Clinical Nurse Specialist Oncology Day Ward ( SPC - Maternity Leave )
Beaumont Hospital
Job Description
Job Description
\n Overview\n
Post Title: Clinical Nurse Specialist (Acute Haematology Oncology)
\nPost Status: Specified Purpose ContractDepartment: Medical Directorate Location: Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9 Reports to: Clinical Nurse Manager 2/3 Salary: Appointment will be made on CNM2 Scale at a point in line with Government pay policy (€62,699 - €79,27 LSI)
\nHours of work: 37.5 hrsClosing Date: 09/09/2026 at 12:00pm
\nPlease note the hospital reserves the right to close the competition early should a substantial number of applications be received.Please be aware that Beaumont Hospital will never ask candidates to pay money at any stage of the recruitment process. Any requests for payment, bank details, or financial information in connection with a job application should be treated as fraudulent. If you receive such a request claiming to be from Beaumont Hospital, please do not respond and report to the recruitment department immediately.
\nClinical Nurse Specialist (Acute Haematology Oncology)
\nThe Acute Haematology Oncology Nursing Service (AHOS) focuses on the management and treatment of patients who present acutely with cancer treatment side-effects or as an emergency complication from a known cancer diagnosis.
\nThis service was set up following the National Action Plan 2020 published by the DOH in response to COVID 19 which emphasised the need to maintain critical and ongoing services.
\nThe NCCP advocated and secured funding for clinical nurse specialist posts in all of the 26 Systemic Anti- Cancer Therapy (SACT) hospitals to safeguard patients and minimise where possible their attendance to ED and their requirement for admission to hospital. The post holder will collaborate and liaise with the NCCP on strategic goals including those set out in the National Cancer Strategy 2017 -2026 through working groups and other approaches to implementation.
\nThe Acute Haematology Oncology Nursing Service is pivotal in providing a non ED direct access route for cancer patients who require review. Cancer patients who are on treatment and become unwell can access the Clinical Nurse Specialist (Acute Haematology Oncology) via a dedicated telephone line in any of the 26 centres across the country that deliver SACT.
\nThe service provides patients with access to specialist cancer nurse advice and support during the acute phase of their SACT treatment. Unwell patients who require additional clinical review are where possible seen in the cancer day care unit or a dedicated space away from the ED. It reduces the requirement for patients to attend the ED and prioritises appropriate ED referrals.
The service is well placed to link with the MDT and community services as outlined in the Sláintecare strategy.
Responsibilities\nPrincipal Duties & Responsibilities:
\nThe CNS post holder will deliver care in line with the five core concepts of the role set out in 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.
\nClinical Focus (Direct and Indirect Care)
\nService user/client Advocacy
\nEducation and Training
\nAudit and Research
\nConsultancy (including leadership in clinical practice)
\nThe Clinical Nurse Specialist (Acute Haematology Oncology) will provide a non ED direct access route for Haematology/Oncology/Radiotherapy patients who are experiencing a disease or treatment related complication. The appointee will be responsible for acting as a point of contact for patients in the out-patient setting, providing a telephone triage hotline service using a validated assessment tool (UKONS), undertaking detailed patient assessments and actively participate in planning and performing unscheduled review of patients presenting unwell to the oncology/haematology day units with disease/ treatment related side effects.
\nThe appointee will provide increased access to specialised cancer nursing care for patients on active treatment to enhance patient safety and minimise risks. The appointee will work within the acute haematology and oncology service as part of the multidisciplinary team, forging relationships especially with (not exclusively) ED, acute medical assessment units and CIT/ community services and continue to develop the role in line with evidence based practice and NCCP guidance.
\nClinical Focus The Clinical Nurse Specialist (Acute Haematology Oncology) will be supported to;Develop a strong patient focus whereby the specialty defines itself as Nursing and subscribes to the overall purpose, functions and ethical standards of Nursing. The clinical practice role may be divided into direct and indirect care. Direct care comprises the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of care to the patient, family and/or carer.
Indirect care relates to activities that influence and support the provision of direct care. Direct Care Clinical Nurse Specialist (Acute Haematology Oncology) will: Provide a specialist nursing/midwifery service for service users with a diagnosis of cancer who require support and treatment through the continuum of care Undertake comprehensive service user assessment to include physical, psychological, social and spiritual elements of care using best evidence based practice in cancer care Use the outcomes of nursing/midwifery assessment to develop and implement plans of care/service user group management to contribute to the plans of service users, their families/carers and the MDT Monitor and evaluate the service user’s response to treatment and amend the plan of care accordingly in collaboration with the MDT and service user, family and/or carer as appropriate. Make alterations in the management of service user condition in collaboration with the MDT and the service user in line with the nursing/midwifery aspect of agreed pathways and policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines (PPPG’s).
Accept appropriate referrals from MDT colleagues Co-ordinate investigations, treatment therapies and service user follow‑up Communicate with service users, family and/or carer as appropriate, to assess service user needs and provide relevant support, information, education, advice and counselling as required Where appropriate, work collaboratively with MDT colleagues across Primary and Secondary Care to provide a seamless service delivery to the service user, family and/or carer as appropriate Participate in medication reconciliation taking cognisance of poly‑pharmacy and support medical and pharmacy staff with medication reviews and medication management Identify and promote specific symptom management strategies as well as the identification of triggers, which may cause exacerbation of symptoms. Provide service user with appropriate self‑management strategies and escalation pathways Manage nurse/midwife led Insert Name clinics in collaboration with the MDT Identify health promotion priorities for the service user, family and/or carer and support service user self‑care in line with best evidence. This will include the provision of educational and health promotion material which is comprehensive, easy to understand and meets service user’ needs
\nProvide a point of telephone contact for patients experiencing disease/treatment related symptoms and assess patients using the UKONS telephone triage system Actively participate in the planning and carrying out unscheduled reviews of patients presenting unwell to the Haematology Oncology Day Ward with disease/treatment related side effects and amend the plan of care accordingly in conjunction with the MDT, patient, family and/or carer as appropriate Provide support to the family/ carers though listening, problem solving and education Participate in ongoing patient education in relation to management of disease and treatment related side effects
\nIndirect Care Clinical Nurse Specialist (Acute Haematology Oncology) will: Identify, agree and document appropriate referral pathways for Haematology/ Oncology patients who are experiencing a disease or treatment related complication Participate in service user case reviews with MDT colleagues Use a case management approach to patients in collaboration with MDT in both Primary and Secondary Care as appropriate Take a proactive role in the formulation and provision of evidence based PPPGs relating to care Develop and update acute haematology oncology nursing service standard operating procedures as the role evolves Take a lead role in ensuring the acute haematology oncology service is in line with best practice guidelines e.g. National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare Standards (HIQA, 2012).
\nPatient/Service user/Client Advocate Clinical Nurse Specialist (Acute Haematology Oncology) will: Communicate, negotiate and represent service user, family and/or carer values and decisions in relation to their condition to MDT colleagues in both Primary and Secondary Care as appropriate Develop and support the concept of advocacy, particularly in relation to service user participation in decision making, thereby enabling informed choice of treatment options Respect and maintain the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of the service user, family and/or carers Establish, maintain and improve procedures for nursing/midwifery collaboration and cooperation between Acute Services, Primary Care and Voluntary Organisations as appropriate Proactively challenge any interaction, nursing/midwifery or otherwise, which fails to deliver a good quality service to service user.
\nCommunicate with patients families and friends, assess needs and provide relevant support, information education and advice (including community support services) Provide service user, family and/or carer with contact details for acute haematology oncology nurse specialist service and full 24 hour/ 7 day out of hours contact numbers Facilitate development and distribution of SOS hotline (Sort out my Symptoms) information leaflets and alert cards for service users
\nAct as a resource/ contact person for Haematology/Oncology patients attending other departments within the hospital or outside the hospital for treatment
\nActively promote haematology/ oncology patient issues within the hospital and within the community using various forums, clinics, committees
\nDevise a mechanism for patient feedback to evaluate the overall service
\nEducation & Training: Clinical Nurse Specialist (Acute Haematology Oncology) will: Maintain clinical competence in service user management within Acute Haematology Oncology nursing, keeping up-to-date with relevant research to ensure the implementation of evidence based practice. Provide the service user, family and/or carer with appropriate information, education and other supportive interventions to increase their knowledge, skill and confidence and autonomy in managing their Haematology Oncology condition. Contribute to the design, development and implementation of education programmes and resources for the service user, family and/or carer in relation to Haematology Oncology to enable them to manage their own condition.
Provide mentorship and preceptorship for nursing/midwifery colleagues as appropriate. Participate in training programmes for nursing/midwifery, MDT colleagues and key stakeholders as appropriate. Create exchange of learning opportunities within the MDT in relation to evidence based Acute Haematology Oncology nursing delivery through journal clubs, conferences etc.
Develop and maintain links with Regional Centres for Nursing & Midwifery Education (RCNMEs), the Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Units (NMPDUs) and relevant third level Higher Education Institutes (HEIs),NCCP in the design, development and delivery of nursing/midwifery educational programmes in Acute Haematology Oncology care and play an active role in teaching other staff as required In tandem with the line management structure, be responsible for addressing own continuing professional development (CPD) needs to maintain competencies required for the role. Use agreed protected time for research, education and professional development. With the line manager, use the Professional Development Planning Framework for Nurses and Midwives to plan and self‑assess additional CPD needs.
\nAudit & Research: Clinical Nurse Specialist (Acute Haematology Oncology) will: Establish and maintain a register of service user with Acute Haematology Oncology quality metrics within the CNS/CMS Caseload. Maintain a record of clinically relevant data aligned to National Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) as directed and advised by the DON/M/Services in conjunction with the senior clinical decision maker. Identify, initiate and conduct nursing/midwifery audit and research relevant to the area of practice and take part in MDT audit and research.
Identify, critically analyse, disseminate and integrate into practice, best evidence relating to care in the Acute Haematology Oncology Nursing Service Contribute to nursing/midwifery research on the Acute Haematology Oncology nursing service Use the outcomes of audit to improve nursing/midwifery service provision and advocate, when appropriate, for improvement of non‑nursing/midwifery services Contribute to service planning and budgetary processes through use of audit data and specialist knowledge Monitor, access, utilise and disseminate current relevant research to advise and ensure the provision of informed evidence based nursing/midwifery practice
\nCollate acute haematology oncology quality metrics month end summary and return to NCCP via NCIS or national standardised metrics excel spreadsheet
\nSet objectives and develop policies, procedures and standards for the acute haematology oncology cancer nursing services based on current nursing research and relevant research from other disciplines
\nAudit expected outcomes including: Collate data (insert agreed KPIs/clinical targets) which will provide evidence of the effectiveness of the CNS/CMS interventions. Refer to National KPIs associated with the specialty. KPI’s should have a clinical nursing/midwifery focus as well as a breakdown of activity - patients seen and treated.
Evaluate nursing/midwifery audit results and research findings to identify areas for quality improvement in collaboration with nursing/midwifery management and MDT colleagues (Primary and Secondary Care).
\nConsultancy (including leadership in clinical practice): Clinical Nurse Specialist (Acute Haematology Oncology) will: Understand leadership in clinical practice with the aim of acting as a resource and role model for nursing Acute Haematology Oncology practice. Contribute to the expanding nursing/midwifery knowledge/expertise for th