The Staff Nurse will assess, plan, implement and evaluate care to the highest professional and ethical standards within the model of nursing care practiced in the relevant care setting. The staff nurse will provide holistic, person centred care, promoting optimum independence and enhancing the quality of life for service users.

A panel will be formed from which future permanent, specified purpose, full time or part time vacancies will be filled. 

The RCSI Hospital Group includes the following hospitals; 

• Beaumont Hospital
• Cavan General Hospital
• Connolly Hospital
• Louth County Hospital
• Monaghan General Hospital
• Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital
• Rotunda Hospital

The Academic Partner for the Group is the RCSI.

RCSI Hospital Group provides a national service and a regional service to Dublin and the North East and is committed to the provision of world-class care, exceptional clinical services with respect and compassion.

Professional Responsibilities

The Staff Nurse will:

• Practice Nursing according to the Code of Professional Conduct as laid down by the Nursing Board (An Bórd Altranais) and Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) and Professional Clinical Guidelines
• Adhere to national, regional and local Health Service Executive (HSE) guidelines, policies, protocols and legislation
• Work within their scope of practice and take measures to develop and maintain the competence necessary for professional practice
• Maintain a high standard of professional behaviour and be accountable for their practice
• Be aware of ethical policies and procedures which pertain to their area of practice
• Respect and maintain the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of the patient

Follow appropriate lines of authority within the Nurse Management structure

Clinical Practice

The Staff Nurse will:

• Deliver the nursing care of an assigned group of patients within a best practice / evidence based framework
• Manage a designated caseload
• Promote the health, welfare and social wellbeing of patients within our services
• Actively participate as a multi-disciplinary / inter-disciplinary team member in all aspects of service delivery including case conferences, clinical meetings, team meetings
• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate individual person centred care programmes within an agreed framework and in accordance with best practice
• Develop and promote good interpersonal relationships with patients, their family / social network supports and the interdisciplinary care team in the promotion of person centred care
• Ensure that care is carried out in an empathetic and ethical manner and that the dignity and spiritual needs of the patient are respected
• Promote and recognise the patients’ social and cultural dimensions of care and the need for links with their local community
• Collaborate and work closely with the patient, their family, the multi-disciplinary / inter-disciplinary team, external agencies and services to facilitate discharge planning, continuity of care and specific care requirements
• Provide appropriate and timely education and information to the patient, their family and be an advocate for the individual patient and for their family
• Report and consult with senior nursing management on clinical issues as appropriate
• Maintain appropriate and accurate written nursing records and reports regarding patient care in accordance with local / national / professional guidelines
• Participate in innovation and change in the approach to patient care delivery particularly in relation to new research findings, evidence based practice and advances in treatment
• Participate in clinical audit and review
• Participate in community needs assessment and ongoing community delivery of care as appropriate
• Undertake Key Worker role as appropriate
• Promote a positive health concept with patients and colleagues and contribute to health promotion and disease prevention initiatives of the Health Service Executive
• Delegate to and supervise the work of other grades of staff within the remit of their role, as appropriate
• Demonstrate flexibility by rotating / assisting in other units / care settings as required to meet nursing resource needs and the requirements of the integrated services programme (ISP)
• Refer clients to other services as required

Clinical Governance

The Staff Nurse will:

• Participate in clinical governance structures within the local / regional / national clinical governance framework
• Have a working knowledge of HIQA Standards as they apply to the role / care setting, for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc.
• Contribute to ongoing monitoring, audit and evaluation of the service as appropriate
• Accurately record and report all complaints to appropriate personnel according to local service policy
• Participate in the development of policies / procedures and guidelines to support compliance with current legal requirements, where existing, for the safe storage and administration of medicines and other clinical products
• Participate in the development of policies / procedures and guidelines with health, safety, fire, risk and management personnel and participate in their development in conjunction with relevant staff and in compliance with statutory obligations
• Observe, report and take appropriate action on any matter which may be detrimental to patient care or well being
• Be aware of, and comply with, the principles of clinical governance including quality, risk and health and safety and be individually responsible for clinical governance, risk management / health and safety issues in their area of work
• Participate in the development, promotion and implementation of infection prevention and control guidelines
• Adhere to organisational dress code
• Assume responsibility for and coordinate the management of the unit / care setting in the absence of the Clinical Nurse Manager

Education, Training & Development

The Staff Nurse will:

• Take responsibility for own competency and learning and development needs and actively contribute to the learning and development of the interdisciplinary team
• Complete all mandatory training as deemed necessary by the Director of Nursing and An Bórd Altranais
• Participate in performance evaluation / review with their line manager, identifying areas for improvement and appropriate plans / measures to achieve them
• Provide feedback to the Clinical Nurse Manager or the designated officer with regard to compilation of proficiency assessments for students in the clinical setting
• Develop and use reflective practice techniques to inform and guide practice as part of their daily work
• Identify and contribute to the continual enhancement of learning opportunities within a population health framework
• Participate in the clinical / workplace induction of all new nursing and support staff
• Contribute to the identification of training needs pertinent to the clinical area
• Develop teaching skills and participate in the planning and implementation of orientation, training and teaching programmes for nursing students and other health-care staff as appropriate
• Having undergone appropriate training, act as a mentor / preceptor or clinical assessor for students
• Participate in the development of performance indicators in conjunction with the Clinical Nurse Manager
• Participate in innovation and change in the approach to service user care delivery, and contribute to the service planning process, based on best practice and under the direction of Nurse Management / Nurse Practice Development, particularly in relation to new research findings and advances in treatment

Administration

The Staff Nurse will:

• Ensure that records are safeguarded and managed as per HSE / local policy and in accordance with relevant legislation
• Work closely with colleagues across the integrated services programme in order to provide a seamless service delivery to the client within the integrated services programme
• Maintain records and submit activity data / furnish appropriate reports to the Director of Nursing as required
• Contribute to policy development and formulation, performance monitoring, business planning and budgetary control
• Maintain professional standards including patient and data confidentiality
• Contribute to the development and implementation of information sharing protocols, audit systems, referral pathways, individual care plans and shared care arrangements
• Contribute to ongoing monitoring, audit and evaluation of the service as appropriate
• Ensure that the care setting is maintained in good order using appropriate models, that supplies are adequate and that all equipment is in good working order and ready for immediate use
• Ensure that equipment is safe to use and report any malfunctions in a timely manner
• Assist with ordering of supplies as required and ensure the appropriate and efficient use of supplies is made and exercise economy in the use of consumables
• Undertake other duties as required by the Director of Nursing or his / her designate

The above Job Specification 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.

Candidates must:

Be registered in the General Division of the Register of Nurses maintained by the Nursing Board (An Bórd Altranais) and Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) or be entitled to be so registered

And

Demonstrate that you have 12 months acute hospital nursing experience within the last 3 years

And

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

Note: Post holders must maintain annual registration with An Bord Altranais

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.

Technical & Professional Knowledge

Has a command over the technical/ professional skills and knowledge required within the job holder’s role and continues to upskill to maintain high professional standards and continuous professional development requirements.

Attention to Detail

Is thorough and precise when accomplishing a task showing concern for all aspects of the job; developing detailed plans; accurately checking processes and tasks.

Building & Maintaining Relationships

Builds and maintains relationships with a network of people. Recognises the two way nature of relationships and works to develop mutually beneficial partnerships. Interacts with others in a manner that builds respect and fosters trust.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

Speaks and writes clearly, fluently and effectively to both individuals and groups; communicates in a manner that will persuade, convince and influence others, in order to motivate, inspire or encourage them to follow a particular course of action.

Patient Centred

Demonstrates eagerness to understand patient needs. Views the patient as central to the delivery of every day service through consistent understanding, tolerance, care, support and empathy while promoting empowerment, independence and choice.

Commitment to Quality & Risk Management

The ability to focus on understanding stakeholder’s needs and expectations and to respond effectively and efficiently to them. Has a good knowledge of and is committed to offer a quality service through the achievement of goals, accreditation standards, other organisation/department standards and risk management frameworks and guidelines.