1. Purpose of the Role
The Community Nurse provides high-quality, person-centred nursing care to individuals supported by Elm Homecare. The role enables service users to live safely, independently, and with dignity in their own homes through evidence-based clinical interventions, care planning, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Duties are delivered in line with HIQA Draft National Standards for Home Support Services (2024), HSE clinical protocols, and Elm Homecare governance frameworks.
2. Key Responsibilities
2.1 Nursing Care & Clinical Practice
- Carry out holistic nursing assessments and develop personalised care plans.
- Administer medications safely in accordance with NMBI guidelines and Elm Homecare policies.
- Deliver a wide range of clinical interventions, including:
- Wound assessment, treatment, and management
- Bowel care and bowel management programmes (including monitoring, interventions, and implementation of prescribed plans)
- Catheter care (indwelling, suprapubic)
- PEG/enteral feeding and associated care
- Diabetes management, including blood glucose monitoring and insulin administration as appropriate
- Stoma care
- Pressure area care and prevention
- Vital signs monitoring and escalation
- Support safe hospital discharge planning and integrated community care pathways.
- Promote independence, wellbeing, and informed decision-making in all service user interactions.
- Maintain complete, accurate, and contemporaneous clinical documentation.
2.2 Care Planning & Review
- Undertake comprehensive nursing assessments, including physical, cognitive, behavioural, and environmental risk factors.
- Develop, implement, and regularly review individualised care and support plans.
- Involve service users, families, advocates, and clinicians in the planning and review process.
- Escalate identified risks, deterioration, safeguarding concerns, or changes in clinical condition promptly.
- Participate in the development of safeguarding plans and risk management interventions.
2.3 Governance, Safety & Compliance
- Work in full compliance with:
- HIQA Draft National Standards for Home Support Services (2024)
- HSE Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse Policy
- Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015
- Elm Homecare clinical, medication, safeguarding, and risk policies
- Adhere to infection prevention and control standards and use appropriate PPE.
- Report all incidents, medication errors, near misses, and safeguarding concerns through the Elm Homecare governance system.
- Participate in internal audits, quality reviews, and continuous improvement processes.
2.4 Multidisciplinary Collaboration
- Liaise effectively with GPs, Public Health Nurses, hospitals, allied health professionals, and community partners.
- Attend MDT meetings and contribute to integrated care plans.
- Advocate for service users’ rights, preferences, and best interests.
- Communicate professionally, respectfully, and clearly with families and carers.
2.5 Education, Training & Leadership
- Provide clinical supervision, guidance, and support to Homecare Assistants.
- Deliver competency-based training where required (e.g., PEG care, catheter care, dementia care, bowel management support, epilepsy protocols).
- Mentor new staff and promote a positive learning culture.
- Maintain NMBI registration and engage in ongoing CPD.
2.6 Service Delivery & Professional Conduct
- Demonstrate reliability, flexibility, and accountability in managing a community caseload.
- Uphold the values of Elm Homecare in all interactions: Compassion, Dignity, Respect, Independence, and Efficiency.
- Maintain confidentiality in line with GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and Elm Homecare data governance policies.
- Use organisational systems, electronic records, and communication tools correctly and responsibly.
3. Qualifications & Experience
Essential
- Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
- Minimum of 1–2 years’ post-registration clinical experience (acute, community, disability, or long-term care).
- Competence in wound care, bowel care, medication management, and chronic condition support.
- Excellent assessment, care planning, and documentation skills.
- Full clean driving licence and access to own vehicle.
Desirable
- Previous experience in community nursing or homecare.
- Additional training in palliative care, dementia care, bowel management, or disability services.
- Familiarity with HIQA Draft Home Support Standards and HSE community pathways.
- Experience leading or mentoring care teams.
4. Key Competencies
- Person-centred clinical practice
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work autonomously and prioritise effectively
- Clinical judgement and critical thinking
- Professional integrity and ethical practice
- Compassion, empathy, and respect
- Record-keeping and IT proficiency
5. Working Conditions
- Community-based work requiring travel between service users’ homes.
- Flexible hours, with occasional evening or weekend work depending on service needs.
- Participation in an on-call or escalation rota where required.
- Use of company phone and access to electronic care management systems.
Required to work in Kildare and Dublin but office base is Prosperous Kildare
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: €39,000.00-€55,000.00 per year
Work Location: On the road
