Beacon Hospital

                                                Job Description

 

Job Title	Staff Nurse
Department	Oncology Day Unit
Reports to	Clinical Nurse Manager
Date	October 2007.

 

Overall Purpose of Job

We will provide exceptional patient care in an environment where quality, respect, caring and compassion are at the centre of all we do.

The staff nurse working within the Oncology Day Unit is responsible for the delivery of a high standard of patient focused care.

 

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables

 

·         To be aware of the policies and practices set out by the Beacon Hospital and the Department of Health on safe administration of cytotoxic preparations.

·         To work within a multidisciplinary team to ensure that paients receiving chemotherapy have continued access to specialist care, knowledge and expertise

·         The administration of prescribed cytotoxic chemotherapy to oncology patients via cannula, PICC, Hickman or Portacath

·         To administer chemotherapy in accordance with the protocols as set out by the Beacon Cancer Centre.

·         To provide information about treatment and side-effects – giving written information as appropriate

·         To facilitate effective communication between the multidisciplinary team, the patient and their family.

·         Assesses staff competencies and makes patient care assignments.

·         Delegates appropriate tasks to appropriate personnel, consistent with legal and professional guidelines and departmental standards.

·         Maintains clear communications with the Clinical Nurse Manager regarding unit needs and/or incidents.

·         Serves as a resource person on the unit.

·         Assists with patient care as needed.

• Adheres to internal controls established for department.
• Performs related duties as required.

 

 

Clinical Responsibilities:

 

The post holder will be familiar with and adhere to The Professional Scope of Practice Framework (An Bord Altranais 2000.)

 

 

Managerial Responsibilities:

 

·         The timely identification and communication of any issues to the Clinical Nurse Manager.

·         Demonstrate a confidence/competence in all hospital policies and guidelines

·         Efficient recording of all necessary documentation.

·         Effective managements of complaints.

·         Monitoring of all risk management processes.

·         Maintaining an effective interdisciplinary communication processes.

·         Efficient utilisation of pay and non -pay resources

·         Participate in all ward and hospital nursing communication processes {ward meeting/staff forums}

 

Inter-relationships

·         Maintains good working relationships with other departments and with physicians, patients, families and outside agencies.

·         Communicates during the shift with the Nurse Manager/ Nurse Supervisor.

·         Demonstrates the ability to delegate tasks and responsibilities

·         Participates in ongoing consultation and collaboration with physicians and other care

·         Providers to maximize patient outcomes and unit specific goals.

·         Demonstrates willingness to assist co-workers whenever needed.

 

The post holder will partake in the Total Quality Management processes thereby contributing to:

·         The identification of quality/policy/guideline issues

·         The evaluation of current practices to best practice

·         The setting of standards utilising structure, process and outcome

·         All hospital, regional and national audit processes

·         The Hospital Wide Accreditation Cycle

·         Health Promotion initiatives.

 

 

 

Personal / Professional Responsibilities:

 

The post holder is expected to

 

·         Attend in a timely manner all mandatory education sessions

·         Maintain a professional portfolio.

·         Ensure their professional and personal persona positively reflects the profession of nursing and Beacon Hospital.

·         Identify potential and beneficial topics for nursing research

·         Utilise all practical opportunities to educate the patient and their families.

·         Attend appropriate study days/courses.

·         Be a preceptor and or supervisor to students/newly appointed staff

·         Participate in their performance review with their Clinical Nurse Manager.

 

 

 

Educational Responsibilities:

 

Under the direction of the Clinical Nurse Managers the post holder will:

 

·         Develop teaching skills and participate in the planning implementation of orientation and teaching programmes for student nurses in the clinical setting.

·         Contribute to the identification of training needs pertinent to the clinical area.

·         Identify and contribute to the continual enhancement of learning opportunities in the clinical area.

·         Participate in the clinical induction of all new nursing and support staff.

·         Develop leadership ability in order to act as an effective role model.

·         Assume responsibility for own learning and development needs.

 

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Utilizes effective time management skills.
• Maintains professional appearance and dress code.
• Complies with guidelines for absence or tardiness
• Attends staff meetings, reads email and other postings.
• Attends all required in-services.
• All employees are expected to remain flexible to meet the needs of the hospital, which may include floating to other departments to assist as the patient needs fluctuate
• Wears Identification badge when working.
• Reports accidents/incidents, complaints to the Nurse Manager or her Deputy
• Particpate in regular staff meetings to ensure that information is disseminated and issues discussed.

 

Person Specification

 

Qualifications	·         An Board Altranais Registered General Nurse license in good standing
Experience (Amount and Type)	·         Two years clinical experience preferred. ·         Candidates must possess teaching abilities, leadership qualities, professional judgment, critical thinking and problem solving abilities, and a sense of professional development. Must demonstrate multi-tasking ability. ·         The employee, must speak, read and write grammatically correct English. ·         Utilizes effective time management skills
Job Specific Competencies and Knowledge	Teamwork ·   Demonstrate ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team. ·   Demonstrate motivation and an innovative approach to job.   Communication & Interpersonal Skills ·   Demonstrate effective communication skills including the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner. ·   Demonstrate an understanding of change management   Planning and Organising ·   Demonstrate evidence of effective planning, organising and time management skills ·   Demonstrate flexible approach – to internal rotations, rostering e.g. night duty, theatre on call, attitude to work Knowledge ·   Demonstrate evidence of recent and relevant experience in the specialised area and in an acute hospital setting. ·   Demonstrate knowledge of new developments in specialised area. ·   Demonstrate knowledge of national strategies where appropriate to nursing care   Patient/Customer Focus ·   Demonstrate a focus on quality ·   Demonstrate evidence of ability to empathise with and treat patients, relatives and colleagues with dignity and respect.
Personal Competencies	·         All posts in Beacon Hospital require a high level of flexibility to ensure the delivery of an effective and efficient service. Therefore, the post holder will be required to demonstrate flexibility as and when required by their manager of hospital management.

 

 

 

This job description is intended to be an outline of the areas of responsibility and deliverables at the time of its writing. As the Hospital and the post holder develop, this job description may be subject to review in light of the changing needs of the Hospital.

 

Job Description received by employee        _________________  ____________

                                                                        Signature                    Date