JOB DESCRIPTION
Clinical Nurse Specialist – Cancer Care Coordination
Clinical Services
Position Title:
Clinical Nurse Specialist – Cancer Care Coordination
Organisation Unit:
Clinical Services
Location:
Whangarei Hospital, Northland District Health Board
Responsible to:
Clinical Nurse Manager, Oncology Unit.
Primary Functions of
the Position:
The Clinical Nurse Specialist is responsible for providing
specialist care and coordination of care to patients with Head
and Neck Cancers and Skin Cancer conditions across the
Healthcare setting to improve patient care and outcomes.
Functional Relationships
The Clinical Nurse Specialist will develop and maintain excellent relationships with:
Internal
External
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Patients and their families/whanau
Nursing Staff
Medical Staff
Clinical Leaders and Directors
Senior Management
Appropriate Allied Health professionals
Maori Liaison
Educators
Oncology service
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Patients and their families/whanau
Northern Cancer Network
CNS cancer coordinators in Northern
Region
Primary Healthcare providers
Health and Social support agencies
Other DHB’s
Consumer advocates & agencies
Maori Health providers, Northland wide
Cancer Society
Key Responsibilities and Expected Outcomes
Northland District Health Board has established a set of values by which the organisation will
respond, in part, to achieving its goals and objectives through their workforce. The following
Values and supporting statements are expected behaviours of each individual employed with
NDHB:
Values
Supporting Statement
People First
Tangata I te tuatahi
Respect
Whakaute (tuku mana)
Caring
Manaaki
Communication
Whakawhitiwhiti korero
Excellence
Taumata teitei (hirangi)
People are central to all we do
We treat others as we would like to be treated
We nurture those around us, and treat all with dignity and
compassion
We communicate safely, openly and with respect to promote clear
understanding
Our attitude of excellence inspires success, competence,
confidence and innovation
The position of Clinical Nurse Specialist encompasses the following major functions or key
result areas:
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Patient care management/care coordination using evidence based practice
Clinical leadership and a clinical resource on Head and Neck and Skin Cancers
Continuous Quality Improvement
Professional Development and clinical competency
Treaty of Waitangi
Health and Safety
The outcome requirements of the above key responsibility areas are outlined below:
Key Responsibility Area
Expected Outcomes
Patient Care
management / care
coordination using
evidence based
practice
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Provide a specialist nursing contribution to the care of
patients with head and neck cancers and skin cancers,
working collaboratively with key clinicians and members of
the multi-disciplinary team
Arrange and coordinate multidisciplinary meetings for head
and Neck cancers and Skin Cancers in accordance with
MoH document (imbedded at end)
Use advanced knowledge and skills to assess patients and
to plan, implement and evaluate care delivery
Work with the multi-disciplinary team to ensure all aspects
documented in the care pathways occur in a planned and
timely manner
Co-ordinate the patient’s journey by liaising with the various
services involved in care delivery to improve clinical
outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Work collaboratively with other staff to establish and
promote effective models of care that promote continuity of
care and optimise the patient’s journey.
Act as patient advocate and point of contact for patients and
their families/whanau to ensure consistency and timeliness
in care delivery.
Provide information and support to patients and their carers,
from diagnosis through all stages of the disease, in
conjunction with other healthcare professionals.
Key Responsibility Area
Expected Outcomes
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Provide expert clinical
resource, advice,
information and
education
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Continuous quality
improvement
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Respect patients’ confidentiality and privacy with respect to
diverse cultural backgrounds and requirements.
Discuss all treatment options for head and neck cancers or
skin cancers in depth with sensitivity, knowledge and
expertise.
Model expert clinical skills within the clinical practice area.
As appropriate develop advanced clinical practice skills that
will improve care delivery.
Provide nursing clinics for specific patients, working
collaboratively with an identified key clinician.
Accurately document all aspects of care delivery, including
assessments undertaken, care planning, interventions and
referrals made.
Ensure information resources are available for patients and
families/whanau
Develop resources as required for patients, families, whanau
Act as a nursing resource providing timely, current, research
based information and clinical advice to nursing staff and
other health care professionals within the scope of specialty
practice
Work to ensure that best practice guidelines/policies are
developed and research based
Liaise with Primary Health providers to enhance clinical care
delivery.
Participate in the assessment of staff learning needs and
prepare, deliver and/or facilitate education sessions.
Role model positive and professional behaviour in all
relationships.
Participate in case review sessions and co-ordinate the
multi-disciplinary team meetings.
Arrange and coordinate MDM meetings as per guidelines
Work with key staff to ensure evidence based standards /
protocols are developed and followed in caring for patients
with head and neck and skin cancers
Reduce non-value time in the patient pathway
Reduce overall time of the patient journey to reach the MoH
FCT targets
Audit compliance with the FCT cancer pathway, identifying
variances and working with the wider team to reduce
variances
Develop innovative practices to further enhance the service,
investigating best practice and benchmarking with other
organisations.
Use a range of strategies to evaluate the effectiveness of
care delivery, including process and outcome measures.
Develop and foster an environment of continuous quality
improvement by demonstrating commitment to quality
improvement, risk management and efficient resource
utilization.
Lead and / or support quality improvement initiatives
Work with the CNM, Oncology, the lead clinicians for head
and neck and skin cancers and other key staff to proactively
plan service improvements for patients.
Key Responsibility Area
Expected Outcomes
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Professional
Development and
clinical competence
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Implement and maintain nurse led clinics to improve the
patients pathway
Participate in relevant research opportunities
Ensure patient/whanau feedback is sought and incorporated
into quality improvement initiatives
Ensure that all concerns, issues, complaints, incidents are
dealt with appropriately, in collaboration with the Clinical
Nurse Manager.
Reviews and develops clinical standards, protocols and
policies to facilitate auditing of national health targets and
FCT
Undertake ongoing education related to head and neck and
skin cancers
Maintain current knowledge of clinically relevant trends and
practice
Establish networks within the CNS cancer coordinators in
the Northern region and other DHB’s within New Zealand.
Participate in relevant senior nursing forums
Participate in forums/conferences related to the specialty
area and feedback learnings to relevant staff
Treaty of Waitangi
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Contribute to the promotion of the principles of Treaty of
Waitangi and the involvement if Maori within the decision
making process for their health and independence, within
District Health Board management processes and
procedures
Include the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi within all
aspects of the role and its outcomes
Ensure that consultation and engagement processes include
appropriate mechanisms to meet the need of Maori in a
culturally appropriate and safe manner
Attend the Northland District Health Board Maori Health
Cultural Quality Programme
Health & Safety
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Ensure compliance with designated responsibilities detailed
in Northland District Health Board’s Health and Safety Policy
Promote an environment of physical, occupational, cultural,
ethical and legal safety
Observe safe work practices, rules and instructions relating
to work, and be pro-active in hazard management
Willingly co-operate in the achievement of all health and
safety goals and initiatives by:
 Practicing and observing safe work methods;
 The use of safety equipment;
 Reporting unsafe conditions or equipment; and
 Reporting and documenting all accidents or incidents
Maintain mandatory practice updates
Variation of Duties
Duties and responsibilities described above should not be construed as a complete and
exhaustive list as it is not the intention to limit in any way the scope or functions of the
position. Duties and responsibilities can be amended from time to time either by additional,
deletion or straight amendment by the Clinical Nurse Manager to meet any changing
conditions, however this will only be done in consultation with the employee.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
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New Zealand Registered Nurse with
current annual practicing certificate
Undertaking post-graduate education
PDRP (or equivalent) at expert level
Post Graduate study in or similar
Completed post-graduate diploma /
Masters
Experience
Essential
Desirable
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Minimum of five years post registration
experience in relevant clinical area
Knowledge of head and neck and skin
cancers
Experience in surgical setting
Experience in an oncology setting
Awareness and Understanding of
Essential
Desirable
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The Treaty of Waitangi and its application
to the health setting
Privacy Act (1993) and Health
Information Privacy Code (1994)
Health and Safety in Employment Act
(1992)
Health and Disability Commissioner
(Code of Health and Disability Services
Consumers’ Rights) Regulations (1996)
Skills & Personal Attributes
Skills
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Positive, flexible collaborative approach
Ability to develop productive and positive working relationships
Ability to lead and facilitate change
Work effectively within a multidisciplinary team
Excellent assessment skills and the ability to reflect assessment in the planning of care
Demonstrates ability to make independent judgments
Excellent communication/liaison skills, written and oral
Demonstrates accountability of actions
Proven ability to link theory with practice
Computer literacy
Good time management and organizational skills
Communicates expectations & agreed goals, provides ongoing feedback & objectively
evaluates performance
Applies sound reasoning in problem solving / decision making
Personal Attributes
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A strong patient/client focus
Role models professionalism
Commitment to ongoing quality improvement and patient safety
Participates in personal reflection
Excellent communication skills and team player
Ability to work with deadlines and prioritise
Communicates effectively, listening and encouraging the viewpoints of others
Ability to adapt and work effectively within a variety of situations, and with various
individuals and groups.
Confident and competent with decision making
Good sense of humour.
Performance Development Review
An initial review of performance will be conducted after three months, with an annual review
thereafter.
An individual Development Plan will be developed to reflect the contribution this position is
expected to make towards achieving the team’s objectives and measures. Key result areas
will be developed and agreed at this time.
Authorised by:
Signature:
Date:
Acceptance
Acceptance of the position implies acceptance of this position description.
Position Title:
Signature of employee:
Date: