Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) / Candidate CNS - Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) Full Time Hours, Permanent Contract. The CNS/cCNS IPC will: Be professionally accountable to the Director of Nursing of Mercy University Hospital (MUH). Report to the Assistant Director of Nursing, Infection Prevention & Control. Responsibilities Include: Have responsibility for the monitoring, surveillance, the investigation, prevention and control of Hospital Acquired Infections. Investigate outbreaks of infection with particular reference to their source and mode of spread. Report outbreaks to relevant department. Advise on isolation techniques and supporting line managers in supervising the implementation of such techniques in specific situations. Provide safe, comprehensive nursing care to service users within the guidelines laid down by the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) and Health Protection Surveillance Centre. Manage own caseload in accordance with the needs of the post. Communicate, negotiate and represent patients family and/or carer values and decisions in relation to their condition in collaboration with MDT colleagues in both Primary and Secondary Care as appropriate. Develop and support the concept of advocacy, particularly in relation to patient participation in decision making, thereby enabling informed choice of treatment options. Maintain clinical competence in patient management within infection prevention and control, keeping up-to-date with relevant research to ensure the implementation of evidence based practice. Provide the patient, family and/or carer with appropriate information and other supportive interventions to increase their knowledge, skill and confidence in managing their condition. Establish and maintain a register of patients/residents with HCAI under CNSp surveillance. Regularly collate and record relevant data and information/compile and interpret surveillance reports to the IPC Committee. Maintain a record of clinically relevant data aligned to National Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related to IPC. Auditing of agreed infection control practices throughout MUH. Present audit findings appropriately, e.g. IPC committee. Provide leadership in clinical practice and act as a resource and role model for Infection Prevention and Control practice. Generate and contribute to the development of clinical standards and guidelines and support implementation. Participate and cooperate with local quality, risk and safety initiatives as required. Eligibility Criteria: Be a registered nurse/midwife on the active Register of Nurses and Midwives held by the NMBI or be eligible to be so registered. Be registered in the division(s) of the NMBI Register for which the application is being made or be entitled to be so registered. 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. Have a minimum of 1 years experience or an aggregate of 1 years full time experience in specialist area, OR if the applicant does not possess the relevant specialist experience, they will be supported to attain one years clinical specialist experience. 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. Those that hold a level 8 qualification in the specialist area will be recognized up to September 2026; OR If the applicant does not possess the relevant QQI NFQ Level 9 qualification, the applicant will be supported to undertake the required postgraduate education, at QQI NFQ level 9 qualification (equivalent to 60 ECTS or above) relevant to the specialist area. This must be achieved within 2 years for this pathway. Be required to demonstrate that they have continuing professional development (CPD) relevant to the specialist area or will be supported to obtain the required CPD. Have the ability to practice safely and effectively fulfilling his/her professional responsibility within his/her scope of practice. Closing date for applications is 1pm on Tuesday, 11 November 2025. Salary scale advertised is for Clinical Nurse Specialist. MUH reserve the right to create a panel for this post from which permanent, fixed term and specified purpose vacancies of a full or part time duration may be filled. Mercy University Hospital (MUH) MUH is a growing voluntary hospital in the heart of Cork City. We have over 1,500 staff providing complex diagnostic, medical and surgical care through our inpatient, day patient, outpatient and emergency services. We are a teaching hospital, a centre of national and international excellence, and are renowned for our research and tertiary services. Providing 24/7 acute surgical, acute medical and critical care, MUH now has multiple sites across the city and continues to expand. We support staff development with approx. 100 promotions annually.We prioritise work life balance with 28% of our team working part time hours.We offer nationally agreed enhanced Salary Scales, Pension Scheme, excellent holidays, canteen, and Study Leave and Assistance. From Cardiac Care to Intensive Care, our varied specialist services offer real career choice to our team.For fully registered NMBI recognised nurses, we offer a generous relocation package (if coming from abroad). We live by our Core Values of Compassion, Excellence, Justice, Respect and Team Spirit. Skills: NMBI Reg IPC experience 1+ yrs hospital nursing experience