CNM 2 Hepatology

Position Summary

The CNM in charge of the Hepatology Unit is responsible for the provisions of a quality service to patients with viral Hepatitis and advanced liver disease and to enable the patients to adjust to their condition and related problems.
The CNM has direct responsibility to patients for the determination both short and long term nursing care across multiple practice settings.

The areas of responsibility include:-

- Administration
- Management of caseload
- Clinical role
- Liaison with the multi-disciplinary group
- Audit and research
- Education and health promotion

ADMINISTRATIVE ROLE
The CNM will be responsible for the administration of the unit by:-

- Acting as a liaison to the HSE

- Ensuring that HSE guidelines regarding the care and treatment of patients with Hepatitis are adhered to.
- Ensure the correct completion of unit records and reports (both computerised and manual)
- Investigate and deal with complaints promptly.
- Be responsible for the economical ordering of unit stocks
- Ensure that health and safety standards are maintained
- Ensure that medical waste is discarded according to hospital policy
- Investigate incidents and accidents involving patients, staff and relatives and report these verbally and in writing to the Divisional Nurse Manager.

MANAGEMENT OF CASELOAD
The CNM is responsible for the management of the caseload of patients attending the Hepatology Service:-

- To schedule clinic appointment time appropriately to allow sufficient time to meet each patient’s needs.
- To prioritise patient’s attending clinics according to the urgency of their needs.
- To co-ordinate support services, both internally in Beaumont and externally.
- To have a knowledge of HSE Hepatitis C and HAA guidelines regarding benefit and financial assistance available to patients
- To organise team meetings with the aim of promoting a multidisciplinary approach to patient care.

CLINICAL ROLE
The CNM is responsible for the standard of care given to patients:-

1. To plan and implement nursing care ensuring that the highest standards are maintained.
2. To monitor and evaluate the outcome of individual care.
3. To ensure that each patient is treated on an individual basis and that information and education regarding their condition and treatment plans are explained in a comforting and supportive manner.
4. Take all steps possible to safeguard the welfare, safety and confidentiality of patients.
5. Ensure that patients and relatives are appropriately informed and counselled regarding their condition.
6. Ensure that verbal and written nursing report systems are accurate.
7. To act as a facilitator in patient support groups.
8. To be available and approachable in the provision of a drop-in service in crisis situations.
9. To perform Fibroscans
10. To provide expert advice

LIAISON ROLE
The CNM needs to have well developed communication skills to co-ordinate the services needed to give a quality service to patients and to liaise with the following groups:-

- Medical Team
- Counsellors
- Administrative Staff
- External agencies: BTSB, Social Services, General Practitioners, Public Health Nurses, Palliative Care, HSE
- Positive Action Group

AUDIT AND RESEARCH ROLE
The CNM will participate in research and apply meaningful research findings:-

- To develop, maintain and participate in research projects
- To implement research from a nursing perspective
- To ensure that records are accurately kept and updated on the units data base
- To provide the Department of Health and relevant agencies with accurate statistics.

EDUCATION AND HEALTH PROMOTION ROLE
The CNM is responsible for education and health promotion by:-

- Recognition of the clients need for information modify a teaching plan
- To plan and implement client education programmes in consultation with the multidisciplinary
- To give lectures and teaching sessions as required
- Plan and develop information sessions.
- To provide patients with their liver passport

SELF DEVELOPMENT

- Attend and participate in staff developing programmes
- Maintain a personal record of professional development
- Attend all relevant seminars, conferences and study days to keep focused on the most recent trends in management of Hepatitis and liver disease.

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 the Director of Nursing 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
• To have a post registration course in the field of hepatology and/or Gastroenterology
• Nurse Medicinal Product Prescribing and Prescribing of Medical Ionising Radiation are not strictly essential but desirable if relevant to the role and should be considered at this level of Nursing
• A management course