Enabling people with an intellectual disability to have full and meaningful lives through quality person-centred services in partnership with families.
Cheeverstown is a voluntary organisation regulated by the Health Information & Quality Authority (HIQA). We provide a wide range of person-centred services, including residential, respite, and day services, supporting almost 400 adults with an intellectual disability across the south Dublin and Kildare area..
The Clinical Support Nurse will promote and enhance the health and wellbeing of individuals with intellectual disabilities and complex health needs by supporting access to healthcare services, facilitating the early identification and management of health concerns, and ensuring that nursing interventions are delivered in accordance with evidence-based practice, professional standards, and organizational policies.
The Clinical Support Nurse will promote and facilitate best possible health across Cheeverstown community. The role is aligned closely to the core GP service for Cheeverstown's residential clients. The post holder will co-ordinate and deliver Safe Medication Training as part of their role.
Working collaboratively with individuals, families, multidisciplinary colleagues, General Practitioners, Primary Care Services, and external healthcare providers, the Clinical Support Nurse will coordinate and support healthcare interventions that optimise health outcomes, promote independence, and improve quality of life.
The post holder will contribute to the ongoing development of clinical governance systems, quality improvement initiatives, and health promotion programmes, ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, including the standards of the Health Information and Quality Authority, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland professional framework, and national disability policy. The role will support the organization in delivering responsive, rights-based, and person-centred healthcare services that uphold the dignity, autonomy, safety, and wellbeing of the individuals supported by Cheeverstown.
- The primary GP service for residential supports
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Residential Managers and support teams
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The Multi-Disciplinary support team
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Primary Care GPs, public health, acute services, pharmacies
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Acute Service Liaison Nurse(s) and other Clinical Nurse Specialists
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Personnel involved in the administration of medication across the service
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Any other personnel or services with whom co-operation is essential to the running and development of services
The Clinical Support Nurse provides nursing expertise, health facilitation, clinical oversight, and care coordination to individuals accessing Cheeverstown. The service works in partnership with General Practitioners, Primary Care Teams, and Acute Hospitals, Community Healthcare Networks, and specialist services to promote equitable access to healthcare and improve health outcomes for people supported by the organization.
The post holder will co-ordinate and deliver Safe Medication Administration training for staff. The service supports individuals with a broad range of healthcare needs, including:
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Comprehensive health assessment and ongoing health monitoring.
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Nursing management of chronic diseases
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Chronic disease management and health surveillance.
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Phlebotomy, venepuncture and diagnostic screening support.
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Specimen collection including bloods, urine samples, swabs and other investigations as required.
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ECG recording following appropriate training and competency assessment.
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Enteral feeding (PEG) management and nutritional support.
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Catheter care and continence management.
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Wound assessment, tissue viability support and wound management.
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Medication administration, monitoring and clinical review.
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Oral health promotion and facilitation of access to dental services.
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Vaccination and preventative healthcare programmes.
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Sexual health, reproductive health and health promotion initiatives.
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Cervical Screening
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Support during hospital admissions, discharge planning and transitions of care.
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Health action planning and annual health reviews.
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Clinical support for individuals with complex healthcare needs
The Clinical Support Nurse differs from a traditional GP Practice Nurse model by placing a stronger emphasis on:
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Health facilitation for people with intellectual disabilities and autism.
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Advocacy and reducing healthcare inequalities.
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Supporting individuals with complex and lifelong health needs.
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Clinical support across residential, respite, day and community settings.
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Education and competency development of support staff.
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Coordination of care across multiple healthcare providers and services.
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Rights-based, person-centred healthcare in line with HIQA standards and national disability policy.
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Support research relative to best possible health outcomes for person's with a Disability e.g. TILDA / TCAID
The above description is intended to provide an overview of the current scope of the Clinical Support Nurse. It is not an exhaustive list of all activities undertaken by the service, and additional clinical, health facilitation, quality improvement, educational, or service development functions may be introduced as required to meet the needs of individuals supported by Cheeverstown and the organization
Essential Criteria
Applicants must:
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Be registered as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) and maintain current registration.
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Have a minimum of two years' post-registration clinical nursing experience.
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Demonstrate excellent clinical assessment, decision-making and care planning skills, with the ability to identify, respond to and appropriately escalate changes in an individual's health status.
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Demonstrate a high level of clinical competence and the ability to apply evidence based nursing practice across a range of healthcare needs.
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Have experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams and liaising effectively with General Practitioners, Primary Care Services, acute hospitals and other external healthcare providers.
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Possess a sound knowledge of clinical governance, medication management,infection prevention and control, risk management and professional accountability.
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Demonstrate excellent communication, interpersonal, organisational and documentation skills.
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Be proficient in the use of information technology, including electronic clinical records and Microsoft Office applications.
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Demonstrate the ability to prioritise workload, work autonomously and effectively manage competing clinical priorities.
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Demonstrate a commitment to person-centred practice, safeguarding, quality improvement and the promotion of the health, wellbeing, rights and independence of people with disabilities.
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Be flexible and adaptable in responding to changing service needs and organisational priorities.
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Demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development and be willing to undertake additional education and clinical training relevant to the role.
Desirable Criteria
The following would be advantageous:
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Experience supporting adults with intellectual disabilities, autism and/or complex health needs.
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Experience coordinating healthcare interventions across community, primary care and acute healthcare settings.
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Experience delivering clinical education, medication management training, competency assessments or staff development programmes.
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Experience participating in clinical audit, quality improvement initiatives and HIQA regulatory compliance.
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Competency in clinical procedures relevant to the role, such as venepuncture, ECG recording, wound care, health screening or other nursing interventions.
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A recognised qualification or experience in teaching, preceptorship, clinical supervision or quality improvement.
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A full clean driving licence and access to transport where travel between services is required.
Salary: In line with the HSE Grade Staff Nurse pay scale, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Applicants should note that this role is not eligible for employment permit sponsorship. Candidates must have the appropriate authorisation to work in Ireland.
