The post holder will manage and develop the delivery of Colposcopy Services for women with suspected abnormalities of the cervix. S/he will have a pivotal role in service planning, co-ordinating, and managing activity and resources within Colposcopy Services. The main responsibilities are: quality assurance, resource management, staffing and staff development, practice development, facilitating communication and professional / clinical leadership.

1/10/2022 Pay Scale 55,248 56,164 56,937 58,201 59,597 60,968 62,338 63,882 65,316

There is currently one permanent whole-time vacancy available in the Regional Colposcopy Service based at Louth County Hospital, Dundalk, Co. Louth.

RCSI hospital group.

A panel may be created on foot of this campaign for Louth Hospitals (Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda and Louth County Hospital, Dundalk) from which current and future permanent and specifies purpose vacancies of full time or part time duration may be filled.

Professional / Clinical

The post holder will:

• Manage patient care to ensure the highest professional standards using an evidence based, care planning approach
• Provide a high level of professional and clinical leadership; act as a role model and clinical expert within Colposcopy Services
• Be responsible for the co-ordination, assessment, planning, delivery and review of service user care by all nursing staff in designated area(s)
• Provide safe, comprehensive nursing care to service users within the guidelines laid out by the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland
• Practice nursing according to:

• Professional Clinical Guidelines
• National and Area Health Service Executive (HSE) guidelines
• Local policies, protocols and guidelines
• Current legislation

• Contribute towards and liaise with the multi-professional team in the management of patient care, referring on as required
• Contribute to multidisciplinary, organisational and clinicopathological meetings, presenting cases and reports as appropriate
• 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 verbally and / or in writing results of assessments, treatment / care programmes and recommendations to the team and relevant others in accordance with service policy 
• Plan discharge or transition of the service user between services as appropriate
• Contribute to changes in clinical practice that will improve standards of care
• Participate in the development and implementation of cervical check quality assurance standards, guidelines, protocols
• Ensure that service users and others are treated with dignity and respect
• Maintain 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 multidisciplinary team, implement and assess quality management programmes
• Participate in clinical audit as required
• Initiate and participate in research studies as appropriate
• Devise and implement Health Promotion Programmes for service users as relevant to the post
• Operate within the 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

Health & Safety

The post holder will:

• 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
• Observe, report and take appropriate action on any matter which may be detrimental to staff and/or service user care or well being / may be inhibiting the efficient provision of care
• Assist in observing and ensuring implementation and adherence to established policies and procedures e.g. health and safety, infection control, hygiene, storage and use of controlled drugs etc.
• Ensure completion of incident / near miss forms / clinical risk reporting
• Adhere to department policies in relation to the care and safety of any equipment supplied for the fulfilment of duty
• Liaise with other relevant staff e.g. CNS infection control Occupational Therapist re appropriateness for procurement.
• 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 the implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.

Education and Training

The post holder will:

• Participate in the educational provision of information for women and their partners/ families so that they are empowered to manage their condition and seek appropriate help and advice
• Act as an educational resource for members of the multidisciplinary team and for other health professionals within the department / hospital
• With support and close collaboration of the Colposcopy clinical team, participate in informal and formal educational programmes for staff including undergraduates, nursing and medical staff
• Engage in continuing professional development by keeping up to date with nursing literature, recent nursing research and new developments in nursing management, education and practice and to attend staff study days as considered appropriate
• Be familiar with the curriculum training programme for student nurses / student midwives 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 support staff
• Provide support and supportive supervision to nursing / support team
• Supervise and assess student nurses / student midwives and foster a clinical learning environment

• Engage in performance review processes including personal development planning as appropriate

Management

The post holder will:

• Exercise authority in the running of the assigned area(s) as deputised
• Provide the necessary supervision, co-ordination and deployment of nursing and support staff to ensure the optimum delivery of care in the designated area(s)
• Manage communication at unit and departmental level and facilitate team building
• 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

• Formulate, implement and evaluate service plans and budgets in co-operation with the wider healthcare team
• Manage all resources efficiently and effectively within agreed budget
• Lead on practice development within the clinical area
• Lead and implement change
• Promote, facilitate and participate in the development of nursing policies and procedures. Monitor as appropriate and lead on proactive improvement
• Contribute to the formulation, development and implementation of policies and procedures at area and hospital level
• Ensure compliance with legal requirements, policies and procedures affecting service users, staff and other hospital matters
• Manage and promote liaisons with internal / external bodies as appropriate e.g. intra-hospital service and the community
• Actively participate in the Nursing Management structure by ‘acting up’ when required
• Maintain all necessary clinical and administrative records and reporting arrangements

• Engage in IT developments as they apply to service user and service administration.

KPI’s

The identification and development of Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) which are congruent with the hospitals service plan targets.

The Development of Action Plans to address KPI targets.

Driving and promoting a Performance Management culture.

In conjunction with the Line Manager assist in the development of a Performance Management system for your profession.

The management and delivery of KPI’s as a routine and core business objective.

The principal duties and responsibilities as outlined above indicate the main functions and responsibilities of the post and are subject to review and amendment in light of changing circumstances and may include other duties and responsibilities as may be determined by the Assistant Director of Human Resources or designated line manager.

Candidates must be registered in the Relevant Division of the Register of Nurses & Midwives maintained by The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland [NMBI](Bord Altranais agus Cnaimhseachais  or be entitled to be so registered

and

Have at least 5 years post registration experience of which 2 must be in the speciality or related area of Colposcopy

and

Have the clinical, managerial and administrative capacity to properly discharge the functions of the role

and

Demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development at the appropriate level

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.

• Demonstrate the ability to lead on clinical practice and service quality
• Demonstrate promotion of evidence-based decision making
• Demonstrate practitioner competence and professionalism
• Demonstrate the ability to plan organise effectively
• Demonstrate the ability to build, lead and manage a team
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills including the ability to build and maintain relationships
• Demonstrate strong communication and influencing skills
• Demonstrate initiative and innovation in the delivery of service
• Demonstrate resilience and composure
• Demonstrate openness to change
• Demonstrate integrity and ethical stance
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development
• Demonstrate the ability to relate nursing research to nursing practice
• Demonstrate knowledge of quality assurance practices and their application to nursing procedures
• Demonstrate an awareness of HR policies and procedures including disciplinary procedures, managing attendance etc.
• Demonstrate an awareness of relevant legislation and policy e.g. legislation relevant to the service area, health and safety, infection control etc.
• Demonstrate an awareness of current and emerging nursing strategies and policies in relation to the clinical / designated area
• Demonstrate an awareness of the Cervical Screening Programme and related documentation.
• Demonstrate a willingness to develop IT skills relevant to the role

Post Specific Requirements:

• The CNM 2 will be responsible for managing the care pathway for women referred to Colposcopy. They will advise women and staff in all aspects of the care provided within their role.

• Co-ordinate investigations, perform treatment therapies inclusive of cold coagulation,  ablative treatments, Diathermy destruction and patient follow-up

• Communicate with patients as appropriate, to assess patient’s needs and provide relevant support, information, education and advice as required

• Where appropriate work collaboratively with MDT colleagues across Primary and Secondary Care to provide a seamless delivery to the patient as appropriate

• Manage nurse led Colposcopy clinics with MDT input

• Identify health promotion priorities for the patient, family and /or carer and support patient self-care in line with best evidence. This will include the provision of educational and health promotion material which is comprehensive, easy to understand and meets patient’s needs

• Develop and support the concept of advocacy, particularly in relation to patient participation in decision making, thereby enabling informed choice of treatment options

• Respect and maintain the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of the patient, family and /or carer

• Establish, maintain and improve procedures for collaboration and cooperation between Acute Services, Primary Care and Voluntary Organisations as appropriate

• Proactively challenge any interaction which fails to deliver a quality service to patients.

Have access to transport as this post will require travel to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda to attend MDT meetings.