Clinical Nurse Manager II - Medical Oncology - UPMC Whitfield Hospital, Waterford

Clinical Nurse Manager II - Medical Oncology - UPMC Whitfield Hospital, Waterford

Location: UPMC Whitfield Hospital
Job type: Permanent

Overview of role The Clinical Nurse Manager II for Medical Oncology Day Ward provides clinical leadership, operational oversight, and governance of a specialist service to ensure the delivery of safe, high quality, patient centred oncology and haematology day services. This role leads the nursing team in the coordination and delivery of systemic anti cancer therapies (SACT), supportive therapies, patient education, and holistic care, while promoting excellence in practice, regulatory compliance and continuous improvement. The CNM II leads a skilled nursing team, manages operational activity, and fosters a compassionate, supportive environment for patients and families. The role requires advanced clinical expertise, strong leadership, and skilled use of oncology information systems including ARIA and IPIMs to support patient management.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities Professional / Clinical Leadership and Governance

• Provide strong patient focus, adhering to nursing ethical standards and the specialty's purpose.
• Act as an expert resource in oncology and haematology nursing, ensuring safe and compliant administration of SACT and supportive therapies in accordance with NCCP, UPMC hospital protocols and best practice guidelines.
• Oversee competent and safe use of ARIA, ensuring accuracy in chemotherapy verification and documentation.
• Perform comprehensive patient assessment, toxicity management, escalation of care and emergency response.
• Maintain high standards of medication safety, documentation and infection prevention and control.
• Ensure clinical audits, risk assessments and safety initiatives are completed and actioned.
• Support the development and review of clinical policies and care pathways.

Direct Patient Care

• Provide expert nursing care to oncology and haematology patients receiving SACT, immunotherapy, blood products and supportive interventions.
• Undertake comprehensive patient assessments, including symptom evaluation.
• Perform venepuncture, IV cannulation, CVAD management and administer SACT as per protocols, ensuring patient safety and adherence to best practice.
• Manage acute clinical events including anaphylaxis, extravasation, and respond promptly to emergencies.
• Use ARIA for chemotherapy order verification, reviewing medical and nursing assessments, and documenting care.
• Monitor and evaluate the patient's response to treatment and amend the plan of care accordingly in conjunction with the MDT and patient/family/carer.
• Make alterations in patient management in collaboration with the MDT and patient in line with agreed pathways and policies.
• Co ordinate investigations, treatment therapies and patient follow up.
• Communicate with patients, family and/or carer to assess needs and provide relevant support, information and education.
• Provide psychological support and empathetic communication during times of stress, uncertainty or bad news discussions.
• Identify and promote specific symptom management strategies and triggers, providing self management strategies and escalation pathways.
• Provide patient and family education on treatment plans, medication management, and self care strategies.
• Develop and deliver educational sessions for patients, carers and staff as required.
• Uphold high standards of dignity, privacy, cultural sensitivity and patient advocacy at all times.

Indirect Patient Care

• Act as a clinical role model and expert resource for nursing staff.
• Participate in case review with MDT colleagues and senior nurse management.
• Take a proactive role in the formulation and provision of evidence based PPPGs relating to supportive care for cancer patients.
• Lead the service for patients requiring survivorship care in line with best practice guidelines and the Safer Better Healthcare Standards (HIQA, 2012).
• 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 UPMC Ireland Services and other organisations.
• Proactively challenge any interaction that fails to deliver a quality service to patients.

Managerial Responsibilities

• Act as a clinical resource for nurses, doctors and allied health professionals involved in oncology and haematology care.
• Lead the daily coordination of the unit to ensure patient flow and timely access to treatment.
• Oversee ARIA and IPIMS scheduling, treatment chair utilisation.
• Manage staff allocation, skill mix and workload distribution to match clinical demand.
• Participate in the development, implementation and updating of clinical pathways, protocols and guidelines.
• Collaborate closely with medical consultants and pharmacy to optimise scheduling.
• Maintain the clinical environment, ensuring equipment, medication and supplies are safe, functional and compliant.
• Lead and contribute to quality improvement initiatives within the oncology and haematology services.
• Provide an efficient, effective and high quality service, respecting the needs of each patient, family and/or carer.
• Represent the specialist service at local, national and international fora as required.
• Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records and data on all matters pertaining to the planning, management, delivery and evaluation of care in ARIA.
• Contribute to the service planning process as appropriate in conjunction with the CNM3 and ADON for Medical Services, supporting accreditation processes and compliance with regulatory standards.

Learning and Development

• Maintain professional competence in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics.
• Provide leadership, supervision, mentorship and performance management for the nursing team.
• Support staff competency development in oncology and haematology nursing skills, including SACT certification.
• Conduct staff engagement and development plans, identify training needs and facilitate professional development.
• Promote effective teamwork, conflict resolution and positive working culture.
• Ensure new staff are appropriately orientated, supervised and supported.
• Create exchange of learning opportunities within the MDT relating to evidence based survivorship care delivery through journal clubs, conferences, etc.

Audit & Research

• Support audit programmes and implement recommendations.
• Maintain a record of clinically relevant data aligned to National Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) as directed by the CNM3 and ADON for Medical Services.
• 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 oncology and haematology treatment and care.

Quality, Risk and Safety Responsibilities

• Evaluate audit results and research findings to identify areas for quality improvement in collaboration with nursing management and MDT colleagues.
• Lead quality improvement initiatives and service development to enhance care delivery.
• Monitor performance metrics such as patient satisfaction, incident trends and resource use.
• Ensure compliance with NCCP requirements, accreditation standards, CHKS, JCI, HIQA and UPMC Whitfield and Ireland policies.
• Foster a culture of quality, safety and continuous learning.

Qualifications & Experience

• Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
• A post registration qualification at Level 8 or higher in Cancer Nursing (or equivalent credits).
• Minimum of 5 years' post registration experience in Cancer Nursing, 2 of which should be in managerial roles.
• Evidence of career development, continuing professional education and competence in oncology nursing.
• Management or Leadership course or willingness to undertake same.
• Ability to practice safely and effectively within scope of practice.

Salary: €61,249.47 - €75,143.18 per annum based on a 37 hour week

Equal Opportunity Statement and Benefits UPMC is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Compensation - Competitive pay for the work employees do - base pay, performance related pay and premium pay where applicable.

Benefits - Fully paid maternity and paternity leave for new parents. Competitive Pension Plan, company funded Death in Service Benefit 3. Critical Illness cover for all employees up to the age of 66.

Performance and Recognition - Rewards for performance that supports the goals and mission of UPMC through our annual ACES programme.

Work Life Balance - Enhanced annual leave up to a maximum of 27 days. Flexible working opportunities to support you to work around external family commitments.

Development and Career Opportunities - Opportunities for each employee to reach their career goals through continued learning and/or advancement.

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