* Galway City, County Galway, Ireland
* Full time, Permanent
Who We Are
Community Healthcare West, Galway, Mayo & Roscommon HSE West and North West delivers primary & community care, mental health, older persons, disability and health & wellbeing services across Galway City & County, Mayo & Roscommon. What are the Services? HSE West and North West Services focus on keeping you well so that you can continue to live at home or close to home through our health promotion, disease screening, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation programs.
Description
Job Specification & Terms and Conditions
Remuneration
The salary scale for the post is (01/08/2025):
61,463 62,481 63,342 64,747 66,300 67,826 69,351 71,068 72,662 75,405 77,666
LSI
New appointees to any grade start at the minimum point of the scale. Incremental credit will be applied for recognised relevant service in Ireland and abroad.
Campaign Reference
CHW117NS25
Closing Date
Friday 21st November 2025 at 12 noon
Proposed Interview Date (s)
Candidates will normally be given at least two weeks' notice of interview. The timescale may be reduced in exceptional circumstances.
Taking up Appointment
A start date will be indicated at job offer stage.
Location of Post
There are currently 2 permanent, whole-time vacancies available in CAMHS Café, Galway City Centre (Caifé CAMHS, Lár Chathair na Gaillimhe)
A panel may be formed as a result of this campaign for Clinical Nurse Specialist, CAMHS from which current and future, permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part-time duration may be filled.
Informal Enquiries
We welcome enquiries about the role. Please contact:
Maurice Moloney, Clinical Nurse Manager III, CAMHS
Rachel O’Shaughnessy, Clinical Nurse Manager III, CAMHS
CAMHS provides a comprehensive Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service across Galway, Mayo and Roscommon. The service provides both inpatient and outpatient services for Children and Adolescents in the region with the inpatient unit covering Donegal to Limerick.
CAMHS is a mental health service for anyone under eighteen year experiencing mental health difficulties. It is a referral based service with community teams providing assessment and a range of supportive interventions to assist in the management and treatment of mental health conditions.
The Foroige youth hub will also provide a walk-in clinic 7 days a week, which will facilitate clinical emergencies and brief interventions for young people.
Reporting Relationship
Reports to the CNM III and is accountable to the Director of Nursing and the Area Director of Nursing.
Key Working Relationships
The CNS will work collaboratively with a range of internal and external stakeholders including:
Director of Nursing
CNS’s, CNM’s, RANP and other nursing grades
Multidisciplinary Team colleagues and other key stakeholders within services, including National Clinical and Integrated Care Programs
Service users/families and/or carers
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
Educational Bodies
Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Units
Centres of Nursing and Midwifery Education
National Clinical Leadership Centre
Other relevant statutory and non‑statutory organisations
Purpose of the Post
The CNS post holder will deliver care in line with the five core concepts of the role set out in the Framework for the Establishment of Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialist Posts, 4th edition, National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery (NCNM) 2008.
Manage own caseload in accordance with the needs of the team.
Caseload
The CNS will focus initially on the following service user groups and manage own caseload in accordance with the needs of the team.
The CNS caseload will comprise of CAMHS patients (under the age of 18) identified by the team requiring assessment and treatment for mental health conditions.
The concepts are:
• Clinical Focus (Direct and Indirect Care)
• Education and Training
• Audit and Research
• Consultancy (including leadership in clinical practice)
To provide support and assessment to young people who traditionally present to emergency departments in general hospital, thus reducing the footfall into those dept.
To provide education and mental health promotion to young people, schools, parents and any other agencies requiring mental health support.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Clinical Focus
The CNS will be supported to:
Develop a strong service user focus whereby the specialty defines itself as nursing/midwifery and subscribes to the overall purpose, functions and ethical standards of nursing/midwifery.
The clinical practice role may be divided into direct and indirect care. Direct care comprises the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of care to the service user, family and/or carer. Indirect care relates to activities that influence and support the provision of direct care.
Direct Care
The CNS will:
• Provide a specialist nursing service to patients who present with thoughts of suicide and/or self-harm, self-harm behaviour or suicidal behaviour who require support and treatment through the continuum of care.
• Accept appropriate Primary Care referrals from the GP and others.
• Co‑ordinate investigations, treatment therapies and patient follow‑up.
• Provide a specialist nursing service for young people with a diagnosis of mental illness who require support and treatment through the continuum of care.
• Undertake comprehensive assessment in the Foroige youth hub to include psychological, social and spiritual elements of care using best evidence‑based practice in mental illness care.
• Use the outcomes of nursing assessment to develop and implement plans of care for young people attending Foroige youth hub.
• Monitor and evaluate the service user’s response to interventions used in the Foroige Youth Hub.
• Make alterations in the management of young person’s condition in line with agreed pathways and policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines (PPPG’s).
• Communicate with the young person’s family and/or carer as appropriate, to assess young person’s needs and provide relevant support, information, education, advice and counselling as required.
• Where appropriate, work collaboratively with colleagues across Primary and Secondary Care to provide a seamless service delivery to the young people, family and/or carer as appropriate.
• Identify and promote specific symptom management strategies as well as the identification of triggers, which may cause exacerbation of symptoms. Provide the young person with appropriate self‑management strategies and escalation pathways.
• Identify health promotion priorities for the young person, family and/or carer and support service the young person in line with best evidence. This will include the provision of educational and health promotion material, which is comprehensive, easy to understand and meets the young person’s needs.
• Carry out comprehensive bio‑psychosocial assessments on all young people presenting to the foroige youth hub with a mental health emergency.
• Liaise with a family member for collateral information where possible and appropriate.
• Provide as appropriate short‑term interventions/bridging sessions of no more than three follow‑up appointments.
• Support onward referral to statutory and or non‑statutory services as deemed appropriate.
• Following initial assessment contact the young person and the family/carer within 24 hours.
Indirect Care
The CNS will:
• Identify and agree appropriate referral pathways for young people attending the Foroige youth Hub with mental illness, where necessary.
• Participate in service user case reviews.
• Use a case management approach to service user complex needs in collaboration with both Primary and Secondary Care as appropriate.
• Take a proactive role in the formulation and provision of evidence based PPPGs relating to care of CAMHS service users mental illness condition.
• Take a lead role in ensuring the nursing/midwifery service for CAMHS service users mental illness condition is in line with best practice guidelines and the Safer Better Healthcare Standards (HIQA, 2012).
Service user/Client Advocate
The CNS will:
• Communicate, negotiate and represent the young person, family and/or carer values and decisions in relation to their condition to colleagues in both Primary and Secondary Care as appropriate.
• Develop and support the concept of advocacy, particularly in relation to the young person’s participation in decision making, thereby enabling informed choice of treatment options.
• Respect and maintain the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of the young person, family and/or carers.
• Establish, maintain and improve procedures for nursing collaboration and cooperation between Acute Services, Primary Care and Voluntary Organisations as appropriate.
• Proactively challenge any interaction, nursing or otherwise, which fails to deliver a good quality service to young persons.
Education & Training
The CNS will:
• Maintain clinical competence in young people management within CAMHS nursing, keeping up to date with relevant research to ensure the implementation of evidence based practice.
• Provide the young person, family and/or carer with appropriate information, education and other supportive interventions to increase their knowledge, skill and confidence and autonomy in managing their condition.
• Contribute to the design, development and implementation of education programmes and resources for the young person, family and/or carer in relation to their mental illness to enable recovery.
• Provide mentorship and preceptorship for nursing colleagues as appropriate.
• Participate in training programs for nursing/midwifery, colleagues and key stakeholders as appropriate.
• Create exchange of learning opportunities in relation to evidence based practice in nursing delivery through journal clubs, conferences etc.
• Develop and maintain links with Regional Centres for Nursing & Midwifery Education (RCNMEs), the Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Units (NMPDUs) and relevant third level Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) in the design, development and delivery of nursing educational programs in the care of CAMHS young people.
• In tandem with the line management structure, be responsible for addressing own continuing professional development (CPD) needs to maintain competencies required for the role.
• Use agreed protected time for research, education and professional development.
• With the line manager, use the Professional Development Planning Framework for Nurses and Midwives to plan and self‑assess additional CPD needs.
• Received clinical supervision from a registered ANP, consultant psychiatrist or any nursing colleague that senior nurse management have deemed qualified to discuss their work, professional development, and ethical practice.
Audit & Research
The CNS will:
• Establish and maintain a register of young people within the CNS Caseload.
• Maintain a record of clinically relevant data aligned to National Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) as directed and advised by the DON in conjunction with the senior clinical decision maker.
• Identify, initiate and conduct nursing audit and research relevant to the area of practice and take part in audit and research.
• Identify, critically analyse, disseminate and integrate into practice, best evidence relating to care of CAMHS young people.
• Contribute to nursing research on care of CAMHS young people.
• Use the outcomes of audit to improve nursing service provision and advocate, when appropriate, for improvement of non‑nursing services.
• Contribute to service planning and budgetary processes through use of audit data and specialist knowledge.
• Monitor, access, utilise and disseminate current relevant research to advise and ensure the provision of informed evidence‑based nursing practice.
Audit expected outcomes including:
• Collate data which will provide evidence of the effectiveness of the CNS interventions with CAMHS patients. Refer to National KPIs associated with the CAMHS. KPI’s should have a clinical nursing focus as well as a breakdown of activity - patients seen and treated.
• Evaluate nursing audit results and research findings to identify areas for quality improvement in collaboration with nursing management and colleagues (Primary and Secondary Care).
Consultant (including leadership in clinical practice)
The CNS will:
• Understand leadership in clinical practice with the aim of acting as a resource and role model for nursing practice.
• Contribute the expanding nursing knowledge/expertise to the development of clinical standards and guidelines and support implementation.
• Use growing specialist knowledge to support and enhance own nursing/midwifery practice and practice of colleagues.
• Develop collaborative working relationships with local CAMHSCNS’s, Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner colleagues as appropriate, contributing to person centred care pathways to promote the integrated model of care delivery.
• With the support of the DoN/M/line manager, attend integrated care planning meetings as required.
• Where appropriate, develop and maintain relationships with specialist services in voluntary organisations which support service users in the community.
• Liaise with other health service providers in the development and on‑going delivery of the National Clinical and Integrated Programme model of care.
• Network with other CNS’s in CAMHS and in related clinical and professional areas of practice.
Health and Safety
These duties must be performed in accordance with local organisational and the HSE health and safety polices. In carrying out these duties the employee must ensure that effective safety procedures are in place to comply with the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act (2005). Staff must carry out their duties in a safe and responsible manner in line with the local policy documents and as set out in the local safety statement, which must be read and understood.
• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc. and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
• To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.
Quality, Risk and Safety Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of all staff to:
• Participate and cooperate with legislative and regulatory requirements with regard to quality, risk and safety.
• Participate and cooperate with local quality, risk and safety initiatives as required.
• Adequately identifies, assesses, manages and monitors risk within their area of responsibility.
• Participate and cooperate with internal and external evaluations of the organisation’s structures, services and processes as required, including but not limited to, The National Hygiene Audit, National Decontamination Audit, Health and Safety Audits and other audits specified by the HSE or other regulatory authority.
• Initiate, support and implement nursing/midwifery quality improvement initiatives in their area which are in keeping with local organisational quality, risk and safety requirement.
• Contribute specialist expertise to the development of PPPGs and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.
• Comply with Health Service Executive (HSE) Complaints Policy.
• Respond immediately and appropriately to ensure the safety of any service user that you are aware has been put at risk.
• Ensure completion of incident/near miss forms and clinical risk reporting.
• Adhere to department policies in relation to the care and safety of any equipment supplied and used to carry out the responsibilities of the CNS in CAMHScare.
Specific Responsibility for Best Practice in Hygiene
Hygiene is defined as: “The practice that serves to keep people and environments clean and prevent infection. It involves the study of preserving one’s health, preventing the spread of disease, and recognising, evaluating and controlling health hazards. In the healthcare setting it incorporates the following key areas: environment and facilities, hand hygiene, catering, management of laundry, waste and sharps, and equipment.” (HIQA, 2008; P2)
It is the responsibility of all staff to ensure compliance with local organisational hygiene standards, guidelines and practices.
Management / Administration:
• Provide an efficient, effective and high quality nursing/midwifery service, respecting the needs of each service user, family and/or carer.
• Effectively manage time and caseloadin order to meet changing and developing service needs.
• Continually monitor the nursing/midwifery service to ensure it reflects current service user and organisational needs.
• Implement and manage identified changes.
• Ensure that confidentiality in relation to service user records is maintained.
• Understand the need to represent the specialist nursing/midwifery service at local, national and international fora as required.
• Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records and data on all matters pertaining to the planning, management, delivery and evaluation of nursing/midwifery specialist care and ensure that this service is in line with HSE requirements.
• Contribute to the service planning process as appropriate and as directed by the Director of Nursing/Midwifery/Line Manager.
• To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low‑carbon and efficient health service.
• The above Job Description 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 them from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.
Eligibility Criteria
Qualifications and/ or experience
Candidates must have at the latest date of application:
(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.
ii) Be registered in the Psychiatric division 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.
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.
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).
v) Have a minimum of 1 years’ experience or an aggregate of 1 years’ full time experience in specialist area of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Care.
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 Child & Adolescent Mental Health Nursing 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). "Child & Adolescent Mental Health Nursing Care" of care prior to application* (See Note below).
vii) Be required to demonstrate that they have continuing professional development (CPD) relevant to the specialist area.
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 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.
(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.
ii) 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.
Post Specific Requirements
Demonstrate depth and breadth of Mental Health Nursing experience in the area of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Nursing along with the ability to be adaptable to work with professionals from multiple different services.
Other requirements specific to the post
Access to transport as the post will involve travel
Additional eligibility requirements:
Eligible candidates must be:
i) EEA, Swiss, or British citizens
ii) Non‑European Economic Area citizens with permission to reside and work in the State
Read Appendix 2 of the Additional Campaign Information for further information on accepted Stamps for Non‑EEA citizens resident in the State, including those with refugee status.
To qualify candidates must be eligible by the closing date of the campaign.
Skills, competencies and/or knowledge
Professional Knowledge and Experience
The CNS will:
• Practice in accordance with relevant legislation and with regard to The Scope of Nursing & Midwifery Practice Framework (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, 2015) and the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, 2021).
• Maintain a high standard of professional behaviour and be professionally accountable for actions/omissions. Take measures to continuously develop and maintain the competences required for specialist practice.
• Adhere to the Nursing & Midwifery values of Care, Compassion and Commitment (DoH, 2016).
• Adhere to national, regional and local HSE PPPGs.
• Demonstrate practitioner competence and professionalism as it related to CNS CAMHS role.
• Demonstrate an awareness of current and emerging nursing strategies and policy in relation to the clinical/specialist area.
• Demonstrate the ability to relate nursing research to nursing practice.
• Demonstrate an awareness of HR policies and procedures including disciplinary procedures.
• Demonstrate an awareness of relevant legislation and policy e.g., health and safety, infection control etc.
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development.
• Demonstrate a willingness to develop IT skills relevant to the role.
Demonstrate:
• An in‑depth knowledge of the role of the CNS CAMHS
• In‑depth knowledge of the pathophysiology of Child & Adolescent Mental Health
• The ability to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the patient including taking an accurate history of their mental health condition and presenting problem.
• The ability to employ appropriate diagnostic interventions (name some of these) to support clinical decision making and the patients’ self‑management planning.
• The ability to formulate a plan of care based on findings and evidence based standards of care and practice guidelines.
• The ability to follow up and evaluate a plan of care.
• Knowledge of health promotion principles/coaching/self‑management strategies that will enable service user/client to take greater control over decisions and actions that affect their health and wellbeing.
• An understanding of the principles of clinical governance and risk management as they apply directly to the CNS role and the wider health service.
• Evidence of teaching in the clinical area.
• A working knowledge of audit and research processes.
• Evidence of computer skills including use of Microsoft Word, Excel, E‑mail, PowerPoint.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Demonstrate:
• Emotionally intelligent communication skills
• Ability to build and maintain relationships particularly in the context of personal and team relationships
• Ability to present information in a clear and concise manner
• Ability to provide constructive feedback to encourage future learning
• Demonstrates the ability to influence others effectively.
Organisation and Management Skills:
Demonstrate:
• Evidence of effective organisational skills including awareness of appropriate resource management and the importance of value for money
• Ability to plan and organise effectively
• Ability to attain designated nursing/midwifery service targets, manage deadlines and multiple activities
• Ability to work autonomously
• A willingness to be flexible in response to changing local/organisational requirements.
Building & Maintaining Relationships including Team and Leadership skills
Demonstrate:
• The ability to work on own initiative as well as the ability to build and maintain relationships with MDT colleagues.
• With the required support, demonstrate leadership in clinical practice
• A knowledge of change management and team management skills
• Adopts a collaborative approach to patient care by co‑ordination of care/interventions and interdisciplinary team working.
Commitment to providing a quality service:
Demonstrate:
• Awareness and respect for service user and family/carers’ views in relation to their care
• A strong commitment to providing quality improvement programmes
• The ability to conduct audits
• Demonstrates integrity and ethical stance.
• Demonstrate motivation, initiative and an innovative approach to job and service developments, is flexible and open to change.
Analysing and Decision Making
Demonstrate:
• Adopts an overview of complex problems before generating solutions and anticipates implications
• Effective analytical, problem solving and evidence‑based decision making skill
• Uses a range of information sources and knows how to access relevant information to address issues.
Campaign Specific Selection Process
Ranking/Shortlisting / Interview
A ranking and or shortlisting exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application form. The criteria for ranking and shortlisting are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification. Therefore it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements.
Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not progressing to the next stage of the selection process.
Those successful at the ranking stage of this process, where applied, will be placed on an order of merit and will be called to interview in ‘bands’ depending on the service needs of the organisation.
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion
The HSE is an equal opportunities employer.
Employees of the HSE bring a range of skills, talents, diverse thinking and experience to the organisation. The HSE believes passionately that employing a diverse workforce is central to its success – we aim to develop the workforce of the HSE so that it reflects the diversity of HSE service users and to strengthen it through accommodating and valuing different perspectives. Ultimately this will result in improved service user and employee experience.
The HSE is committed to creating a positive working environment whereby all employees inclusive of age, civil status, disability, ethnicity and race, family status, gender, membership of the Traveller community, religion and sexual orientation are respected, valued and can reach their full potential. The HSE aims to achieve this through development of an organisational culture where injustice, bias and discrimination are not tolerated.
The HSE welcomes people with diverse backgrounds and offers a range of supports and resources to staff, such as those who require a reasonable accommodation at work because of a disability or long‑term health condition.
The Health Service Executive will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA).
The CPSA is responsible for establishing the principles to be followed when making an appointment. These are set out in the CPSA Code of Practice. The Code outlines the standards to be adhered to at each stage of the selection process and is to be set by candidates should they be unhappy with a selection process.
The reform programme outlined for the health services may impact on this role, and as structures change the Job Specification may be reviewed.
This Job Specification is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.
Terms and Conditions of Employment
The current vacancies available are permanent and whole time.
The post is pensionable. A panel may be created from which permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part time duration may be filled. The tenure of these posts will be indicated at “expression of interest” stage.
Appointment as an employee of the Health Service Executive is governed by the Health Act 2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 and Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Amendment Act 2013.
Working Week
The standard weekly working hours of attendance for your grade are 37.5 hours per week. Your normal weekly working hours are 37.5 hours. Contracted hours that are less than the standard weekly working hours for your grade will be paid pro rata to the full time equivalent.
The annual leave associated with the post will be confirmed at Contracting stage.
Superannuation
This is a pensionable position with the HSE. The successful candidate will upon appointment become a member of the appropriate pension scheme. Pension scheme membership will be notified within the contract of employment. Members of pre-existent pension schemes who transferred to the HSE on the 01st January 2005 pursuant to Section 60 of the Health Act 2004 are entitled to superannuation benefit terms under the HSE Scheme which are no less favourable to those which they were entitled to at 31st December 2004.
Age
The Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act, 2018* set 70 years as the compulsory retirement age for public servants.
* Public Servants not affected by this legislation:
Public servants joining the public service or re‑joining the public service with a 26 week break in service, between 1 April 2004 and 31 December 2012 (new entrants) have no compulsory retirement age.
Public servants, joining the public service or re‑joining the public service after 1 January 2013 are members of the Single Pension Scheme and have a compulsory retirement age of 70.
Every appointment of a person who is not already a permanent officer of the Health Service Executive or of a Local Authority shall be subject to a probationary period of 12 months as stipulated in the Department of Health Circular No.10/71.
Protection of Children Guidance and Legislation
The welfare and protection of children is the responsibility of all HSE staff. You must be aware of and understand your specific responsibilities under the Children First Act 2015, the Protections for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 in accordance with Section 2, Children First National Guidance and other relevant child safeguarding legislation and policies.
Some staff have additional responsibilities such as Line Managers, Designated Officers and Mandated Persons. You should check if you are a Designated Officer and / or a Mandated Person and be familiar with the related roles and legal responsibilities.
Have a working knowledge of Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
Health & Safety
It is the responsibility of line managers to ensure that the management of safety, health and welfare is successfully integrated into all activities undertaken within their area of responsibility, so far as is reasonably practicable. Line managers are named and roles and responsibilities detailed in the relevant Site Specific Safety Statement (SSSS).
Key responsibilities include:
• Developing a SSSS for the department/service as applicable, based on the identification of hazards and the assessment of risks, and reviewing/updating it on a regular basis (at least annually) and in the event of any significant change in the work activity or place of work.
• Ensuring that Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is integrated into day‑to‑day business, providing Systems Of Work (SOW) that are planned, organised, performed, maintained and revised as appropriate, and ensuring that all safety related records are maintained and available for inspection.
• Consulting and communicating with staff and safety representatives on OSH matters.
• Ensuring a training needs assessment (TNA) is undertaken for employees, facilitating their attendance at statutory OSH training, and ensuring records are maintained for each employee.
• Ensuring that all incidents occurring within the relevant department/service are appropriately managed and investigated in accordance with HSE procedures.
• Seeking advice from health and safety professionals through the National Health and Safety Function Helpdesk as appropriate.
• Reviewing the health and safety performance of the ward/department/service and staff through, respectively, local audit and performance achievement meetings for example.
Note: Detailed roles and responsibilities of Line Managers are outlined in local SSSS.
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