaise with ophthalmic medical staff in matters in relation to continued patient care.
  8. To communicate, negotiate and represent patient/ client values and decisions in collaboration with other professionals.
  9. To support ancillary staff, ensuring safe working practice by realistic allocation of duties within the individual’s competency and knowledge.
  10. To pro-actively incorporate a process of assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of care into daily practice, ensuring accountability for own actions and decisions.
  11. To adhere to hospital guidelines & procedures.
  12. To develop appropriate Policies, Procedures and Guidelines to support practice and service.
  13. To make clinical decisions based on agreed protocols, and, where necessary, in consultation with the interdisciplinary team.
  14. To maintain continuing professional development and keep up to date with current developments.
  15. To adhere to hygiene standards, infection control and health and safety standards.
16. To adhere to An Bord Altranais Code of Conduct and Scope of Practice Framework directives.
17. Ensure that effective Clinical Governance procedures are maintained and evolve according to defined needs and demands in the service.
ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES
  1. To be responsible for the maintenance of treatment records and to carry out administrative procedures in accordance with administrative practice.
  2. To collate statistical data as agreed with the Assistant Director of Nursing Services.
  3. To be responsible for the maintenance of equipment and stock levels and to carry out a needs analysis as appropriate to the changing environment.
  4. To maintain high standards in relation to identification and management of risk to patients and to implement the Hospital Policy and Procedures in the event of an adverse event for patient, public or staff member.
  5. To assess the changing service needs and determine service development using statistical information and informed advice.

TEACHING AND EDUCATION

  1. To provide a patient centered service based on international best practice
  2. To provide nursing expertise for the Ophthalmology Service and to develop Opthalmology nursing expertise within the Service.
  3. To provide support, guidance and supervision to student nurses, ensuring they maximize their learning opportunity, integrating both theory and clinical practice to achieve pre-determined learning objectives.
  4. To act as a consultant to both nursing colleagues and the wider interdisciplinary team.
  5. To plan, deliver and assess education for members of staff
  6. To participate in the educational activities of the Hospital and Health Service Executive
  7. To participate in relevant ophthalmic auditing and research, and to apply this in a practical way to improve patient care in the clinical area.
  8. To liaise with Nurse Practice Development Department in line with regional structures and to provide guidance to student, graduate and post-graduate nurses on ophthalmic matters.
This job description is not definitive and will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and may include other duties and responsibilities as may be determined by the Hospital authorities. The extent and speed of change in the delivery of health care is such that adaptability is essential. The incumbent will be required to maintain, enhance and develop their professional knowledge, skills and aptitudes necessary to respond to a changing situation. The service is at the development stage within the HSE DNE, therefore this job description must be regarded as an outline in the major areas of accountability at the present time which will be reviewed and assessed on an on-going basis.
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, at the latest date for receipt of completed applications for the post:
  • Be registered in the General 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 practising
and
  • Have a minimum of 2 years experience in the specialist area i.e. ophthalmology nursing
and
  • Have the ability to practice safely and effectively fulfilling his/her professional responsibility within his/her scope of practice
and
  • Demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development
and
  • Have a level 8 post-registration National Qualifications Authority of Ireland major academic award relevant to the specialist area of ophthalmology nursing
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 (Miscellaneous Provisions) 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.
Post Specific Requirements: additional qualifications and/or experience required / n/a
Skills, competencies and/or knowledge /
  • Demonstrate practitioner competence and professionalism in order to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role
  • Display evidence-based clinical knowledge in making decisions regarding client care
  • Demonstrates a commitment to continuing professional development
  • Demonstrates commitment to providing a quality service
  • Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills including the ability to build and maintain relationships
  • Demonstrates excellent communication skills, including sufficient command of the English language so as to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role
  • Demonstrates an awareness of legislation and standards relevant to the role
  • Demonstrates an awareness of developments within the HSE
  • Demonstrates a willingness to engage and develop IT skills relevant to the role
  • Demonstrates the promotion of evidence-based decision making; evidence-based clinical knowledge in making decisions regarding patient / client care
  • Demonstrates the ability to plan and manage resource effectively
  • Demonstrates effective analytical, problem solving and decision making skills
Other Requirements specific to the Role
  • Demonstrate knowledge of anatomy and physiology in relation to ophthalmic conditions
  • Be competent in carrying out and assessing specialist test such as:
  • Visual acuity
  • Slit lamp examination of the eye
  • Tonometry
  • Auto refraction
  • Focimetry
and recognise when to refer / discuss with ophthalmic surgeon
  • To recognise and respond to variations in stable glaucoma patients
  • Be competent in the provision of diabetic eye screening
  • Be competent in the delivery of training / education on care of ophthalmic conditions

Campaign Specific Selection Process
Ranking/Shortlisting / Interview / 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 Executivewill 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 in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, information for candidates” or on
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.

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Ophthalmology

Terms and Conditions of Employment

Tenure

/ The initial vacancies for this post are whole time, specified purpose until 31/03/2013 initially and pensionable. A panel will be formed from this recruitment campaign and future permanent or specified purpose vacancies will be filled from this panel. 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.
Remuneration / The Salary scale for the post is:
€47,089 – €55,852 (pro rata)
(9 points on the Salary Scale)
Working Week / The standard working week applying to the post is
37.5 hours weekly (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 associated with the post is 24- 28days
0-5 years service 25 days
5-10 years service 26 days
More than 10 years service 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 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 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 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.

Job Spec CNS Ophthalmology NRS0686 – Page 1

/ This project is part financed by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund through the INTERREG IVA Cross - border Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body. /