Role Title:Candidate Clinical Nurse Specialist (cCNS) in Vascular Access Job Reference Number: 001807 Closing Date:Sunday, 16th November 2025 Purpose of the Role: The purpose of this role is to deliver specialist nursing care in line with the five core concepts 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. This role has been developed to support a change for specialist practice to develop and meet service need and in line with National policy as set out by A Policy on the Development of Graduate to Advanced Nursing and Midwifery Practice (DoH, 2019). The successful candidate will work as a member of the multidisciplinary team providing a patient centered quality and seamless service. Details of the service/Background to the post The establishment of this cCNS post supports the strategic expansion of the IVC Care Team to develop a dedicated nurse led vascular access service. This initiative aligns with the NIVAS White Paper (2022), INS Standards, EPIC3 guidelines, and the HSEs AMRIC strategy. It addresses increasing clinical demand for safe, evidence-based vascular access, enhances service quality, and supports national healthcare reform through integrated, patient-centred care and multidisciplinary collaboration. The cCNS in Vascular access in collaboration with CNM III IV Catheter Care will: Deliver safe, evidence-based vascular access services, including assessment, insertion, and management of intravenous devices. Optimise device selection based on clinical indication, therapy duration, vessel health, and patient-specific factors, in line with national and international guidelines. Conduct root cause analysis of hospital-acquired bloodstream infections (HABSIs) related to vascular access, identifying contributing factors and implementing corrective actions. Collaborate with the Infection Prevention and Control team (IPC) to ensure compliance with hand hygiene, aseptic technique, and standard precautions during vascular access procedures. Participate in surveillance and epidemiological investigations of device-related infections and contribute to outbreak control measures. Liaise with clinical teams and nurse managers to review suspected catheter-related infections and gather relevant clinical data. Promote adherence to care bundles and protocols to reduce catheter-related complications and improve patient outcomes. Maintain a vascular access registry and monitor key performance indicators such as first-attempt success rates, dwell times and infection rates. Deliver structured education and competency-based training to nursing, medical, and allied health professionals on vascular access and infection prevention. Challenge poor practices and lead quality improvement initiatives to enhance vascular access safety and reduce infection risk. Participate in risk assessments and contribute to the development of targeted action plans for vascular access-related safety issues. Liaise with Microbiology and IPC team to interpret culture results and guide appropriate interventions and screening. Advocate for patient-centred care, ensuring informed consent, education, and engagement in vascular access decisions. Contribute to the development and implementation of hospital-wide vascular access policies, procedures, and guidelines. Support multidisciplinary collaboration and integrated care delivery across acute and community settings. Required: Be a registered nurse/midwife on the active Register of Nurses and Midwives held by An Bord Altranais and Cnimhseachais na hireann (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland) or be eligible to be so registered. AND Be registered in the division(s) of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (Bord Altranais agus Cnimhseachais na hireann) Register for which the application is being made or be entitled to be so registered. AND 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. AND Have a minimum of 1 years experience or an aggregate of 1 years full time experience in specialist area of Infection Prevention and Control nursing within the last 3 years. AND 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 (equivalent to 60 ECTS or above) that is relevant to the specialist area of care and in line with the requirements for specialist practice as set out by the National Council for Nursing and Midwifery 4th ed. (2008). OR 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 (60 ECTS or above), relevant to the specialist area of care and in line with the requirements for specialist practice as set out by the National Council for Nursing and Midwifery 4th ed. (2008) Infection Prevention and Control nursing care prior to application (**See note below). 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. AND 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. AND Have the ability to practice safely and effectively fulfilling their professional responsibility within their scope of practice. AND Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability, including a high standard of suitability and clinical, professional, and administrative capacity for the proper discharge of the duties of the office. **Note: 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. The clinical experience requirements for this cohort of nurses/midwives remain consistent with the DoH (2019) policy, i.e. a minimum of 1 years experience in practice and a minimum of 1 years experience in the specialist area and they could be supported to progress on a candidate CNS/CMS Pathway. All of the above must be achieved within 2 years for this pathway. The Candidate Clinical Nurse Specialist is required to progress to the Registered Clinical Nurse Specialist grade within 2 years of commencement of this pathway and formally apply for entry onto the Interim ONMSD CNS/CMS database (until the database is transferred to its permanent location). Demonstrate I.T. skills including excellent keyboard skills. Experience in teaching and assessing the Nursing and Health Care Assistant team. Experience in conducting audits. Competent in venepuncture and cannulation and be an approved assessor. Experience in vascular access device insertion and care. Desired: Working knowledge of healthcare patient record systems. Competence in ultrasound guided peripheral intravenous cannulation. Competence in midline catheter placement with ultrasound technology.