Overview Applications are invited for the position of Candidate Clinical Nurse Specialist / Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Cancer Care Directorate of St. Vincent's University Hospital. Informal Enquiries or Role Specific Enquiries to: Mini Moby, Directorate Nurse Manager Please download the candidate information booklet for this position, as this will not be available online after the vacancy close date. Applications for St. Vincent's University Hospital job vacancies will only be accepted through SVUH Careers Page. Any applications submitted after the vacancy has closed will not be accepted. You will receive a confirmation email within 2 working days that your application has been received. We highly recommend that you contact us by emailing if you do not hear from us. Closing date of applications: 29/05/2026 Key Responsibilities Principal Duties and Key Responsibilities Comply with An Board Altaians Code of Professional Conduct and Scope of Practice for Nursing. Be aware of and act on guidance from the National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery on matters relating to the role of the Clinical Nurse Specialist, with particular reference to the Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialist Role Resource Pack published by the Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Unit SEHB 2003. To be aware of own needs regarding supervision and professional development and to work actively towards meeting these. To work in close conjunction with all members of the clinical team to ensure that a cohesive and effective service is provided. Ensure patient confidentiality is respected and the dignity of the patient is assured and maintained at all times having regard to the philosophy and ethical code of the Hospital. Regularly attend multi-disciplinary meetings to maintain an up to date clinical knowledge base and to promote understanding of roles and responsibilities. Have a good insight into the elements needed to support effective and innovative ways of changing clinical methods of working within established practices. Establish the role and authority of the post. Act as a role model demonstrating high standards of clinical practice and provide clinical leadership in relevant specialist area. Be aware of budgetary constraints and cost implications Contribute to the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of quality nursing care to patients with cancer, in order to increase health gain and quality of life. In conjunction with the Lead Clinician, devise and update written protocols and pathways for patients requiring treatment aimed at maximising quality of patient care. Where necessary, make recommendations to improve service by transferring services into the community. Plan, implement and evaluate a programme for self-administration of drug therapy for patients where necessary. Assess patient suitability for this scheme, setting patient lead targets to achieve outcomes. Produce patient information leaflets where applicable. Demonstrate informed nursing practice in holistic assessment, planning and implementation of delivery of high quality nursing care to patients requiring treatment for all conditions. Provide nursing expertise for patients using the service which optimises quality and continuity of care between primary and secondary care. To develop nurse led triage service in order to see and, on occasions, treat patients within agreed protocols. Establish and develop nurse led patient advisory clinics and make variations in prescribed clinical options within agreed dose parameters and an agreed policy framework. To assist ward based staff with discharge planning arrangements aimed at improving quality of life for patients in the home setting. Participate in team discussions regarding patient treatment, admission priorities and new policies, evaluating clinical problems, co-ordinate investigations, therapy and patient follow up in order to increase health gain and quality of life for patients. Attend multidisciplinary ward meetings as appropriate and feasible, to provide input on patients with whom he/she is involved and to be informed of new patients who may require support. Establish and develop nurse led advisory clinics for people with concerns relating to their treatment, and educate in relation to options of care and treatment plans available. Regular audit of service with patient questionnaire/feedback. Use this as a springboard to assess future service needs/patient service changes. Provide specialist support services for patients according to speciality and need, such as a To ensure hospital policies and procedures and National Guidelines pertaining to the Services are adhered to and in line with the Clinical Nurse Manager 3 and Assistant Director of Nursing, monitor standards necessary to support the developing specialist nursing service and practices. Where necessary make suggestions to improve the service. Be actively aware of current procedures, policies and standards in relation to speciality and contribute where appropriate in formulating or updating policies and procedures that comply with agreed best provide a first line contact for all staff with queries relating to the speciality. Maintain awareness of current developments in the treatment and management of these patients. Act as an effective role model for other staff, administering the service through evidence based practice and patient care initiatives, aimed at improving quality of care. Provide a service which optimises quality and continuity of care between primary and secondary care. Contribute to the planning and organisation of out-patient clinics with the multidisciplinary team. To assist ward based staff with discharge planning arrangements aimed at improving quality of life for patients in the home setting. Provide a safe environment for patients/ other staff/ self; with due regard to Health, Safety and Risk Management issues. Act as a patient advocate within the multidisciplinary team. Communicate, negotiate and represent patient's values and decisions in collaboration with other professionals and family members. Identify the educational needs of staff and students and liaise with training and academic departments in the delivery if an ongoing programme of education both in the hospital and in the community. Provide information and update sessions at ward and departmental level to aid staff and patients in their knowledge and understanding of speciality. Be actively involved in the teaching of new staff and post graduate students, in conjunction with relevant personnel. Demonstrate responsibility for professional growth by ensuring personal and educational development within an agreed personal development plan. Assist in meeting the psychological, emotional and informational needs of patients and their families at the time of diagnosis and throughout treatment. In doing so, demonstrate highly effective communication and information sharing with patients, ensuring a variety of modalities of information is available to patients. Educate and support patients/ carers in relation to altered body image, life expectancy and other issues pertaining to patients with chronic illness and refer to appropriate support services as needed. Provide a drop in/ advisory service to meet these needs. Ensure patients have access to relevant information enabling understanding of their disease and treatment options. Identify the educational needs of these patients and ensure that these are met through service provision. Review, evaluate and improve the educational programmes regularly to optimise patient services and care delivery. Membership and participation in appropriate course, conferences and professional organisations, to ensure personal continuing education and professional development using national and local guidelines. Promote and contribute to nursing research and clinical audit to improve standards of patient care, ensuring practice is evidence based. To initiate and take part in research relevant to the speciality, aimed at optimising patient care/ services. To maintain awareness of current developments in the management of patients receiving treatment and demonstrate knowledge of clinical trials. Where clinical trials take place, actively contribute to their effectiveness particularly in relation to informed consent and advocacy. Assist in audit and evaluation in order to monitor the effectiveness of current therapeutic regimes and to improve health outcomes. Facilitate, develop and monitor quality initiatives in line with local and national requirements or guidelines. Assist department heads in the collection and correlation of statistical information and data in order to audit the service and aid the planning of future patients/service improvements/ initiatives. To attend regular meetings to review service performance, hospital and business plan. Act as an effective role model for other staff, administrating the service through evidence based practice and patient care initiatives, aimed at improving quality of care. Assist the Consultant in the production of an Annual Report and assist the oncology data manager. Ensure there is a system of documentation that reflects advanced nursing practice and ensure that staff in clinical areas maintains effective nursing records on patients receiving treatment. Evaluate these records periodically in the interest of safe practice and in line with hospital policy on record keeping. Act as a resource nurse for matters relating to speciality and attend managerial and clinical meetings that require specialist-nursing input. In all aspects of work demonstrate an ability to work across organisational and professional boundaries. Promote collaborative working relationships and effective communication between all members of the multidisciplinary team thereby providing the optimum service for the patient. Develop and maintain strong interpersonal skills to communicate efficiently and effectively with colleagues, patients and their families. Establish clear referral patterns to, and lines of communication with medical staff, ward staff and relevant professionals (e.g. General Practitioners, Public Health Nurses, Practice Nurses) and act as an expert practitioner aimed at improving patient outcomes. Ensure, in co-operation with the Lead Clinician, the most effective and efficient use of developments in information technology for both patient care and administrative support in a manner which integrates well with systems throughout the organization. Contribute to the management and outcomes of Oncology MDT with documentation of Oncology decisions /outcomes recorded. Implement initiatives which enable team members to ensure efficient and effective treatments are commenced in a timely manner in line with NCCP requirements. Support and contribute initiatives which manage unscheduled care safely and efficiently. Liaise with pharmacy in the development and updating of chemotherapy protocols. Be a role model in providing excellent communication skills and expertise in patient education. Provide continuous on-going assessment of information and support needs of patients and carers, signposting to other sources of information and support, referring to specialist services when required. Provide practical support and advice to patients and their families with cancer undergoing chemotherapy and assist with assessments of their needs. Provide support to colleagues; nursing and other professionals in developing skills and knowledge for this patient group through consultancy and education. In conjunction with the MDT devise and update written protocols related to the care of patients with cancer which are aimed at maximising the quality of patient care. Develop and regularly audit a set of KPI to monitor the provision of cancer and systemic anti-cancer therapy (in day-care setting) in line with NCCP requirements. Engage regionally and nationally in the development and implementation of standards and clinical management guidelines for the care of patients with cancer. Be aware of emerging evidence, new mandates and advances in clinical practice for this patient group. Actively engage in risks management and develop action plans to mitigate/eliminate identified risks related to the management of cancer patients. Establish and develop with other members of MDT nurse led advisory clinics in day-care for patients receiving chemotherapy in relation to their concerns re; treatment. Assist in the role of nurse led triage service and support theOur Requirements Please refer to the candidate information booklet attached to the advert What We Offer Please refer to the candidate information booklet attached to the advert To be considered for this role you will be redirected to and must complete the application process on our careers page. To start the process, click the Apply button below to Login/Register.
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