Job Title: Uro-Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist
Department: Cancer Services
Reports to: CNM 3 Cancer Services
Date: 2026
Overall Purpose of Job
The Uro-Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist will have a pivotal role in meeting the clinical, psychological, emotional and information needs of cancer patients and their families and significant others within the urological cancer patient group including but not limited to bladder, kidney, prostate, testes and penis. He or she will be a key member of the multi-disciplinary team responsible for the care of cancer patients and will provide exceptional patient care in an environment where quality, respect, caring and compassion are at the centre of all we do.
The post holder will use clinical expertise, leadership education skills, and management skills and will be responsible for participating in the provision of specialist nursing service to patients with urological conditions.
The post holder will work within the multidisciplinary team, to provide a proactive, comprehensive and coordinated service to patients undergoing investigation, diagnosis, treatment and follow up for patients with malignant urological disease.
The post holder will be expected to participate in the planning, co-ordination, and provision of direct specialist care to a caseload of patients and to develop, implement and embed a clear patient pathway for Urological Cancer patients in Beacon Hospital in line with NCCP recommendations and evidence-based practice recommendations. In collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team the post holder will provide support to Urology Consultants, Medical Oncologists, Radiation Oncologists, Consultant Radiologists, Nursing Colleagues, Allied Therapy and relevant Departments.
The post holder will deliver care in line with the five core concepts of the Clinical Nurse Specialist Role set out in the Framework for the Establishment of the Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialist Posts, 4th edition, National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery (NCNM) 2008.
Key Responsibilities and Deliverables
The post holder's practice is based on the five core concepts of the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) role as defined by the NCNM 4th edition These are the following:
Clinical focus
Patient/Client Advocate
Education & Training
Audit & Research
Consultant
Clinical Focus
The Uro-oncology nurse specialist will use specialist knowledge and skills to assess patients, plan, implement and evaluate care, providing advice and maintaining associated records.
Act in a supportive and complementary role to Beacon Hospital Urology Oncology Service in the management of urology cancer patients through diagnosis, treatment and follow up care
Evidence based care will be inherent in practice, ensuring best practice is disseminated.
To provide highly specialised nursing care for patients with Uro-oncology.
Provide a specialist nursing service for patients with a diagnosis of urological cancer who require support and treatment through the continuum of care.
Assist in the development of the service, by consultation, treatment intervention, complex and highly skilled communication, aftercare, education, training team building and working.
Provides specialist education and training to other staff, patients and carers.
Reviews patients and situations independently, and makes independent management decisions including requesting imaging.
Provides highly developed specialist advice to patients and their families/carers, staff of all disciplines.
In collaboration with the Urology and /or Medical/ Radiation Oncology Consultant, provides and receives highly sensitive, distressing, complex or contentious information to patients, their relatives and members of the public with empathy and reassurance.
In collaboration with the Urology and/ or Medical / Radiation Oncology Consultant, provides psychological support to patients and their families' including the breaking bad news of a cancer diagnosis or disease progression on a regular basis.
Develops skills to assess and interpret specialist information and conditions and takes appropriate action usually without the need to refer to other specialists.
Track and maintain optimum co-ordination of clinical cancer pathways for patients throughout diagnosis, treatment and follow up, liaising between all service providers.
Provide skilled knowledge and giving advice re symptom/linking with MDT including palliative care as appropriate.
Communicating with a range of other staff of all disciplines, acting as a highly specialist resource including liaison with health care providers within and outside the Trust regarding diagnosis and treatment advise.
According to protocols and guidelines follow up the surgical urology cancer patients, organising investigations to monitor for recurrence of disease, breaking of bad news, referring patients on and discharging patients when appropriate.
Undertake comprehensive patient assessment to include physical, psychological, social and spiritual elements of care using best evidence-based practice in urology nursing.
Use the outcomes of patient assessment to develop and implement plans of care/case management in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) and the patient, family and/or carer as appropriate.
Make alterations in the management of patient's condition in collaboration with the MDT, Urology, Oncology and Radiation Oncologists and the patient in line with agreed pathways and policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines.
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.
Accept appropriate referrals from MDT colleagues.
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.
Demonstrate excellent communication skills with patients and carers ensuring information is appropriate, timely and delivered sensitively and based on individual need.
Where appropriate work collaboratively with MDT colleagues across primary and secondary care to provide a seamless service delivery to the patient.
Where required provide cover and support for the Urology Day Unit and other members of the Cancer Service CNS group.
Assist with the planning, implementing and coordination of the urology multidisciplinary team meeting on a weekly basis. Co-ordinate clinical follow up of urology patients following weekly MDT meeting.
Take a lead role in ensuring the service for patients with Urological Cancer is in line with best practice guidelines including but not limited to National Cancer Control Programme, National Clinical Guideline No. 8, Diagnosis, staging and treatment of patients with prostate cancer.
Patient/Client Advocate
The postholder will:
Communicate, negotiate and represent the patient's values and decisions in relation to their condition in collaboration with MDT colleagues.
Develop and support the concept of advocacy, particularly in relation to patient participation in decision making, thereby enabling informed choice of treatment options.
Discussing complex histology and staging scans results to patients, relatives/carers on a regular basis, discussing in detail the benefits and risks of various investigations and treatment options, and issues surrounding terminal illness.
Using face to face clinics, telephone, e-mail and letter to communicate highly complex and sensitive information effectively with patient and their carers recognising that individuals have differing needs for information at different phases of their illness, by using active listening, emotional engagement, empathy, tact, openness reassurance counselling, and emotional assessment to overcome patient anxiety, fear, altered perception, any mental health problems or cognitive impairment that may impair understanding and informed decision making and consent
Respect and maintain the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of the patient.
Educational & Training
The postholder will:
Possess highly specialised knowledge regarding urological conditions and urological cancers.
Maintain clinical competence in patient management within the speciality of urology nursing, keeping up-to-date with relevant research to ensure the implementation of evidence-based practice.
Recognise the opportunity for clinical supervision and access if appropriate.
Assesses, develops and implements specialist nursing care programmes, for Uro-Oncology.
Participate in the development and education of new techniques in patient care in consultation with medical and nursing staff.
Participate in in service training programmes for staff as appropriate.
Be responsible for addressing own continuing professional development needs.
Plans, delivers and evaluates education, study days and training programmes for all relevant disciplines of staff.
Provides specialists training and education in informal and formal settings for nurses and other disciplines.
Provide teaching in practice to nurses and other disciplines including medical staff through clinical supervision /facilitation.
Act as a positive role model for other staff and students and provides strong leadership.
Provide the patient, family and/or carer with appropriate information and other supportive interventions to increase their knowledge, skill and confidence in managing their condition.
Ensure adequate patient education material is available and contribute to developing new educational material where required.
Teaches patients and their families/carers about managing their own condition, where appropriate. Empower patients, carers and staff to realise and maintain their potential in relations to health and wellbeing.
Audit & Research
The postholder will:
Establish and maintain a register of patients within his/her caseload.
Maintain a record of clinically relevant data aligned to National Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) as directed and advised by the CNM 3 Cancer Services and Head of Urology.
Maintain a record of clinically relevant data in support of all Urology Cancers in compliance with NCCP guidelines in conjunction with Beacon Hospital Consultant Urological Surgeons.
Maintain a record of clinically relevant data in support of the Robotic Assisted Radical Prostatectomy pathway as directed to ensure compliance with audit requirements of the National Cancer Control Programme.
Participates in research within scope of professional practice.
Identify, initiate and conduct nursing and MDT audit projects relevant to the area of practice.
Identify, critically analyse, disseminate and integrate best evidence relating to urology nursing into practice
Use the outcomes of audit to improve service provision.
Support the development of building and collecting the relevant data sets for the group of patients.
Lead on the developments of the operational policies and annual reports which will contain audits, data and reports covering patient outcomes, experience and workforce requirements.
Consultant
The postholder will:
Provide leadership in clinical practice and act as a resource and role model.
Use specialist knowledge to generate and contribute to the development of clinical standards and guidelines and support their implementation.
Develop collaborative working relationships with MDT colleagues as appropriate to promote integrated care delivery.
Support the Urology, Oncologists teams to develop clear guidelines and protocols to support this complex group of patients.
Development of clear pathways guidance across multiple consultant services.
Managerial Responsibilities
The postholder will:
Provide an efficient, effective and high-quality service, respecting the needs of each patient, family and/or carer.
Effectively manage time and caseload in order to meet changing and developing service needs.
Continually monitor the service to ensure it reflects current need.
Implement and manage identified changes.
Ensure that confidentiality in relation to patient records is maintained.
Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records and data on all matters pertaining to the planning, management, delivery and evaluation of care.
Contribute to the service planning process as appropriate.
Maintain a continuity in the provision of the CNS service.
Be aware of budgetary limitations and provide highest quality nursing service within those confines.
Make line manager aware of any concerns regarding the quality of service provided in a constructive manner.
Asses the effectiveness and economy of working practices, make recommendations regarding clinical resources.
Actively and positively participates in the ongoing preparations to ensure readiness for JCI and the sustainability of same in alignment with Beacon Hospital Strategic Plan and Cancer Services Strategic plan.
Professional Responsibilities
The postholder will:
Practice in accordance with relevant legislation and with regard to The Scope of Nursing & Midwifery Practice Framework (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, 2015) and the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, 2014)
The post holder will have the freedom to act within the boundaries of their expertise working unsupervised and with autonomy in the clinical setting
Maintain a high standard of professional behaviour and be professionally accountable for actions/omissions. Take measures to develop and maintain the competences required for professional practice.
Adhere to the Beacon Hospital Values of results-focus, collegiality, communication, dignity and excellence.
Adhere to relevant legislation and regulation.
Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the pathophysiology and assessment of urological conditions.
Demonstrate the ability to formulate a plan of care based on findings and evidence-based standards of care and practice guidelines.
Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of risk management as they apply to the role.
Develop professional working relationships within the hospital and wider national and international cancer network including:
Pathology
Radiology
Diagnostics
Urology Day Unit and Inpatient wards
CNS / Liaison Nurses within other specialties and in other hospitals
Clinical Trials Nurses in other hospitals
Qualifications
NMBI Registered General Nurse in good standing.
Post Graduate course completion in Clinical Practice, with focus on Urology or working towards same.
Experience
Minimum five years post registration experience.
Three to five years' experience working in an environment caring for Urology patients.
Experience working in the area of Oncology
Function in an autonomous role, cognitive if the Scope of Practice as defined by NMBI
The employee must speak, read and write grammatically correct English.
Candidates must possess teaching abilities, leader ship qualities, professional judgement, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities and a sense of professional development.
Must demonstrate multi-tasking ability.
Ability to share knowledge related to Urology specialty nursing.
Job Specific Competencies and Knowledge
Clinical
* High standard of clinical knowledge with the ability to apply this in different settings.
* An understanding of the wider healthcare environment.
* Integrates quality and patient safety in all projects being developed.
Teamwork
* Proven leadership ability.
* Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
* Motivated and an innovative approach to job.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills
* Effective communication skills including the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner.
* Be capable of communicating effectively and courteously with a wide variety of departments and individuals, including hospital consultants, senior nursing staff, and executive hospital management.
Planning and Organising
* Demonstrate evidence of effective planning, organising and time management skills.
* Ability to work independently
* Ability to be dynamic and adapt to change quickly.
* Carries out risk assessments as required and highlight any potential or actual risks.
Personal Competencies
All posts in Beacon Hospital require a high level of flexibility to ensure the delivery of an effective and efficient service. Therefore, the post holder will be required to demonstrate flexibility as and when required by hospital management.