Candidate CNS - Haematology - UPMC Whitfield Hospital, Waterford
Location: UPMC Whitfield Hospital
Job type: Permanent
Overview of role:
The candidate Clinical Nurse Specialist (cCNS) in Haematology will be supported to develop a clinical practice role, which will balance patient facing and non-patient facing work practices and care giving. Patient facing care comprises the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of care to the service user, family and/or carer. Non- patient facing care relates to activities that influence and support the provision of direct care. The cCNS Haematology will act as a key liaison between patients, families, and multidisciplinary teams, ensuring continuity of care, symptom management, and psychosocial support throughout the cancer journey.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
The cCNS Haematology will work closely with the patient, patient's medical team, nursing team, multidisciplinary team members to ensure evidence – based practice in delivering high standards of care in all areas of patient care. This will include, but is not limited to:
* Patient and family education pre and post treatment
* Serve as a clinical resource in relation to care of the patient undergoing haematological treatment
* Maintain a clinical database of patients and their treatment and outcomes (survivorship)
* Document all procedures, evaluations, treatments, outcomes, education and referrals consistent with Hospital policy and national / international standards
* Participate in follow up clinics / phone calls as required
The cCNS Haematology's roles and responsibilities are developed around five core concepts which include:
* Clinical focus
* Service user / client advocacy
* Education and Training
* Audit and Research
* Consultancy – including leadership in clinical practice
The cCNS Haematology will be dynamic, enthusiastic, conscientious and passionate with strong clinical leadership and the ability to develop the role to meet the evolving needs of the Haematology patient, in UPMC Whitfield Hospital.
The cCNS Haematology 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 (AOS), 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 cCNS Haematology will provide increased access to specialised haematological nursing care for patients on active treatment to enhance patient safety and minimise risks. The cCNS Haematology will work within the acute haematology and oncology services in UPMC Whitfield Hospital, as part of the MDT. The cCNS Haematology will work with the CNS Medical Oncology and medical oncology day ward staff, providing support and shared learning, in line with evidence based practice and NCCP guidelines
Professional /Clinical
The post holder's practice is based on the five core concepts of Clinical Nurse Specialist role as defined by the NCNM 4th edition in order to fulfil the role. The concepts are:
* Clinical Focus
* Patient Advocate
* Education and Training
* Audit and Research
* Consultant Clinical Focus.
Clinical Focus:
The Clinical Nurse Specialist CNS will have 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.
Patient Facing Care:
Throughout the agreed pathway, the cCNS will be enabled to develop the specific knowledge, skills and competencies to:
* Provide a specialist nursing service for haematology service users with a diagnosis of haematological condition 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 haematology care
* Use the outcomes of nursing assessment to develop and implement plans of care/service user group management to contribute to the plans of service users, their families/carers
* Monitor and evaluate the service user's response to treatment and amend the plan of care accordingly in collaboration with the consultants, MDT and service user, family and/or carer as appropriate.
* Make alterations in the management of service user condition in collaboration with the consultants andMDT and the service user in line with the 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 different hospital group sites 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
* Develop and implement nurse led haematology 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.
Non- patient facing Care:
Throughout the agreed pathway, the cCNS Haematology will be enabled to develop the specific knowledge, skills and competencies to:
* Identify and agree appropriate referral pathways for service user with haematological conditions
* Participate in service user case reviews with the consultants andMDT colleagues
* Use a case management approach to service user complex needs in collaboration with the consultants and MDT, across multiple healthcare group sites, as appropriate
* Take a proactive role in the formulation and provision of evidence based PPPGs relating to haematology care
* Take a lead role in ensuring the nursing service for service user with haematological condition is in line with best practice guidelines, NCCP recommendations and the Safer Better Healthcare Standards (HIQA, 2012)
Patient Advocate:
Throughout the agreed pathway, the cCNS Haematology will be enabled to develop the specific knowledge, skills and competencies to:
* Communicate, negotiate and represent service user, family and/or carer values and decisions in relation to their condition to consultant and MDT colleagues, across multiple healthcare group sites,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 collaboration and cooperation between Acute Services in UPMC Whitfield Hospital and other healthcare group sites,as appropriate
* Proactively challenge any interaction, which fails to deliver a good quality service to service user.
Managerial Responsibilities:
Throughout the agreed pathway, the cCNS (Haematology) will be enabled to develop the specific knowledge, skills and competencies to:
* 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 needs
* Implement and manage identified changes, in conjunction with the nursing leadership team in the Medical Services and UPMC Whitfield Hospital, as a whole
* Ensure that confidentiality in relation to service user records is maintained, in line with GDPR practices
* Understand the need to represent the specialist nursing service at local, national and international forum, as required
* Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records and data on all matters pertaining to the planning, management, delivery and evaluation of nursing and ensure that this service is in line with UPMC Ireland, HIQA, NCCP, CHKS and JCI requirements.
* Contribute to the service planning process as appropriate and as directed by the Director of Nursing/Line Manager
* To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.
KPI's:
The identification and development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which are congruent with the UPMC Whitfield Hospital's service plan.
* Establishment and development of Action Plans to address KPI targets.
* Driving and promoting a Performance Management culture.
* In conjunction with line manager assist in the development of a Performance Management system for Haematology service.
* The management and delivery of KPIs as a routine and core business objective.
Education & Training:
Throughout the agreed pathway, the cCNS Haematology will be enabled to develop the specific knowledge, skills and competencies to:
* Develop clinical competence in service user management within haematology 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 haematological condition.
* Contribute to the design, development and implementation of education programmes and resources for the service user, family and/or carer in relation to their condition to enable them to manage their own condition.
* Participate in training programmes for nursing, MDT colleagues and key stakeholders, as appropriate
* Create exchange of learning opportunities within the MDT in relation to evidence based haematology nursing, delivered via journal clubs, conferences, education days etc.
* Develop and maintain links with Regional Centres for Nursing and Midwifery Education (RCNMEs), the Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Units (NMPDUs) and relevant third level Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) in the design, development and delivery of nursing educational programmes in haematology care
* In tandem with the line management structure, be responsible for addressing own continuing professional development (CPD) needs to achieve competencies required for the role
* Use agreed protected time for research, education and professional development
* With the line manager, use the Engagement and Competency plans to roadmap and self-assess competency achievement and additional CPD needs
Audit & Research:
Throughout the agreed pathway, the cCNS Haematology will be enabled to develop the specific knowledge, skills and competencies to:
* Establish and maintain a register of service user with haematology within the cCNS Haematology caseload.
* Maintain a record of clinically relevant data aligned to National Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) as directed and advised by the DON and NCCP guidelines.
* Identify, initiate and conduct nursing audit and research relevant to Haematology and take part in MDT audit and research.
* Identify, critically analyse, disseminate and integrate into practice, best evidence relating to care in haematology
* Contribute to nursing research on haematology care.
* Use the outcomes of audit to improve nursing service provision and advocate, when appropriate, for improvement of non-nursing 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 practice.
Audit expected outcomes including:
* Collate data (agreed KPIs/clinical targets as per the National Cancer Control Programmes Guidelines), which will provide evidence of the effectiveness of CNS interventions undertaken 3 or 4 - Refer to the National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery final report - Evaluation of Clinical Nurse and Midwife Specialist and Advanced Nurse and Midwife Practitioner roles in Ireland (SCAPE Report, 2010) and refer to the National KPIs associated with the speciality. They should have a clinical nursing focus as well as a breakdown of activity - patients seen and treated.
* Evaluate audit results and research findings to identify areas for quality improvement in collaboration with nursing management and MDT colleagues.
Consultant:
The CNS will:
* Provide leadership in clinical practice and act as a resource and role model for Haematology practice.
* Generate and contribute to the development of clinical standards and guidelines and support implementation.
* Use specialist knowledge to support and enhance general nursing practice.
* Develop collaborative working relationships with local Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist's/Registered Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioner/MDT colleagues as appropriate, developing person centred care pathways to promote the integrated model of care delivery.
* With the support of the Director of Nursing, attend integrated care planning meetings as required.
* Where appropriate develop and maintain relationships with specialist services in voluntary organisations which support patients in the community.
* Liaise with other health service providers in the development and on-going delivery of the National Clinical Programme model of care.
* Network with other Clinical Nurse Specialist in Oncology and in related professional associations.
Quality, Risk and Safety Responsibilities:
It is the responsibility of all UPMC Whitfield 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
* 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, HIQA, CHKS, DGSA, ISO and other audits specified by 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 UPMC Ireland Complaints Policy
* 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 of CNS.
It is the responsibility of all staff to ensure compliance with local organisational hygiene standards, guidelines and practices.
Professional Knowledge:
The cCNS Haematology will:
* Practice in accordance with relevant legislation and with regard to The Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland) Incorporating, The Scope of Nursing & Midwifery Practice and Professional Guidance 2025)
* 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 Nursing & Midwifery values of Care, Compassion and Commitment (DoH, 2016)
* Adhere to national, regional and local UPMC Whitfield Hospital PPPGs
* Adhere to relevant legislation and regulation (HIQA, NCCP etc.)
Adhere to appropriate lines of authority within the nurse/midwife management structure.
Qualifications & Experience:
1. Professional Qualifications, experience etc.
(a) I) Be a registered nurse on the active Register of Nurses and Midwives held by An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland) or be eligible to be so registered
And
II) Be willing to undertake and complete a post registration programme of study, as certified by the education provider, which verifies that the applicant has
achieved a Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), National Framework of
Qualifications (NFQ) major academic Level 8 or higher relevant in Cancer
Nursing, within one year of commencing in post
Or
Can provide written evidence from higher education institute that they have
achieved the number of ECTS credits equivalent to a Level 8 or higher
standard, relevant to the specialist area prior application
And
III) Have a minimum of 3 years post registration full time experience or an
aggregate of 3 years full time in Cancer Nursing.
And
IV) Evidence of career development and personal development plan
And
V) Demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development and
competence in delivering a professional service in Cancer Nursing
(b) Have the ability to practice safely and effectively fulfilling his/her professional responsibility within his/her scope of practice
2 Annual registration
(i) Practitioners must maintain live annual registration on the appropriate/relevant
Division of the register of Nurses and Midwives maintained by the Nursing and
Midwifery Board of Ireland (Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) for the role
And
(ii) Confirm annual registration with NMBI to UPMC Ireland.
Equal Opportunity Statement and Benefits
UPMC is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
At UPMC we provide a total rewards program that is not only market competitive, but fair and provides growth opportunities for all our colleagues.
Compensation – Competitive pay for the work employees do – base pay, performance related pay and premium pay where applicable.
Benefits – Fully paid maternity and paternity leave for new parents. Competitive Pension Plan, company funded Death in Service Benefit x 3 times. Critical Illness cover for all employees up to the age of 66.
Performance and Recognition – Rewards for performance that supports the goals and mission of UPMC through our annual ACES programme.
Work-Life Balance – Enhanced annual leave up to a maximum of 27 days. Flexible working opportunities to support you to work around external family commitments.
Development and Career Opportunities – Opportunities for each employee to reach their career goals through continued learning and/or advancement.
About UPMC
UPMC is a renowned multinational academic medical centre committed to delivering people-focused care that's close to home. Headquartered in Pittsburgh and affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences, UPMC shapes the future of health through clinical and technological innovation, research and education. UPMC expands its expertise globally, bringing world-class care across continents through its UPMC International division — an owned and operated network of hospitals and ambulatory care centres in Italy, Ireland and Croatia. UPMC International brings new access to the signature specialty services of UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre, UPMC Sports Medicine and others to more people in more places around the world.
In Ireland UPMC has provided high-quality healthcare in the South East since 2006. UPMC's operations in Ireland now include UPMC Whitfield Hospital in Waterford, UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic in Dublin, UPMC Kildare Hospital in Clane, and UPMC Aut Even Hospital in Kilkenny. Outpatient care is available at the UPMC Carlow Outreach Centre, UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre radiotherapy locations in Waterford and Cork, UPMC The 4th Practice in Mallow, and across UPMC Sports Medicine Clinics in Dublin, Waterford, Limerick, Tipperary, Cork, and Mayo. UPMC has also established a nationwide Concussion Network. UPMC's Global Technology Operation Centre is based in Kilkenny.