Clinical Nurse Specialist - Oncology/ Hematology

Clinical Nurse Specialist - Oncology/ Hematology Blackrock Health Galway Clinic Location: On site / Galway, Ireland
job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Medical & Healthcare Clinical
Salary: Competitive salary

Clinical Nurse Specialist - Oncology/ Hematology

The above vacancy has arisen within Nursing department due to the expansion in service (additional role)

This role is on a permanent, full-time basis working 37.5 hours per week.

Professional Responsibilities:

The role:

Asafe quality service is the foundation on which haematology/oncology care is provided to patients in Blackrock Health Group Galway Clinic. Multidisciplinary Team participation, with CNS leadership is an integral part of the patient care process. A nurse-led care approach is central to service delivery in a person-centered care environment.

Under the direction of the Line Manager the post holder will:

Practice nursing according to:

(a) The professional code as laid down by the registration body

(b) The policies and procedures as laid down by Blackrock Health Galway Clinic.

• Support the philosophy, objectives and goals of the Nursing Department
• Follow appropriate lines of authority within the Nurse Management structure
• Participate as a team member in all aspects of patient care
• Demonstrate a high degree of motivation and assume responsibility for professional self -development
• Recognize the importance of good interpersonal relationship with patient, visitors and staff
• Demonstrate flexibility by assisting in other areas of the hospital as required

Direct Care

Clinical Nurse Specialist (Haematology) will:

• Provide a specialist nursing service for patients who require support and treatment through the continuum of care, demonstrating specialist knowledge of and clinical expertise in the delivery of patient care.
• Undertake a comprehensive patient assessment to include physical, psychological, social and spiritual elements of care using best evidenced based care in the specialist area of nursing practice.
• Use the outcomes of patient assessment to develop, coordinate and implement plan of care and treatment in conjunction with clinical team, the patient and family as appropriate. Attend multidisciplinary team meetings, ward rounds etc.as required.
• Contribute to and support the use of patient review through the use of virtual technology/telephone nurse led review. Provide a point of telephone contact for patient experiencing disease/treatment related symptoms and assess patients using the UKONS telephone triage system.
• Actively participate in planning and carrying out of unscheduled review of patients presenting unwell to the Haematology services with disease/treatment related side effects and escalating in line with local care pathways.
• Provide support to the family/ significant other, through listening, problem solving and education. 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 in relation to management of disease and treatment related side effects.
• Assess patients regarding their need for referral to specialist cancer services. Report such patient need promptly to the consultant/ clinical leader and discuss referral.
• Foster good working relationships with all members of the clinical team, which are both professional and supportive.
• 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.
• 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.
• Maintain accurate clinical records complying with legislation and best practice.
• Demonstrate leadership ability and good communication skills in all aspects of the CNS role and responsibilities.
• 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.

Indirect Care

Clinical Nurse Specialist (Haematology) will:

• Identify contribute to, agree and develop appropriate referral pathways for Haematology patients who are experiencing a disease or treatment related complication in collaboration with the Team.
• Participate in case review with MDT colleagues.
• Use a person-centred 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 care. Be actively involved in the preparation and implementation of policies and nursing guidelines in relation to the management of care to the Haematology patients.
• Take a lead role in ensuring the service for patients with a haematology condition is in line with best practice guidelines and the Safer Better Healthcare Standards (HIQA, 2012).
• Collaborate with other health care professionals to ensure all hospital policies and procedures are adhered to.

Clinical Nurse Specialist (Haematology) will:

• Communicate, negotiate and represent patient's family and/or carer values and decisions in relation to their condition in collaboration with MDT colleagues in both Primary and Secondary Care as appropriate.
• Develop and support the concept of advocacy, particularly in relation to patient participation in decision making, thereby enabling informed choice of treatment options.
• Respect and maintain the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of the patient, family and/or carer.

Establish, maintain and improve procedures for collaboration and cooperation between Acute Services, Primary Care and Voluntary Organisations as appropriate.

• Proactively challenge any interaction which fails to deliver a quality service to patients.

Education & Training

Clinical Nurse Specialist (Haematology) will:

• Maintain clinical competence in patient management within haematology nursing/midwifery, keeping up to date with relevant research to ensure the implementation of evidence-based practice.
• Maintain clinical competence in patient management within haematology nursing/midwifery, keeping up to date with relevant research to ensure the implementation of evidence based practice.
• Provide the patient, family and/or carer with appropriate information and other supportive interventions to increase their knowledge, skill and confidence in managing their haematology condition.
• Contribute to the design, development and implementation of education programmes and resources for the patient, family and/or carer in relation to haematology care thus empowering them to self-manage their condition.
• Provide mentorship and preceptorship for nursing colleagues as appropriate.
• Participate in training programmes for nursing/midwifery, MDT colleagues and key stakeholders as appropriate.Create exchange of learning opportunities within the MDT in relation to evidence based haematology care delivery through journal clubs, conferences, etc.
• Develop and maintain links with Regional Centres for Nursing & 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 educational programmes in haematology care.
• Be responsible for addressing own continuing professional development needs.

Audit & Research

Clinical Nurse Specialist (Haematology) will:

• Establish and maintain a register of patients with haematology conditions within Clinical Nurse Specialist (Haematology) Caseload.
• Maintain a record of clinically relevant data aligned to National Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) as directed and advised by the DON.
• Identify, initiate and conduct nursing and MDT audit and research projects relevant to the area of practice.
• Identify, critically analyse, disseminate and integrate best evidence relating to transferring haematology care into practice.
• Contribute to nursing research on all aspects of haematology care.
• Use the outcomes of audit to improve service provision.
• 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 practice.

Audit expected outcomes include:

• Collate data which will provide evidence of the effectiveness of Clinical Nurse Specialist (Haematology) interventions undertaken - 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 . click apply for full job details