Clinical Nurse Specialist Medical Oncology – UPMC Whitfield Hospital
Location: UPMC Whitfield Hospital
Job type: Permanent
Overview of role
The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Medical Oncology will provide expert nursing care and support to patients diagnosed with cancer undergoing systemic anti‑cancer therapy (SACT). The CNS will work closely with the patient, medical team, nursing team and multidisciplinary team members to ensure evidence‑based practice in delivering high standards of care.
Key activities include:
* Patient and family education pre and post treatment
* Serve as a clinical resource for patients undergoing medical oncology treatment (chemotherapy, infusions, immunotherapy etc.)
* 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
Roles and responsibilities are developed around five core concepts:
* Clinical focus
* Service user / client advocacy
* Education and training
* Audit and research
* Consultancy – including leadership in clinical practice
The CNS will be dynamic, enthusiastic, conscientious and passionate with strong clinical leadership and the ability to develop the role to meet evolving needs.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Professional / Clinical – Clinical Focus
The CNS will have a strong patient focus and may be divided into direct and indirect care.
Direct Care
* Provide a specialist nursing service for patients with a new cancer diagnosis
* Undertake comprehensive patient assessment – physical, psychological, social and spiritual elements using best evidence
* Use assessment outcomes to develop and implement plans of care/case management with the MDT, patient and/or carer
* Monitor and evaluate patient response to treatment and amend plan of care accordingly with MDT and patient
* Make alterations in management of patient’s condition in collaboration with MDT in line with agreed pathways, policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines (PPPGs)
* Accept appropriate referrals from MDT colleagues
* Co‑ordinate investigations, treatment therapies and patient follow‑up
* Communicate with patients, families and carers to assess needs and provide support, information, education, advice and counselling
* Collaborate with MDT across primary and secondary care to provide seamless service delivery to patient, family and/or carer
* Participate in medication reconciliation, support medical and pharmacy staff with medication reviews and management
* Identify and promote symptom management strategies and triggers, providing self‑management strategies and escalation pathways
* Manage nurse‑led clinics with MDT input
* Identify health promotion priorities for patient, family and/or carer and support self‑care in line with best evidence, providing comprehensive, easy‑to‑understand material
Indirect Care
* Participate in case review with MDT colleagues
* Use case management approach for patients with complex needs in collaboration with MDT in primary and secondary care
* Take a proactive role in formulating and providing evidence‑based PPPGs for supportive care of cancer patients
* Take a lead role in ensuring survivorship care is in line with best practice guidelines and Safer Better Healthcare Standards (HIQA, 2012)
Advocacy and Communication
* Communicate, negotiate and represent patient/family/carer values and decisions with MDT
* Support patient participation in decision making, enabling informed choice of treatment options
* Respect privacy, dignity and confidentiality of patient, family and/or carer
* Maintain and improve collaboration procedures between UPMC Ireland Services and other organisations
* Proactively challenge interactions that fail to deliver quality service
Patient/Client Advocacy
* Provide efficient, effective and high‑quality service respecting needs of each patient, family and/or carer
* Effectively manage time and caseload to meet changing service needs
* Continuously monitor service to ensure it reflects current needs and implement identified changes
* Maintain confidentiality of patient records
* Represent specialist service at local, national and international fora
* Maintain accurate records and data on all matters pertaining to planning, management, delivery and evaluation of care, ensuring compliance with HSE requirements
* Contribute to service planning as directed by ADON Medical Services
* Have working knowledge of HIQA Standards and comply with associated HSE protocols
* Support sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives for low‑carbon, efficient health service
Managerial Responsibilities
* Maintain clinical competence in patient management within cancer nursing and nursing/midwifery, keeping up to date with relevant research
* Provide patient, family and/or carer with appropriate information and supportive interventions to increase knowledge, skill and confidence
* Contribute to design, development and implementation of education programmes and resources for patient, family and/or carer in relation to diagnosis and survivorship issues, empowering self‑management
* Provide mentorship and preceptorship for nursing colleagues
* Participate in training programmes for nursing and MDT colleagues
* Create learning opportunities within MDT through journal clubs, conferences, etc.
* Address own continuing professional development needs
Education & Training
* Establish and maintain a register of patients referred to the CNS
* Maintain clinically relevant data aligned to National KPIs as directed by ADON Medical Services
* Initiate and conduct nursing and MDT audit and research projects relevant to practice
* Critically analyse, disseminate and integrate best evidence related to cancer treatment and care
* Contribute to nursing research on all aspects of survivorship care for cancer patients
* Use audit outcomes to improve service provision
* Contribute to service planning and budgeting through audit data and specialist knowledge
Audit & Research
* Collate data (KPIs/clinical targets) to provide evidence of effectiveness of CNS interventions (refer to National Council for Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery and SCAPE Report, 2010)
* Evaluate audit results and research findings to identify areas for quality improvement in collaboration with nursing management and MDT
Quality, Risk and Safety Responsibilities
* Participate and cooperate with legislative and regulatory requirements related to quality, risk and safety
* Participate in local quality, risk and safety initiatives
* Participate in internal and external evaluations of organisational structures, services and processes (including National Hygiene Audit, National Decontamination Audit, Health and Safety Audits, CHKS, DGSA, ISO and other audits)
* Initiate, support and implement quality improvement initiatives in line with local organisational standards
* Contribute to 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 on care and safety of equipment used in role of CNS
Qualifications & Experience
Professional Qualifications, experience, etc.
* Registered nurse on active Register of Nurses and Midwives (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland) or eligible to register
* Successfully completed post‑registration programme of study with QQI, NFQ Level 8 or higher relevant to Cancer Nursing or equivalent ECTS credits
* Minimum of 5 years post‑registration full‑time experience (or aggregate 5 years full‑time in Cancer Nursing)
* Evidence of career development and personal development plan
* Demonstrate continuing professional development and competence in delivering professional service in Cancer Nursing
* Ability to practice safely and effectively within scope of practice
Annual registration
* Maintain live annual registration on relevant division of the register of Nurses and Midwives (NMBI) for the role
* Confirm annual registration with NMBI to UPMC Ireland
Equal Opportunity Statement and Benefits
UPMC is an equal opportunity employer, celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Benefits include:
* Fully paid maternity and paternity leave for new parents
* Competitive pension plan, company‑funded Death in Service Benefit ×3
* Critical illness cover up to age 66
* Competitive pay and performance‑related pay and premium pay where applicable
* Enhanced annual leave up to 27 days
* Flexible working opportunities to support external family commitments
* Opportunities for career development through continued learning and advancement
Performance and Recognition
Rewards for performance that support the goals and mission of UPMC through annual ACES programme.
About UPMC
UPMC is a renowned multinational academic medical centre committed to delivering people‑focused care, close to 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 expands its expertise globally through its UPMC International division – an owned and operated network of hospitals and ambulatory care centres in Italy, Ireland and Croatia.
In Ireland UPMC has provided high‑quality healthcare in the South East since 2006. Operations 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 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.
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