Clinical Nurse Manager 2 TVN

Post Title: Clinical Nurse Specialist / Clinical Nurse Manager II - Tissue Viability
Post Status: Specified Purpose (Full Time)
Department: Department of Nursing Surgical Directorate
Location: Beaumont Hospital Dublin 9
Reports to: Directorate Nurse Manager in the Surgical Directorate
Salary: Appointment will be made on Clinical Nurse Manager 2 Grade payscale ( 62699 - 79227 LSI)
Closing Date: 13/08/2026 @ 12:00

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

Position Summary:

Tissue Viability is an umbrella term which refers broadly to prevention and management of tissue damage in patients which may include acute and chronic wounds. The role of the Clinical Nurse Specialist in Tissue Viability is to take into account the advancing age of the population with ever increasing wound care factors escalating costs technological advances evolution of innovative treatments and rapid expansion of knowledge base in developing a service for the prevention and management of tissue damage for in-patients in an acute hospital setting. The role and responsibilities of the Tissue Viability Nurse continue evolving to develop and maintain an efficient tissue viability service for patients families and all members of the multidisciplinary team to prevent potential tissue damage as well as advice on current wounds.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

Clinical Focus

Specialist tasks:
Provides expert knowledge clinical skills and advice on wound management /pressure ulcer prevention and treatment. Recommends and advises multidisciplinary team on appropriate evidenced based treatment regimens i.e. Compression therapy Dressing selection Doppler Assessment and Topical Negative Pressure (TNP) therapy. Refers patients to appropriate members of the multidisciplinary teams when necessary. Clinically treat wounds requiring specialist knowledge and skills.

Direct Care
The Clinical Nurse Specialist in Tissue Viability provides clinical leadership by advising and assisting with the assessment planning implementation and evaluation of care on prevention and treatment of tissue damage for in-patients. The TVN also receives referrals from Nurses NCHDs Consultants and Occupational Therapists.

Wound management
Act as a clinical role-model through the provision of professional leadership and demonstration of competent practice of all matters concerning wound care.
Assists the multidisciplinary team to assess plan implement and evaluate care for tissue damage. Makes expert recommendations and advises multidisciplinary teams on appropriate evidenced based treatment regimes.
Liaise with Medical teams to ensure the correct diagnosis and investigations are carried out before treatment. (Example. Ankle brachial pressure Indices necessary before commencing compression therapy and sinogram to detect extent of cavity wounds)
Clinically treat difficult wounds that require specialist skills. E.g. Larvae therapy.
All notes are recorded electronically and printouts recorded in patients case notes and are available to all team members to access.
Update the Tissue Viability Web page so that the guidelines are available on the Intranet to assist staff in the appropriate assessment and management of all wounds using evidence based practices.
Implements and reviews the wound assessment documentation for the hospital that ensures the provision of continuity of the assessment planning implementation and evaluation of wound care.
Pressure area management
To lead on the provision of expert opinion and advice on pressure sore risk assessment pressure relieving /reducing supports and correct implementation of the prevention/management policy for individual patients. Works with information technology department and clinical staff regarding implementing Waterlow assessment tool electronically to identify the risk of pressure ulcer development on computerised nursing system.
To act as clinical lead on mattress tender negotiations. The Tissue Viability Nurse provides continuous monitoring and education to staff on wards regarding Mattress selection and use. The TVN develops and updates a mattress selection flowchart using valid assessment tools to assist clinical staff in choosing appropriate mattresses for the patient.
To update the pressure sore prevention policy for the clinical areas.
To investigate all incidents of pressure ulcers reported on the pressure ulcer incident report form. Ensuring appropriate treatment and for legal documentation.
Indirect care
Identify and plan with support from the Director of Nursing and the Nursing Practice Development Co-ordinator the development requirements for the tissue viability service.
To trial new equipment products and recommend subsequent purchases.
To improve the care of patients/clients by developing and managing services relating to the prevention of pressure ulcers and improving all aspects of tissue viability.
To maintain a system for the effective use of pressure redistribution equipment.
To prepare detailed monthly reports of current usage of mattress use on wards.
To develop the system for reporting of pressure ulcers to investigate the underlying causative factors of the ulcer and to address any individual learning needs of staff as appropriate.
Involvement in Hospital Procurement Services Group (HPSG) TNP contract. Usage and distribution/approval/and appropriate use is monitored by Tissue Viability Nurse
Liaison with Supplies regarding appropriate dressing/product ordering from clinical areas in order to ensure economic use of resources.

Patient/Staff advocate
All members of the healthcare team are involved in providing good wound management to their patients. However nurses are the healthcare professionals who manage wound care and to an increasing extent are being recognised as the key professional advocate for these patients.(Field 1996)

The Clinical Nurse Specialist in Tissue Viability with expert clinical knowledge and experience acts as a patient advocate communicating wound management issues on behalf of the patient to medical ward staff and other allied health professionals.
The Clinical Nurse Specialist in Tissue Viability chairs Hospital Wound Management Committee which is an interdisciplinary committee which make decisions on wound management issues within the hospital. This committee has Public Health Nurse Representatives to aid the development of close links with the community and to ensure a more seamless for patient transfer to and from the community.
Review and assess referred patients taking into account the patients opinions and decisions.
Communicate negotiate and represent the plan of care for the patient with clinical nursing and medical staff.
Communicate effectively with all grades of staff within the organisation and in the community in relation to all areas of tissue damage.
Responsible for ensuring confidentiality and safe-keeping of records.
Identify key patient groups and ensure adequate service is provided for them.
Identify areas with potential risk and address the issues with Risk management team.

Education and Training
The Clinical Nurse Specialist in Tissue Viability role in education and training is to participate in formulating a comprehensive educational strategy to support clinical practice in relation to all aspects of tissue viability management. This consists of structured and impromptu educational sessions which facilitate staff development and patient education. These education sessions include nursing staff public health nurses and allied health professionals:
To identify the educational needs of staff patients and carers in relation to pressure sore prevention/management and all aspects of wound care occurs on an individual patient basis.
To promote patient /carer independence through the relevant teaching and support. Information leaflets are developed and distributed to patients e.g. Leg ulcers pressure ulcers
To provide education for all grades/ disciplines of clinical staff to maintain their knowledge and skills in the management of wounds to facilitate a proper assessment and cost effective use of wound care products.
To develop the link nurse programme.
To facilitate student nurses and post graduates on placement for one day.

Professional Development
Keep up-to-date on developments in research based tissue viability practice An Bord Altranais guidelines nurse educational needs and professional issues through participation in and attendance at seminars conferences and journal clubs.
Report back from seminars and conferences to colleagues on topics discussed relevant to changes in tissue viability issues or any other matters with implications for nursing.
Develop and maintain nursing practice skills in relation to tissue viability. Discusses present performance and future needs with Nursing Practice Development Co-Ordinator using job performance review.
Maintain a personal record of professional development using a portfolio.
Have a creative outlook enabling progress to be made towards the ultimate objective reaching standards of excellence in the provision of wound care and pressure area management for nursing services.
Maintain membership of relevant specialists associations in relation to all aspects of tissue viability. (European Wound Management Association EWMA European Pressure Ulcer Management Association EPUAP and Tissue Viability Nurse Association TVNA))
Establish an appropriate network with other clinical nurse specialists and incorporate national and local initiative and standards of practice where appropriate.

Audit and Research
The Tissue Viability Nurse is responsible for the continuous auditing of the service to ensure quality care in wound management and prevention of tissue damage. The Tissue Viability Nurse keeps up to date with relevant research and evidence based practice. This involves:
Evidence Based practice
To critically evaluate research findings and apply findings to clinical practice via wound care guidelines and pressure ulcer policy.
To facilitate the development of research appreciation and critical awareness of clinical staff demonstrating the application of evidence based practice in their clinical decision making.

Clinical Outcomes
To monitor and audit prevalence /Incidence of pressure ulcers across the hospital using validated tools. Benchmark performance against other European countries. Utilise information to inform practice and education strategies.
To conduct investigations to assess and monitor the quality of nursing practice in the clinical setting e.g. Follow up all incidents of pressure sore reported send report to risk management committee.
To benchmark with other clinical nurse specialists and incorporate national and local initiative and standards of practice where appropriate.
Satisfaction
Evaluate education sessions given and amend education in line with the results.
Psycho-social outcomes
Evaluation of Tissue Viability Nurse Role from stakeholders using a questionnaire survey review service provided in line with survey results.

Functional outcomes
To participate in relevant collaborative research within the clinical setting and facilitate active involvement of staff. e.g. Write up case studies as is appropriate when using new treatments or treating patients with unusual tissue damage.

Fiscal outcomes
Ensuring statistical and management information is provided to the Director of Nursing and management on a monthly basis or as required.
Yearly Audit of the service and the production of an annual general report.

Dissemination of information
Disseminate audit results particularly hospital acquired pressure ulcer prevalence to clinical staff.
Attend and organise research conferences to disseminate information. Poster and paper presentations displayed at National and International conferences.
Prepare papers for publication.

Consultant
To play a leading and participating role with the design implementation evaluation of a tissue viability strategy for the hospital.
Available to all disciplines within the hospital to consult regarding patients with tissue viability issues.
To provide expert knowledge lead assessing patients/clients with complex wounds and prevention /treatment of pressure ulcers on a daily basis. Recommends appropriate treatments regimes implementation and evaluation on an individualised basis in conjunction with the clinical nursing and medical staff.
To manage resources in relation to tissue viability efficiently and effectively. Identify and implement operational processes to the standards of best practice in order to ensure compliance with statutory requirements.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Conditions of Appointment and Selection Criteria:

Mandatory:

Candidates must have at the latest date of application:

1. Professional Qualifications Experience etc

i) Be a registered nurse/midwife on the active Register of Nurses and Midwives held by An Bord Altranais and Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland) or be eligible to be so registered.

And

ii) Be registered in the division(s) of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) Register for which the application is being made or be entitled to be so registered.

OR

iii) In exceptional circumstances which will be assessed on a case by case basis be registered in another Division of the register of Nurses and Midwives

And

(iii) Have a minimum of 1 years post registration full time experience or an aggregate of 1 years full time experience in the division of the register in which the application is being made (taking into account (ii) (iii) if relevant)

And

(v) Have successfully completed a post registration programme of study as certified by the education provider which verifies that the applicant has achieved a Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) major academic Level 9 or higher award that is relevant to the specialist area of care (equivalent to 60 ECTS or above) and in line with the requirements for specialist practice as set out by the National Council for Nursing and Midwifery 4th ed (2008).
Alternatively provide written evidence from the Higher Education Institute that they have achieved the number of ECTS credits equivalent to a Level 9 or higher standard relevant to the specialist area of care (equivalent to 60 ECTS or above) and in line with the requirements for specialist practice as set out by the National Council for Nursing and Midwifery 4th ed (2008). Tissue viability/wound care prior to application* (See **Note below).

And

(vi) Be required to demonstrate that they have continuing professional development (CPD) relevant to the specialist area.

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

Have the ability to practice safely and effectively fulfilling his/her professional responsibility within his/her scope of practice

2. Annual registration
(i) Practitioners must maintain live annual registration on the appropriate/relevant Division of the register of Nurses and Midwives maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) for the role.
And
(ii) Confirm annual registration with NMBI to the HSE by way of the annual Service user Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC).

3. Health
Candidates 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.

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

Please note that appointment to and continuation in posts that require statutory registration is dependent upon the post holder maintaining annual registration in the relevant division of the register maintained by Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland) by way of the Service user Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC)

Informal Enquiries ONLY to:

Name: Yvonne Downey
Title: Surgical CNM3
Email: Yvonne
Contact Number:

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 appointees 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.

Please be aware that Beaumont Hospital will never ask candidates to pay money at any stage of the recruitment process. Any requests for payment bank details or financial information in connection with a job application should be treated as fraudulent. If you receive such a request claiming to be from Beaumont Hospital please do not respond and report to the recruitment department immediately