The primary role of the CNM 1 will be one of clinical and professional leadership and development in the nursing team, including the development of nursing staff by means of in-service training, orientation of new staff and arranging for clinical experience and supervision of student nurses where this is appropriate.

• 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 Group’s 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 Group’s performance management programme
  
  

Professional / Clinical

The CNM1 ED will:

• Be responsible for the co-ordination, assessment, planning, implementation and review of care for service users according to service standards.
• Provide safe, comprehensive nursing care to service users within the guidelines laid out by An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland)
• The Manager will practice nursing according to:
• Professional Clinical Guidelines
• National and Area Health Service Executive (HSE) guidelines
• Local policies, protocols and guidelines
• Current legislation
• Manage own caseload in accordance with the needs of the post.
• Encourage evidence based practice, using a care planning approach to nursing care.
• Participate in teams as appropriate, communicating and working in co-operation with other team members.
• Collaborate with service users, family, carers and other staff in treatment / care planning and in the provision of support and advice.
• Communicate verbally and / or in writing results of assessments, treatment / care programmes and recommendations to the team and relevant others in accordance with service policy.
• Plan discharge or transition of the service user between services as appropriate.
• Assist in providing staff leadership and motivation, which is conducive to good staff relations and work performance.
• Ensure that service users and others are treated with dignity and respect.
• Maintain nursing records in accordance with local service and professional standards.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of nursing standards, protocols and guidelines consistent with the highest standards of patient care.
• Maintain professional standards in relation to confidentiality, ethics and legislation.
• In consultation with CNM2 and other disciplines, implement and assess quality management programmes.
• Participate in clinical audit as required.
• Devise and implement Health Promotion Programmes for service users as relevant to the post.
• Lead and implement change, with particular reference to recommendations of the Commission on Nursing and the health service reform programme.
• Operate within the Scope of Practice - seek advice and assistance from his / her manager with any cases or issues that prove to be beyond the scope of his / her professional competence in line with principles of best practice and clinical governance.
  
  

Health and Safety

The CNM1 ED will:

• Play a central role in maintaining a safe environment for service users, staff and visitors e.g. by contributing to risk assessment.
• Assist in observing and ensuring implementation and adherence to established policies and procedures e.g. health and safety, infection control, storage and use of controlled drugs etc.
• Observe, report and take appropriate action on any matter which may be detrimental to service user care or well being / may be inhibiting the efficient provision of care.
• Ensure completion of incident / near miss forms.
• Adhere to department policies in relation to the care and safety of any equipment supplied for the fulfilment of duty.
• 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.
• Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.
  
  

Education and Training

The CNM1 ED will:

• Engage in continuing professional development by keeping up to date with nursing literature, recent nursing research and new developments in nursing management, education and practice and to attend staff study days as considered appropriate.
• Provide a high level of professional and clinical leadership.
• Provide supervision and assist in the development of knowledge, skills and attitudes of staff and assigned students.
• Be familiar with the curriculum training programme for student nurses and be aware of the clinical experience required to meet the needs of the programme.
• Participate in the assessment of student nurse proficiency in clinical nursing skills as part of his/her role as preceptor.
• Engage in performance review processes including personal development planning as appropriate.
  
  

Personnel / Administrative

The CNM1 ED will:

• Exercise authority in the running of the assigned area(s) as deputised by the CNM2.
• Provide the necessary co-ordination and deployment of nursing and support staff in designated area(s) of responsibility, ensuring that skill mix takes account of fluctuating workloads and ensuring maximisation of available resources.
• Assess and monitor trends through collection and analysis of activity and data and keeping CNM2 and Senior Nursing Management informed of changing work patterns, which may require increased resource allocation.
• Collaborate with the CNM2 in preparing, implementing and evaluating budget and service plans for the clinical area.
• Co-operate in managing all resources - including nursing and non-nursing staff within an agreed budget.
• Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace.
• Assist in maintaining the necessary clinical and administrative records and reporting arrangements / contribute to quality assurance by assisting in data collection.
• Ensure that patient care equipment is maintained to an appropriate standard.
• Ensure compliance with legal requirements, policies and procedures affecting service users, staff and other hospital matters.
• Participate actively in the Nursing Management structure by ‘acting up’ when required
• Engage in IT developments as they apply to service user and service administration.
  
  

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 him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

KPI’s development

• The post holder will work with user departments in meeting KPI data requirement
• The identification and development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• The development of Action Plans to address KPI targets.
• Driving and promoting a Performance Management culture.
• In conjunction with line manager assist in the development of a Performance Management system for your profession.
• The management and delivery of KPIs as a routine and core business objective
  
  

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING GENERAL CONDITIONS:

• Employees must attend fire lectures periodically and must observe fire orders.
• All accidents within the Department must be reported immediately.
• Infection Control Policies must be adhered to.
• In line with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Acts 2005 and 2010 all staff must comply with all safety regulations and audits.
• In line with the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2004, smoking within the Hospital Buildings is not permitted.
• Hospital uniform code must be adhered to.
• Provide information that meets the need of Senior Management.
• To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.
  
  

Risk Management, Infection Control, Hygiene Services and Health & Safety

• The management of Risk, Infection Control, Hygiene Services and Health & Safety is the responsibility of everyone and will be achieved within a progressive, honest and open environment.
• The post holder must be familiar with the necessary education, training and support to enable them to meet this responsibility.
• The post holder has a duty to familiarise themselves with the relevant Organisational Policies, Procedures & Standards and attend training as appropriate in the following areas:
• Continuous Quality Improvement Initiatives
• Document Control Information Management Systems
• Risk Management Strategy and Policies
• Hygiene Related Policies, Procedures and Standards
• Decontamination Code of Practice
• Infection Control Policies
• Safety Statement, Health & Safety Policies and Fire Procedure
• Data Protection and confidentiality Policies
• The post holder is responsible for ensuring that they become familiar with the requirements stated within the Risk Management Strategy and that they comply with the Group’s Risk Management Incident/Near miss reporting Policies and Procedures.
• The post holder is responsible for ensuring that they comply with hygiene services requirements in your area of responsibility. Hygiene Services incorporates environment and facilities, hand hygiene, catering, cleaning, the management of laundry, waste, sharps and equipment.
• The post holder must foster and support a quality improvement culture through-out your area of responsibility in relation to hygiene services.
• The post holders’ responsibility for Quality & Risk Management, Hygiene Services and Health & Safety will be clarified to you in the induction process and by your line manager.
• The post holder must take reasonable care for his or her own actions and the effect that these may have upon the safety of others.
• The post holder must cooperate with management, attend Health & Safety related training and not undertake any task for which they have not been authorised and adequately trained.
• The post holder is required to bring to the attention of a responsible person any perceived shortcoming in our safety arrangements or any defects in work equipment.
• It is the post holder’s responsibility to be aware of and comply with the HSE Health Care Records Management/Integrated Discharge Planning (HCRM / IDP) Code of Practice.
  
  

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 him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.