The main purpose of the post is to develop the job description and supporting documentation under the direction of the Health Care Provider’s Advanced Practice Stakeholder Governance Group, to enable the individual nurse to meet the NMBI Criteria for Registration as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner as set out in Advanced Practice (Nursing) Standards and Requirements (NMBI, 2017).

The individual will undertake the academic preparation and develop the clinical and leadership skills, competencies and knowledge required to meet the criteria to be registered as a RANP with NMBI. The scope of the cANP role must reflect the incremental development of expertise and as such, the cANP cannot deliver care as an autonomous practitioner.

The individual will complete and submit the necessary documentation for registration as an RANP with NMBI.

The value of the nursing contribution as a distinct profession must be safeguarded and articulated in the development of new services led by advanced nurse practitioners, complementing rather than replacing current services delivered by doctors (NMBI 2017 p.9).

The overall purpose of the post is to provide safe, timely, evidenced based nurse-led care to patients of the Level 3 and Level 4 Obesity Service within Ireland East Hospital Group at an advanced nursing level. This involves undertaking and documenting a complete episode of patient care (assess, diagnose, plan, treat and discharge patients) according to collaboratively agreed protocols and scope of practice in the clinical setting; demonstrating advanced clinical and theoretical knowledge, critical thinking, clinical leadership and decision making skills.

The advanced practice role demonstrates a high degree of knowledge, skill and experience that is applied within the nurse-patient/client relationship to achieve optimal outcomes through critical analysis, problem solving and accurate decision-making (NMBI, 2017).

Central to this is the provision of quality care, a safe environment and processes for patients by the use of evidence based clinical guidelines that address patient expectations, promote wellness and evaluate care given.

The role will provide clinical leadership and professional scholarship in order to develop obesity nursing practice and health policy at local, regional and national level.

The role will contribute to obesity nursing research to shape and advance nursing practice, education and health care policy at local, national and international levels.

PLEASE CAREFULLY OBSERVE THE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION