Location: On site / South Dublin, Co. Dublin, IrelandJob Type: Permanent / Full-timeSector and Subsector: Medical & Healthcare | Nursing & MidwiferySalary: Negotiable salary
Job Title: Clinical Nurse Specialist - Skin Cancer
Hours: 37.5 per week (Full-Time) or Part 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 CNS/CNM2 will interface between the patient and specialist medical team, to provide individualised care based on patient specific needs. The CNM2/CNS will provide specialist nursing knowledge, emotional support and advice for patients attending the Service and will assist in improving standards of care for patients attending the Service and will promote a seamless service within a multidisciplinary professional framework. This will be achieved through clinical practice, management, education, research and audit and professional activities within the clinical governance framework. The post holder will be able to influence patient care through development of specialist skills, knowledge and experience. The CNM2/CNS will work in collaboration with the Consultant Specialist and associated multidisciplinary team members throughout the hospital.
Responsibilities / Clinical Focus
Contribute to changes in clinical practice that will improve standards of care
Provide a specialist nursing service for patients with a diagnosis of skin cancer who require support and treatment through the continuum of care
Undertake comprehensive patient assessment to include physical, psychological, social and spiritual elements of care using best evidence-based practice in skin cancer care
Use the outcomes of patient assessment to develop and implement plans of care/case management in conjunction with the MDT and the patient, family and/or carer as appropriate
Monitor and evaluate the patient’s response to treatment and amend the plan of care accordingly in conjunction with the MDT and patient, family and/or carer as appropriate
Make alterations in the management of patient’s condition in collaboration with the MDT and the patient in line with agreed pathways and policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines (PPPG’s)
Accept appropriate referrals from MDT colleagues
Co‑ordinate investigations, treatment therapies and patient follow‑up
Communicate with patients, family and/or carer as appropriate, to assess patient’s needs and provide relevant support, information, education, advice and counselling as required
Work collaboratively with MDT colleagues across Primary and Secondary Care to provide a seamless service delivery to the patient, family and/or carer as appropriate
Participate in medication reconciliation taking cognisance of polypharmacy and support medical and pharmacy staff with medication reviews and medication management aligned to NCCP recommendations
Identify and promote specific symptom management strategies as well as the identification of triggers which may cause exacerbation of symptoms. Provide patients with appropriate self‑management strategies and escalation pathways
Manage nurse‑led skin cancer clinics with MDT input
Identify health promotion priorities for the patient, family and/or carer and support patient self‑care in line with best evidence. Provide educational and health promotion material that is comprehensive, easy to understand and meets patient’s needs
Establish and maintain clear lines of communication with all aspects of the service (e.g. attend multidisciplinary and other team meetings and case conferences as appropriate to the post)
Attend the melanoma MDT, and record outcomes on decisions made and circulate these to the relevant clinicians
Maintain a database of skin cancers treated at Blackrock Clinic
Maintain an active role in skin cancer related research and maintain an up‑to‑date knowledge base around contemporary skin cancer management
Develop and implement pre‑assessment protocols for patients in agreement with relevant consultants and ensure same is completed pre‑admission
Possess specially focused knowledge and skills in the specialist area of nursing practice
Identify and plan, with support from the Director of Nursing and Assistant Director of Nursing and Medical Lead, the development requirements for the Service
Provide leadership in the Blackrock Clinic Skin Cancer Service
Responsible for ensuring confidentiality and safe keeping of records
Ensure that all procedures are in accordance with established Hospital procedures and assist with operational guidelines and policies for this service, which will be evidence based and supported by the Nurse Practice Development Department
Handle complaints by patient, members of the public and staff in accordance with the Hospital complaints procedures
Facilitate the arrangements necessary and participate, when necessary, in education and training of other hospital staff as the need arises. This includes students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels
Be knowledgeable in the structure of handling of all equipment used in the unit
Communicate with patients and with relatives as required. Be available for any telephone enquiries from patients with concerns. Counselling skills are essential
Identify and agree appropriate referral pathways for patients requiring surgical, plastics/oncology and/or radiotherapy care
Participate in case review with MDT including dermatology, plastics, pathology and oncology colleagues
Use a case management approach to patients with complex needs 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 skin cancer care
Take a lead role in ensuring the service for patients with a skin cancer diagnosis is in line with best practice guidelines and the Safer Better Healthcare Standards (HIQA, 2024)
Communicate with patients, families and friends, assess needs and provide relevant support information, education and advice
Act as the patient’s advocate when necessary, especially in an informed discussion to promote the patient’s participation in decision making, thereby enabling informed choice of treatment options
Foster good nurse/patient relationships through the provision of holistic Nursing care and support for each patient
Demonstrate an awareness of ethical awareness and social issues on an individual patient basis
Promote an awareness of the primacy of the patient in relation to all Hospital activities. Ensuring the provision of a high standard of care to the patient and families is consistent with the mission, vision, values and strategic plan of the Hospital
Communicate with the relevant team’s regarding the patient’s condition and relaying information and changes in Doctor Orders
Qualifications / Experience
Registered in the General Division of the active Register held by Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland or entitled to be so registered
In exceptional circumstances may be registered in another division of the register of Nurses and Midwives (assessed case by case)
Minimum of 1 year post registration full‑time experience, or an aggregate of 1 year full‑time experience in the division of the register in which the application is being made
Minimum 1 year experience, or aggregate of 1 year full‑time experience in the specialist area of care to which they are applying
If the applicant does not have the relevant specialist experience, will be supported to attain one year’s clinical specialist experience
Third level qualification at not less than Level 9 (equivalent to 60 ECTS or above), relevant to the specialist area of care, in line with the requirements for specialist practice set out by the National Council for Nursing and Midwifery
If the applicant does not have the relevant Level 9 qualification, will be supported to undertake the required postgraduate education as relevant to the specialist area
Clinical, managerial and administrative capacity to properly discharge the functions of the role
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Demonstrate evidence of continuing learning and professional development
Educational Role
Act as a resource and support to nursing staff caring for patients attending the service
Participate in the educational provision of information for patients and their families so they are empowered to manage their condition and seek appropriate help and advice
Undertake continuing professional development through formal and informal educational opportunities to ensure continued credibility amongst nursing, medical and other professionals
Participate in relevant committees at an organisational level and also at a national level when possible
Supervise and assess student nurses / student midwives and foster a clinical learning environment
Participate in the development and review of clinic protocols and information leaflets
Provide the patient, family and/or carer with appropriate information and other supportive interventions to increase their knowledge, skill and confidence in managing their condition
Contribute to the design, development and implementation of education programmes and resources for the patient, family and/or carer in relation to their care, empowering them to self‑manage their condition
Provide mentorship and preceptorship for nursing colleagues as appropriate
Participate in training programmes for nursing, MDT colleagues and key stakeholders as appropriate
Be responsible for addressing own continuing professional development needs
Audit & Research Role
Establish and maintain a register of patients needs within Clinical Nurse Specialist caseload
Maintain a record of clinically relevant data aligned to National Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) as directed and advised by the Director of Nursing
Participate in collaborative research projects that improve the quality of care and health outcomes for patients
Participate in audit activities to assess and monitor the quality of care; assist in the implementation of change based on the findings
Audit own caseload and participate in the annual evaluation feedback results
Provide patient satisfaction data, quality of life data and patient flow data (e.g. ED avoidance)
Provide data on numbers attending service, patient outcomes, OPD attendance and clinic data attendance
Attendance and active participation at National and International Meetings and workshops
Contribute to nursing research
Consultative Role
Provide leadership in clinical practice and act as a resource and role model for best practice
Generate and contribute to the development of clinical standards and guidelines and support implementation
Use specialist knowledge to support and enhance generalist nursing practice
Develop collaborative working relationships with local Clinical Nurse Specialists/Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioners/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 which support patients in the community
Liaise with other health service providers in the development and on‑going delivery of the National Cancer Control Programme model of care
Network with other Clinical Nurse Specialists in the area and in related professional associations
Benefits
Sports and Social club
Employee Assistance Programme
Discounted onsite pharmacy
Equal Opportunities: 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 HR@blackrockhealth.com.
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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