Overview

Post Title:

Clinical Nurse Specialist - Dermatology

Post Status:

Specified Purpose

Department

Medical

Location:

Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9

Reports to:

Directorate Nurse Manager

Salary:

Appointment will be made on Clinical Nurse Manager 2 payscale (€62,078 - €78,443) at a point in line with Government pay policy.

Hours of work:

Full Time, 37.5 hours per week

Closing Date:

Wednesday 25th March 2026 @ 12Noon

Please note the hospital reserves the right to close the competition early should a substantial number of applications be received.

Position Summary:

The Nurse Specialist in Dermatology is a practitioner with extensive clinical knowledge and expertise in the specialist field. Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, the nurse specialist will use his/her clinical skills, communication and inter personal skills to identify and address the needs of the patients and their families.

•To provide a holistic nursing, education and management service for patients/ clients, their families and health professionals in the Dermatology setting.

•To provide a timely, safe service to Dermatology patients, thus improving patient satisfaction and outcomes.

•To enhance the quality of service delivered by the multidisciplinary team to patients with dermatological conditions.

•To promote autonomous nursing practice by developing practice which is based on evidence and reflective problem solving.

•To devise and develop written protocols based on guidelines set out by the Irish Dermatology Society, British Dermatology Society and the American Collage of Dermatology, in order to improve and maintain a high quality of care to patients using the Dermatology service.

Responsibilities

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

The provision of Specialist knowledge and Clinical Expertise in the Care of Patients focusing on 5 core competencies, which are:1. Clinical Focus.2. Patient Advocate.3. Education and Training.4. Audit and Research5. Consultant

1. Clinical FocusThe Clinical Nurse Specialist will:•Model excellence in clinical practice and promote a patient centred approach to care.• Assess patients using a model of nursing, demonstrate awareness of medical management, and make appropriate referrals and co-ordinate the care of the patient throughout the system.•Assessment and monitoring of disease and treatment, interpretation of investigations and the provision of appropriate disease management.•Work closely with Clinical Nurse Managers and nursing staff in the delivery of the highest standard of patient care.•Support other members of the caring team in order to assist them in their role of caring for the patient and family.•Utilise advanced knowledge, expertise and leadership skills to influence patient’s care, with the Dermatology/multidisciplinary teams.•Maintain accurate patient clinical records complying with legislation and best practice.

2. PATIENT ADVOCATE

The Clinical Nurse Specialist will:•Ensure strong patient advocacy by maintaining effective communication channels with patients, families and all members of the multidisciplinary team•Provide an efficient, effective and high quality service, respecting the needs of each patient.•Be aware of the existing resources /services, which help patients and their families / significant others; public health nurses and patient support groups.•Help patients and families to obtain optimal treatment taking into account their individual and specific needs.•Ensure appropriate and effective communication between the patient, G.P. carer and all other health care professionals involved in the patient’s care.•Review current literature and facilitate the development of information booklets for patients and families.•Present individual patient views on treatment and the provision of care to multi disciplinary team.3. EDUCATION and TRAINING

Patients and their families

The Clinical Nurse Specialist will :•Assess and evaluate each individuals needs and learning abilities, taking into account experiences, attitudes and beliefs and provide educational programmes accordingly •Work closely with the multidisciplinary team in the delivery of educational sessions on disease process, for patients and their families.•Educate on self medication of both, oral and parental preparations prior to discharge or leaving outpatient clinic.•Impart information, and educate patients in disease management, and life style change, coping strategies.•Facilitate the provision of psychological and/or physiological support from other agencies as required.

Staff

The Clinical Nurse Specialist will:•Facilitate staff education and development by delivering education sessions for staff regarding new medical treatments in Dermatology.•Develop and deliver specific orientation and education programmes for all nurses joining the department.•Facilitate the orientation and guidance of new members of the multidisciplinary team•Engage in formal and non formal in house education programs to provide training for staff nurses, students and other members of the multidisciplinary team•Educate, supervise and support junior staff to help them attain a level of competency in Dermatology nursing.•Provide support, guidance and supervision to nursing staff, ensuring integration of both clinical and theoretical practice in achieving predetermined learning objectives.

4. AUDIT AND RESEARCH

The Clinical Nurse Specialist will:•Set up clinical standards of care and ensure they are met and audited regularly.•Conduct ongoing evaluation of patient satisfaction with the clinical nurse specialist delivered education programmes.•Lead or participate in research into aspects of nursing practice in accordance with the Code of Professional Conduct for each nurse and Midwife (1998) •Be aware of research in clinical practice, set objectives and develop policies and procedures for Dermatology patients, based on current evidence based practice•Gather information regarding effectiveness of treatments given, through judicious use of well validated and reliable audit tools.•Apply data collated to facilitate the review and revision of current practice.•Constantly update knowledge and skills and adjust clinical practice if there is sound evidence to support the change.

5. NURSE CONSULTANT

The Clinical Nurse Specialist will:•Support patients and their families when their diagnosis is disclosed.•Provide information and educate the patient and their family, to ensure they have an understanding of the nature of the condition and its implications. •Be available to families when adjusting to changes in their condition and provide advice and information that will enable them to make informed decisions about their care.•Be available to other nurses or health care professionals who may need advice regarding the care or treatment of patients.•Deal with psychological difficulties or social issues as they arise and know when to refer to appropriate member of the multi-disciplinary team, i.e. social worker or counsellor.•Establish and develop clear referral guidelines and communication links within hospital departments in the delivery of a quality service to patients.•Act as a resource for all health professionals in hospital and community settings.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Clinical Nurse Specialist will:•Take personal responsibility for professional growth and development.•Maintain professional development portfolio reflecting both continuous professional education and specialty specific education.•Engage in the multidisciplinary Irish Dermatology Health Professionals Society educational activities.•Keep abreast of the current trends and developments in professional matters.•Attend national and international meetings to maintain professional education and to facilitate feedback.•Continually re-evaluate the progress of the specialist role in the annual department service plan. Make amendments to the service based on findings and endeavour to improve the delivery of the Dermatology service.

The job description indicates the main function and responsibilities of the post and is subject to review and amendment. Other specific work not covered in this job description may also be assigned by The Divisional Nurse Manager or Director of Nursing from time to time.

Qualifications

Selection Criteria: Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post. Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.

Mandatory:

1. Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc(a) Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition:(i) Be a registered nurse/midwife on the active Register of Nurses and Midwivesheld by An Bord Altranais and Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing andMidwifery Board of Ireland) or be eligible to be so registered.(ii) Be registered in the division(s) of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland(Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) Register for which theapplication is being made or be entitled to be so registered.OR(iii) In exceptional circumstances, which will be assessed on a case by case basisbe registered in another Division of the register of Nurses and Midwives.(iv) Have a minimum of 1 years’ post registration full time experience or anaggregate of 1 years’ full time experience in the division of the register in whichthe application is being made (taking into account (ii) (iii) if relevant)(v) Have a minimum of 1 years’ experience or an aggregate of 1 years’ full timeexperience in specialist area of Dermatology.

(vi) Have successfully completed a post registration programme of study, ascertified by the education provider which verifies that the applicant has achieveda Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), National Framework of Qualifications(NFQ) major academic Level 9 or higher award that is relevant to the specialistarea of care (equivalent to 60 ECTS or above), and in line with the requirementsfor specialist practice as set out by the National Council for Nursing andMidwifery 4th ed (2008).

Alternatively provide written evidence from the Higher Education Institute thatthey have achieved the number of ECTS credits equivalent to a Level 9 or higherstandard, relevant to the specialist area of care (equivalent to 60 ECTS orabove), and in line with the requirements for specialist practice as set out by theNational Council for Nursing and Midwifery 4th ed (2008)(See **Note 1 below).(vii) Be required to demonstrate that they have continuing professional development(CPD) relevant to the specialist area.(viii) Have the ability to practice safely and effectively fulfilling his/her professionalresponsibility within his/her scope of practice

**Note 1: For Nurses/Midwives who express an interest in CNS/CMS roles and whocurrently hold a level 8 educational qualification in the specialist area(equivalent to 60 ECTS or above), this qualification will be recognised up toSeptember 2026.

(b) Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability, including a high standard ofsuitability and clinical, leadership, managerial and administrative capacity for the properdischarge of the duties of the office.

2. Annual registration(i) Practitioners must maintain live annual registration on the appropriate/relevant Divisionof the register of Nurses and Midwives maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Boardof Ireland (Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) for the role.(ii) Practitioners must confirm annual registration with NMBI to the HSE by way of theannual Service user Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC).3. HealthCandidates for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable ofundertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate areasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

4. CharacterCandidates for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Desirable

• Management course.

If an appointee has previously been employed in the Civil or Public Service and that appointee is entitled to or in receipt of a pension from the Civil or Public Service or where a Civil/ Public Service pension comes into payment during the appointee’s re-employment that pension will be subject to abatement in accordance with Section 52 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012.

Please note: In applying for this position you are acknowledging that you understand that the abatement provisions, where relevant, will apply. It is not envisaged that the employing Department/ Office/ Body will support an application for an abatement waiver in respect of appointments to this position

Further Information for Candidates:

The Hospital

www.beaumont.ie

Management Unit:

www.beaumont.ie/hr

Informal Enquiries ONLY to: (No applications will be accepted through this email address)

Name:

Yvonne Whelan

Title:

Directorate Nurse Manger Medical 1

Email address:

yvonnewhelan@beaumont.ie

Telephone:

01 852 8197

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job Description