The role of the CNS CVD was developed to: provide expertise and specialist nursing services to patients with a cardiovascular condition both in the ward, hospital outpatient settings and in primary care. The role of the CNS CVD will differ according to the needs and configuration of established cardiovascular services at each site.

The post holder will act as a liaison between acute cardiology services and integrated cardiology services in the community and other agencies, to deliver effective evidenced based care, using resources efficiently to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease in keeping with agreed models of care and HIQA standards.

The post holder will work with colleagues across the acute cardiology services and integrated care services to develop and implement ambulatory care pathways for cardiovascular disease and associated co-morbidities, to improve the transition of patients between primary and secondary care.  The post holder will work as part of a MDT and in close liaison with their associated Consultant Cardiologist to deliver coordinated evidence based care for patients.

The CNS CVD will support the implementation of a model of integrated care which is focused on enhancing the management of care for patients between Primary (General Practice) and Secondary (Hospital) Care, thus optimising the patient’s quality of life and contributing to an integrated health service. The role supports the implementation of Sláintecare through the provision of community diagnostics and shifting treatment from the acute sector to the community.

The primary focus of the post holder will be to ensure that patients with cardiovascular disease receive timely and appropriate care through assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care delivery.

The person appointed to this post will work in the overall integrated cardiology service. This post is 50% acute based and 50% community based to work with the Integrated Care Consultant Cardiologist to develop integrated care services. Please note a portion of the appointees work will be carried out “offsite”. This means that the appointee will travel to the hubs to perform duties related to the role.

The CNS CVD caseload will focus initially on the following patient groups:

• Chronic Cardiovascular Disease
• Atrial Fibrillations
• Ischaemic Heart Disease

  The CNS duties will include:

• Triage of hospital outpatient referrals from GPs
• Co-ordination of Heart Failure Virtual Clinics
• Co-ordination of Q & A Clinical Queries service
• Co-ordination of Urgent Outpatient Clinics
• Coordinate hospital cardiology discharges to ensure appropriate follow up and services are coordinated

The CNS CVD plays a vital role in ensuring patients are empowered with skills and knowledge necessary for them to achieve optimal health and wellbeing.

1.  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.

OR

(iii) 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

(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 Cardiac 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 t area of care – Cardiovascular. (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-  Cardiovascular. (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). Cardiovascular Care prior to application* (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.

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).

3.  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.

4.  Character

Candidates 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)

Post Specific Requirements

Demonstrate depth and breadth of nursing experience in the specialist area of cardiovascular disease as relevant to the role. 

In order to develop effective and more efficient services, the post holder is required to:

• Have undertaken or agree to undertake, within an agreed timeframe, the Nurse Prescribing of Medicinal Products Certificate and / or
• Have undertaken or agree to undertake, within an agreed timeframe, the Nurse Prescribing of Ionising Radiation Certificate.

Other requirements specific to the post

Access to own transport as 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 to perform duties related to the role.

Job Specification CNS Cardiovascular (Integrated) December 2025