Clinical Nurse Specialist - Bariatrics

Job Title:                         Clinical Nurse Specialist - BariatricsDepartment: Bariatric ServicesJob Type: PermanentHours:                             37.5 hours per week (Fill Time) Blackrock Clinic is the leading and longest established private hospital and clinic in Ireland. Since it opened in the mid-1980s, the clinic has consistently built an unparalleled reputation in new high-tech surgical procedures, medical treatments, and ground-breaking diagnostics. Blackrock Clinic is now part of Blackrock Health private hospital group along with the Hermitage Clinic, Galway Clinic, and Limerick Clinic, some of the most advanced hospitals in Irish private healthcare. As a JCI accredited hospital, Blackrock Clinic is a progressive and pioneering hospital in which care for the patient is central to everything we do. Role PurposeThe CNS/ Candidate CNS Bariatric Services will provide a core fundamental role and be the central point of contact for patients in the run up to and after bariatric surgery. They will be responsible for providing a specialist nursing service for patients who require support and treatment through the continuum of care and will act as a resource for patients on all aspects of their condition and provide education, support and guidance to all staff. Qualifications-         Each candidate must on the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office. -         Be registered in the General Division of the active Register held by Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. -         Have a minimum of 1 year post registration full time experience or an aggregate of 1 year’s full-time experience in the division of the register in which the application is being made-         Have a minimum 1 years’ experience or aggregate of 1 year’s full-time experience in the specialist area of bariatric surgical care and/or medical weight management servicesOr-         If the applicant does not have the relevant specialist experience, they will be supported to attain one years’ clinical specialist experience. And-         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 Level 9 qualification, the applicant will be supported to undertake the required post graduate education as relevant to the specialist area.And-         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 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.-         Demonstrate behaviour consistent with the Values of the Hospital.-         Reporting relationship will be to the Assistant Director of Nursing.-         Be professionally accountable to the Director of Nursing. Clinical Role-         To work with multi-disciplinary team to ensure those patients receiving treatment have access to specialist care, knowledge and expertise.-         Prepare patients for surgery.-         Provide preadmission education sessions to prepare patients for their surgery and also for discharge-         Conduct in hospital review of patients prior to discharge and provide and further education for recovery.-         Provide clinical leadership to ward staff when caring for patients requiring bariatric surgery.-         Provide a PPPG led specialist nursing service for in-patients and out-patients. -         Coordinate individual patient care by providing the link between various healthcare professionals ensuring a smooth pathway through the specialist obesity surgical service.-         Be point of contact for patient and deal with post-operative queries, phone-calls and emails.-         Provide telephone service for patient support.-         Co-ordinate patient treatment schedules and interventions. Liaise with medical team, pharmacy, Community pharmacy as appropriate.-         Plan and run nurse-led clinics. -         Be available to give skilled emotional and psychological support to patients throughout their patient journey in.-         Facilitate effective communications between the multidisciplinary team, the patients and their families.-         Refer patients/relatives to other members of the multi-disciplinary team when appropriate.-         Review when necessary, update written information for patients and families. Patient Advocate Role-         Communicate with patients and families, assess needs and provide relevant support, information, education and advice as necessary. -         Act as the patient’s advocate, when necessary, especially in informed discussion to promote the patients’ participation in decision making thereby enabling informed choice of treatment options.-         Be expected to promote within the Specialist Obesity Surgical Service and throughout the Hospital an awareness of the primacy of the patient in relation to all Hospital activities. 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.-         Actively promote bariatric services health issues within the Hospital and within the community using various forums, clinics, committees and patient information leaflets. Education-         The CNS will be expected to deliver structured and impromptu educational opportunities to facilitate staff and patient education. This will include educational sessions for Pre-Registration and Post Registration Nurses, medical staff, attendants and allied health professionals.-         Provide education to patients at all time points in their pathway through the surgical service. In particular providing pre-hospitalisation information and pre-discharge advice.-         Undertake continuing professional development, availing of formal and informal educational opportunities thus ensuring continuing credibility amongst nursing, medical and allied health professionals (NCNM 2001)-         Manage workload effectively, ensuring appropriate use of available time.-         Make effective use of developments in information technology for both patient care and administrative support in a manner, which integrates well with systems throughout the organisation.-         Serve as a resource to affiliated health care and community organisations seeking information and guidance on specialist obesity surgical services related issues. Consultative Role-         Facilitate and promote effective communications between the medical staff, nursing staff, allied Health Professionals, other hospital staff, the patients and their families. -         Will be expected to actively participate in change management and developments within the area. -         Identify and plan with support from the Nurse Practice Development Department, in consultation with the Nurse Manager and Director of Nursing requirements for the service at a strategic level. -         Develop a flexible and innovative approach, forming links with other specialists. -         Liaise with the National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery as necessary. -         Participate in relevant committees. -         Attend, organise and document MDT meetings. -         Provide advice and information about Specialist Obesity Service and its management where required to nursing, medical and allied health care staff within the hospital. -         Communicate with Consultants and Clinical Nurse Specialists within other hospitals. -         Co-operate with development in information technology to ensure a safer and more efficient service.  Audit Role -         Be expected to audit current nursing practice and evaluate improvements in the quality of patient care within the service. -         Produce monthly figures on service activity and an annual report. -         Collect data, audit and analysis to ensure patient outcomes are captured and utilised to promote and improve the service offered-         Ensure patient information is entered onto the National Bariatric Surgery Registry and maintain a bariatric patient database.-         Conduct relevant nursing research. -         Maintain as required an asset register of appropriate equipment.  Why work at the Blackrock Clinic?At the Blackrock Clinic, we are passionate about our people and believe in their development and growth. As a member of the team you can benefit from:  • Competitive salary• Onsite parking• Pension• Annual bonus*• Discounted café• Sports and Social club• Employee Assistance Programme• Discounted onsite pharmacy Please Note:Job descriptions are a reflection of the present service requirements and may be subject to review and amendments to meet the changing needs of the service. Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received.Blackrock Clinic is an Equal Opportunities employer, and we are committed to creating an environment that promotes equality and dignity at work. Blackrock Clinic is committed to providing reasonable accommodation when needed. Please advise if you have particular requirements, so that we can look into arranging reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. You can contact us at HR@blackrockhealth.com It is essential that you have valid work permission for the Republic of Ireland to take up employment for this position, or in the case of critical skills, you must be eligible for a work permit.