Job Title: Clinical Nurse Specialist – Inflammatory Bowel Disease (CNSp IBD)

Reports to: Assistant Director of Nursing, Director of Nursing

Contract type: Permanent Part time

Job Purpose: Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) often require complex multi-disciplinary care. The IBD patient may require input from many other separate hospital departments including outpatients, Day-Ward, Medical Day Services (MDS) diagnostic imaging, pharmacy, and dietetics. It is widely acknowledged that greater attention must be paid to the psychological dimensions of patient care.

The CNSp (IBD) will be part of a multidisciplinary team within the hospital responsible for the overall care of patients with IBD.

He/she will demonstrate a caring competent manner to instil patient confidence and contribute to an environment that is centred on the needs of IBD patients.

They will demonstrate an ability to interpret and promote evidence-based practice within the field of IBD, as this is an area of nursing which is rapidly changing.

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (IBD) will have a pivotal role in meeting the psychological, emotional and informational needs of IBD patients and their families /significant others.

They will be a resource, contributing to the education and training of other staff. The Clinical Nurse Specialist (IBD) will work in conjunction with the Lead Physician and MDT to plan the patients care needs.

They will be a key member of the multidisciplinary primary care team.

Deliver care in line with the five core concepts of the role set out in the Framework for the Establishment of Clinical Nurse Specialist Posts, 4th edition, National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery (NCNM) 2008.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

The post holder’s practice is based on the five core concepts of Clinical Nurse Specialist role as defined by the NCNM 4th edition (2008) in order to fulfil the role. The concepts are:

• Clinical Focus

• Patient/Client Advocate

• Education and Training

• Audit and Research

• Consultant Clinical Focus

Clinical Nurse Specialist (IBD) will have a strong patient focus whereby the specialty defines itself as nursing and subscribes to the overall purpose, functions and ethical standards of nursing. The clinical practice role may be divided into direct and indirect care. Direct care comprises the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of care to the patient, family and/or carer. Indirect care relates to activities that influence and support the provision of direct care. Direct Care Clinical Nurse Specialist (IBD) will:

Provide a specialist Nursing service for patients who present to BSD with a diagnosis of IBD who required support and treatment through the continuum of care.
Undertake comprehensive patient assessment to include physical, psychological, social and spiritual elements of care using best evidence based practice in IBD care.
Use the outcomes of patient assessment to develop and implement plans of care/case management in conjunction with Physician, the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) and the patient, family and/or carer as appropriate.
Monitor and evaluate the patient’s response to treatment and amend the plan of care accordingly in conjunction with the MDT and patient, family and/or carer as appropriate.
Make alterations in the management of patient’s condition in collaboration with the MDT and the patient in line with agreed pathways and policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines (PPPG’s).
Accept appropriate referrals from MDT colleagues.
Co-ordinate investigations, treatment therapies and patient follow-up.
Communicate with patients, family and /or carer as appropriate, to assess patient’s needs and provide relevant support, information, education, advice and counselling as required.
Where appropriate work collaboratively with MDT colleagues across Primary and Secondary Care to provide a seamless service delivery to the patient, family and/or carer as appropriate.
Participate in medication reconciliation taking cognisance of poly-pharmacy and support medical and pharmacy staff with medication reviews and medication management.
Identify health promotion priorities for the patient, family and/or carer and support patient self-care in line with best evidence. This will include the provision of educational and health promotion material which is comprehensive, easy to understand and meets patient’s needs.
Practice in adherence with Scope of Practice Nursing and Midwifery practice Framework, Nursing and |Midwifery Board of Ireland, 2015 and Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives, Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, 2021.(2nd edition).
Articulate and demonstrate the concept of nursing and midwifery specialist practice within the framework of relevant legislation, the Scope of Nursing & Midwifery Practice Framework (ABA) 2000, the Code of Professional Conduct (ABA 2000)
Implement health promotion strategies for patient/client groups in accordance with the health agenda.
Perform nursing assessments and plan and initiate care and treatment modalities within agreed interdisciplinary protocols to achieve patient/client centred outcomes: evaluates their effectiveness.
Undertake an initial assessment of referred patients to ascertain their particular care need. Evaluate clinical problems in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team. Liaise with principal attending team members, thereby planning and implementing appropriate nursing interventions based on the information acquired using appropriate assessment tools and documentations.
Ensure sufficient information is obtained to facilitate a decision by the team with regard to the applicability of ongoing treatment and interventions by the IBD MDT.
Provide advice and support to patients with diagnosis of IBD. Plan and implement appropriate nursing interventions within their scope of practice and advice on 4 changes to a patients’ planned care as and when the patients’ condition dictates, based in the most up-to-date clinical information available.
Monitor programmes and maintain records, provide reports on the effectiveness of treatment and indicate future therapeutic requirements.
Liaise and discuss with the Physicians and MDT regarding any proposed changes in the patients’ management.
Monitor and facilitate systems of recording all drugs administered to patients for their IBD care needs. Advise staff on the policies and procedures for the safe administration of controlled drugs in the hospital.
Advise family/carers on the safekeeping of drugs in the home.
Assess the patients and their families’ ability/capacity to address their identified needs and problems and any issues relating to Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Participate in case conferences on the patients’ progress, and attending meetings as required.
Maintain appropriate and accurate reports and furnish such reports as may be required by the BSHS.
Furnish monthly report of duties performed to the Assistant Director of Nursing. Complete such records and supply reports and other information as may be required by the BSHS from time to time.

Hospital Duties:

Participate in quality initiatives and clinical audit to maintain the highest standard of patient care. Demonstrate the hospital core values when dealing with patients and staff. Participate in mandatory training as per hospital policy. Participate in JCI Accreditation

Essential Qualifications

NMBI Registration

Successfully completed a post registration programme of study that is relevant to the specialist field of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Essential Experience

Minimum of 1 years experience working in the field of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Demonstrate continuing professional development relevant to the specialist area

Essential Skills

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 this role.

CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS 13TH MARCH 2026

Bon Secours Health System is an equal opportunities employer. Our values of Human Dignity, Compassion, Stewardship, Service and Integrity guide everything we do. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees have the opportunity to thrive. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, abilities and perspectives, and provide reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require any assistance, please contact recruitmentdublin@bonsecours.ie

Clinical Nurse Specialist, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (CNSp IBD) Part time

Job Description