Clinical Nurse Specialist Medical Oncology, 11 month FTC - UPMC Whitfield Hospital
Location
UPMC Whitfield Hospital
Job Type
Fixed Term Contract (11 months)
Overview of the role
The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Medical Oncology will provide expert nursing care and support to patients diagnosed with cancer undergoing systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT).
The CNS works closely with patients, medical teams, nursing teams and multidisciplinary members to ensure evidence-based practice and high standards of care across all patient care areas, including patient education, clinical resources, database management, documentation, and follow-up clinics.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Clinical Focus
: Provide a strong patient focus, managing direct and indirect care, coordinating investigations, treatment therapies, and follow-up.
Provide specialist nursing services for patients with new cancer diagnoses, conduct comprehensive assessments, develop care plans, monitor treatment response, and amend plans in collaboration with MDT.
Direct Care CNS
:
Provide specialist nursing service for patients with a new diagnosis of cancer.
Undertake comprehensive patient assessment (physical, psychological, social, spiritual).
Use assessment outcomes to develop & implement plans of care and case management with MDT.
Monitor and evaluate treatment response, amend plans accordingly.
Alter management in collaboration with MDT following agreed pathways.
Accept appropriate referrals; coordinate investigations, treatment therapies, and follow-up.
Communicate with patients and families, providing support, education, advice, and counselling.
Collaborate with primary and secondary care to provide seamless service delivery.
Participate in medication reconciliation and medication management reviews.
Promote symptom management strategies and self-management for patients.
Manage nurse-led clinics with MDT input.
Provide health promotion material and support patient self-care.
Indirect Care
:
Participate in case reviews with MDT.
Use a case management approach for complex needs across primary and secondary care.
Lead development of evidence-based post-treatment pathways (PPPGs).
Ensure survivorship care aligns with best practice guidelines and HIQA standards.
Advocacy & Representation
:
Communicate, negotiate, and represent patient/family values in collaboration with MDT.
Support patient participation in decision-making and informed choice.
Maintain privacy, dignity, confidentiality of patient records.
Establish procedures for collaboration between UPMC Ireland Services and other organisations.
Challenge interactions that fail to deliver quality service.
Patient/Client Advocacy
:
Provide efficient, effective service respecting each patient's needs.
Manage time and caseload to meet evolving service needs.
Monitor and implement changes; ensure confidentiality of records.
Represent the specialist service at local, national, and international forums.
Maintain accurate records and data for planning, delivery, and evaluation.
Support sustainable initiatives for energy, water, and waste.
Managerial Responsibilities
:
Maintain clinical competence and continuity of evidence-based practice.
Design, develop, and implement educational programs for patients, families, and staff.
Provide mentorship and preceptorship for nursing colleagues.
Participate in training programmes for nursing and MDT colleagues.
Lead learning opportunities such as journal clubs and conferences.
Manage personal professional development needs.
Education & Training
:
Maintain a register of referred patients and relevant KPI data.
Initiate and conduct nursing and MDT audit and research projects.
Analyse, disseminate, and integrate evidence for cancer treatment and care.
Use audit outcomes to improve service provision.
Contribute to service planning and budgetary processes.
Audit & Research
:
Collect KPI and clinical target data to evaluate CNS interventions.
Analyse audit results and collaborate to identify quality improvement areas.
Quality, Risk and Safety Responsibilities
:
Cooperate with legislative and regulatory requirements.
Participate in local quality initiatives and internal/external audits.
Implement quality improvement initiatives.
Contribute to PPPGs and adhere to relevant legislation.
Comply with UPMC Ireland Complaints Policy.
Ensure incident reporting and clinical risk reporting.
Hygiene and Safety Compliance
:
Ensure compliance with local hygiene standards, guidelines, and practices.
Qualifications & Experience
Registered nurse on the active Register of Nurses and Midwives (NMBI) or eligible.
Completed a post-registration programme of study at Level 8 or higher in Cancer Nursing, or equivalent ECTS credits.
Minimum 5 years of full-time post-registration experience in Cancer Nursing (or aggregate).
Evidence of career development, continuing professional development, and competence in delivering a professional service.
Active annual registration on appropriate division of the NMBI register.
Equal Opportunity Statement
UPMC is an equal-opportunity employer.
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Benefits
Competitive pay (base, performance-related, premium).
Fully paid maternity and paternity leave.
Competitive pension plan and death-in-service benefit.
Critical illness cover up to age 66.
Enhanced annual leave (up to 27 days).
Flexible working opportunities.
Performance recognition via annual ACES programme.
Opportunities for career development and advancement.
About UPMC
UPMC is a multinational academic medical centre committed to delivering people-focused, high-quality care.
Headquartered in Pittsburgh and affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh School of Health Sciences, UPMC expands its expertise globally, providing world-class care across continents through its international division.
In Ireland, UPMC operates the Whitfield Hospital in Waterford and multiple other facilities, delivering comprehensive outpatient care and special-ity services.
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