The CNS/CMS post holder will deliver care in line with the five core concepts of the role set out in the Framework for the Establishment of Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialist Posts, 4th edition, National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery (NCNM) 2008.
Patient Caseload
Haematology/ Oncology/Radiotherapy patients over 16 years of age
The concepts are:
* Clinical Focus (Direct and Indirect Care)
* Service user/client Advocacy
* Education and Training
* Audit and Research
* Consultancy (including leadership in clinical practice)
The Clinical Nurse Specialist (Acute Haematology Oncology) will provide a non ED direct access route for Haematology/Oncology/Radiotherapy patients who are experiencing a disease or treatment related complication. The appointee will be responsible for acting as a point of contact for patients in the out-patient setting, providing a telephone triage hotline service using a validated assessment tool (UKONS), undertaking detailed patient assessments and actively participate in planning and performing unscheduled review of patients presenting unwell to the oncology/haematology day units with disease/ treatment related side effects.
The appointee will provide increased access to specialised cancer nursing care for patients on active treatment to enhance patient safety and minimise risks. The appointee will work within the acute haematology and oncology service as part of the multidisciplinary team, forging relationships especially with (not exclusively) ED, acute medical assessment units and CIT/ community services and continue to develop the role in line with evidence based practice and NCCP guidance.
Clinical Focus
The Clinical Nurse Specialist (Acute Haematology Oncology) will be supported to;
Develop a strong patient focus whereby the specialty defines itself as Nursing and subscribes to the overall purpose, functions and ethical standards of Nursing. The clinical practice role may be divided into direct and indirect care. Direct care comprises the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of care to the patient, family and/or carer. Indirect care relates to activities that influence and support the provision of direct care.
Direct Care
Clinical Nurse Specialist (Acute Haematology Oncology)
will:
* Provide a specialist nursing/midwifery service for service users with a diagnosis of cancer who require support and treatment through the continuum of care
* Undertake comprehensive service user assessment to include physical, psychological, social and spiritual elements of care using best evidence based practice in cancer care
* Use the outcomes of nursing/midwifery assessment to develop and implement plans of care/service user group management to contribute to the plans of service users, their families/carers and the MDT
* Monitor and evaluate the service user's response to treatment and amend the plan of care accordingly in collaboration with the MDT and service user, family and/or carer as appropriate.
* Make alterations in the management of service user condition in collaboration with the MDT and the service user in line with the nursing/midwifery aspect of agreed pathways and policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines (PPPG's).
* Accept appropriate referrals from MDT colleagues
* Co-ordinate investigations, treatment therapies and service user follow-up
* Communicate with service users, family and/or carer as appropriate, to assess service user needs and provide relevant support, information, education, advice and counselling as required
* Where appropriate, work collaboratively with MDT colleagues across Primary and Secondary Care to provide a seamless service delivery to the service user, family and/or carer as appropriate
* Participate in medication reconciliation taking cognisance of poly-pharmacy and support medical and pharmacy staff with medication reviews and medication management
* Identify and promote specific symptom management strategies as well as the identification of triggers, which may cause exacerbation of symptoms. Provide service user with appropriate self-management strategies and escalation pathways
* Manage nurse/midwife led Oncology clinics in collaboration with the MDT
* Identify health promotion priorities for the service user, family and/or carer and support service user self-care in line with best evidence. This will include the provision of educational and health promotion material which is comprehensive, easy to understand and meets service user' needs
* Provide a point of telephone contact for patients experiencing disease/treatment related symptoms and assess patients using the UKONS telephone triage system
* Actively participate in the planning and carrying out unscheduled reviews of patients presenting unwell to the Haematology Oncology Day Ward with disease/treatment related side effects and amend the plan of care accordingly in conjunction with the MDT, patient, family and/or carer as appropriate
* Provide support to the family/ carers though listening, problem solving and education
* Participate in ongoing patient education in relation to management of disease and treatment related side effects
Indirect Care
Clinical Nurse Specialist (Acute Haematology Oncology)
will:
* Identify, agree and document appropriate referral pathways for Haematology/ Oncology patients who are experiencing a disease or treatment related complication
* Participate in service user case reviews with MDT colleagues
* Use a case management approach to patients in collaboration with MDT in both Primary and Secondary Care as appropriate
* Take a proactive role in the formulation and provision of evidence based PPPGs relating to care
* Develop and update acute haematology oncology nursing service standard operating procedures as the role evolves
* Take a lead role in ensuring the acute haematology oncology service is in line with best practice guidelines e.g. National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare Standards (HIQA, 2012).
Patient/Service user/Client Advocate
Clinical Nurse Specialist (Acute Haematology Oncology)
will:
* Communicate, negotiate and represent service user, family and/or carer values and decisions in relation to their condition to MDT colleagues in both Primary and Secondary Care as appropriate
* Develop and support the concept of advocacy, particularly in relation to service user participation in decision making, thereby enabling informed choice of treatment options
* Respect and maintain the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of the service user, family and/or carers
* Establish, maintain and improve procedures for nursing/midwifery collaboration and cooperation between Acute Services, Primary Care and Voluntary Organisations as appropriate
* Proactively challenge any interaction, nursing/midwifery or otherwise, which fails to deliver a good quality service to service user.
* Communicate with patients families and friends, assess needs and provide relevant support, information education and advice (including community support services)
* Provide service user, family and/or carer with contact details for acute haematology oncology nurse specialist service and full 24 hour/ 7 day out of hours contact numbers
* Facilitate development and distribution of SOS hotline (Sort out my Symptoms) information leaflets and alert cards for service users
* Act as a resource/ contact person for Haematology/Oncology patients attending other departments within the hospital or outside the hospital for treatment
* Actively promote haematology/ oncology patient issues within the hospital and within the community using various forums, clinics, committees
* Devise a mechanism for patient feedback to evaluate the overall service
Education & Training:
Clinical Nurse Specialist (Acute Haematology Oncology)
will:
* Maintain clinical competence in service user management within Acute Haematology Oncology nursing, keeping up-to-date with relevant research to ensure the implementation of evidence based practice.
* Provide the service user, family and/or carer with appropriate information, education and other supportive interventions to increase their knowledge, skill and confidence and autonomy in managing their Haematology Oncology condition.
* Contribute to the design, development and implementation of education programmes and resources for the service user, family and/or carer in relation to Haematology Oncology to enable them to manage their own condition.
* Provide mentorship and preceptorship for nursing/midwifery colleagues as appropriate.
* Participate in training programmes for nursing/midwifery, MDT colleagues and key stakeholders as appropriate.
* Create exchange of learning opportunities within the MDT in relation to evidence based Acute Haematology Oncology nursing delivery through journal clubs, conferences etc.
* Develop and maintain links with Regional Centres for Nursing & Midwifery Education (RCNMEs), the Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Units (NMPDUs) and relevant third level Higher Education Institutes (HEIs),NCCP in the design, development and delivery of nursing/midwifery educational programmes in Acute Haematology Oncology care and play an active role in teaching other staff as required
* In tandem with the line management structure, be responsible for addressing own continuing professional development (CPD) needs to maintain competencies required for the role.
* Use agreed protected time for research, education and professional development.
* With the line manager, use the Professional Development Planning Framework for Nurses and Midwives to plan and self-assess additional CPD needs.
* Undertake relevant AHOS video enabled care training to provide option of video enabled care to service users
* Attend NCCP National Acute Haematology Oncology Service nursing forum meetings, contribute to shared learning within the group to continue to further strengthen and shape the national service
Audit & Research:
Clinical Nurse Specialist (Acute Haematology Oncology)
will:
* Establish and maintain a register of service user with Acute Haematology Oncology quality metrics within the CNS/CMS Caseload.
* Maintain a record of clinically relevant data aligned to National Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) as directed and advised by the DON/M/Services in conjunction with the senior clinical decision maker.
* Identify, initiate and conduct nursing/midwifery audit and research relevant to the area of practice and take part in MDT audit and research.
* Identify, critically analyse, disseminate and integrate into practice, best evidence relating to care in the Acute Haematology Oncology Nursing Service
* Contribute to nursing/midwifery research on the Acute Haematology Oncology nursing service
* Use the outcomes of audit to improve nursing/midwifery service provision and advocate, when appropriate, for improvement of non-nursing/midwifery services
* Contribute to service planning and budgetary processes through use of audit data and specialist knowledge
* Monitor, access, utilise and disseminate current relevant research to advise and ensure the provision of informed evidence based nursing/midwifery practice
* Collate acute haematology oncology quality metrics month end summary and return to NCCP via NCIS or national standardised metrics excel spreadsheet
* Set objectives and develop policies, procedures and standards for the acute haematology oncology cancer nursing services based on current nursing research and relevant research from other disciplines
Audit expected outcomes including:
* Collate data (oncology agreed KPIs/clinical targets) which will provide evidence of the effectiveness of the CNS/CMS interventions. Refer to National KPIs associated with the specialty. KPI's should have a clinical nursing/midwifery focus as well as a breakdown of activity - patients seen and treated.
* Evaluate nursing/midwifery audit results and research findings to identify areas for quality improvement in collaboration with nursing/midwifery management and MDT colleagues (Primary and Secondary Care).
Consultancy
(including leadership in clinical practice)
:
Clinical Nurse Specialist (Acute Haematology Oncology)
will:
* Understand leadership in clinical practice with the aim of acting as a resource and role model for nursing Acute Haematology Oncology practice.
* Contribute to the expanding nursing/midwifery knowledge/expertise for the development of clinical standards and guidelines and support implementation
* Use growing specialist knowledge to support and enhance own nursing/midwifery practice and practice of colleagues.
* Develop collaborative working relationships with local Acute Haematology Oncology CNSs, Registered Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioner/MDT colleagues as appropriate, contributing to person centered care pathways to promote the integrated model of care delivery.
* With the support of the DoN/line manager, attend integrated care planning meetings as required
* Where appropriate, develop and maintain relationships with specialist services in voluntary organisations which support service users in the community.
* Liaise with other health service providers in the development and on-going delivery of the National Clinical and Integrated Programme model of care.
* Network with other CNSs in Acute Haematology Oncology and in related clinical and professional areas of practice.
* Use growing specialist knowledge to support and enhance the care and management of unscheduled cancer patients
* Contribute to the professional development of students, peers, colleagues, primary care team and others through consultation, education, leadership, mentorship and coaching
* Liaise with other health service providers in the development and on-going delivery of the National Cancer Control Programme SACT model of care
Health & Safety:
These duties must be performed in accordance with local organisational and the HSE health and safety polices. In carrying out these duties the employee must ensure that effective safety procedures are in place to comply with the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act Staff must carry out their duties in a safe and responsible manner in line with the local policy documents and as set out in the local safety statement, which must be read and understood.
* Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc. and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
* To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.
Quality, Risk And Safety Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of all staff to:
* Participate and cooperate with legislative and regulatory requirements with regard to quality, risk and safety.
* Participate and cooperate with local quality, risk and safety initiatives as required.
* Adequately identify, assess, manage and monitor risk within area of responsibility
* Participate and cooperate with internal and external evaluations of the organisation's structures, services and processes as required, including but not limited to, The National Hygiene Audit, National Decontamination Audit, Health and Safety Audits and other audits specified by the NCCP/HSE or other regulatory authorities.
* Initiate, support and implement quality improvement initiatives in their area which are in keeping with local organisational quality, risk and safety requirements.
* Contribute to the development of PPPGs and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.
* Comply with Health Service Executive (HSE) Complaints Policy
* Respond immediately and appropriately to ensure the safety of any service user that you are aware has been put at risk
* Ensure completion of incident/near miss forms and clinical risk reporting
* Adhere to department policies in relation to the care and safety of any equipment supplied and used to carry out the responsibilities of the role
Specific Responsibility for Best Practice in Hygiene
Hygiene is defined as: "The practice that serves to keep people and environments clean and prevent infection. It involves the study of preserving one's health, preventing the spread of disease, and recognising, evaluating and controlling health hazards. In the healthcare setting it incorporates the following key areas: environment and facilities, hand hygiene, catering, management of laundry, waste and sharps, and equipment" (HIQA, 2008; P2)
It is the responsibility of all staff to ensure compliance with local organisational hygiene standards, guidelines and practices.
Management/Administration:
Clinical Nurse Specialist (Acute Haematology Oncology)
will:
* Provide an efficient, effective and high quality nursing service, respecting the needs of each service user, family and/or carer
* Effectively manage time and caseload in order to meet changing and developing service needs
* Continually monitor the nursing service to ensure it reflects current service user and organisational needs
* Implement and manage identified changes
* Ensure that confidentiality in relation to service user records is maintained
* Understand the need to represent the specialist nursing service at local, national and international fora as required
* Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records and data on all matters pertaining to the planning, management, delivery and evaluation of nursing specialist care and ensure that this service is in line with HSE requirements.
* Contribute to the service planning process as appropriate and as directed by the Director of Nursing/Line Manager
* Implement the principles of clinical governance and risk management as they apply directly to the acute haematology oncology nursing service role and the wider health service
* Lead in the development and review of evidence based policies, guidelines and procedures within the cancer services
* Ensure continuous review and evolution of policies, clinical practice guidelines and existing practices
* Knowledge of health promotion principles/coaching/self-management strategies that will enable people to take greater control over decisions and actions that affect their health and wellbeing
* Ensure compliance with the obligations required by the Data Protection Act 2018
* Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) and HSE Standards as they apply to the role e.g. National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, National Cleaning Standards
* Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.
The above Job Specification 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.
* Please Note CV's will not be accepted for this campaign ******
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