Clinical Nurse Specialist Radiation Oncology - Limerick Cancer Centre

Location: Limerick Cancer Centre
Job type: Permanent

Overview of role:

We are hiring a Clinical Nurse Specialist to join our Radiation Oncology team on a permanent full-time contract. The role is responsible for the provision of quality service in line with National and International standards. As a key member of the frontline team, the CNS will provide support and specialist advice to all disciplines of staff, patients, and members of the public regarding Radiotherapy. The position requires a strategic approach to the development of services and structures, embracing continuous quality improvement and the management of changes necessary to achieve organisational objectives.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Operations:

Act as a role model through the provision of professional leadership and demonstration of best practices in Radiotherapy.
Act as a resource in providing specialist knowledge, consultancy, and expertise in collaboration with Cancer Centre Management, Radiation therapists, and all healthcare staff.
Advise on the nursing care of individual patients for Radiotherapy.
Maintain effective communication structures and interpersonal relations.
Provide education and advice to patients, relatives/carers on radiotherapy treatments.
Act as an advocate for the patients, and/or staff on issues in the prevention and control of infection.
Adhere to the Cancer Centres policies, procedures, and guidelines.
Maintain a safe working environment as set out in the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Respect confidential information obtained in the course of professional practice.
Be familiar with the UPMC Mission Statement and uphold the Philosophy and Patient Charter of UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre.
Ensure an effective learning environment for the multidisciplinary team.
Work within the code of Professional Conduct for Nurses, participation in the development of the Scope of Practice and provide strong professional leadership and direction for Infection Control nursing services.
Promote the advancement of professional knowledge and ensure its integration into practice.
Ensure that nursing care is based on the latest research findings and constitute best practice.
Encourage continuous review and evaluation of policies, guidelines and existing practices through regular audit programmes and review and uphold cancer policy.
Ensure that all records are properly and accurately maintained and disseminated to the appropriate staff.
Provide feedback by giving verbal and written reports to departmental and organisational managers.
Assist with the initial referral process by transcribing hard clinical information into the relevant sections of the ARIA Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
Partake in accreditation processes and quality processes while adhering to National and International best practice standards such as HPSC, HIQA, EPA, and JCI.
Plan, negotiate with and support staff to implement and make clinical practice changes as appropriate.
Together with Cancer Centre Management be involved in identifying opportunities for the development of services that will improve the care of patients.
Promote a patient centred culture of openness and responsiveness to positive and constructive patient feedback and ensuring patient dignity, respect and choice is maintained in their care.

Clinical:

The Radiation Oncology CNS will have a strong patient focus whereby the speciality defines itself as nursing and subscribes to the overall purpose, functions and ethical standards of nursing/midwifery.
The clinical practice role may be divided into direct and indirect care. Direct care comprises the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of care to the patient, family and/or carer. Indirect care relates to the activities that influence and support the provision of direct care.

Direct Care:

Provide a specialist nursing service for patients with a diagnosis of 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 Cancer care.
Use the outcomes of patient assessment to develop and implement plans of care 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.
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 access patient’s needs and provide relevant support, information, education, advice and counselling as required or make referrals to relevant MDT colleagues for supplementary care where 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 poly pharmacy and support medical and pharmacy staff with medication reviews and medication management.
Identify and promote specific symptom management strategies as we as the identification of triggers which may cause exacerbation of symptoms. Provide patients with appropriate self-management strategies and escalation pathways.
Participate in nurse-led 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 needs.

Indirect Care:

Identify and agree appropriate referral pathways for patients with cancer.
Participates in case review with MDT 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 pro-active role in the formulation and provision of evidence-based policies, procedures and guidelines relating to Cancer care.
Take a lead role in ensuring the service for patients with cancer is in line with best practice guidelines.
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 Service, Primary Care and Voluntary Organisations as appropriate.
Maintain clinical competence in patient management within Cancer nursing, 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 Cancer condition.
Provide mentorship and preceptorship for UPMC 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:

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 Cancer care into practice.
Contribute to nursing research on all aspects of cancer care.
Use the outcomes of audit to improve service provision.
Contribute to service planning and budgetary processes using audit data and specialist knowledge.
Monitor, access, utilise and disseminate current relevant research to advise and ensure the provision of informed evidence-based practice.
Participate in clinical audit and research activity within the field, promoting a positive attitude towards the implementation of evidence- based practice.
Undertake research/ clinical audit as necessary, critically analyse and provide written reports of the same.
Participate in local audits in preparation for annual accreditation.

KPI’s

The identification and development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which are congruent with the Hospital’s service plan targets.
The development of Action Plans to address KPI targets.
Driving and promoting a Performance Management culture.
In conjunction with line manager assist in the development of a Performance Management system for your profession.
The management and delivery of KPIs as a routine and core business objective

Consultant

Provide leadership in clinical practice and act as a resource and role model for cancer practice.
Generate and contribute to the development of clinical standards and guidelines and support implementation.
Use specialist knowledge to support and enhance generalist nursing practice.
Develop collaborative working relationships with local Cancer CNS/Registered Advance Nurse Practitioner/MDT colleagues as appropriate, developing person centred care pathways to promote the integrated of model of care delivery.
Attend integrated care planning meetings as required.
Where appropriate develop and maintain relationships with specialist services in voluntary organisations which support patients in the community.
Liaise with other health service providers in the development and the on-going delivery of care.
Network with other CNS in cancer care and in related professional associations.

Health and Safety and Quality:

To comply with UPMC Hillman Cancer Centres policy and procedures in relation to Health and Safety
Actively participate in all quality initiatives.

Standard Responsibilities

Performs in accordance with system-wide competencies/behaviours.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Lives the UPMC Values

Qualifications & Experience:

Qualifications

Be currently registered nurse/midwife on the active Register of Nurses/Midwives held by Bord Altranais (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland)
Have an Oncology Qualification from an accredited institution
Have a recognised post-registration nursing course - Higher Diploma or Post Grad course or be in pursuit of same.

Experience:

Have extensive experience and clinical expertise i.e. minimum of 4 years post registration experience in the specialist area of Cancer Care.
Have the ability to practice safely and effectively fulfilling his/her professional responsibility within his/her scope of practice.

Skills/ Competencies:

Practice in accordance with relevant legislation and with regards to The Scope of Nursing and Midwifery Practice Framework (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, 2015) and the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, 2014)

Demonstrate:

Effective communication skills.
Organisation and time management skills.
Effective analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills.
Commitment to provide a quality service.

Personal Competencies:

Team player.
Ability to practice safely and effectively fulfilling his/her professional responsibility within his/her scope of practice.

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.

At UPMC we provide a total rewards program that is not only market competitive, but fair and provides growth opportunities for all our colleagues.

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 x 3 times. 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.

About UPMC

UPMC is a renowned multinational academic medical centre committed to delivering people-focused care that’s close to home. Headquartered in Pittsburgh and affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences, UPMC shapes the future of health through clinical and technological innovation, research and education. UPMC expands its expertise globally, bringing world-class care across continents through its UPMC International division — an owned and operated network of hospitals and ambulatory care centres in Italy, Ireland and Croatia. UPMC International brings new access to the signature specialty services of UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre, UPMC Sports Medicine and others to more people in more places around the world.

In Ireland UPMC has provided high-quality healthcare in the South East since 2006. UPMC’s operations in Ireland now include UPMC Whitfield Hospital in Waterford, UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic in Dublin, UPMC Kildare Hospital in Clane, and UPMC Aut Even Hospital in Kilkenny. Outpatient care is available at the UPMC Carlow Outreach Centre, UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre radiotherapy locations in Waterford and Cork, UPMC The 4th Practice in Mallow, and across UPMC Sports Medicine Clinics in Dublin, Waterford, Limerick, Tipperary, Cork, and Mayo. UPMC has also established a nationwide Concussion Network. UPMC's Global Technology Operation Centre is based in Kilkenny.

Clinical Nurse Specialist Radiation Oncology - Limerick Cancer Centre

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