Overview Job Title: Clinical Nurse Specialist Department: Oncology Job Type: Permanent Hours: 37.5 per week (Full-Time)Blackrock Clinic is the leading and longest established private hospital and clinic in Ireland.
Since it opened in the mid-1980s, the clinic has consistently built an unparalleled reputation in new high-tech surgical procedures, medical treatments, and ground-breaking diagnostics.
Blackrock Clinic is now part of Blackrock Health private hospital group along with the Hermitage Clinic, Galway Clinic, and Limerick Clinic, some of the most advanced hospitals in Irish private healthcare.
As a JCI accredited hospital, Blackrock Clinic is a progressive and pioneering hospital in which care for the patient is central to everything we do.
Role purpose The oncology service is comprised of general oncology beds, and an adjacent day care chemotherapy unit.
The service treats patients referred from the inpatient surgical unit at Blackrock Clinic and patients referred from other hospitals.
This service is also available to other disciplines throughout the hospital.
The CNS in oncology has a pivotal role to play in the coordination of care and management of oncology patients from diagnosis through to recovery or along the continuum of illness.
Clinical care, staff education and support, patient and family education, research and audit are integral aspects of the role.
The overall benefit of the role to patients is improved continuity and quality of care.
The CNS is required to work closely with the multidisciplinary team in the delivery of the highest standard of patient care.
Vision, innovation, flexibility, good communication and management skills are essential to successfully carry out the job.
The CNS is included in the Senior Nursing administration of the hospital and in her role will support the DON and colleagues.
Qualifications Name maintained on Live Register with NMBI.
Have a minimum of five years post registration experience.
A minimum of three years' experience must be in oncology.
The person must demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development.
The person must be educated to Higher Diploma level 9 in Oncology.
Have undertaken a recognised Oncology Course.
Bachelor of Nursing Degree is desirable.
Front line Managers Course is desirable.
Computer skills are desirable.
Key Responsibilities Clinical Practice Direct Care Give direct nursing care to oncology patients.
Direct nursing care consists of assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of care to patients and their families.
Required to work closely with the multi-disciplinary team in the planning and delivery of the highest standard of care.
Patient population includes patients scheduled to receive chemotherapy and patients who are experiencing complications in relation to chemotherapy and/or their disease.
Based on specially focused knowledge and skills, the CNS in oncology will assist in higher-level decision-making such as patient suitability for treatment, management of pain, nausea, mucositis, fatigue and psychosocial issues through nurse-led assessment.
Indirect Care Give indirect care to oncology patients.
Indirect care relates to activities that influence others in their provision of direct care.
Examples include discussion of patient care with staff nurses, development of practice guidelines specific to oncology.
Works closely with pathologists, consultants, and radiologists to coordinate and manage cancer treatment.
Act as a nurse adviser and role model at clinical level.
Demonstrate specialist knowledge and skills through nursing practice.
Identifies health promotion priorities and implements health promotion strategies in accordance with The Cancer Control strategy 2017-2026 and NCCP guidelines.
Demonstrate leadership ability together with good communication skills and management capability.
Maintain awareness of current advances in cancer treatment, care and research.
Develop nursing guidelines and policies in conjunction with the multidisciplinary team.
Develop policies on chemotherapy safety and deliver education to staff members throughout the hospital.
You must comply with all hospital policies in relation to Infection Prevention and Control.
Every employee has a responsibility to know how to reduce infection in their role.
Patients and Client Advocate Utilizes advanced oncology knowledge and experience to communicate, negotiate and represent patient values with other professionals and community resource providers.
Act as a patient advocate when necessary.
Encourage the provision of a high standard of care to patients and families.
The CNS in oncology makes recommendations to the medical team for referrals of patients to physiotherapy, psychiatry, dietician, social work, palliative care and community health care providers.
Provide patient and family education at a level suitable for their learning needs.
Provide a forum for client care discussion at multidisciplinary case conferences attended by representatives from Nursing, Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Pathology, Radiology and Radiation Oncology.
Facilitate effective communication between patient/family and the multidisciplinary team.
Educational & Professional Expectations To help in the development of the nursing team, particularly junior staff in the oncology setting.
Help to foster supportive working and learning environment and maintain staff morale.
Promote and create a climate of clinical inquiry through practice.
Share specialist clinical knowledge with staff nurses and health care assistants through formal and informal learning opportunities.
Act as a resource to undergraduate and post-registration students and junior medical staff in oncology care.
Provides and develops patient education, for example: education leaflets on vascular access devices, chemotherapy regimes and symptom management.
Provide and develop family education, for example: available support groups, social Services and community resources.
Complements the staff nurse role when more detailed specialist knowledge is required.
Develop patient education materials in conjunction with multidisciplinary team.
Coordinate multi-disciplinary monthly case conference.
Identifies own learning needs and objectives and communicates these with line manager.
Engages in relevant professional development.
Network with other CNS to exchange and enhance specialist knowledge, both internal and external to the organisation.
Audits and Research Be aware of hospital policies and procedures and collaborate with the multidisciplinary team and accreditation manager to ensure that these are observed and updated.
Utilize current research to function as a change agent, identify barriers to more comprehensive health-care delivery, modify behaviour, and introduce new approaches to patient care.
Set standards of nursing practice.
Communicate these standards to nursing personnel.
Initiate, participate in and evaluate audit.
Involved in continuous audit of current oncology practice.
Audit effectiveness of CNS role.
Identify evidence based practice in Oncology care and initiate change when indicated.
Evaluate educational programmes for effectiveness.
Consultant Receive referrals for patient consultation from other members of the multi-disciplinary team throughout the hospital, and liaise with the Oncology team.
Respond to request for specialist nursing knowledge throughout the hospital.
Promote the role and demonstrate an understanding of the functions of the oncology nurse specialist within the hospital.
Identify need for service development.
Consult with client, family multidisciplinary team, and hospital management to develop the service.
Form links with other experts nationally and internationally.
Demonstrate leadership qualities.
Collaborates with the MTD in the management of oncology patients.
Why work at Blackrock Clinic?At the Blackrock Clinic, we are passionate about our people and believe in their development and growth.
As a member of the team you can benefit from: Competitive salary Onsite parking Pension Annual bonus*Discounted caféSports and Social club Employee Assistance Programme Discounted onsite pharmacy Please Note: Job descriptions are a reflection of the present service requirements and may be subject to review and amendments to meet the changing needs of the service.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received.
Blackrock Clinic is an Equal Opportunities employer, and we are committed to creating an environment that promotes equality and dignity at work.
Blackrock Clinic is committed to providing reasonable accommodation when needed.
Please advise if you have particular requirements, so that we can look into arranging reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process.
You can contact us at It is essential that you have valid work permission for the Republic of Ireland to take up employment for this position, or in the case of critical skills, you must be eligible for a work permit.
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