Based at Mercy Regional Rehabilitation Unit and any buildings within the Mercy University Complex.
Permanent Contract, Full time Hours.
The CNS/cCNS will report to:
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Operationally and professionally accountable to the Assistant Director of Nursing and the Director of Nursing, Mercy University Hospital (MUH).
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Clinically accountable to the Consultant Physician's in Rehabilitation Medicine.
Details of Mercy Regional Rehabilitation Unit Service:
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Mercy Regional Rehabilitation Unit is a newly developed post-hospital rehabilitation unit. It is made up of 50 beds located off site from the MUH. It remains under the governance of the MUH.
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The Rehabilitation Services program delivers specialist post-acute care, focusing on patient-centred reablement to help patients achieve optimal functionality and independence following illness or injury.
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This service emphasizes seamless transitions of care between hospital and home, integrating multidisciplinary expertise to support patient recovery.
Responsibilities Include:
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Provide specialist nursing assessment and interventions for rehabilitation patients. Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments and develop/implement individualized care plans in partnership with the patient, family, and MDT.
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Independently manage a caseload of patients with complex rehabilitation needs, serving as a clinical expert in rehabilitation nursing. Coordinate investigations, therapies, and follow-up to ensure continuity of care.
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Act as a patient advocate and educator. Promote adaptation to lifestyle changes by teaching patients and families' techniques for self-care, mobility, and daily living tasks. Encourage patient participation in goal setting and reablement activities.
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Lead discharge and transition planning for rehabilitation patients. Assess suitability for discharge or referral to community services and collaborate on care pathways that facilitate safe return home. Provide comprehensive patient education for home management.
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Establish and maintain records of patient outcomes and service indicators for the rehabilitation caseload (e.g. functional gains, service utilization). Monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) as directed by nursing management.
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Maintain personal clinical competence in rehabilitation nursing. Stay up to date with developments in rehabilitation care and relevant research to ensure evidence-based practice. Attend courses and engage in continuous professional development.
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Lead formal and informal teaching activities (e.g. in-service training, ward-based learning) to enhance colleagues' skills in rehabilitation care.
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Act as a nursing resource and role model for rehabilitation practice. Provide guidance and support to generalist nurses to enhance care quality. Demonstrate leadership in clinical decision-making and problem-solving at the ward and service level.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Be a registered nurse on the active Register of Nurses and Midwives held by An Bord Altranais and Cnaimhseachais na hEireann (NMBI / Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland) or be eligible to be so registered.
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Be registered in the division(s) of the NMBI Register for which the application is being made or be entitled to be so registered.
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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.
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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 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 4th ed (2008). 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, 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 4th ed (2008).
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Have a minimum of 1 years' experience or an aggregate of 1 year's full time experience in acute setting dealing with Rehabilitation Care.
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Be required to demonstrate that they have continuing professional development (CPD) relevant to the specialist area.
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Have the ability to practice safely and effectively fulfilling his/her professional responsibility within his/her scope of practice.
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Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability, including a high standard of suitability and clinical, leadership, managerial and administrative capacity for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.
Candidate Pathway Appointment
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Given the developmental nature of the Candidate role, appointment to this post will be made on a Specific Purpose Contract, directly linked to participation in and completion of the approved candidacy pathway.
- The purpose of the contract is to enable the postholder to undertake the required education, training, and competency development necessary to meet the criteria for progression to the substantive (CNS) role.
- This wholetime appointment is subject to the terms set out as follows: The post-holder is expected to demonstrate achievement of the core and specific competencies deemed necessary to manage the identified scope of practice and successfully complete the required educational programme within the agreed pathway timeframe of 2 years.
The Mercy University Hospital is running a recruitment campaign at Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and Candidate Clinical Nurse Specialist (cCNS ) campaigns concurrently. Any posts not filled by CNS appointees may be filled by the Candidate CNS panel created on foot of this campaign, as an interim measure. The CNS panel will take precedence over Candidate CNS panel.
Please note the salary advertised is the CNS Pay Scale.
Closing date for applications is 1pm on Tuesday, 11th August 2026.
MUH reserve the right to create a panel for this post from which permanent, fixed term and specified purpose vacancies of a full or part time duration may be filled.
Mercy University Hospital (MUH)
MUH is a growing voluntary hospital in the heart of Cork City. We have over 1,800 staff providing complex diagnostic, medical and surgical care through our inpatient, day patient, outpatient and emergency services.
We are a teaching hospital, a centre of national and international excellence, and are renowned for our research and tertiary services.
Providing 24/7 acute surgical, acute medical and critical care, MUH now has multiple sites across the city and continues to expand. We recently opened our Blarney Rehabilitation Unit, a post-acute care specialist rehabilitation unit with 50 beds in Blarney, County Cork.
We support staff development with approx. 100 promotions annually. We prioritise work life balance with 28% of our team working part time hours. We offer nationally agreed enhanced Salary Scales, Pension Scheme, excellent holidays, canteen, and Study Leave and Assistance.
From Cardiac Care to Intensive Care, our varied specialist services offer real career choice to our team. For fully registered NMBI recognised nurses, we offer a generous relocation package (if coming from abroad).
We live by our Core Values of Compassion, Excellence, Justice, Respect and Team Spirit.
