Clinical Nurse Specialist

Purpose of the Post

The CNS in Dermatology will contribute to the improvement of the health care experience and outcomes for patients attending dermatology services through delivering care in accordance with the five core concepts of the CNS role as detailed in the Framework for the Establishment of Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialist Post 4th Edition.- National Council for the professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery (NCNM, 2008).

Caseload:

• To provide expert and timely care to patients identified as requiring management for a dermatological condition with specific responsibility for developing and managing phototherapy services in Letterkenny University Hospital.

• To help develop a seamless patient centred dermatology service across the Hospital Group that improves outcomes for patients.

• To evaluate the quality of the service provided through ongoing clinical audit, policy development and patient focused research.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The post holder’s practice is based on the five core concepts of the CNS role:

pts are:

• Clinical Focus

• Patient/Client Advocate

• Education and Training

• Audit and Research

• Consultant

Clinical Focus

The CNS Dermatology will have a strong patient focus whereby the speciality defines itself as nursing and subscribes to the overall purpose, function and ethical standards of nursing practice. Direct Care comprises the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of care to the patient, family and/or carer. Indirect care relates to activities that influence and support the provision of direct care.

Direct Care

The CNS in Dermatology will:

• Manage a caseload of patients with dermatology conditions – The patient caseload will be referred to the CNS through agreed pathways and include the following.

o Patients presenting with a wide range of dermatology conditions will form part of the CNS caseload.

o Caring for patients who require Phototherapy treatment will be a specific responsibility of the CNS

• Articulate and demonstrate the concept of Dermatology nursing specialist practice within the framework of Nursing legislation and the regulatory body of NMBI.

• Articulate and demonstrate knowledge in relation to developing and maintaining nurse led services for patients attending the dermatology service.

• Provide safe, comprehensive care for patients and their families within the scope of practice guidelines set out by NMBI.

• Plan and initiate care and treatment modalities within agreed interdisciplinary protocols to achieve patient centred outcomes and evaluate their effectiveness, for example contribute to the establishment of specific pathways of care for Phototherapy with key stakeholders.

• Utilize evidence based assessment and treatment skills and techniques to determine and manage each patient/family needs.

• Develop, document and update patient care, discharge and teaching plans as necessary.

• Complete and maintain relevant documentation in accordance with policies and procedures to ensure safe practice.

• Plan and deliver all care in collaboration with the patient. Assess, Plan Implement and evaluate changes in health care service in response to patient need and service demand

• Liaise as appropriate with other members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) regarding any aspect of patient care

• Identify and implement health promotion priorities in the area of dermatology specialist nursing practice

• Maintain effective and appropriate communication and collaboration with other departments, members of the multidisciplinary team, other agencies, colleagues, personnel, patients and their relatives/carers.

Indirect Care

The CNS Dermatology will

• Identify and agree appropriate referral pathways for patients in collaboration with appropriate stakeholders to included: nursing, clinicians and MDT where appropriate.

• Participate in case review with MDT colleagues.

• Use a case management approach when caring for patients with dermatology conditions, , liaising with primary and secondary care as appropriate.

• Take a proactive role in the formulation and provision of evidenced based PPPGs relating to patient care.

• In collaboration with colleagues contribute to safe care and ensure that patients with a dermatology condition is in line with best practice guidelines and the relevant regulatory and statutory bodies for example HIQA, NMBI, DOH.

Patient/client advocate

The CNS in Dermatology will:

• Enable patients and their families/guardians to participate in decision about their health needs.

• Articulate and represent patient interests in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.

• Implement changes in healthcare in response to patient need and service demand

• Influence practice and promote improved/new standards of care in relation to patients with a dermatological condition.

• Respect the dignity and confidentiality of patients, serving as their advocate when necessary.

Education and Training:

The CNS in Dermatology will:

• Provide specialist information and education to patients and their families with regard to improving their understanding, coping and effective management of their condition

• Provide both formal and informal teaching to a number of people; patients/clients, families, health care providers, including student and trained nurses, and care assistants. Take part in in-house multidisciplinary presentations and teaching to staff in the various acute hospitals and community

• Be self-directed in learning to ensure individual (CNS) continued professional development (CPD)Identify own Continuing Professional Development (CPD) needs and engage accordingly with appropriate peer and MDT colleagues.

• Identify areas where scope of practice can be advanced, liaise with DON/ADON and MDT. Establish appropriate pathways of care supported by evidence.

• Maintain clinical and professional competence in all aspect of CNS practice ensuring evidence based care is delivered.

• Develop and maintain links with Regional Centres for Nursing and Midwifery Education and HEI where appropriate in relation to Dermatology care and wider related practice.

• Create exchange of learning opportunities within the MDT in relation to evidence based dermatology care through all relevant areas for example; journal clubs, conference and presentation.

• Build networks with colleagues regionally and nationally in relation to progressing Dermatology nursing care.

Audit and Research

The CNS in Dermatology will:

• Identify, critically analyze, disseminate and integrate nursing and other evidence into the management of Dermatology conditions.

• Maintain a record of clinically relevant data aligned to National Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) as directed and advised by DON/ADON.

• 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.

o

• Establish, implement and evaluate audit programmes of the service, the quality of care and the CNS current practice, in line with local and regional developments, to include monitoring and health promotion programmes as relevant.

• Contribute to service planning and budgetary processes through use of audit data and specialist knowledge ultimately striving to enhance service delivery.

• Review PPPGs in relation to the dermatology service to ensure they are continually updated in line with best practice evidence

• Monitor, access, utilize and disseminate current relevant research to advise and ensure the provision of informed evidence based practice in the management of dermatology conditions.

• Develop and promote research awareness among all staff in relation to Dermatology conditions.

Consultant

The CNS will:

• Provide leadership in clinical practice relating to the management of diseases of the skin and act as a role model to nursing colleagues/MDT who work in the acute services or in the community in relation to CNS role.

• Network with other CNSs in Dermatology and other associations to enable learning and sharing.

• Uses specialist knowledge to support and enhance generalist nursing practice

• Liaise with multi-disciplinary team within the acute Hospitals and Community based to create a seamless service

• Contribute to nursing quality assurance by assisting in identification of recurring nursing problems and data collection.

Health and Safety

The CNS will:

• Contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.

• Have a working knowledge of HIQA Standards as they apply to the role, for example Standards for Healthcare, Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards, and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards

Management

The CNS will:

• Provide and efficient, effective, and high quality service, respecting the needs of each patient.

• Effectively manage time and caseload in order to meet the needs of a changing and developing service

• Continually monitor the service to ensure it reflects current needs

• Implement and manage identified changes

• Ensure that confidentially in relation to patient records is maintained

• Maintain accurate and up to date statistics of the service provided, including audit of patient contacts

• Represent the specialist service at local and national levels as required

• Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records / data on matters pertaining to the planning, management, delivery and evaluation of the service in line with HSE requirements.

This job description is intended to give an indication of the role of the Clinical Nurse Specialist in Dermatology. It is not an exhaustive list and is subject to change in response to the changing needs of service. It will be reviewed with the post holder

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING GENERAL CONDITIONS:

• Employees must attend fire lectures periodically and must observe fire orders.

• All accidents within the Department must be reported immediately.

• Infection Control Policies must be adhered to.

• In line with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 all staff must comply with all safety regulations and audits.

• In line with the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2004, smoking within the Hospital Building is not permitted.

• Hospital uniform code must be adhered to.

• Provide information that meets the need of Senior Management.

Risk Management, Infection Control, Hygiene Services and Health & Safety

• The management of Risk, Infection Control, Hygiene Services and Health & Safety is the responsibility of everyone and will be achieved within a progressive, honest and open environment.

• The post holder must be familiar with the necessary education, training and support to enable them to meet this responsibility.

• The post holder has a duty to familiarise themselves with the relevant Organisational Policies, Procedures & Standards and attend training as appropriate in the following areas:

o Continuous Quality Improvement Initiatives

o Document Control Information Management Systems

o Risk Management Strategy and Policies

o Hygiene Related Policies, Procedures and Standards

o Decontamination Code of Practice

o Infection Control Policies

o Safety Statement, Health & Safety Policies and Fire Procedure

o Data Protection and confidentiality Policies

• The post holder is responsible for ensuring that they become familiar with the requirements stated within the Risk Management Strategy and that they comply with the Hospitals Risk Management Incident/Near miss reporting Policies and Procedures.

• The post holder is responsible for ensuring that they comply with hygiene services requirements in your area of responsibility. Hygiene Services incorporates environment and facilities, hand hygiene, catering, cleaning, the management of laundry, waste, sharps and equipment.

• The post holder must foster and support a quality improvement culture through-out your area of responsibility in relation to hygiene services.

• It is the post holders’ specific responsibility for Quality & Risk Management, Hygiene Services and Health & Safety will be clarified to you in the induction process and by your line manager.

• The post holder must take reasonable care for his or her own actions and the effect that these may have upon the safety of others.

• The post holder must cooperate with management, attend Health & Safety related training and not undertake any task for which they have not been authorised and adequately trained.

• The post holder is required to bring to the attention of a responsible person any perceived shortcoming in our safety arrangements or any defects in work equipment.

• It is the responsibility of the post holder to be aware of and comply with the HSE Health Care Records Management / Integrated Discharge Planning (HCRM / IDP) Code of Practice.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

****** Please Note CV’s will not be accepted for this campaign ******

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