Job Title ;Clinical Facilitator - Cath Lab
Department ; Cardiology - Invasive
Reports to ;Assistant Director of Nursing - Cardiology Services
Date ;2026
To facilitate the achievement of the Hospital's mission to provide exceptional patient care in an environment where quality, respect, caring and compassion are at the centre of all we do
To enhance outcomes for patients by assessment of standards of Nursing and Health Care Assistant practice, the planning and implementation of appropriate education and professional development
The role embraces the promotion of continuous practice development, utilising the skills of collaboration, networking and effective relationship building (Thornbury, 1999, McCormack et al, 1999, Manley, 2000)
Providing a quality educational and supportive service to Cardiology Ward (Level 3) and Cath Lab Nursing staff
The coordination and management of up to date educational/ clinical programmes for relevant staff
The goal of the Clinical Facilitator is to enhance clinical practice by supporting RN's within cardiology to develop the necessary skills to deliver skilled nursing care for all patients. That Cath Lab RN's and HCA's will successfully complete their probationary period within the agreed timeframe. This will be done in collaboration with the managers in Cath Lab, the Cardiology ADON and the training and education department
Facilitates the training of all Cath lab staff in Code Blue and preparation for ACLS course
This role is a clinical one which requires direct supervision of perceptees working in clinical practice with patients.This may be reviewed based on their previous clinical experience and initial assessment. Each preceptee must complete the Cath Lab Training Program over 3-6 months.
Be responsible for the coordination of a regular schedule of education, and professional development
Participate in teams /meetings/committees as appropriate communicating and working in cooperation with other team members
Develop appropriate systems in the streamlining of education and practice development
Record keeping in accordance with professional standards
Adhere to and contribute to the development and maintenance of nursing standards, Protocols and Guidelines consistent with the highest standards of patient care
Evaluate and manage the implementation of best practice policy and procedures
Maintain professional standards in relation to confidentiality, ethics and legislation
Promote the guidelines for safety and best practice laid down by the Hospital policies, Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland guidelines and relevant acts such as the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. Data protection Act 1988 and 2003
Assign time to engage directly in practice in order to keep pace with changes and provide enabling process for staff to achieve their goals`
Develop appropriate systems in the streamlining of education, practice development, audit data collection and reporting
Time allocated for clinical practice facilitation is illustrated in table below:
Time allocated per week
75% of time working directly with staff in clinical practice
29.25 hours
25% Administration, preparation for training and facilitation of in-service education
9.75 hours
Clinical Adaptation Programme and Cath Lab Clinical Program:
Be knowledgeable about the Clinical Adaptation and Assessment programme and the clinical experiences required to meet the needs of the programme
Support the coordination of the candidates' orientation week
Coordinate the adaptees induction to Cardiology. Ensures that the clinical adaptation candidates learning requirements, outcomes and required competencies are achieved within the time frame set by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
Be seen as a first line contact for candidates and staff nurse assessors by providing practical clinical support and expertise through evidence-based practice
Assist in the orientation of candidates to the clinical area. Make candidates aware of Hospital policies and procedures relating to patient care, how to access them and of their responsibility to read, understand and comply with same
Liaise with the Clinical coordinators in selecting appropriate preceptors and ensuring that candidates are allocated to and given opportunity to work with their preceptors.
Prepare clinical coordinators and preceptors for their roles in assessing candidates by informing and updating them on the requirements of the adaptation programme as per the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). Provide guidance to candidates and registered nurses on any issues relating to student's clinical placements, which arise in the clinical areas.
Maintain clinical credibility by maintaining a regular clinical presence and working alongside candidates in a supportive and role model capacity.
Encourage the preceptor and candidate to identify teaching and learning opportunities in Cath Lab.
Ensure communication channels are maintained with all relevant personnel (Level 3 and Cath Lab nurse managers and clinical coordinators) to ensure safe, efficient and competent assessment of candidates.
Support the preceptor, candidate and Clinical coordinator in the development of an action plan if required.
Clinical Practice
Support the Clinical Nurse Managers and Staff Nurses in Cath Lab, to plan, develop, implement and evaluate clinical practice in accordance with best available evidence in order to influence innovations in practice and promote quality care for patients in the general medical/surgical areas.
In collaboration with the Nursing Coordinator and Facilitator, promote the development and maintenance of high standards of nursing care, through practice development projects.
Work closely with Clinical Nurse Specialists to deliver education in intervention, structural and EP procedures within the Cath lab to ensure registered nurses pass Cath Lab Training Program in all areas.
Assist with identifying, facilitating and implementing practice development projects in the clinical areas.
In collaboration with the Nurse Managers assist with the development of policies, protocols, guidelines and clinical competencies and their implementation
Assist with the provision of appropriate continuing education programmes to meet nurses' competency developmental needs.
Work with the Cath Lab Managers in implementing action plans to improve clinical practice and staff development.
Sit on appropriate multidisciplinary committees.
Education/Staff Development:
In conjunction with the Cardiology Managers & Clinical Coordinators to assess and identify teaching and developmental requirements of all staff through observation in practice.
Collaborate with the Cardiology Managers & Clinical Coordinators to ensure appropriate training, education and evaluation takes place.
In conjunction with Clinical Coordinators and Staff Nurses, develop and continually revise clinical nursing skills/competencies.
Be familiar with the assessment criteria and process as applied to the Activities of Living Patient Care Module.
Create an environment for continuous lifelong professional and personal development and learning for all staff.
Support Clinical Nurse and Health care Assistant staff competency development as appropriate
Liaise closely Cath Lab manager in relation to policy proposal and staff training and development
Attend all relevant meetings as required for role and Liaise with appropriate staff
Attend staff meeting and receive staff suggestions for improvement in the system of work
Maintain open communication with all relevant staff
Develop good relationships with wards and departments
Management:
Demonstrate ability to self-manage and organise own workload efficiently.
Help foster a supportive working environment by demonstrating excellent leadership ability and communication skills.
Communicate effectively cardiology Managers and Clinical Coordinators and Clinical Nurse Specialists regarding the progress and development of staff nurses within their area of responsibility.
Demonstrate both clinical and professional leadership, enabling a multidisciplinary team culture of continuous staff learning and practice development.
Be highly motivated and have a vision of developing skills/competencies that are applicable to clinical areas.
Develop a network of contacts and communication links with other professionals that will assist in provision of expert advice to meet the needs of all grades of nursing staff.
Provide professional Clinical Leadership and vision and facilitate staff team building to provide planned care and develop educational strategies service goals
Maintain a Quality standard of service lead on proactive quality improvement and support accreditation
Effectively educate staff on Hospital, Regional policies as applicable
Provide leadership and motivation which is conducive to good working relations and work performance
Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the work place
Take an active role in the audit of clinical practice and the standards of care being provided.
Be highly motivated and have a vision of developing skills/competencies that are applicable to clinical areas
Code Blue and Alert:
Liaise with managers to identify risks and provide debriefing (as required) related to Code blue and alert
Identify and support staff preparing for ACLS
Facilitate, in conjunction with the Hospital Educator, monthly Mock Code Blue in consultation with the code blue committee
Manage Quality Initiatives identified with the committee liaising with PSQI and other departments as required
Candidates must be registered in the General Division of the Register of Nurses kept by An Bord Altranais (NMBI).
Post graduate degree or equivalent in Cardiology Nursing
Masters in Clinical practice or similar is desirable
Minimum of 10 years acute experience, 7 of which should be in a cardiology/Cath lab setting
Possess the clinical, managerial and administrative capacity to properly discharge the functions of the role.
Evidence of teaching practice in the clinical setting is desirable.
Experience in teaching and assessing the Nursing and HCA Team throughout the last 10 years.
Experience in conducting clinical audits.
Creates a culture of open communication to maintain a climate of trust and honesty.
Tailors the content and method of communication to their audience's level of expertise.
Is an advocate for the hospital department by consistently projecting a professional image, promoting the highest standards.
Encourages investment in continuous learning, at hospital level and in partnership with affiliated and/or other relevant third level institutions as appropriate and is a role model for others in this regard.
Promotes and supports inter-disciplinary working and associated learning. Furthers same.
Well-developed education and coaching skills
Have attained an educational award at Quality and Qualifications Ireland, Level 8 or higher. (Or equivalent) as relevant to the post.
Demonstrate experience of developing nursing practice as relevant to the post.
Demonstrate a good knowledge of the Health Service with particular reference to professional development issues, nurse education and practice development.
Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the developments in nurse education and practice.
Demonstrate theoretical and clinical knowledge appropriate to the complexities of the post.
Demonstrate integrity and ethical stance
Demonstrate analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills.
Demonstrate a commitment to providing a quality service.
Demonstrate leadership/personal motivation skills.
Demonstrate commitment to professional and personal self-development.
Demonstrate a willingness to develop IT skills relevant to the role.
This job description is intended to be an outline of the responsibilities and deliverables at the time of its writing. As the Hospital and the post holder develop, this job description may be subject to review in light of the changing needs of the Hospital.
