Clinical Nurse Specialist

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

The five core concepts are:

1. Clinical Focus
2. Patient/Client Advocate
3. Education and Training
4. Audit and Research
5. Consultant

Clinical Focus –

The Neuroendocrine AYA CNS will -

• Act as a point of contact for patients within the service who may have issues which need to be addressed thus leading to admission avoidance by timely management of issues.
• To liaise closely with Professor Sherlock and other members of the AYA team including the Neuro-oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist with regards to patient queries and management questions.
• To contact patient with results and updates thus leading to a reduction in need to travel to clinics, when appropriate.
• To work in conjunction with the current Endocrine CNS and Neuro-oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist to provide a link for patients with neuroendocrinology late effects.

• To manage an autonomous caseload of patients identified collaboratively by the MDT within agreed scope
• of practice.

• Regular review of the scope of practice with the key stakeholders within the service such as, Consultant,

• Director of Nursing, Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) and other members of the multi-disciplinary team as appropriate.  
• Utilise practical and theoretical knowledge and critical thinking skills to a level that will be seen as exemplary amongst peers and will be recognised and acknowledged as an authority in the area of neuroendocrinology late effects care as agreed for the role.
• Acknowledge and utilise the clinical governance structures within the organisation that support the role of advanced nursing practice in neuroendocrinology late effects care. 
• Review collaboratively agreed clinical decision making frameworks, protocols, policies, guidelines and referral pathways to support the role of neuroendocrinology late effects CNS. 
• Develop, obtain or maintain the core and specialist clinical skills and competencies to become a clinical nurse specialist in neuroendocrinology late effects care.
• Develop close links with all members of the MDT team to ensure that a safe quality driven evidence based service is being delivered to all patients including the family/carers within their caseload.
• Develop the ability to use professional judgement, clinical reasoning and decision making processes to refer patients to other health care professionals as required and as per agreed referral pathways.
• Utilise and obtain formally, if appropriate, practical clinical skills and knowledge to meet patient needs, including for example, Registered Nurse Prescriber, medicinal prescribing.

Patient Advocate

The  Neuroendocrine AYA will –

• Provide an efficient, effective and high quality service, respecting the needs of each patient.
• Act as a resource/ contact person for patients known to the service who may be attending other departments within the hospital or outside the hospital for treatment.
• Be aware of existing resources/ services, which help patients and their family/ significant others, eg social services, support groups, entitlements.
• Acts as an advocate for patients undergoing clinical trials, providing information as appropriate and communicating with research staff.
• Participate in team discussions regarding treatment for patients within the service.
• Facilitate development of information leaflets/resources for patients and families.

Education and training

The   Neuro endocrine AYA will –

• Provide support and training patients and relatives
• Assist in the development and delivery of training programmes for nursing staff
• 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 offered to the patients.

Audit and Research

The  Neuroendocrine AYA  will –

•  Ensure that his/her own practice is compliant and up to date with “best practice”, which is reflected in research and development.
• Participates in the regular audit of his/her own clinical practice
• Ensure the development and maintenance of a quality assurance programme which is patient centered utilising up to date research findings
• Use such research findings to influence care within the specialty.
• Set objectives and develop policies, procedures and standards for the Neuroendocrine AYA nursing services based on current nursing research and relevant research from other disciplines.
• Identify areas within the specialty relevant to nursing practice, which would benefit from research.
• Promote an awareness of research-based practice amongst staff.

• Participate in departmental research related to the specialty. 

Consultancy

• Provide leadership in clinical practice and act as a resource and role model for Neuroendocrine AYA practice
• Generate and contribute to the development of clinical standards and guidelines, having regard to national and international advancements in the specialist area.
• Establish collegial partnerships and in the context of Neuroendocrinology, contribute to the professional development of students, peers, colleagues and others through consultation, education, leadership, mentorship and coaching

• Work with, support, advise and help build up knowledge of expertise of the primary care team in providing an appropriate system of care to meet the needs of the patient and their family/carers
• Develop and maintain good collaborative working relationships and communication with all members of the speciality’s MDT and other health care professionals within and outside the service.
• Use specialist knowledge to support and enhance general nursing practice

The job description indicates the main function 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, Directorate Nurse Manager or Consultant Endocrinologists from time to time. 

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 INSERT NAME Ca

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). INSERT NAME of

care prior to application* (See **Note 1 below).

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.