Department of Nursing - Division of Medicine
Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Ltd., Dublin 7
Role Description
Clinical Nurse Specialist in Dermatology
Job Title:
Grade:
Equivalent Hours
Reports to:
Accountable to:
Location:
Clinical Nurse Specialist in Dermatology
Equivalent to Clinical Nurse Manager 2 (CNM2)
37.5 hours per week Permanant and pensionable
Divisional Nurse Manager, Division of Medicine
Professionally/Operationally/Clinically to the Director of Nursing
Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
Purpose of the Post:
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The Clinical Nurse Specialist in Dermatology will be responsible for the
provision of specialist care to Dermatology patients and will manage a case
load of patients with dermatological conditions.
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Work as a key member of the multi-disciplinary team providing physical,
psychological and emotional support to patients with dermatological
conditions and their families.
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Responsibility for promoting excellent communications and coordinating the
dermatology service between the acute and primary care settings.
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Ward based role – reviewing dermatology patients.
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OPD role- the dermatology nurse specialist will provide expert assistance to
the multidisciplinary dermatology team. Ensuring that appropriate nursing care
is planned for individual patients.
Responsibilities:
Clinical Focus: Direct and Indirect Care
Direct Care:
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Assessment, planning and delivery of nursing care to the persons with
dermatological conditions in accordance with research based policies,
procedures, guidelines and standards from a national and international
perspective. The CNS will conduct comprehensive assessments and will
demonstrate a high level of autonomy and expert skill
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The CNS will utilise clinical reasoning skills in caring for people with dermatology
conditions and integration of specialist knowledge within the clinical setting.
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The CNS will act as a specialist resource person in caring for persons with
complex dermatology conditions.
This will involve:
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Assessing individual patients with skin diseases
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Provision of expert advise and care
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Provide advice, support and education regarding dermatological
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conditions, the various forms of treatment and any side effects
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Ensuring that each patient receives the prescribed treatment and
nursing care
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Delivering nurse led clinics in patch testing Photo Dymamic Theraphy
Cryotherapy,Immunotherapy,Camouflague, Psoriasis and Eczema.
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Ensure to liaise effectively with multidisciplinary team providing patients
with necessary care
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Provision of advise for all dermatology patients
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Review and management of in-patient referrals
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Give advise on the condition of their skin and instruct patients and family
in practical skills which need to be carried out following discharge
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Advise regarding follow up where appropriate.
Indirect Care:
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Participates in multi – disciplinary team meetings and undertakes ward rounds
as required
To utilise advanced knowledge, expertise and leadership skills to influence
patients continued care with dermatology
Ensure strong patient advocacy by maintaining effective communication
channels with patient, family and all members of the multidisciplinary team.
Attend hospital committee meetings as required.
Accurate documentation – maintains accurate patient clinical records
complying with legislation and best practice.
Develop and distribute information leaflets to patients and provide patient
information.
Actively involved in the preparation and implementation of dermatology
policies and procedures. Also, being aware of all hospital policies and
procedures and collaborate with other health professionals to ensure that
these are being observed.
Review current available literature and facilitate the development of
information leaflets for patients and families
Patient Advocate:
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To develop systems to give service users and carers an opportunity to have
views represented in relation to services provided in the area of speciality and
service developments.
Provide an efficient, effective and high quality service, respecting the needs of
each patient.
Ensure that patients comfort and needs are given priority at all times
Provide support for patients suffering acute or chronic skin disease.
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Review and assess referred patients taking into account the patients opinions
and guide in their decision making. Communicate, negotiate and represent
the plan of care for the patient, with clinical medical and nursing staff
To foster and promote that regard is taken to the dignity, choices, self-esteem
and well being of clients and their relatives in the area of ongoing care.
In collaboration with clients, take available opportunities to represent views of
and negotiation on behalf of individual clients and/or client groups at a
multidisciplinary level and with other personnel or agencies as appropriate.
Be aware of existing resources/services which help patients and their families
e.g. community services support groups, entitlements.
Education and training:
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Facilitate, initiate, participate and evaluate continuing education programmes
for staff to include training on dermatology conditions.
To act as a positive role model for colleagues and others in relation to
professional conduct and practice in the area of discharge planning/ongoing
care for dermatology patients.
Be responsible for identifying his/her own training development needs in
consultation with the Divisional Nurse manager in order to keep professionally
and clinically updated.
To take every reasonable opportunity to sustain and improve personal
knowledge and professional competence.
To be responsible for creating an environment that is conducive to learning
and development of self and others. This includes the assessment of
competency of student nurses, and other staff on placement to specialist
area, as appropriate.
To provide professional, clinical and education advice to nursing staff and
other healthcare staff as appropriate on the acute and community services
available.
To act as a health educator to patients/clients, their relatives, members of the
public and staff, to include advising on the promotion of positive community
health.
To attend relevant conferences and meetings relating to Dermatology and its
relevant conditions.
Audit and Rearch:
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To monitor, access, utilize and disseminate current relevant research findings
in order to advise and ensure the provision of informed evidence based
practice in safe discharge and ongoing care of patients.
Be responsible for identifying opportunities for nursing research, which would
contribute to the development of services. To initiate, participate or conduct
agreed nursing research inline with local and regional policy.
To identify areas of practice for evaluation and audit. Evaluate current practice
and improved methods of care against current, peer reviewed research
findings/evidence based standards.
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To gather information, develop and maintain an information base to record
and monitor details of all referrals to your service/caseload activity, and report
on these as per service needs.
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To establish, implement and evaluate audit programmes of the services and
outcomes for patients/clients. This could include monitoring and evaluation of
patient/client satisfaction with the service, measuring the services structure,
process or outcomes of care or auditing Community Liaison’s educational
programmes.
Consultancy
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Provide a leading and participating role with the implication and evaluation of
dermatology care at the Mater University Hospital.
Promote and provide holistic care for patients with dermatology conditions.
Recognise the importance of health promotion.
Work as an innovator and change agent within the speciality of Dermatology
Nursing
Act as an expert role model for health care professional.
Provide advice, support and education regarding dermatological conditions,
the various forms of treatment and any side effects of these treatments
.
Professional Development:
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The CNS will conduct comprehensive assessments and demonstrate a high
level of autonomy and expert skill. The CNS will also manage complex
response of individuals, families, groups and communities.
Attend relevant conferences. Disseminate information gained with colleagues
as appropriate.
Continually re-evaluate the progress of the specialist role in the annual
service plan. Make amendments or suggestions to the service, based on
findings in an attempt to improve the delivery.
Policies and Procedures:
The Clinical Nurse Specialist must be conversant with and adhere to hospital policies – example:
A. Health, Safety and Welfare at Work legislation
B. Hospital Fire Policy
C. Hospital Infection Control Policies
D. Data Protection and Freedom of Information Legislation
E. Hospital Grievance and Disciplinary Procedures
F. Risk Management Policies
The successful applicant may have to undertake additional duties & responsibilities from time to time
as requested by the Directorate Nurse Manager
Department of Nursing
Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Ltd., Dublin 7
Medical Specialty/Emergency Directorate
Clinical Nurse Specialist in Dermatology Nursing
Person Specification
JOB TITLE
Clinical Nurse Specialist In Dermatology Nursing
GRADE
Equivalent to Clinical Nurse Manager 2
WHOLE TIME
Permanent WTE or Part time
REPORTS TO
Directorate Nurse Manager Emergency/Medical Specialty Directorate.
CNM3
ACCOUNTABLE TO
Professionally to the Director of Nursing
ESSENTIAL
QUALIFICATIONS &
EXPERIENCE:
Presently registered in the General Division of Live Register of Nurses maintained by
the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
Have a minimum of 5 years full time post-registration experience in general medical
and surgical nursing and a further 2 years full time equivalent in Dermatology
nursing, and demonstrate evidence based practice in the speciality
Hold a recognised Post Graduate Qualification in Dermatology Nursing at level 8 or
above.
Have proven clinical and professional managerial ability, leadership, communication
and organisation skills
CORE CONCEPTS
OF THE ROLE:
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Clinical Focus
Patient Advocate
Education & Training
Audit & Research
Consultancy