Clinical Nurse Specialist Medical Oncology - UPMC Whitfield Hospital

Location: UPMC Whitfield HospitalJob type: PermanentOverview Of Role: The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Medical Oncology will provide expert nursing care and support to patients diagnosed with cancer, undergoing systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT). The CNS Medical Oncology will work closely with the patient, patient's medical team, nursing team, multidisciplinary team members to ensure evidence - based practice in delivering high standards of care in all areas of patient care. This will include, but is not limited to:Patient and family education pre and post treatmentServe as a clinical resource in relation to care of the patient undergoing medical oncology treatment (chemotherapy, infusions, immunotherapy etc.)Maintain a clinical database of patients and their treatment and outcomes (survivorship)Document all procedures, evaluations, treatments, outcomes, education and referrals consistent with Hospital policy and national / international standardsParticipate in follow up clinics / phone calls as requiredRoles and responsibilities are developed around five core concepts which include:Clinical focusService user / client advocacyEducation and Training Audit and ResearchConsultancy - including leadership in clinical practice The CNS Medical Oncology will be dynamic, enthusiastic, conscientious and passionate with strong clinical leadership and the ability to develop the role to meet the evolving needs of the Medical Oncology patient. The CNS will be responsible for acting as a point of contact for patients in the out-patient setting, providing a telephone triage hotline service using a validated assessment tool (UKONS), undertaking detailed patient assessments and actively participate in planning and performingPrimary Duties And Responsibilities:Professional /ClinicalClinical FocusThe Clinical Nurse Specialist CNS will have a strong patient focuswhereby the specialty defines itself as nursing and subscribes to the overallpurpose, functions and ethical standards of nursing. The clinical practice rolemay be divided into direct and indirect care.Direct Care CNS :The CNS will:Provide a specialist nursing service for patients with a new diagnosisof cancer.Undertake comprehensive patient assessment to include physical,psychological, social and spiritual elements of care using best evidence basedpractice.Use the outcomes of patient assessment to develop and implement plans ofcare/case management in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) andthe patient, family and/or carer as appropriate.Monitor and evaluate the patient's response to treatment and amend the planof care accordingly in conjunction with the MDT and patient, family and/orcarer as appropriate.Make alterations in the management of patient's condition in collaborationwith the MDT and the patient in line with agreed pathways and policies,procedures, protocols and guidelines (PPPG's).Accept appropriate referrals from MDT colleaguesCo-ordinate investigations, treatment therapies and patient follow-up Communicate with patients, family and /or carer as appropriate, to assesspatient's needs and provide relevant support, information, education, adviceand counselling as requiredWhere appropriate work collaboratively with MDT colleagues across Primary andSecondary Care to provide a seamless service delivery to the patient, familyand/or carer as appropriateParticipate in medication reconciliation taking cognisance of poly-pharmacyand support medical and pharmacy staff with medication reviews and medicationmanagementIdentify and promote specific symptom management strategies as well as theidentification of triggers which may cause exacerbation of symptoms. Providepatients with appropriate self-management strategies and escalation pathways.Manage nurse lead clinics with MDT input.Identify health promotion priorities for the patient, family and/or carer andsupport patient self-care in line with best evidence. This will include theprovision of educational and health promotion material which is comprehensive,easy to understand and meets patient's needs.Indirect CareThe CNS Will:Participate in case review with MDT colleaguesUse a case management approach to patients with complex needs incollaboration with MDT in both Primary and Secondary Care as appropriate.Take a proactive role in the formulation and provision of evidence basedPPPGs relating to supportive care for cancer patients.Take a lead role in ensuring the service for patients who requiresurvivorship care is in line with best practice guidelines and the Safer BetterHealthcare Standards (HIQA, 2012)The CNS Will:Communicate, negotiate and represent patient's family and/or carervalues and decisions in relation to their condition in collaboration with MDTcolleagues as appropriateDevelop and support the concept of advocacy, particularly in relation topatient participation in decision making, thereby enabling informed choice oftreatment optionsRespect and maintain the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of the patient,family and/or carerEstablish, maintain and improve procedures for collaboration and cooperationbetween UPMC Ireland Services and other organisations as appropriateProactively challenge any interaction which fails to deliver a qualityservice to patientsPatient/Client AdvocateThe CNS Will:Provide an efficient, effective and high quality service, respecting theneeds of each patient, family and/or carer.Effectively manage time and caseload in order to meet changing and developingservice needs.Continually monitor the service to ensure it reflects current needs.Implement and manage identified changes.Ensure that confidentiality in relation to patient records is maintained. Represent the specialist service at local, national and international fora asrequired.Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records and data on all matterspertaining to the planning, management, delivery and evaluation of care andensure that this service is in line with HSE requirements.Contribute to the service planning process as appropriate and as directed bythe ADON Medical Services.Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority(HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards forHealthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of HealthcareAssociated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc. and comply with associated HSEprotocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate tothe role.To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water andwaste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient healthservice.Managerial ResponsibilitiesThe CNS will:Maintain clinical competence in patient management within cancer nursing andnursing/midwifery, keeping up-to-date with relevant research to ensure theimplementation of evidence based practice.Provide the patient, family and/or carer with appropriate information andother supportive interventions to increase their knowledge, skill andconfidence in managing their condition.Contribute to the design, development and implementation of educationprogrammes and resources for the patient, family and/or carer in relation todiagnosis and survivorship issues thus empowering them to self-manage theircondition.Provide mentorship and preceptorship for nursing colleagues as appropriate.Participate in training programmes for nursing and MDT colleagues asappropriateCreate exchange of learning opportunities within the MDT in relation toevidence based survivorship care delivery through journal clubs, conferencesetc.Be responsible for addressing own continuing professional development needs.Education & TrainingThe CNS Will:Establish and maintain a register of patients referred to the CNS.Maintain a record of clinically relevant data aligned to National KeyPerformance Indicators (KPI's) as directed and advised by the ADON MedicalServices.Identify, initiate and conduct nursing and MDT audit and research projectsrelevant to the area of practice.Identify, critically analyse, disseminate and integrate best evidencerelating to Cancer treatment and care.Contribute to nursing research on all aspects of survivorship care for cancerpatients.Use the outcomes of audit to improve service provision.Contribute to service planning and budgetary processes through use of auditdata and specialist knowledgeAudit & Research:Audit expected outcomes including:Collate data (agreed KPIs/clinical targets as per the National Cancer ControlProgrammes Guidelines), which will provide evidence of the effectiveness of CNSinterventions undertaken 3 or 4 - Refer to the National Council for theProfessional Development of Nursing and Midwifery final report - Evaluation ofClinical Nurse and Midwife Specialist and Advanced Nurse and MidwifePractitioner roles in Ireland (SCAPE Report, 2010) and refer to the NationalKPIs associated with the speciality. They should have a clinical nursing focusas well as a breakdown of activity - patients seen and treated.Evaluate audit results and research findings to identify areas for qualityimprovement in collaboration with nursing management and MDT colleagues.Quality, Risk And Safety Responsibilities:Itis the responsibility of all staff to:Participate and cooperate with legislative and regulatory requirements withregard to quality, risk and safetyParticipate and cooperate with local quality, risk and safety initiatives asrequiredParticipate and cooperate with internal and external evaluations of theorganisation's structures, services and processes as required, including butnot limited to, The National Hygiene Audit, National Decontamination Audit,Health and Safety Audits, CHKS, DGSA, ISO and other audits specified byregulatory authoritiesInitiate, support and implement quality improvement initiatives in their areawhich are in keeping with local organisational quality, risk and safetyrequirementsContribute to the development of PPPGs and safe professional practice andadhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standardsComply with UPMC Ireland Complaints PolicyEnsure completion of incident/near miss forms and clinical risk reportingAdhere to department policies in relation to the care and safety of anyequipment supplied and used to carry out the responsibilities of the role ofCNS.It is the responsibility of all staff to ensure compliance with localorganisational hygiene standards, guidelines and practices.Qualifications & Experience:Candidates must have at the latestdate of application: - Professional Qualifications,experience etc. I) Be a registered nurse on theactive Register of Nurses and Midwives held by An Bord Altranais agus Cnimhseachaisna hireann (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland) or be eligible to be soregisteredAndII) Have successfully completed apost registration programme of study, ascertified by the education provider,which verifies that the applicant hasAchieved a Quality And QualificationsIreland (QQI), National Framework OfQualifications (NFQ) major academicLevel 8 or higher relevant in CancerNursing.OrCan provide written evidence fromhigher education institute that they haveachieved the number of ECTS creditsequivalent to a Level 8 or higherstandard, relevant to the specialistarea prior applicationAndIII) Have a minimum of 5 years postregistration full time experience or anaggregate of 5 years full time inCancer Nursing.AndIV) Evidence of career developmentand personal development planAnd Demonstrate evidence of continuingprofessional development andcompetence in delivering aprofessional service in Cancer Nursing Have the ability to practicesafely and effectively fulfilling his/her professional responsibility withinhis/her scope of practice Annual registration Practitioners must maintain liveannual registration on the appropriate/relevantDivision of the register of Nursesand Midwives maintained by the Nursing andMidwifery Board of Ireland (BordAltranais agus Cnimhseachais na hireann) for the roleAnd(ii) Confirm annual registration with NMBI to UPMC Ireland.EqualOpportunity Statement And Benefits UPMC is an equal opportunity celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environmentfor all employees.At UPMC we provide a total rewards programthat is not only market competitive, but fair and provides growth opportunitiesfor all our colleagues.Compensation - Competitive pay for the work employees do - base pay, performance related payand premium pay where applicable.Benefits -Fully paid maternity and paternity leave for new parents. Competitive PensionPlan, company funded Death in Service Benefit x 3 times. Critical Illness coverfor all employees up to the age of 66.Performance and Recognition - Rewards for performance that supports the goals and mission ofUPMC through our annual ACES programme.Work-Life Balance - Enhanced annual leave up to a maximum of 27 days. Flexibleworking opportunities to support you to work around external familycommitments.Developmentand Career Opportunities - Opportunities for each employee to reachtheir career goals through continued learning and/or advancement.AboutUPMC UPMC is a renowned multinational academic medicalcentre committed to delivering people-focused care that's close to in Pittsburgh and affiliated with the University of PittsburghSchools of the Health Sciences, UPMC shapes the future of health throughclinical and technological innovation, research and expands its expertise globally, bringing world-class care acrosscontinents through its UPMC International division - an owned and operatednetwork of hospitals and ambulatory care centres in Italy, Ireland andCroatia. UPMC International brings new access to the signature specialtyservices of UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre, UPMC Sports Medicine and others tomore people in more places around the world.In Ireland UPMC has provided high-quality healthcare in the South East since2006. UPMC's operations in Ireland now include UPMC Whitfield Hospital inWaterford, UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic in Dublin, UPMC Kildare Hospital inClane, and UPMC Aut Even Hospital in Kilkenny. Outpatient care is available atthe UPMC Carlow Outreach Centre, UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre radiotherapylocations in Waterford and Cork, UPMC The 4th Practice in Mallow, and acrossUPMC Sports Medicine Clinics in Dublin, Waterford, Limerick, Tipperary, Cork, andMayo. UPMC has also established a nationwide Concussion Network. UPMC'sGlobal Technology Operation Centre is based in Kilkenny.To be considered for this role you will be redirected to and must complete the application process on our careers page. 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