Position Summary

The Theatre Complex in Beaumont is defined as the following:
Operating complex in Beaumont Hospital, Operating complex at St Joseph’s Hospital Raheny, Minor Day Theatre & Procedure Rooms at St Joseph’s hospital, and all associated services and staff to ensure the efficient and safe delivery of Operating and Procedural Services.

Purpose of the Post
The purpose of this Clinical Nurse Specialist (Robotics) post is to:
Deliver care in line with the five core concepts of the role set out in the Framework for the Establishment of Clinical Nurse Specialist Posts, 4th edition, National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery (NCNM) 2008. The successful candidate will work as a key member of the multidisciplinary team providing a patient / client centred quality service to patients / clients and this specialist practice will encompass a major clinical focus which comprises assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of care given to patients / clients and their families. Caseload The Clinical Nurse Specialist (Robotics) will focus on the following patient / client groups: Urology/ Upper Gastro Intestinal & Colorectal Surgeries.

Job Summary

• The post holder will ensure that professional & national standards are met and will act as a positive role model to junior team members following the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland Code of Professional Conduct (2021).
• To acquire and maintain current knowledge on best practice within robotic surgery, improve the overall surgical flow and management of unanticipated circumstances in order to maintain high quality care and patient safety.
• To maintain a high standard of documentation in accordance with their relevant professional body for Record Keeping.
• To be responsible for planning, implementing and assessing care for a defined caseload as a named Lead
• To assist in the leadership and development of an identified group of practitioners.
• Maintain a personal, professional profile, identifying role and skill developments.
• Assist in developing, implementing and updating policies, guidelines and protocols with members of the multi-disciplinary team.
• To ensure effective and cost effective management of all theatre resources (both human and material).
• To take responsibility for the cleanliness of their theatre environment and equipment at all times.
• Liaise and cooperate with the wards, other departments and personnel in the hospital.
• Maintain the health and safety and well-being of patients, their relatives, visitors and colleagues, in accordance with the hospital’s Health & Safety Policies.
• To assist in maintaining and raising the clinical standard of care through the process of audit, and as a result implement changes in best practice.
• To attend daily handover and monthly departmental meetings

Role Specific:
To develop and lead the robotic surgical team to achieve excellence

• To be responsible for all surgical cases regarding robotics, set up of the robot , running it, solving problems that arise and handle emergency situations
• Create a standardized training process for the robotic team, ensure completion of competencies for all team members, set up educational days for the team
• Responsible for the robotic equipment and supplies
• Coordinate with admissions the scheduling of robotic cases/scheduling of robotic procedure within the various specialities within the operating theatre department.
• Ensure that robotic skills are kept up to date and to provide high quality patient care within the operating theatre
• Ability to function as a circulating or scrub nurse in the robotic theatre
• Responsible for the tracking of the ‘robotic instruments life’ (the number of times the instrument can be used)
• To prevent user error and rapidly recognize device failure. Ability to trouble shoot the system
• Ensure that all robotic instruments are cleaned as per manufacturer’s instructions on the sterile field
• Demonstrate proficiency in basic computer software applications
• Data collection, analysing trends and outcomes and identifying safety concerns
• Create a highly efficient and knowledgeable urological theatre team
• Responsible for maintaining all urological preference cards and ensuring that they are updated
• Handover and transfer responsibility of care to colleagues, ensuring appropriate information and care is relayed.
• Ensure that the privacy and dignity of patients whilst in theatre is upheld at all times
• Ensure that the “Five Steps to Safer Surgery” initiative including the WHO Surgical Safety checklists are performed and adhered to.
• Responsible for the management, security, control and administration of drugs as prescribed, adhering to local and national policies.
• Ensure that all specimens are correctly labelled and dispatched to the correct laboratory.
• Help to control cross infection by observing departmental policy regarding dress, the maintenance of a clean working environment, decontamination and sterilization procedures and asepsis.
• To ensure that all equipment is cleaned, checked daily and maintained, and to take appropriate action with the quarantining and reporting of faulty equipment.
• Proactively participates in the capturing of revenue, ensuring that the theatre team completes verification processes in a timely and accurate manner.
• To liaise with consultants and the Theatre Manager on the selection & requirements of equipment and supplies needed to keep up with current trends in surgical, pre and post-surgical/anaesthetic/recovery practice (Consultant Preference Cards).
• To ensure that stock levels of consumables, instruments and equipment are kept at an appropriate level and are rotated and stored safely.
• To participate in the induction and orientation of new staff members in relation to robotic surgery.
• To assist the Theatre Manager in managing the performance of staff through the appraisal process pertaining to Robotic surgery.
• Assist the Theatre Coordinator in ensuring that staff receive their mandatory training
• To assess, supervise and teach junior members of staff.
• To deal with enquiries, concerns and complaints from patients and visitors in a courteous, timely and relevant manner, informing a senior member of staff when appropriate actions have been taken, or when necessary referring an enquiry to a more appropriate member of staff/management team.
• Participate in the robust reporting of incidents and comply with any ensuing investigations.
• Develop robust systems of Audit within the robotic service.
• In conjunction with the Theatre Manager assist in the investigation of complaints and provide written reports, including recommendations on required actions as appropriate.
• Develop care pathways in conjunction with the clinical team for pre, intra and post-operative care and interventions as required.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities
The post holder’s practice is based on the five core concepts of Clinical Nurse Specialist (Robotics) role as defined by the NCNM 4th edition (2008) in order to fulfil the role. The concepts are:

• Clinical Focus
• Patient/Client Advocate
• Education and Training
• Audit and Research
• Consultant

Clinical Focus

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (Robotics) will have a strong patient focus whereby the specialty 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 activities that influence and support the provision of direct care. Clinical Nurse Specialist (Robotics) will:

Liaise with Consultants specific to the areas.

Direct Care

• Provide a specialist nursing service for patients undergoing robotic procedure who require support and treatment through the continuum of care.
Provide a specialist nursing service for patients undergoing robotic procedures 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 robotic care, Use the outcomes of patient assessment to develop and implement plans of care/case management 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 (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.
• 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.
• 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 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’s needs.

Indirect Care
• Identify and agree appropriate referral pathways for patients with scheduled for elective robotic procedures.
• Participate in case review with MDT colleagues.
• Use a case management approach to patients with complex needs in collaboration with MDT.
• Take a proactive role in the formulation and provision of evidence based PPPGs relating to peri-op care & robotic patients.
• Take a lead role in ensuring the service for patients requiring robotic surgery is in line with best practice guidelines and the Safer Better Healthcare Standards (HIQA, 2012).

Patient / Client Advocate

• 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 clinical services.
• Proactively challenge any interaction which fails to deliver a quality service to patients.

Education & Training

• Maintain clinical competence in patient management within nursing/midwifery, 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 planned robotic procedures.
• Contribute to the design, development and implementation of education programmes and resources for the patient, family and/or carer in relation to robotic surgery thus empowering them to self-manage their condition.
• Provide mentorship and preceptorship for nursing colleagues as appropriate.
• Participate in training programmes for nursing/midwifery, MDT colleagues and key stakeholders as appropriate.
• Create exchange of learning opportunities within the MDT in relation to evidence based robotic patient care delivery through journal clubs, conferences, etc.
• Develop and maintain links with Regional Centres for Nursing & Midwifery Education (RCNMEs), the Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Units (NMPDUs) and relevant third level Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) in the design, development and delivery of educational programmes in robotics patient care.
• Be responsible for addressing own continuing professional development needs.
• Engage in the HSE performance achievement process in conjunction with your Line Manager and staff as appropriate.

Audit & Research

• Establish and maintain a register of patients undergoing robotics surgery within Clinical Nurse Specialist (Robotics) Caseload.
• Maintain a record of clinically relevant data aligned to National Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) as directed and advised by the Director of Nursing.
• 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 transferring robotic care into practice.
• Contribute to nursing research on all aspects of robotic care.
• Use the outcomes of audit to improve service provision.
• Contribute to service planning and budgetary processes through use of audit data and specialist knowledge.
• Monitor, access, utilise and disseminate current relevant research to advise and ensure the provision of informed evidence based practice. Audit expected outcomes including
• Collate data which will provide evidence of the effectiveness of Clinical Nurse Specialist (Robotics) interventions undertaken. They should have a clinical nursing focus as well as a breakdown of activity - patients seen and treated.
• Evaluate audit results and research findings to identify areas for quality improvement in collaboration with nursing management and MDT colleagues (Primary and Secondary Care).

Consultant

• Provide leadership in clinical practice and act as a resource and role model for peri-op care of robotic surgery.
• 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 Clinical Nurse Specialist’s/Registered Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioner/MDT colleagues as appropriate, developing person centred care pathways to promote the integrated model of care delivery.
• With the support of the Director of Nursing 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 on-going delivery of the National Clinical Programme model of care.
• Network with other Clinical Nurse Specialist (Robotics) in related areas both Nationally & Internationally.

Health & Safety

These duties must be performed in accordance with local organisational and the HSE health and safety polices. In carrying out these duties the employee must ensure that effective safety procedures are in place to comply with the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act (2005). Staff must carry out their duties in a safe and responsible manner in line with the local policy documents and as set out in the local safety statement, which must be read and understood.
• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc. and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
• To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

Quality, Risk and Safety Responsibilities

• Participate and cooperate with legislative and regulatory requirements with regard to quality, risk and safety.
• Participate and cooperate with local quality, risk and safety initiatives as required.
• Adequately identifies, assesses, manages and monitors risk within their area of responsibility.
• Participate and cooperate with internal and external evaluations of the organisation’s structures, services and processes as required, including but not limited to, The National Hygiene Audit, National Decontamination Audit, Health and Safety Audits and other audits specified by the HSE or other regulatory authorities.
• Initiate, support and implement quality improvement initiatives in their area which are in keeping with local organisational quality, risk and safety requirements.
• Contribute to the development of PPPGs and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.
• Comply with Health Service Executive (HSE) Complaints Policy.
• Ensure completion of incident/near miss forms and clinical risk reporting.
• Adhere to department policies in relation to the care and safety of any equipment supplied and used to carry out the responsibilities of the role of Clinical Nurse Specialist (Robotics) in care. Specific Responsibility for Best Practice in Hygiene: Hygiene is defined as: “The practice that serves to keep people and environments clean and prevent infection. It involves the study of preserving one’s health, preventing the spread of disease, and recognising, evaluating and controlling health hazards. In the healthcare setting it incorporates the following key areas: environment and facilities, hand hygiene, catering, management of laundry, waste and sharps, and equipment” (HIQA, 2008; P2). It is the responsibility of all staff to ensure compliance with local organisational hygiene standards, guidelines and practices.

Management / Administration

• Provide an efficient, effective and high quality service, respecting the needs of each patient, family and/or carer.
• Effectively manage time and caseload in order to meet changing and developing service 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 forum as required.
• Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records and data on all matters pertaining to the planning, management, delivery and evaluation of care and ensure that this service is in line with HSE requirements.

• Contribute to the service planning process as appropriate and as directed by the Director of Nursing / Midwifery / Director of Public Health Nursing.
• Staff will work in accordance with the principles and values of recovery as described in the National Framework for Recovery for Irish Mental Health Services 2018-2020.

The job description indicates the main functions and responsibilities of the post and is subject to review and amendment. Other specific work not covered in this job description may also be assigned by Nursing Management from time to time.

Selection Criteria:
Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post.
Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.

Mandatory:

1. Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc
(a) Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition:
(i) Are registered in the relevant division of the Register of Nurses & Midwives
maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland [NMBI] (Bord
Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) or entitled to be so registered.

(ii) Have at least 5 years post registration experience (or an aggregrate of 5 years
fulltime post registration experience) of which 2 years must be in the speciality
or related area.

(iii) Have the clinical, managerial and administrative capacity to properly discharge
the functions of the role.

(iv) Candidates must demonstrate evidence of continuous professional development.

(b) Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability including a high standard of
suitability and clinical, managerial and administrative capacity to properly discharge the
functions of the role.

2. Annual registration
(i) On appointment, practitioners must maintain live annual registration on the relevant
division of the Register of Nurses and Midwives maintained by the Nursing and
Midwifery Board of Ireland (Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann).

(ii) Confirm annual registration with NMBI to the HSE by way of the annual Patient
Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC).

3. Health
Candidates for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of
undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a
reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

4. Character
Candidates for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Desirable

• A management / leadership course is desirable
• Have a minimum of 1 years’ post registration full time experience or an aggregate of 1 years’ full time experience in specialist area of Robotics.

If an appointee has previously been employed in the Civil or Public Service and that appointee is entitled to or in receipt of a pension from the Civil or Public Service or where a Civil/ Public Service pension comes into payment during the appointee’s re-employment that pension will be subject to abatement in accordance with Section 52 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012.

Please note: In applying for this position you are acknowledging that you understand that the abatement provisions, where relevant, will apply. It is not envisaged that the employing Department/ Office/ Body will support an application for an abatement waiver in respect of appointments to this position

Further Information for Candidates Supplementary information:

Informal Enquiries ONLY to: