Job Title: Clinical Nurse Specialist - Skin Cancer
Job Type: Permanent
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. 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.
Qualifications/Experience
Each candidate must on the latest date for receiving completed applications:
Be registered in the General Division of the active Register held by Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland or be entitled to be so registered
Or
In exceptional circumstances which will be assessed on a case by case basis be registered in another division of the register of Nurses and Midwives.
And
Have a minimum of 1 years post registration full time experience or an aggregate of 1 years full time experience in the division of the register in which the application is being made
And
Have a minimum 1 years' experience or aggregate of 1 years full time experience in the specialist area of care to which they are applying.
Or
If the applicant does not have the relevant specialist experience, they will be supported to attain one years' clinical specialist experience
And
Have a third level qualification at not less than Level 9 or higher award that is relevant to the specialist area of care (equivalent to 60 ECTS or above), and in line with the requirements for specialist practice as set out by the National Council for Nursing and Midwifery.
Or
If the applicant does not have the relevant Level 9 qualification, the applicant will be supported to undertake the required post graduate education as relevant to the specialist area.
And
Have the clinical, managerial and administrative capacity to properly discharge the functions of the role.
Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrate evidence of continuing learning and professional development
The successful candidate will:
Maintain throughout the Hospital awareness of the primacy of the patient in relation to all Hospital activities
Ensure that nursing care is patient focused and that patient privacy and dignity are maintained at all times
Provide clinical expertise, specialist advice and support to patients across the Nursing Services.
Ensure that the provision of evidence-based nursing care is maintained.
Refer to and comply with the scope of practice framework as stated by NMBI in relation to all components of the position: Clinical Role, Patient Advocate Role, Educational Role, Consultative Role and Audit Role.
Comply with all existing Hospital policies.
The Clinical Nurse Manager/ CNS will be professionally accountable to the Director of Nursing.
Operationally report to and be accountable to the Assistant Director of Nursing.
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 multi-disciplinary team (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.
Where appropriate 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. This will include the provision of educational and health promotion material, which 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. to 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 preadmission.
Provide a specialist nursing service for skin cancer patients who require support and treatment through the continuum of care.
Possess specially focused knowledge and skills in the specialist area of nursing practice.
Undertake comprehensive patient assessment to include physical, psychological, social and spiritual elements of care using best evidence-based 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 support will be provided by the Nurse Practice Development Department.
Handle complaints by patient, members of the public and staff in accordance with the Hospital complaints procedures.
Maintain professional standards in relation to confidentiality, ethics and legislation.
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 level.
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).
Patient Advocate Role
Communicate with patients, families and friends, assess needs and provide relevant support information, education and advice.
Act as the patients 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.
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 that they are empowered to manage their condition and seek appropriate help and advice
Undertake continuing professional development through formal and informal educational opportunities thus ensuring 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 thus 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.
Participate in collaborative research projects that improve the quality of care and health outcome.
Participate in audit activities to assess and monitor the quality of care. Assist in the implementation of change based on the findings
Contribute to nursing research.
Consultative Role
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Provide leadership in clinical practice and act as a resource and role model for best practice.
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Generate and contribute to the development of clinical standards and guidelines and support implementation
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Use specialist knowledge to support and enhance generalist nursing practice
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Develop collaborative working relationships with local Clinical Nurse Specialist's/Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioners /MDT colleagues as appropriate, developing person centred care pathways to promote the integrated model of care delivery.
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With the support of the Director of Nursing, attend integrated care planning meetings as required
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Where appropriate develop and maintain relationships with specialist services which support patients in the community.
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Liaise with other health service providers in the development and on-going delivery of the National Cancer Control Programme model of care.
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Network with other Clinical Nurse Specialist in the area and in related professional associations.
Why work at the 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:
Pension
Discounted cafe
Sports 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. Please note that 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 [email protected]
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.
