Purpose of the Role

The purpose of this role is to provide safe, effective, child-centred nursing care to pupils attending St. Teresa's Special School, in line with Ability West's ethos, values, policies, procedures, and safety standards.

The post holder will work collaboratively with the existing school nurse, school staff, and the wider multidisciplinary team to support the health, wellbeing, comfort, educational participation, and developmental needs of pupils.

The nurse will support children and young people with moderate, severe, and profound intellectual disabilities, many of whom may also present with complex physical, sensory, communication, behavioral, FEDS, and medical needs. The role requires a compassionate, responsive, and highly individualized approach to care.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

1. Clinical Nursing Care

Provide nursing care and health support to pupils attending St. Teresa's Special School.

Monitor pupils' health needs and respond appropriately to day-to-day clinical issues arising during the school day.

Support pupils in relation to their medical, physical, emotional, educational, and personal care needs as required.

Recognise and respond promptly to changes in a pupil's condition, presentation, or wellbeing.

Maintain high standards of clinical nursing practice at all times.

2. Individual Planning and Educational Support

Contribute to and carry out the nursing component of Individual Education Plans and other pupil support plans.

Work closely with the Principal, teachers, SNAs, CDNT team members, Primary Care clinicians, and other relevant staff in the development, implementation, and review of pupil programmes.

Support pupils to participate as fully as possible in school life, learning, training, and developmental activities.

Contribute to a holistic understanding of each pupil's needs to support inclusion, participation, and development.

3. Documentation and Reporting

Maintain accurate, timely, confidential, and professional nursing records.

Monitor and record pupils' progress in relation to nursing and health supports.

Complete and submit all required reports, including clinical updates, checklists, incident reports, end-of-term reports, and medical reports, in line with organisational and regulatory requirements.

4. Medication Management

Be responsible for the safe storage, administration, and recording of prescribed medication in accordance with Ability West policy, NMBI professional standards, and best practice.

Ensure medication records are complete, accurate, and up to date

5. Feeding, Nutrition, Personal Care and Daily Supports

Support and supervise mealtimes and implement feeding programmes where required.

Liaise with Speech and Language Therapy and other relevant professionals regarding eating, drinking, swallowing, positioning, and nutrition-related care plans.

Provide guidance and oversight in relation to personal care and healthcare routines during the school day.

Ensure that all personal and intimate care is delivered in a dignified, respectful, child-centred, and person-centred manner.

6. Safeguarding, Safety and Risk Management

Maintain high standards of health, safety, infection prevention, and clinical practice within the school setting.

Ensure compliance with relevant policies, procedures, emergency protocols, child safeguarding requirements, and risk management processes.

Participate in incident, accident, and safeguarding reporting as required.

Promote and protect the welfare, dignity, rights, and best interests of all pupils at all times.

7. Communication and Partnership with Families

Develop positive, professional, and respectful working relationships with pupils, families, school staff, and external professionals.

Liaise with parents/guardians regarding pupils' health needs, nursing supports, and care programmes.

Attend and participate in parent meetings, review meetings, staff meetings, and planning meetings as required.

Provide advice, reassurance, and support to families and staff on nursing-related aspects of pupil care where appropriate.

Attend to parents and visitors with tact, professionalism, and consideration.

8. Multidisciplinary and Team Working

Work collaboratively with all grades of staff and professionals assigned to the school.

Participate in regular staff, planning, and multidisciplinary meetings.

Support a positive team culture focused on pupil wellbeing, inclusion, dignity, and best practice.

9. Administrative and Organisational Duties

Participate in administrative duties relevant to the role, including reporting, documentation, audit, organisational systems, and incident/accident reporting.

Engage in organisational processes including Core HR requirements, trust in care, dignity at work, equality, and child protection responsibilities.

Participate in quality improvement projects (QIPs), service development initiatives, and any other organisational priorities as required.

Undertake any other duties appropriate to the role as assigned by the Area Services Manager or Chief Executive.

10. School and Programme Support

Assist with in-house and extra-mural programmes as necessary.

Be available for escort duty to and from the school or to clinics where required.

Drive organisational vehicles where required and where appropriately licensed, authorised, and insured.

Additional training in paediatric nursing, intellectual disability, behaviour support, manual handling, feeding support, emergency care, or other relevant specialist areas.

11. Training and Professional Development

Undertake mandatory, in-house, and external training relevant to the role and service needs.

Maintain professional registration, competence, and up-to-date knowledge relevant to children with intellectual disabilities and complex needs.

Contribute to promoting safe practice, professional standards, and a culture of continuous improvement within the school team.

Person Specification:

Essential Criteria

Registered Nurse with current professional registration.

Experience working with children and/or people with disabilities, additional needs, or complex care needs.

Understanding of the needs of children with moderate, severe, and profound intellectual disabilities.

Knowledge of medication management, record keeping, safeguarding, child protection, infection prevention, and health and safety.

Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary and educational team.

Strong communication, interpersonal, organisational, and observational skills.

Ability to build positive working relationships with pupils, families, and staff.

Commitment to dignity, respect, equality, and person-centred / child-centred practice.

Competent IT and documentation skills.

Full clean driving licence and access to transport, where required for the role.

Be available to travel and work across our other School's if required.

Desirable Criteria

Experience working in a special school, paediatric, disability, community, or similar setting.

Experience supporting pupils with feeding programmes, PEG feeding, dysphagia, epilepsy, mobility needs, sensory needs, or complex healthcare plans.

Experience contributing to care planning or Individual Education Plans.

Additional training in paediatric nursing, intellectual disability, behaviour support, manual handling, feeding support, emergency care, or other relevant specialist areas.

Salary Scale: 15 Point Scale: €32,467 - €53,051.

35 hr/week contract.

INAW

Ability West

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