CoAction West Cork provides quality services to support children and adults with an intellectual disability, and children with autism. This is achieved by helping each service user reach their full potential, working in partnership with their families and carers, within the community.

Nurse

Children's Services and Home Support

Permanent Contract, 10 weekends per year (7.5 hours per week)

Waking Night, Sunday Premium, Saturday Allowances

Closing date: Friday 6th November 2026 @ 5 pm

Registered Nurse - Job Description

This job description indicates the main functions and responsibilities of the post and is subject to review and amendment in light of changing circumstances and may include other duties and responsibilities as may be determined from time to time by the Director of Services/CEO or designated Line Manager. You will be given as much notice of such changes as possible. It is CoAction’s policy to review job descriptions on a regular basis.

Reporting to: The Children’s Services Coordinator /Nurse Co-ordinator

Overall Purpose of Position

The Registered Nurse will provide a nursing service to the designated geographical areas and to work as part of the West Cork Child Development Service. The nurse will act as keyworker and provide expertise to individuals who avail of WCCDS and CoAction services, taking primary responsibility for the medical care (assess, plan, implement and evaluate care) to the highest professional and ethical standards and best practice.

Initial Assignment:

To work with children with complex needs, providing home based nursing care in the community.

Main Responsibilities

Professional Responsibilities

The Registered Nurse will:

Practice Nursing according to the Code of Professional Conduct as laid down by the Nursing Board (An Bord Altranais) and Professional Clinical Guidelines
Comply with national, regional and local Health Service Executive (HSE) guidelines, policies, protocols, legislation and CoAction guidelines and policies
Work within his/her scope of practice and take measures to develop and maintain the competence necessary for professional practice
Maintain a high standard of professional behaviour and be accountable for his or her practice
Be aware of ethical policies and procedures which pertain to his/her area of practice
Respect and maintain the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of the client / patient subject to the safety, health and welfare of the client/family not being put at risk.
Be on the An Board Altranais live register for general nursing.
Commute to the child’s home to administer appropriate professional nursing care.

Clinical Practice

The Registered Nurse will:

Fulfil his/her statutory obligations within the legislation and HSE/CoAction policies as appropriate to the role.
Deliver nursing care to clients / patients according to best practice / evidence based framework
Manage a caseload as required
Promote the health, welfare and social wellbeing of all eligible patients / clients.
Link with the multi-disciplinary team in all aspects of service delivery including case conferences, clinical meetings, team meetings
Assess, plan, implement and evaluate individual person centred care programmes within an agreed framework and in accordance with policies procedures and guidelines and established best practice.
Develop and promote good interpersonal relationships with clients / patients, their family / social network
Participate in the development, promotion and implementation of infection control guidelines.
Endeavour to ensure that care is carried out in an empathetic and ethical manner and that the dignity and spiritual needs of the client / patient are respected
Promote and recognise the client / patient social and cultural dimensions of care and the need for links with their local community
Collaborate and work closely with the client / patient, his/her family, the multi-disciplinary team, external agencies and services to facilitate discharge planning, continuity of care and specific care requirements
Provide education and information to the client / patient, his/her family as required and be an advocate for the individual patient / client and for his / her family
Report and consult with senior nursing management on clinical issues as appropriate
Maintain appropriate and accurate written nursing records and reports regarding client / patient care in accordance with local / national / professional and confidentiality guidelines
Participate in innovation and change management in the approach to client / patient care delivery particularly in relation to new research findings, evidence based practice and advances in treatments
Participate in clinical audit and review
Participate in community needs assessment and on going community involvement
Promote a positive health concept with clients / patients and colleagues and contribute to health promotion and disease prevention initiatives as outlined by the Health Service Executive
Link with other services as required

Health & Safety

The Registered Nurse will:

Participate in the development of policies/procedures and guidelines to support compliance with current legal requirements where existing for the safe storage and administration of medicines and other clinical products.
Participate in the development of policies/procedures and guidelines with health safety risk and management personnel and participate in their development in conjunction with relevant staff and in compliance with statutory obligations
Observe, report and take appropriate action on any matter which may be detrimental to client / patient care or well being.
Be aware of the principles of risk management and be individually responsible for risk management/health and safety issues in their area of work
Comply with HSE/CoAction policies to minimise risk with particular reference to infection control, domiciliary visits and lone working

Education, Training & Development

The Registered Nurse will:

Keep abreast of the latest developments in nursing practice as far as possible.
Develop and use reflective practice techniques to inform and guide practice
Participate in the clinical / workplace induction of new nursing and support staff
Contribute to the identification of training needs pertinent to the clinical area
Develop teaching skills and participate in the planning and implementation of orientation, training and teaching programmes for nursing students and the nursing element of education for other health-care staff as appropriate
Identify and contribute to the continual enhancement of learning opportunities within a population health framework
Provide support guidance and advice to junior colleagues when required within the scope of practice.
Participate in regular performance / clinical reviews with his/ her line manager.

Administration

The Registered Nurse will:

Ensure that records are safeguarded and managed as per WCCDS/ CoAction policy and in accordance with relevant legislation
Maintain records and submit activity data / furnish appropriate reports to the line manager
Contribute to policy development and formulation, performance monitoring, business planning and budgetary control
Maintain professional standards including patient and data confidentiality
Contribute to the development and implementation of information sharing protocols, audit systems, referral pathways, individual care plans and shared care arrangements
Contribute to on-going monitoring, audit and evaluation of the service as appropriate
Accurately record and report all complaints to appropriate personnel according to local service policy

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must:

Be registered in the relevant Division of the Register of Nurses kept by An Bord Altranais or be entitled to be so registered bearing in mind Directive 2006/100/EC for those nurses that have trained in one of the other 26 member states in the EU.

Health

A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character

Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character
As this post involves travel, a full driving licence is required

Skills/Competencies Required

Demonstrate practitioner competence and professionalism – demonstrates a high level of clinical knowledge to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role
Display evidence-based clinical knowledge in making decisions regarding client care
Demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development
Demonstrate evidence of effective operations management, planning and organising skills including awareness of resource management and importance of value for money
Demonstrate the ability to build and maintain relationships including the ability to work effectively as part of a multi disciplinary team
Demonstrate evidence of ability to empathise with and treat patients, relatives and colleagues with dignity and respect
Demonstrate leadership and team management skills
Demonstrate effective analytical, problem solving and decision making skills
Demonstrate initiative and innovation, identifying areas for improvement, implementing and managing change
Demonstrate effective communication skills
Demonstrate an awareness of the Primary Care Strategy and key developments within the Primary Care service
Demonstrate knowledge of current health strategies and HSE policy directives.
Demonstrate a willingness to engage and develop IT skills relevant to the role

Desirable Qualifications

Any course related to the support requirements of the people they support
Any courses related to the delivery of a support service
Degree/Diploma/Certificate in Disability studies or equivalent
Understanding and awareness of the different levels of communication and possess some basic nonverbal communication techniques

Desirable Skills

Ability to develop relationships built on respect and trust and are effective communicators
Employ a person directed approach to work and are able to work on a needs led basis
Have a positive “can do” attitude and are aware of people’s different abilities and support requirements
Employ sensitivity and relate to people as individuals- with the right to personal autonomy, ensuring their wishes and aspirations are given priority
Possess a genuine interest in the welfare of the people they support and believe in each person’s potential and strength
Empowering each person they support to become as independent as possible and involved in their local community
Be flexible and open minded and willing to adapt and change according to situations as they arise.
Never make assumptions about people and are able to work as part of a team
Be a good problem solver with the ability to work through difficult situations
Are aware of their own cultural values, attitudes and knowledge and how this affects their work
Computer Literacy
Awareness of current legislative and regulatory framework e.g. HIQA

Benefits:

Sick Pay
Maternity Leave
Parents Leave
Pension
Death in Service

In line with organisational policies

Salary:

€37,802 to €55,194 pa FTE depending on experience based on CoAction 2026 payscale

Please note, as we are a charity we are unable to offer visas or sponsorships to candidates outside of the EU.

Nurse - Children's Services & Home Support, Ref D045

Benefits

Job Description