Clinical Nurse Specialist Radiotherapy Job at Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic

Job Description

The Radiotherapy CNS will contribute to the delivery of high-quality specialist radiotherapy nursing services, ensuring safe, effective, and patient-centered care. This role is suitable for appointment at CNS level. The post holder will demonstrate advanced clinical knowledge, leadership, and management skills within radiotherapy and will support the coordination and development of services in alignment with organizational goals and evidence-based practice. As a key member of the Radiotherapy multidisciplinary team, the CNS will facilitate effective communication, promote continuous quality improvement, and actively participate in service development and change management. The role demands a broad range of professional skills and knowledge as well as skills in communication, leadership, teaching, education, research and counselling all in keeping with the Framework for the Establishment of Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialist Posts, 4th edition, National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery (NCNM) 2008.

Job Responsibility

Coordinate, assess, plan, implement and evaluate radiotherapy nursing care for patients across inpatient, day-case and outpatient pathways
Act as a specialist resource for patients undergoing radiotherapy, managing a defined caseload and initiating changes in management to improve symptom control, treatment tolerance and psychological well-being
Provide patient assessment, nurse-led review and consultation services in collaboration with the radiotherapy, oncology or other relevant teams
Deliver expert education and support to patients and families regarding treatment, side-effect management and survivorship
Maintain a strong patient-centered focus, incorporating advocacy, communication of patient values and involvement in shared decision-making
Act as a specialist radiotherapy nursing resource for nursing, medical, and allied health colleagues
Establish and maintain clear referral pathways to multidisciplinary and specialist services
Support and participate in strategic planning for radiotherapy service expansion and quality initiatives
Maintain accurate and comprehensive clinical and statistical records, contributing to activity and performance reporting
Provide tailored education to patients and families regarding the radiotherapy process, immobilisation devices, skin care, nutrition, fatigue management, sexual health, fertility considerations and survivorship
Identify, assess and manage radiotherapy side-effects and complications (e.g., radiation dermatitis, mucositis, dysphagia, nausea/vomiting, bowel/bladder symptoms, fatigue, lymphoedema) using evidence-based interventions and agreed protocols
Facilitate shared decision-making and advocacy, ensuring patient values, preferences and concerns are communicated to the MDT
Develop, document and update care plans, discharge plans and patient teaching plans for radiotherapy patients
Coordinate investigations, treatment therapies and follow-up appointments related to radiotherapy care pathways
Organise hospital admission/referral where clinically indicated
Promote a safe clinical environment with attention to health and safety, infection prevention and risk-management principles
Provide advice, support and reassurance via telephone/virtual reviews as appropriate
Take a proactive role in developing evidence-based policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines (PPPGs) relevant to radiotherapy nursing
Complete and maintain documentation accurately and in a timely manner, including radiotherapy nursing records and activity statistics
Promote a safe clinical environment with attention to infection prevention and control, radiation safety principles
Maintain records of education, training, and competency assessments
Promote advocacy and patient participation in decision-making, enabling informed choice regarding treatment options
Use a patient-centred approach in all aspects of practice, ascertaining and respecting patient views and preferences
Liaise with other departments/services to ensure high quality and seamless radiotherapy care
Contribute to the development and review of patient information materials specific to radiotherapy pathways and tumour sites
Respect dignity and confidentiality of patients, advocating on their behalf when required
Contribute to improved patient outcomes through education, health promotion and early identification of complications
Identify, critically analyse, disseminate and integrate nursing and other evidence into radiotherapy nursing practice
Establish, implement and evaluate audit programmes for radiotherapy nursing service and CNS practice
Record patient/service information electronically to support audit and quality reporting
Monitor and disseminate current research relevant to radiotherapy supportive care and symptom management
Contribute to service planning and pathway redesign through audit findings and specialist knowledge
Promote a culture of continuous quality improvement and innovation in the radiotherapy service
Ensure compliance with Hermitage Clinic guidelines, policies, procedures, radiation protection requirements and relevant legislation/regulatory standards
Participate fully in accreditation processes and the hospital risk management programme
Investigate and take remedial action on incidents/near misses involving patients or staff in accordance with hospital policies
disseminate learning
Engage in continuous audit cycles, service evaluation, and quality initiatives
Promote a culture of quality improvement and encourage staff participation in innovation
Monitor and evaluate departmental KPIs and contribute to annual reporting
Participate in accreditation and risk management programmes
Lead or support investigations of incidents and near misses, ensuring appropriate corrective actions and learning dissemination
Promote safe, ethical, evidence based radiotherapy nursing care
Provide leadership in clinical practice and act as a role model to nursing staff within the radiotherapy service
Network with other CNS posts within the hospital and nationally to support benchmarking and service development
Generate and contribute to development of clinical standards and guidelines for radiotherapy nursing practice
Use specialist knowledge to support and enhance nursing practice within radiotherapy and across the wider organisation
Contribute to nursing quality assurance through identification of recurring issues, data collection and feedback to the MDT and leadership
Develop and deliver a comprehensive education programme in radiotherapy nursing (including competencies) in conjunction with relevant personnel
Maintain clinical, nursing and managerial competence in radiotherapy and oncology care through ongoing CPD and engagement with current evidence
Identify own learning needs with line manager and maintain an up-to-date professional development portfolio in line with NMBI requirements
Create an environment conducive to learning and development for self and others
provide clinical advice and education to nursing and healthcare staff
Support orientation and induction of new staff and assess competency of student nurses and staff on placement
Provide education and supportive care to patients and families throughout the radiotherapy journey
Attend mandatory training and participate in in-service education
Identify areas where scope of practice can be advanced within radiotherapy services (subject to governance and NMBI guidance)
Provide mentorship/preceptorship and clinical supervision where appropriate
Undertake additional duties appropriate to the role as assigned by the Radiotherapy Services Manager or ADON

Requirements

Registered in the general division of the Register of Nurses maintained by NMBI
At least five years recent relevant post-registration nursing experience (full-time or equivalent hours part-time) in an acute hospital setting
Minimum of two years nursing experience in the specialist area
Acquired a level 8 post registration Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) major academic award relevant to the specialist area of radiotherapy/ oncology nursing or be willing to complete within one year of taking up post
Clinical Skills
IT skills
Quality focus
Risk Management
Clinical audit
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Nice to have

Postgraduate qualification in oncology, radiotherapy or another relevant specialty
Experience in service development or project leadership

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Clinical Nurse Specialist Radiotherapy

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