Clinical Nurse Specialist - Colorectal

1.0          Position Summary:

The Colorectal Nurse Specialist is a key component of a colorectal patient’s treatment pathway for colorectal cancers. Beaumont Hospital is one of eight designated cancer centres in Ireland. As a centre for rectal cancer surgery all patients from the North East will have their rectal cancer surgery here.

The successful candidate will become part of the Colorectal Nursing team which is currently comprised of 1.5WTE CNS’ in Colorectal cancers, 0.5WTE CNS in Benign and Pelvic Floor disorders, a Stoma Therapist (CNM2), a CNM1 in stoma care, a Colorectal Enhanced Recovery Nurse and ward staff.

The successful candidate will be an integral part of the Beaumont colorectal multidisciplinary team and will have a central role in co-ordinating the colorectal cancer service. They will liaise closely with the CNM3 for surgery and cancer services, other clinical nurse specialists, surgical teams, surgical wards, medical oncology, radiation oncology, colorectal clinics, community services and palliative care units.

 A function of this role is to provide a service which meets national and international quality guidelines. The post holder will be expected to participate in audits of the service and ensure the service is meeting national quality guidelines eg HIQA and NCCP.

Responsibilities:

 Clinical Focus Direct and Indirect Care Colorectal cancer

• Ensure a seamless service for patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
• Counsel and support newly diagnosed patients and their families and explain the implications of this diagnosis.
• Provide up to date information on colorectal disease to patients and their families.
• Provide a phone link for patients following discharge.
• Act as a resource for patients, families and community services following discharge.
• Refer patients to the stoma therapist, social worker, dietician, occupational therapist and physiotherapist as appropriate.
• Liaise with relevant support groups and participate in meetings as appropriate.
• Establish and develop nurse led advisory clinics.
• Attend colorectal cancer clinics as necessary.
• Attend MDT decision-making and care-planning meetings as required
• Provide practical information on all aspects of altered body image which may be caused by the illness and treatment eg surgery, radiotherapy chemotherapy
• Prepare patients for treatment and operative procedures by providing appropriate information/advice, guidance and support thus enabling patients to understand and adjust to their condition and participate in their own treatment plans.
• Participate in the colorectal enhanced recovery programme for ‘fast track’ colorectal surgery.
• In conjunction with the multidisciplinary team develop a pathway of care for colorectal patients.
• Communicate with Public Health Nurses, Occupational Therapists and physiotherapists regarding patients in the community.
• Communicate with other colorectal nurses at referral hospitals and other referral centres.
• Maintain accurate records, ensuring confidentiality and safe keeping of these records.
• Ensure that patients have clear instructions regarding their follow-up appointments and named person to contact in the event of problems post discharge from the hospital.
• Ensure pre clinic tests and investigations are scheduled and results available prior to the patient’s attendance at out-patients.
• To maintain appropriate clinical databases

Patient/Client Advocate

• Ensure that patient’s comfort and needs are given priority at all times.
• Provide an efficient, effective and high quality service, respecting the needs of each patient.
• With expert clinical knowledge and experience act as a patient advocate, by participating in discussions on patient management issues on behalf of the patient with ward staff and other healthcare professionals.
• Review and assess referred patients taking into account the patients opinions and guide in their decision making.
• Communicate, negotiate and represent the plan of care for the patient, with clinical medical and nursing staff.
• Be aware of existing resources/services which help patients and their families e.g. community services, support groups, entitlements.
• Develop and distribute information leaflets to patients.

Education and training

• Facilitate staff development and patient education.
• Develop education programmes to support clinical practice in relation to all aspects of colorectal care.
• Provide education sessions for patients, families, medical and nursing staff, students and allied health professions.
• Deliver lectures to post-graduate and higher diploma nursing students and student nurses on general nursing course.
• Promote patient /carer independence through relevant teaching and support.
• Identify the needs of staff, patients and carers in relation to colorectal surgery and planning of nursing care.
• Play an active role in providing clinical based teaching.
• Provide support to student nurses and registered staff who do not have prior experience of colorectal nursing.
• Act a resource to improve the knowledge/skills of less experienced clinical staff
• Provide guidance to junior nursing staff in respect of continuing professional development opportunities within the colorectal service.

Professional development

• In conjunction with the directorate nurse manager and/or the surgical cancer service manager agree learning objectives designated to meet professional development goals.
• Maintain professionalism at all times and work within the Professional Code of Conduct and scope of Practice framework from Nurse and Midwifery Board of Ireland.
• Accept responsibility for own professional development and be aware of current trends and strategies in nursing, particularly in relation to colorectal nursing.
• Attend relevant conferences, workshops and seminars and disseminate changes in colorectal practice with implications for nursing practice.
• Develop and maintain nursing practice skills in relation to colorectal nursing.
• Discuss present performance with line manager, using job performance review.
• Maintain a personal record of professional development, using a portfolio.
• Maintain membership of relevant specialist associations in relation to all aspects of colorectal nursing.

 Audit and research

• Participate in audits of clinical care
• Critically evaluate research findings and apply findings to clinical practice and disseminate information to staff via education and informal teaching sessions.
• Identify and highlight gaps in the service to improve quality of care.
• Evaluate education sessions given and amend programme in line with the result
• Participate in relevant collaborative research with the colorectal team.
• Ensure that statistical and management information is provided to the Directorate Nurse Manager as required.

• Annual audit of the service and the production of an annual report.

• Assist the colorectal database manager with the collection of relevant data.

Consultant

• Play a leading and participating role with the design implementation and evaluation of colorectal cancer care in Beaumont Hospital as a designated cancer centre.
• Promote and provide holistic care for patients with colorectal cancer conditions.
• Recognise the importance of health promotion.
• Develop and promote positive attitudes towards bowel conditions.
• Be a patient advocate.
• Respect culture and diversity.
• Work as an innovator and change agent within the speciality.
• Act as an expert role model for health care professionals.
• Work in a complementary role to medical colleagues and other members of the multidisciplinary team.

This job description indicates the main functions and responsibilities of the post and is subject to review and amendment.

Qualification Selection Criteria

Mandatory Requirements:

1. 1. Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc

(a) Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition:

(i) Be a registered nurse/midwife on the active Register of Nurses and Midwives held by An Bord Altranais and Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland) or be eligible to be so registered.

AND

(ii) Be registered in the division(s) of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) Register for which the application is being made or be entitled to be so registered.

OR

 (iii) In exceptional circumstances, which will be assessed on a case by case basis be registered in another Division of the register of Nurses and Midwives.

AND

(iv) Have a minimum of 1 years’ post registration full time experience or an aggregate of 1 years’ full time experience in the division of the register in which the application is being made (taking into account (ii) (iii) if relevant)

AND

(v) Have a minimum of 1 years’ experience or an aggregate of 1 years’ full time experience in specialist area of Colorectal Care.

AND

(vi) Have successfully completed a post registration programme of study, as certified by the education provider which verifies that the applicant has achieved a Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) major academic Level 9 or higher award that is relevant to the specialist area of care (equivalent to 60 ECTS or above), and in line with the requirements for specialist practice as set out by the National Council for Nursing and Midwifery 4th ed (2008).

 Alternatively provide written evidence from the Higher Education Institute that they have achieved the number of ECTS credits equivalent to a Level 9 or higher standard, relevant to the specialist area of care (equivalent to 60 ECTS or above), and in line with the requirements for specialist practice as set out by the National Council for Nursing and Midwifery 4th ed (2008).

AND

 (vii) Be required to demonstrate that they have continuing professional development (CPD) relevant to the specialist area.

AND

(viii) Have the ability to practice safely and effectively fulfilling his/her professional responsibility within his/her scope of practice

**Note 1: For Nurses/Midwives who express an interest in CNS/CMS roles and who currently hold a level 8 educational qualification in the specialist area (equivalent to 60 ECTS or above), this qualification will be recognised up to September 2026.

 And (b) Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability, including a high standard of suitability and clinical, leadership, managerial and administrative capacity for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.

2. Annual registration

 (i) Practitioners must maintain live annual registration on the appropriate/relevant Division of the register of Nurses and Midwives maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) for the role.

And

(ii) Practitioners must confirm annual registration with NMBI to the HSE by way of the annual Service user Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC).

4. Character

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

Please note that appointment to and continuation in posts that require statutory registration is dependent upon the post holder maintaining annual registration in the relevant division of the register maintained by Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland) by way of the Service user Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC)

Superannuation /Pension

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 positio

Further Information for Candidates:

 Supplementary information:

The Hospital www.beaumont.ie

Management Unit: www.beaumont.ie/hr

Other (Please specify):

 Informal Enquiries ONLY to:

Name: Fionnuala Duffy

Title: Surgical Directorate Nurse Manager

Email address: fionnualaduffy@beaumont.ie