CNM1 Rapid Access Prostate Service

Position Summary:
The CNM1 for the Rapid Access Prostate service will work as part of a multidisciplinary team ensuring a seamless service for patients with a diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of prostate cancer. In conjunction with the CNS, the CNM1 will coordinate attendance of patients at the outpatient clinic and radiology, ensuring they receive the psychological, emotional and informational support and education required. The CNM 1 will have specific role in relation to data management relating to this service.

Responsibilities

Indirect Patient Care
In conjunction with the CNS Rapid Access Prostate Cancer, the CNM1 will :-
• Facilitate a smooth and timely treatment pathway for patients with a diagnosis of Prostate Cancer.
• Attend MDT case conferences and multi-disciplinary team meetings as required.
• Foster good working relationships with all members of the clinical team which are both professional and supportive.
• Be aware of all hospital policies and procedures and collaborate with other health care professionals to ensure that these are observed.
• Be actively involved in the preparation and implementation of policies and nursing guidelines in relation to the management of care of patients with Prostate Cancer.
• Demonstrate good leadership and communication skills.
• Work closely with other nurse specialists within the oncology and urology services.

Direct Patient Care
In the absence of the CNS Rapid Access Prostate Service, the CNM1 will:-

• Be the point of contact for patients/families with Prostate Cancer.
• Help meet the psychological, emotional and informational needs of patients with Prostate Cancer at the time of diagnosis and throughout treatment.
• Provide support for patients with Prostate Cancer in the in-patient and out-patient setting
• Provide support for families/significant others through listening, problem solving and education.
• Follow up patients with positive findings eg raised PSA and ensure relevant follow up is carried out, and ensure appropriate follow up in OPD.

The CNM 1 will:
• Provide education to patients regarding their diagnosis and treatment, in particular relating to prostate biopsy in radiology.
• Demonstrate specialist knowledge and clinical expertise in the delivery of patient care.
• Provide symptom control advice and support to patients.
• Maintain accurate clinical records complying with current legislation and best practice.

Patient Advocate
In conjunction with the CNS Rapid Access Prostate Service, the CNM 1 will:-

• Provide an efficient, effective and high quality service, respecting the needs of each patient.
• Act as an advocate for patients undergoing clinical trials, providing information as appropriate and communicating with research staff.
• Participate in team meetings and discussions regarding treatment for patients with Prostate Cancer.
• Facilitate development of Health Promotion plans, ie information leaflets for patients and their families/significant others.

Education and Training
In conjunction with the CNS Rapid Access Prostate Service, the CNM 1 will:-

• Provide education to patients and their families/significant others on their illness and treatment options based on up to date evidence based best practice.
• Assist in the development and delivery of training programmes for staff. Also assist in the evaluation and assessment of the impact of such training programmes.
• Play an active role in teaching all grades of nursing staff and other disciplines as required.
• Use relevant educational opportunities to maintain the highest standards and up to date care for patients with Prostate Cancer.

Audit & Research
In conjunction with the CNS Rapid Access Prostate Service, the CNM1 will:-

• Ensure that his/her own practice is compliant and up to date with 'best practice', which is reflected in research and developments in urology/oncology nursing.
• Participate in the regular audit of clinical practice.
• Use such research findings to influence care within the speciality.
• Set objectives and develop policies, procedures and standards for rapid access prostate nursing service based on current nursing research and relevant research from other disciplines.
• Identify areas within the speciality relevant to nursing practice, which would benefit from research.
• Promote an awareness of research based practice amongst staff.
• Participate in departmental research and audit related to the speciality.
• Develop and maintain/update Cancer Data System.
• Be a key person in ensuring database quality.

Personal Development

• Keep up to date with mandatory training such as hand hygiene, CPR, standard precautions, manual handling, haemovigilance.
• Strive to keep up to date with best practice relating to urology nursing / prostate cancer, through research and education.
• In consultation with the Nurse Specialist/CNM2 in Rapid Access Prostate develop an annual plan for continuous professional development.
• In conjunction with the Nurse Specialist/CNM2 in Rapid Access Prostate submit an annual report to the Directorate Nurse Manger. This report should include: the number of patients seen with Prostate Cancer and any trend analysis re. same, Patient satisfaction with service provided, an action plan for following twelve months and Health Promotion initiatives and Research / Audit carried out during the year. Also a progress report on the development of the Role.

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 Directorate Nurse Manager 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 3 years post registration fulltime experience (or an aggregate of 3
years post registration full time experience) of which 1 year post registration full
time experience (or an aggregate of 1 years post registration full time experience)
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 Continuing Professional Development.

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

1. Post Graduate Diploma in a relevant area (eg Urology, Oncology or Nursing Practice) is desirable.
2. Diploma in Management desirable.
3. Computer skills desirable.