Clinical Nurse Specialist - Orthopaedics

• Provide a specialist nursing service for patients who require support and treatment through the continuum of care
• Possess specially focused knowledge and skills in the orthopaedics and spinal (including scoliosis correction) area of nursing practice
• Review regular medication prescription and management, subject to experience
• Request specialist tests and conditions as appropriate to patient’s needs
• Collaborate with nursing and other disciplines in planning, implementing and evaluating patient care
• Maintain awareness of current advances in treatment, care and research
• Promote and create a climate of clinical inquiry through practice
• To maintain timely and accurate documentation and information systems both manually and by using relevant computer systems
• Engage in relevant professional development
• Network with other CNS in the hospital and wider professional community
• Develop patient education material in conjunction with the multidisciplinary team
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary case conferences
• Enables patients/clients and their families to participate in decisions about their health needs
• Represents the patients/clients interests in collaboration with the multidisciplinary perioperative team
• Implements change in the service in response to patients/clients need and service demand
• Through clinical audit, the volume and quality of service are evaluated and reviewed at regular intervals
• Support and empower patients and their families/carers in self-management of their condition
• Provide education concerning the patient’s drug management, coping strategies, associated services available, smoking cessation as appropriate
• Evaluate policies and guidelines in a timely manner and follow governance procedures to ensure the information is agreed and disseminated correctly
• Induct new staff into the team and provide support and mentorship
• During the patient review, the clinical nurse specialists role includes educating the staff nurses at bedside
• Provide leadership in clinical practice and acts as a resource and role model
• Generate and contribute to the development of clinical standards and guidelines
• Use specialist knowledge to support and enhance nursing practice
• To act responsibly ensuring manpower and supplies are used cost effectively and efficiently in order that the service is delivered safely
• Demonstrate effective communication that ensures information is provided to the multi- disciplinary team in a timely manner
• Promote and support the development, implementation and review of standards, policies, procedures and clinical guidelines
• In conjunction with the multi-professional team, monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the service. Implement changes where necessary and actively contribute to departmental service planning
• Provide mentorship, preceptorship, teaching and professional supervisory skills for nurses and other health care workers
• Demonstrate specialist knowledge and skills through nursing practice
• Establish an optimum learning environment in the clinical setting
• Facilitate staff growth and development through both formal and informal teaching
• To facilitate professional development of nursing staff across the service
• To act as a role model by demonstrating own continuous professional development
• To be an effective practitioner with the ability to demonstrate clinical expertise in the care of patients using the Scope of Practice as set down by Irish Nursing Midwifery Board of Ireland
• Participate in research, audit and quality initiatives
• All staff are responsible for protecting themselves and others against infection risks. All staff undertaking patient care activities must attend infection control training and updates as required by the hospital
• Function within the limits of NMBI and hospital policies, procedures and standards
• Support the Mission Statement of Blackrock Clinic
• Demonstrate flexibility by assisting in other areas of the hospital as required
• Set annual goals and objectives with CNM
• Continue to develop personal knowledge and skills
• Provide direct supervision to other members of the nursing team when appropriate
• Participate in working groups to develop and promote quality care within Blackrock Clinic
• Actively support the infection control practice within the hospital
• Maintain effective communication networks within the unit and departments throughout the hospital
• Serve on committees within the hospital as appropriate
• Ensure compliance with the Hospital Infection Prevention and Control
• Accept responsibility for “Acting Up” in specific instances, as assigned

• Registered on Live Register of NMBI
• Evidence of continuing personal professional development
• Minimum of 3 years’ post registration experience including a minimum of two years experience in an orthopaedics and spinal area
• Vision, innovation, flexibility, good communication and management skills are essential
• Bachelor of Nursing Degree
• The person must be educated to Higher Diploma level or above. If not, he/she must undertake a contractual agreement to obtain a relevant higher diploma
• Computer skills are desirable
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Adherence to Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives
• Full knowledge of the Domains of Competence as set down by the NMBI

Computer skills are desirable

• Competitive salary
• Onsite parking
• Pension
• Annual bonus*
• Discounted café
• Sports and Social club
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounted onsite pharmacy