JOB DESCRIPTION Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) / Candidate Clinical Nurse Specialist (cCNS) Liaison Psychiatry Permanent Full time Reference No: ****** *****) PURPOSE OF THE ROLE The post-holder will work as a key member of multidisciplinary liaison psychiatry – psychological medicine team providing care in the Emergency Department and across the Hospital to patients who experience psychological health difficulties and psychiatric disorders.
Responsibilities will include the evaluation of specific clinical problems in conjunction with the medical and surgical teams in the general hospital, providing initial assessments of patients, providing specialist intervention where appropriate, and helping to arrange their aftercare.
The post-holder will liaise closely with medical staff; paramedical staff; staff from psychiatry and psychological services; staff from palliative care services; with General Practitioners; and with other staff involved in patient services, to ensure delivery of a patient-focused, co-ordinated and consistent service.
The successful candidate will liaise closely with clinical management teams in Tallaght University Hospital and with the Community Mental Health Teams in Dublin south Mental Health Services including in the Approved Centres as well as working closely with voluntary and statutory agencies.
The post holder will participate in regular staff meetings and daily huddles to ensure information is disseminated and issues discussed.
As part of the role the successful candidate will participate in the development and maintenance of psychiatric databases, research and clinical audit as well as playing an important educational role relating to patient and clinical staff.
The post-holder will contribute to the development of various areas of service specialisation within the liaison psychiatry – psychological medicine service.
As the service develops, there is scope for development of areas of special clinical expertise in the nursing team.
These may include, for example, psycho-oncology; alcohol and/or substance misuse; pain and somatoform disorders; suicidality and self-harm; trauma/orthopaedic care; patients with neuro behavioural symptom; support to those with long term renal conditions, and others.
QUALIFICATIONS 1. Each candidate must on the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office -: Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Be registered in the psychiatric Division of the active Register held by Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland or be entitled to be so registered.
Have a minimum of 1 year post registration full time experience or an aggregate of 1 year full time experience in the division of the register in which the application is being made.
Have a minimum of 1 year experience or aggregate of 1 year full time experience in the specialist area of care to which they are applying.
Have a third level qualification at not less than 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.
Clinical Nurse Specialist Candidate (cCNS) Be registered in the psychiatric Division of the active Register held by Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland 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.
Have a minimum of 1 year post registration full time experience or an aggregate of 1 year full time experience in the division of the register in which the application is being made.
Have a minimum of 1 year experience or aggregate of 1 year full time experience in the specialist area of care to which they are applying.
Or If the applicant does not have the relevant specialist experience, they will be supported to attain one years' clinical specialist experience.
Have a third level qualification at not less than 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.
Or If the applicant does not have the relevant specialist experience, the applicant will be supported to undertake the required post graduate education as relevant to the specialist area.
All of the above must be achieved within two years from start of employment for this pathway.
Applicable to both pathways Have the clinical, managerial and administrative capacity to properly discharge the functions of the role.
Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrate evidence of continuing learning and professional development.
Confirm annual registration with NMBI to the HSE by way of the annual Patient safety Assurance Certificate.
Have a full clean driving license with access to own transport and indemnified insurance.
2. Age Restrictions In Relation To Applications Age restriction shall only apply to a candidate where they are not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, ****).
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 applications for the office occurs.
3. 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 as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
4. Be of good character.
5. Garda Vetting Garda Vetting is sought for all employees and prospective employees of Tallaght University Hospital.
Given the specialised nature of the services provided, your appointment will be subject to satisfactory Garda Vetting and re-vetting in circumstances where the Hospital deems it appropriate.
The Hospital will then process the necessary documentation to endeavour to obtain satisfactory Garda clearance for you.
You are obliged to disclose previous and any criminal convictions acquired during the course of your employment.
Should the Hospital obtain information from the Garda Vetting Unit to indicate that your Garda clearance report is not satisfactory and / or if you have supplied the hospital with false or misleading information in relation to your Garda clearance status, the Hospital reserves the right to withdraw or terminate this contract in accordance with Tallaght University Hospital Garda Vetting policy.
6. Mandated and Designated Persons under Children First Act **** Schedule 2 of the Children First Act **** specifies the classes of persons defined as Mandated Persons for the purposes of the Act.
This includes a range of disciplines that are employed by the hospital including all medical practitioners, registered nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists, social workers and others.
This includes staff working in adult services.
All mandated persons have two main legal obligations under the Children First Act ****.
Mandated persons, under the legislation are required to report any knowledge, belief or reasonable suspicion that a child has been harmed, is being harmed, or is at risk of being harmed.
The Act defines harm as assault, ill-treatment, neglect or sexual abuse, and covers single and multiple instances.
Mandated persons are also required to assist Tusla, if requested, in assessing a concern which has been the subject of a mandated report.
Designated Officer are required to receive reports of suspected child abuse or neglect from any person who is of the opinion that
(a) a child has been or is being assaulted, ill-treated, neglected or sexually abused, or
(b) a child's health, development or welfare has been or is being avoidably impaired or neglected.
Full detailed list of mandated and designated staff together with details of their roles and responsibilities can be found on ; It is the responsibility of all staff employed by TUH to be aware of their roles and responsibilities under the legislation and to complete mandatory Children First Training.
PARTICULARS OF OFFICE 1. The appointment is fulltime, permanent and pensionable.
Part time hours may be considered.
A panel of suitable applicants may be formed, from which further vacancies may be filled.
2. Remuneration: Remuneration is in accordance with the salary scale approved by the Department of Health but he/she will also be professionally accountable to the Director of Nursing, Tallaght University Hospital.
The Director of Nursing, Tallaght University Hospital, and the Director of Mental Health Nursing, HSE-South West Area, Dublin West/South West Mental Health Service, will work in partnership to ensure the smooth operation of the post, in the interest of providing optimal patient care.
SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITY Clinical Role Be trained to an agreed level of competence by the Consultant in Liaison Psychiatry in the assessment of psychological difficulties in patients attending the general hospital; including risk assessment of patients with self-harm and suicidal behaviour.
Provide a psychiatric nurse liaison service between all areas of the general hospital including Emergency Department / Acute Floor, and in-patient psychiatric services and appropriate community services in line with professional and in relation to admission and treatment of patients in approved mental health facilities and in accordance with legislation.
Ensure patients have access to relevant information, enabling understanding of their condition and available treatment options.
Demonstrate vision, innovation and flexibility in nursing practice.
Promote a safe clinical environment for patients, visitors and staff.
Work with the multidisciplinary team to meet the needs of carers and families.
Participate in regular staff meetings and daily huddles to ensure information is disseminated and issues discussed.
Work in compliance with the extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement.
Education In conjunction with the Consultants in Liaison Psychiatry, and others as appropriate, develop and facilitate educational and support programmes, for staff in the hospital.
These would include training in initial assessment of psychological distress and mental health problems for staff in medical, surgical and other services in the general hospital, for staff in the general psychiatric service and others.
In addition the post-holder will assist with teaching duties for undergraduate students (medical, nursing and others) and for graduate students (medical, nursing and other).
Provide knowledge and expertise to other disciplines in the area of mental health legislation issues such as capacity and consent to treatment.
Completion of relevant training and availing of supports in the Leadership Academy including coaching, mentoring and leadership development as applicable.
Research and Audit In conjunction with the Consultants in Liaison Psychiatry, and others as appropriate, initiate and participate in multidisciplinary research studies, as appropriate.
Maintain awareness within the speciality of current developments in mental health nursing.
In conjunction with the Consultant in Liaison Psychiatry, and others as appropriate, use research findings to influence care within the speciality.
Assist in monitoring and auditing the level of service on a hospital wide basis.
In conjunction with the Consultants in Liaison Psychiatry, and others as appropriate, continually monitor the service to ensure it reflects current needs, and implement agreed change where required.
In conjunction with the Consultant in charge, Liaison Psychiatry, and others as appropriate, develop a system for recording clinical activity.
Demonstrate commitment to evidence-based practice.
Ensure that accurate documentation and record keeping is maintained.
Professional Development Undertake appropriate continuous professional development to enable best contemporary practice within the specialised filed of care.
Develop the required skills and knowledge to support the service needs within the scope of professional practice.
Undertake to acquire the appropriate skills in Information and Communication Technology to fulfil the requirements of the post.
Take personal responsibility for own professional development and updating.
Provide an efficient, effective and high quality service, respecting the needs of each patient.
Consultancy Evaluate clinical problems in conjunction with the medical team, co-ordinate investigation, therapy and patient follow up.
The post-holder will have responsibility in ensuring co-ordination of care between all professionals involved with the patients.
Provide specialist knowledge and expertise for the surgical and medical teams working in the acute hospital, for example advice in management of psychological distress, disturbed behaviour, confusional states, substance misuse.
Maintain a visible, professional presence where patients, carers and staff can turn for assistance, advice and support.
Participate as a member of clinical and other committees as required.
Information Technology Ensure that the team makes the most effective and efficient use of developments in information technology for both patient care and administrative support in a manner, which integrates well with systems throughout the organisation.
Ensure that all staff are trained in the use of computer systems, which are used in the management of patient episodes in the Hospital, e.g.: EPR, Pims, Order comms, Symphony, sap, core.
Health