JOB DESCRIPTION
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)/Clinical Nurse Specialist Candidate (cCNS)
Acute Haematology and Oncology Services
Reference No: 06.037 (2025) Purpose and background of the post
The 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. This 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. The 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. The 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 delivers SACT. The 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.
QUALIFICATIONS
1. Each candidate must on the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office:
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
- Be registered in the General Division of the active register held by Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland or in exceptional circumstances which will be assessed on a case by case basis be registered in another division of the register of Nurses and Midwives.
- Have a minimum of 1 year post registration full time experience or an aggregate of 1 year full time experience in the division of the register in which the application is being made.
- Have a minimum of 1 year experience or aggregate of 1 year full time experience in the Oncology area of care to which they are applying.
- Have a third level qualification at not less than level 9 or higher award that is relevant to area of Haematology / Cancer Care Nursing care (equivalent to 60 ECTS or above), and in line with the requirements for specialist practice as set out by the National Council for Nursing and Midwifery.
Clinical Nurse Specialist Candidate (cCNS)
- Be registered in the General Division of the active register held by Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland or be entitled to be so registered.
OR
- In exceptional circumstances which will be assessed on a case by case basis be registered in another division of the register of Nurses and Midwives.
- Have a minimum of 1 year post registration full time experience or an aggregate of 1 year full time experience in the division of the register in which the application is being made.
- Have a minimum of 1 year experience or aggregate of 1 year full time experience in the Oncology area of care to which they are applying.
OR
- If the applicant does not have the relevant specialist experience, they will be supported to attain one years’ clinical specialist experience.
- Have a third level qualification at not less than level 9 or higher award that is relevant to the specialist area of care (equivalent to 60 ECTS or above), and in line with the requirements for specialist practice as set out by the National Council for Nursing and Midwifery.
OR
- If the applicant does not have the relevant specialist experience, the applicant will be supported to undertake the required post graduate education as relevant to the specialist area.
- All of the above must be achieved within two years from start of employment for this pathway.
Applicable to both pathways
- Have the clinical, managerial and administrative capacity to properly discharge the functions of the role.
- Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrate evidence of continuing learning and professional development.
- Confirm annual registration with NMBI to the HSE by way of the annual Patient safety Assurance Certificate.
Desirable
- A recognised qualification in Healthcare Management or be willing to undertake within a reasonable time of being in post.
2. Age Restrictions In Relation To Applications
Age restriction shall only apply to a candidate where they are not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004). A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed applications for the office occurs.
3. Health
A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
4. Be of good character.
5. Garda Vetting
Garda Vetting is sought for all employees and prospective employees of Tallaght University Hospital. Given the specialised nature of the services provided, your appointment will be subject to satisfactory Garda Vetting and re-vetting in circumstances where the Hospital deems it appropriate. The Hospital will then process the necessary documentation to endeavour to obtain satisfactory Garda clearance for you. You are obliged to disclose previous and any criminal convictions acquired during the course of your employment. Should the Hospital obtain information from the Garda Vetting Unit to indicate that your Garda clearance report is not satisfactory and / or if you have supplied the hospital with false or misleading information in relation to your Garda clearance status, the Hospital reserves the right to withdraw or terminate this contract in accordance with Tallaght University Hospital Garda Vetting policy.
6. Mandated and Designated Persons under Children First Act 2015
Schedule 2 of the Children First Act 2015 specifies the classes of persons defined as Mandated Persons for the purposes of the Act. This includes a range of disciplines that are employed by the hospital including all medical practitioners, registered nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists, social workers and others. This includes staff working in adult services. All mandated persons have two main legal obligations under the Children First Act 2015. Mandated persons, under the legislation are required to report any knowledge, belief or reasonable suspicion that a child has been harmed, is being harmed, or is at risk of being harmed. The Act defines harm as assault, ill-treatment, neglect or sexual abuse, and covers single and multiple instances. Mandated persons are also required to assist Tusla, if requested, in assessing a concern which has been the subject of a mandated report. Designated Officer are required to receive reports of suspected child abuse or neglect from any person who is of the opinion that (a) a child has been or is being assaulted, ill-treated, neglected or sexually abused, or (b) a child’s health, development or welfare has been or is being avoidably impaired or neglected. Full detailed list of mandated and designated staff together with details of their roles and responsibilities can be found on https://www.tusla.ie/children-first. It is the responsibility of all staff employed by TUH to be aware of their roles and responsibilities under the legislation and to complete mandatory Children First Training.
PARTICULARS OF OFFICE
1. The appointment is full-time, permanent and pensionable.
2. Remuneration:
Remuneration is in accordance with the salary scale approved by the Department of Health & Children. Current remuneration with effect from 1st March 2025 is:
Clinical Nurse Specialist - €60,854 by 11 increments to €76,897 incl. 1 LSI
Clinical Nurse Specialist Candidate - €56,081 by 8 increments to €66,045
Salary scales will be updated in line with nationally agreed pay agreements and will be updated accordingly and retrospective payments applied as applicable.
3. Pension Arrangements and Retirement Age
There are three superannuation schemes currently in operation for staff in Tallaght University Hospital:
(a) Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (Non-New Entrant)
(b) Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (New Entrant)
(c) Single Public Service Pension Scheme
Please read carefully the summary of the criteria for the three superannuation schemes below. This will assist you in identifying which scheme membership is applicable to your employment circumstances.
(a) If you have been continually employed in the public service prior to the 1st April 2004 and you have not had a break in service of more than 26 weeks, you will be included in the Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (Non-New Entrant) with a Minimum Retirement Age of 60 and a Maximum Retirement Age of 65.
(b) If you have been continually employed in the public service post the 1st April 2004 and you have not had a break in service of more than 26 weeks, you will be included in the Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (New Entrant) with a Minimum Retirement Age of 65. There is no Maximum Retirement Age.
(c) If you have commenced employment in the public service as a new entrant or you are a former public servant, returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks, you will be included in the Single Public Service Pension Scheme effective from the 1st January 2013 with a minimum retirement age of 66 (rising to 67 and 68 in line with state pension changes). The maximum retirement age under this scheme will be age 70.
4. Duties:
The Acute Haematology and Oncology Specialist Nurse will perform such duties as are outlined in this
Job description.
5. Hours of work:
Normal working hours are 37.5 worked over 5 days. Your contracted hours of work are liable to change to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement.
6. Probation:
The successful candidate will be appointed initially for a probationary period of 6 months. During the probationary period progress or otherwise will be monitored and at the end of the probationary period the service will (a) be certified as satisfactory and confirmed in writing or if not satisfactory, the probationary period may be extended by 3 months.
7. Annual Leave:
Annual leave entitlement is 25-28 days (pro rata), depending on length of service, plus 10 Bank Holidays per annum as they occur. The annual leave year runs from 1st of April to 31st March each year.
8. Sick Leave:
Payment of salary during illness will be in accordance with arrangements as approved from time to time by the Department of Health and Children.
9. Termination of Office:
The employment may be terminated at any time by 2 months’ notice on either side except where circumstances are dictated by the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act 1973/91. The Management’s right under this paragraph shall not be exercised save in circumstances where the Management is of the opinion that the holder of the office has failed to perform satisfactorily the duties of the post or has misconducted himself/herself in relation to the post or is otherwise unfit to hold the appointment.
GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITY
- Maintain throughout the Hospital awareness of the primacy of the patient in relation to all Hospital activities.
- Encourage recognition of the patient as an individual, ensuring patients’ needs and comfort are given priority.
- Work within the Scope of Practice
- Comply with all existing Hospital policies.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the Hospital/Departmental emergency plans
- Ensure the provision of a high standard of care to the patient and families is consistent with the mission, vision, values, and strategic plan of the Hospital.
- Commitment to continuous professional development including completion of relevant internal training programmes available through our Centre for Learning & Development Prospectus.
- Demonstrate behaviour consistent with the Values of the Hospital.
- Reporting relationship will be to CNM3 of cancer services.
- Be professionally accountable to the Director of Nursing.
SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITY
Clinical Role
The 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.
Patient Caseload
Haematology/ Oncology/Radiotherapy patients over 16 years of age.
The concepts are:
- Clinical Focus (Direct and Indirect Care)
- Service user/client Advocacy
- Education and Training
- Audit and Research
- Consultancy (including leadership in clinical practice)
The 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. The 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.
Clinical 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
- 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 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
- Provide 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
Indirect Care
- 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).
Patient/Client Advocate
- 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.
- Communicate 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
- Act as a resource/ contact person for Haematology/Oncology patients attending other departments within the hospital or outside the hospital for treatment
- Actively promote haematology/ oncology patient issues within the hospital and within the community using various forums, clinics, committees
- Devise a mechanism for patient feedback to evaluate the overall service
Education & Training
- 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 Centers 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.
- Undertake relevant AHOS video enabled care training to provide option of video enabled care to service users
- Attend NCCP National Acute Haematology Oncology Service nursing forum meetings, contribute to shared learning within the group to continue to further strengthen and shape the national service
Audit & Research
- 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 analyses, 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, utilize and disseminate current relevant research to advise and ensure the provision of informed evidence-based nursing/midwifery practice
Audit 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).
Consultancy (Including leadership in clinical practice)
- 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 the development of clinical standards and guidelines and support implementation
- Use growing specialist knowledge to support and enhance
own nursing/midwifery practice and practice of colleagues. - Develop collaborative working relationships with local Acute Haematology Oncology CNSs, Registered Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioner/MDT colleagues as appropriate, contributing to person centered care pathways to promote the integrated model of care delivery.
- With the support of the DON/line manager, attend integrated care planning meetings as required
- Where appropriate, develop and maintain relationships with specialist services in voluntary organizations which support service users in the community.
- Liaise with other health service providers in the development and on-going delivery of the National Clinical and Integrated Programme model of care.
- Network with other CNSs in Acute Haematology Oncology and in related clinical and professional areas of practice.
- Use growing specialist knowledge to support and enhance the care and management of unscheduled cancer patients
- Contribute to the professional development of students, peers, colleagues, primary care team and others through consultation, education, leadership, mentorship and coaching
- Liaise with other health service providers in the development and on-going delivery of the National Cancer Control Programme SACT model of care
Information Technology
- Ensure that the team makes the most effective and efficient use of developments in information technology for both patient care and administrative support in a manner, which integrates well with systems throughout the organisation.
- Ensure that all staff are trained in the use of computer systems, which are used in the management of patient episodes in the Hospital, e.g.: EPR, Pims, Order comms, Symphony, sap, core.
Health & Safety
- Ensure the compliance of all your staff with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005.
- Comply and enact Health and Safety responsibilities as outlined in Hospital policies, protocols and procedures relevant to your area.
- Prepare risk assessments and departmental safety statements as required.
Hygiene/Infection Control
- Ensure you are aware of your responsibility for Hygiene awareness. Hygiene is defined as “The practice that serves to keep people and environments clean and prevent infection.”
- Act as a role model and actively promote infection control and prevention and ensure that staff in your area familiarise themselves with the hospital infection control policies and guidelines as outlined in the Infection Control Manual.
- Ensure that staff in your area are aware that they work in an area where there is potential for transmission of infection.
- Ensure that all your staff are advised that they have a responsibility to prevent the transmission of infection particularly in relation to hand hygiene.
Quality, safety, and risk management
- Support the delivery of the Quality, Safety and Risk Management Programme, including the appropriate identification, reporting and management of risks and incidents throughout the hospital.
Confidentiality
- You will be aware of the confidential nature of Hospital work and in particular, the right of patients to confidentiality. To this end, you will not discuss workings of the Hospital or its patients or disclose any information of a confidential nature except as required to do so in the course of your work. No records, documents or property of the Hospital may be removed from the premises of the Hospital without prior authorisation. You must return to the Hospital upon request and, in any event, upon the termination of your employment, all documents or other property of the Hospital which are in your possession or under your control.
Data Management
- Ensure compliance with the obligations required by the Data Protection Act 2018.
Development of Hospital Groups
- The Hospital Structure is currently under review and therefore, reporting relationships may change. The development of Hospital Groups may require the post-holder to adopt a different reporting relationship and additional accountabilities. Full consultation will take place in advance of any such change.
NOTE: The extent and speed of change in the delivery of health care is such that adaptability is essential at this level of appointment. The appointee will be required to maintain, enhance and develop their knowledge, skills and aptitudes necessary to respond to this changing environment. They will also be required to participate in and support the Hospital’s Digital transformation strategy which may impact work processes and role profiles in the future. The Job Description must therefore be regarded as an outline of the major areas of accountability at the present time, which will be reviewed and assessed on an on-going basis as advancements and developments evolve.
GENERAL
Applications can be submitted ‘on-line’ at www.tuh.ie/careers by completing the application form and attaching your CV.
Candidates should be aware that, when applying for a post through the 'On-Line' Application System (Candidate Manager) they will receive an automated replying acknowledging receipt of their application. Should you for any reason, not receive this automated acknowledgement, you should notify the Human Resources Department, before the closing date, otherwise your application will not be considered.
Closing Date: Before close of business on 14th July 2025
Informal enquiries to:
Jun Cao Clinical Nurse Manager 3 - Cancer Services Telephone (01) 4144203/ email jun.cao@tuh.ie
Or
MaryJane Hally ADON by phone 01414 4068 / email maryjane.hally@tuh.ie
All candidates should note that, in order to maintain a timely process, the closing date and time for receipt of applications will be strictly adhered to.