Rheumatology is the medical speciality caring for patients with musculoskeletal disease. Rheumatology services are essentially ambulatory and out-patient based with patients admitted to wards via bed manager where necessary. The management of patients with Rheumatoid conditions demands a broad range of professional skills and knowledge, as well as skills in communication, leadership, teaching, education, research and counselling. The CNS (Rheumatology) will have the expertise and specialist knowledge to incorporate these skills into practise and so develop standards of care that benefit the patients. In doing so the CNS (Rheumatology) will embrace the five core concepts of the clinical nurse specialist role to ensure the provision of high quality holistic service for the patients in need of the service and to enhance the health status of this patient population

The CNSp (Rheumatology) has a pivotal role in service-planning, co-ordinating care, managing activity and resources for rheumatology patients within CHB campus. Working with the multidisciplinary team members the CNSp (Rheumatology) is responsible for:

caseload management,

co-ordination of the patient’s rheumatology treatment pathways,

Quality assurance,

Supporting patient investigations & treatment plans

resource management,

Data collection and management for care programmes

The post holder will work within their agreed scope of practice and be able to facilitate good interdisciplinary communication and professional/ clinical leadership. The CNSp (Rheumatology) will also liaise with community hubs/GP’s and other external agencies in respect of rheumatology matters. As part of their role the post holder will support the implementation of the low back pain pathway and early inflammatory arthritis pathways as outlined in the modernised care pathways for Rheumatology services.

Each candidate must, at the latest date for receipt of completed applications for the post:

Candidates must have at the latest date of application: 

1. Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc.

• 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/midwife on the active Register of Nurses and Midwives held by An Bord Altranais and Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland) or be eligible to be so registered.

AND

(ii) Be registered in the division(s) of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) Register for which the application is being made or be entitled to be so registered.

AND

(iv) Have a minimum of 1 years’ 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 (ii) (iii) if relevant)

AND

(v) Have a minimum of 1 years’ experience or an aggregate of 1 years’ full time experience in specialist area of Rheumatology Care.

AND

(vi) 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 9 or higher award that is relevant to the specialist area of Rheumatology care (equivalent to 60 ECTS or above), and in line with the requirements for specialist practice as set out by the National Council for Nursing and Midwifery 4th ed (2008).

Alternatively provide written evidence from the Higher Education Institute that they have achieved the number of ECTS credits equivalent to a Level 9 or higher standard, relevant to the specialist area of rheumatology care (equivalent to 60 ECTS or above), and in line with the requirements for specialist practice as set out by the National Council for Nursing and Midwifery 4th ed (2008). * (See **Note 1 below).

AND

(vii) Be required to demonstrate that they have continuing professional development (CPD) relevant to the specialist area.

AND

(viii) Have the ability to practice safely and effectively fulfilling his/her professional responsibility within his/her scope of practice

**Note 1: 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.

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.

*SEE RELEVANT ATTACHMENT*

CNSp Rheumatology RCSI