For informal enquiries please contact:

Name: Colette Clarke, Assistant Director of Nursing Louth/Meath Mental Health Services 

Tel: 0872466206 

Email: Colette.clarke@hse.ie 

The purpose of this Clinical Nurse Specialist Suicide Crisis Assessment 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, 4th edition, National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery (NCNM) 2008. SCAN CNS will also follow a Model of Care that aligns with the four components of the NCPSHI: a compassionate, empathic response for people who have self-harmed or are suicidal; an expert biopsychosocial assessment, including a written emergency care plan; family involvement where possible and follow-up and linkage to next appropriate care (SCAN 2022).  

The SCAN CNS will complete expert biopsychosocial assessments in primary care, develop a collaborative safety plan with the service user and provide a follow-up phone call and linkage to the next appropriate care. 

All current SCAN and equivalent practitioners will be supported as staff implementing the NCPSHI. SCAN practitioners will be required to implement the NCPSHI, and attend required training and education events organised by NCPSHI. 

Data will be collated on all presentations to SCAN services in real time, and submitted to the NCP office using an online data capture tool. The NCPSHI office will support the practice, supervision and work practices of all SCAN practitioners, and support the practitioner and the service in fully implementing the NCPSHI. NPCSHI provides engagement with CNS SCAN group at quarterly network meetings with the peer group. Clinical supervision of clinical case is with the CAMHS Consultant Psychiatrist. 

Key to effective working between GPs and the SCAN service and between GPs and secondary mental health services is effective and timely communication. There will be a requirement to work collaboratively to develop pathways of care along with referral procedures with other statutory and voluntary agencies within the community/ locality. 

Caseload 

The SCAN CNS will focus on the following GP patient category 

• All patients over the age of 18 years  

• Currently accessing primary care services via General Practitioner 

• Experiencing suicidal ideation/related thoughts, self-harm or self-harm thoughts. 

Candidates must have at the latest date of application: -  

1. Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc

(a) Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition:  

• Be a registered nurse 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 

• 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.  

OR 

• In exceptional circumstances, which will be assessed on a case by case basis be registered in another Division of the register of Nurses and Midwives.  

AND 

• Have a minimum of 1 years’ post registration full time experience or an aggregate of 1 years’ full time experience in the psychiatric division of the register in which the application is being made (taking into account (ii) (iii) if relevant). 

AND 

• Have a minimum of 1 years’ experience or an aggregate of 1 years’ full time experience in specialist area of acute adult mental health and experience assessing and caring for people with thoughts of self-harm, self-harm behaviours and/or suicidal ideation. 

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 9 or higher award that is relevant to the specialist area of 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 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 

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

AND 

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

**Note 1:  For Nurses who express an interest in CNS 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.     

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) Practitioners must confirm annual registration with NMBI to the HSE by way of the annual Service user Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC). 

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. 

Please note that appointment to and continuation in posts that require statutory registration is dependent upon the post holder maintaining annual registration in the relevant division of the register maintained by Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland) by way of the Service user Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC). 

Related Attachments:CNS Suicide Crisis Assessment - HSE Job Spec

The HSE Dublin and North East Region are an equal opportunities employer.