The purpose of this Clinical Nurse Specialist (Respiratory Care - COPD)  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 Specialist Posts, 4^th edition, National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery (NCNM) 2008

The post holder will develop COPD Outreach services in line with the COPD National Clinical Programme Model of Care document and associated guidance (HSE, 2011).

The role of the CNS in COPD Outreach is to provide person-centred care post discharge, and ongoing management of patients with COPD in the home/normal place of residence. The post holder will be a key member of the multidisciplinary team, required to provide a specialist nursing resource within the governance structure created for the programme. He/She will provide physical, psychological and emotional support to an agreed caseload of COPD Outreach patients and their families throughout their COPD trajectory.

The post holder will also act as a liaison between Respiratory Services, Primary Care Teams, Community Care Teams and other agencies to deliver effective evidenced based care, using resources efficiently to achieve the best possible outcomes in keeping with the COPD Programme model of care and HIQA standards.

The post holder will carry out clinical and educational duties as required and be responsible for the delivery of high quality nursing care to patients with COPD in line with best professional nursing practice.

As part of the COPD Outreach team the post holder will:

• Develop, manage and evaluate an early supported discharge programme
• Plan and implement a care package from home to home
• Contribute to business planning and business cases
• Develop and implement guidelines and protocols relating to COPD Outreach
• Develop and implement strategies as part of the COPD Outreach team for delivering effective COPD care within a changing healthcare environment
• Engage in projects to raise the profile of the specialist COPD Outreach service and team members
• Develop and deliver evidence based pulmonary rehabilitation programmes to patients with COPD in individual or group settings.

Caseload

Patients over 16 years of age with non-complicated COPD or patients with an acute exacerbation of COPD that fit the inclusion/exclusion criteria.

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (Respiratory Care - COPD) will focus on adult patients with non-complicated COPD or who are experiencing an acute exacerbation of COPD.

The HSE has created six new health regions. Each region is responsible for providing both hospital and community care for the people in that area. Bringing community health services and hospitals together means we can take a more patient-centred approach to healthcare.

HSE Dublin and North East provides health and social care to North Dublin, Louth, Meath,

Monaghan and most areas of Cavan.

HSE Dublin and North East Region includes the following hospitals;

• Beaumont Hospital
• Cavan General Hospital
• Connolly Hospital
• Louth County Hospital
• National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh
• Monaghan General Hospital
• Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
• Our Ladys Hospital Navan
• Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital
• Rotunda Hospital

Candidates must have at the latest date of application:  

1. Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc.

(a)

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

And

1. Be registered in the General Division of the register of Nurses and Midwives

And

• 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 award, or higher relevant to the specialist area of respiratory care prior to application.

Or

Can provide written evidence from higher education institute that they have achieved the number of ECTS credits equivalent to a Level 8 award or higher standard, relevant to the specialist area of respiratory care prior to application.

And

1. Have a minimum of 5 years post registration full time experience (or an aggregate of 5 years full time experience) in the general division of the register

And

1. Have a minimum of 2 years’ full time experience (or an aggregate of 2 years full time experience) in the specialist area of respiratory care.

And

1. Demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development.

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

2. Annual registration

(i) Practitioners must maintain live annual registration on the appropriate/relevant Division of the register of Nurses and Midwives maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) for the role.

And

(ii) Confirm annual registration with NMBI to the HSE by way of the annual Patient Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC).

3. Age

Age restriction shall only apply to a candidate where s/he 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.

4. Health

Candidates 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.

5. 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 respiratory care as relevant to the role.

• Have undertaken or agree to undertake, within an agreed timeframe, the Nurse Prescribing of Medicinal Products Certificate.
• Have undertaken or agree to undertake, within an agreed timeframe, the Nurse Prescribing of Ionising Radiation Certificate.
• Access to appropriate transport is necessary to fulfil the role. A significant portion of the appointees work will be carried out “off site”. This means that the appointee will travel to patient’s home/ place of residence in Co. Wexford, to perform duties related to the role.

Relevant Attachment:

HSE Job Spec CNS COPD Outreach 2025