Clinical Nurse Specialist - Skin Cancer

Location: On site / South Dublin, Co. Dublin, Ireland
Job Type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and Subsector: Medical & Healthcare Nursing & Midwifery
Salary: 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
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