Job Specification & Terms and Conditions Job Title and Grade Clinical Nurse Specialist in Rheumatology Specified Purpose only Campaign Reference RQ1014 Closing Date Friday 29th August 2025 Proposed Interview Date Week of 8th September 2025 Whole Time equivalent hours 37.5 hours 1 WTE, Monday to Friday (No weekends) Taking up Appointment To be confirmed Location of Post Peamount Healthcare Reporting relationship Assistant Director of Nursing / Director of Nursing Details of service/background to post Peamount Healthcare is an independent voluntary organisation that provides a range of high-quality health and social care services. We help people return home after a serious illness, we provide safe and homely residential care for those who need it, and we support people to live as independently as possible in the community. Peamount Healthcare Services include Neurological Rehabilitation Services Neurological Disability Services Age Related Rehabilitation and Residential Services Respiratory Services including Rehabilitation and Sleep services Residential Services for Older adults with an Intellectual Disability Community Outpatients Services Specific Clinical Area: Rheumatology is the medical speciality caring for patients with musculoskeletal disease. The service is a consultant led service that provides expert outpatient and inpatient services in the diagnosis, treatment, management and Rehabilitation of patients. Inpatient Services: This service includes a 10 bedded inpatient unit on a Monday to Friday basis. Admissions to the unit are elective, arranged through OPD services or transfers from acute hospital services. The setting of care is rehabilitative. The ethos of care is rehabilitation, optimisation and access to multidisciplinary services to enhance the quality of life of patients with a musculoskeletal disease. Outpatient Services: Consultant led outpatient clinics. Infusion clinics for Rheumatology patients Rehabilitation led by the Multidisciplinary Team Multidisciplinary Team services Diagnostics including bloods, Xray, Pulmonary Function and Respiratory Services Aligned to the Rehabilitation services is a Pulmonary Function Laboratory, a Radiology department and Gymnasium for Rehabilitation. The Service users in Peamount Healthcare present with complex medical, psychological and social care needs that are identified and supported through assessment. Interventions are developed to prevent, treat, or manage complex symptoms, in keeping with the Strategic Framework for Role Expansion of Nurses & Midwives Promoting Quality Patient Care (NMBI 2011). The appointment of the CNSp is an essential element in the provision of effective, high quality, integrated care for patients with A Neurological Condition requiring Rehabilitation. The application of specialty focused knowledge and skills of the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNSp.) in Rheumatologywill provide for the care and on-going management of patients with Rheumatologyand Rheumatology conditions. The post holder will be required to work as a key member of the multi-disciplinary team in the organisation providing physical, psychological and emotional support to patients and their families/carers throughout their rehabilitation and treatment journey. She / he will act as a liaison between RheumatologyServices in Peamount Healthcare, Primary Care, Community services and other agencies. The CNSp in Rheumatologyis supported by the Rheumatology Consultant and the Multidisciplinary team. The CNSp manages a caseload of patients presenting with musculoskeletal disease both as inpatients and on an outpatient basis. This service is delivered in collaboration with the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) in accordance with best practice standards, (HIQA, 2016) Purpose of the Post The purpose of this Clinical Nurse Specialist (Rheumatology) post is to provide pivotal role co-ordinating patient care and managing activity and resources within the clinical area. The main responsibilities are managing a patient case load, planning assessing and treating patients in consultation with the Rheumatology team using best evidence-based practise. 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. The successful candidate will work as a key member of the multidisciplinary (Rheumatology) team providing a patient / client centred quality service to patients / clients and this specialist practice will encompass a major clinical focus which comprises assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of care given to patients / clients and their families. Specific to the role of the Clinical Nurse Specialist in Rheumatology is to provide specialist nursing support and care to adults with Neurological conditions requiring rehabilitation. The aim is to help them achieve an optimum level of health with Rheumatology and supports. Provide comprehensive care under the care of the Rheumatology team during inpatient and outpatient attendances. Provide specialist clinical advice and support to patients attending the service. Be the key hospital contact person within the Rheumatology service. Contribute to the evidence-based improvement of the health care experience and outcomes for the individual. Provide appropriate health and services education to the patient and health professionals. Liaise with other hospitals, service providers, respite services, palliative care providers and relevant community services to ensure the patient is linked with necessary, services and supports. Act as the patients advocate when appropriate Link with members of MDT in Peamount Healthcare and across the hospital and community services for musculoskeletal disease. The primary focus of the post holder will be to ensure that Adults with musculoskeletal disease receive timely and appropriate care through assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care delivery. The Clinical Nurse Specialist in Rheumatologys caseload is a broad role covering all aspects of Rheumatology care for patients with a musculoskeletal condition during outpatient and in-patient treatment Co-ordinating and providing care and support to the patient and their family. Co-ordinating meetings and follow-up appointments Discharge planning, and management of waiting lists Role Responsibilities The person holding this post is required to support the principle that the care of the patient comes first at all times and will approach their work with the flexibility and enthusiasm necessary to make this principle a reality for every patient to the greatest possible degree. Maintain throughout the hospital awareness of the primacy of the patient in relation to all hospital activities. Performance management systems are part of role and you will be required to participate in the Groups performance management programme. The post holders practice is based on the five core concepts of Clinical Nurse Specialist (Rheumatology) role as defined by the NCNM 4th edition (2008) in order to fulfil the role. The concepts are: Clinical Focus Patient/Client Advocate Education and Training Audit and Research Consultant Clinical Nurse Specialist (Rheumatology) 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, 2014) Maintain a high standard of professional behaviour and be professionally accountable for actions/omissions. Take measures to develop and maintain the competences required for professional practice Adhere to the Nursing & Midwifery values of Care, Compassion and Commitment (DoH, 2016) Adhere to national, regional and local HSE PPPGs Adhere to relevant legislation and regulation Adhere to appropriate lines of authority within the nurse/midwife management structure. Clinical Focus: Clinical Nurse Specialist (Rheumatology) will have a strong patient focus whereby the specialty defines itself as nursing and subscribes to the overall purpose, functions and ethical standards of nursing. 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 patient, family and/or carer. Indirect care relates to activities that influence and support the provision of direct care. Direct Care: Clinical Nurse Specialist (Rheumatology) will: Provide a specialist nursing service for adults with musculoskeletal conditions who require support and treatment through the continuum of care Undertake comprehensive individual care needs assessment to include physical, psychological, social and spiritual elements of care using best evidence-based practice in Rheumatology care Use the outcomes of patient assessment to develop and implement plans of care/case management in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) and the patient, family and/or carer as appropriate. Monitor and evaluate the patients response to treatment and amend the plan of care accordingly in conjunction with the MDT and patient, family and/or carer as appropriate. Make alterations in the management of patients condition in collaboration with the MDT and the patient in line with agreed pathways and policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines (PPPGs). Accept appropriate referrals from MDT colleagues Co-ordinate investigations, treatment therapies and patient follow-up Communicate with patients, family and /or carer as appropriate, to assess patients needs and provide relevant support, information, education, advice and counselling as required Where appropriate work collaboratively with MDT colleagues across Primary and Secondary Care to provide a seamless service delivery to the patient, family and/or carer as appropriate Participate in medication reconciliation taking cognisance of polypharmacy and support medical and pharmacy staff with medication reviews and medication management Be the key co-ordinator for patients with complex needs who attend the Rheumatologyservice, whilst they are an inpatient. Identify and promote specific symptom management strategies as well as the identification of triggers which may cause exacerbation of symptoms. Provide patients with appropriate self-management strategies and escalation pathways. Manage nurse led Rheumatologyclinics with MDT input Identify health promotion priorities for the patient, family and/or carer and support patient self-care in line with best evidence. This will include the provision of educational and health promotion material, which is comprehensive, easy to understand and meets patients needs Indirect Care: The Clinical Nurse Specialist in Rheumatology will: Identify and agree appropriate referral pathways to Rheumatology services. Participate in case review with MDT colleagues Use a case management approach to patients with complex needs in collaboration with MDT in both Primary and Secondary Care as appropriate Take a proactive role in the formulation and provision of evidence based PPPGs relating to musculoskeletal care Take a lead role in ensuring the service for patients with musculoskeletalconditions is in line with best practice guidelines and the Safer Better Healthcare Standards (HIQA, 2012) Patient Advocate The Clinical Nurse Specialist in Rheumatology will: Communicate, negotiate and represent patients 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 Respect and maintain the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of the patient, family and/or carer Establish, on behalf of the patient, clear patterns for communicating and working together with medical, ward staff and other healthcare professionals such as general practitioners, community health services, area medical officers, community pharmacists, public health Establish, maintain and improve procedures for collaboration and cooperation between Acute Services, Primary Care and Voluntary Organisations as appropriate Proactively challenge any interaction which fails to deliver a quality service to patients Education and Training The Clinical Nurse Specialist in Rheumatology will: Maintain clinical competence in patient management within Rheumatology nursing, 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 musculoskeletal condition. Contribute to the design, development and implementation of education programmes and resources for the patient, family and/or carer in relation to musculoskeletal l conditions. Provide mentorship and preceptorship for nursing colleagues as appropriate. Participate in training programmes for nursing, MDT colleagues and key stakeholders as appropriate Create exchange of learning opportunities within the MDT in relation to evidence-based Rheumatology care 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 educational programmes in Rheumatology. Be responsible for addressing own continuing professional development needs Audit & Research: The Clinical Nurse Specialist in Rheumatology will: Establish and maintain a register of patients requiring Rheumatology specialist services within the Clinical Nurse Specialist Caseload. Maintain a record of clinically relevant data aligned to National Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) as directed and advised by the DON. Identify, initiate and conduct nursing and MDT audit and research projects relevant to the area of practice. Identify, critically analyse, disseminate and integrate best evidence relating to Rheumatology care into practice Contribute to nursing research on all aspects of Rheumatology care. Use the outcomes of audit to improve service provision 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 practice Consultant: The Clinical Nurse Specialist in Rheumatology will: Provide leadership in clinical practice and act as a resource and role model for Rheumatology practice. Generate and contribute to the development of clinical standards and guidelines and support implementation Use specialist knowledge to support and enhance generalist nursing practice Develop collaborative working relationships with National Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialists/Registered Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioner/MDT colleagues as appropriate, developing person centred care pathways to promote the integrated model of care delivery. With the support of the Director of Nursing, attend integrated care planning meetings as required Where appropriate develop and maintain relationships with specialist services in voluntary organisations which support patients in the community. Liaise with other health service providers in the development and on-going delivery of the National Clinical Programme model of care. Network with other Clinical Nurse Specialists in Rheumatology care and in related professional associations. Health & 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. The Clinical Nurse Specialist in Rheumatology will: Participate and cooperate with legislative and regulatory requirements regarding quality, risk and safety Participate and cooperate with local quality, risk and safety initiatives as required. Participate and cooperate with internal and external evaluations of the organisations 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 authorities Initiate, support and implement quality improvement initiatives in their area which are in keeping with local organisational quality, risk and safety requirements Contribute to the development of PPPGs and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards Comply with Peamount Healthcares Complaints Policy Ensure completion of incident/near miss forms and clinical risk report on Vi Clarity. Adhere to organisational policies in relation to the care and safety of any equipment supplied and used to carry out the responsibilities of the role of CNS in Rheumatology. Contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards. Have knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role. Ssupport, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service. Management The Clinical Nurse Specialist in Rheumatology will: Provide an efficient, effective, and high-quality service, respecting the needs of each service user. Effectively manage time and caseload to meet the needs of a changing and developing service. Continually monitor the service to ensure it reflects current needs. Implement and manage identified changes. Ensure that confidentiality in relation to resident /client records is maintained. Maintain accurate and up to date statistics of the service provided, including audit of resident / client contacts. Skills: Time management record management Leadership