Clinical Nurse Specialist - Tissue Viability

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.Job Title    Clinical Nurse Specialist Tissue Viability Hours         37.5 hours per week ROLE PURPOSE·      The Clinical Nurse Specialist in Tissue Viability has a pivotal role to play in the coordination of care and management of  all patients.·      Clinical care, staff education and support, patient and family, education, research and audit are integral aspects of the role. ·      The overall benefit of the role for patients is to improve continuity and quality of care.·      The CNS is required to work closely with the multidisciplinary team in the delivery of the highest standard of patient care.·       Vision, innovation, flexibility, good communication and management skills are essential to the successful carrying out of the role QUALIFICATION·      Name maintained on Live Register with the NMBI.·      Have a minimum of five years post registration experience.·      Experience in Tissue Viability is desirable but not essential.·      The person must demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development.·      Ideally have undertaken a recognised Post Graduate Diploma in Tissue Viability or commitment to undertake KEY RESPONSIBILITIES1. Clinical PracticeDirect Care·      Give direct nursing care to patients at risk of developing pressure ulcers. Direct nursing care consists of assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of care to nurses, patients and their families.·      Required to work closely with the multi disciplinary team in the planning and delivery of the highest standard of care.·      Based on specially focused knowledge and skills, the CNS in tissue viability will assist in higher-level decision-making Indirect Care·      Give indirect care to patients. Indirect care relates to activities that influence others in their provision of direct care. Examples include discussion of patient care with staff nurses, development of practice guidelines specific to tissue viability.·      To act as a nurse adviser and role model at clinical level. Demonstrate specialist knowledge and skills through nursing practice.·      Demonstrate leadership ability together with good communication skills and management capability.·      Maintain awareness of current advances in pressure ulcer treatment, care and research.·      Develop nursing  protocols, guidelines and policies in conjunction with the multidisciplinary team hospital based on best practice ·      You must comply with all hospital policies in relation to Infection Prevention and Control.Patients and Client Advocate·      Utilises advanced pressure ulcer knowledge and experience to communicate, negotiate and represent patient values with other professionals and community resource providers.·      Act as a patient advocate when necessary·      Encourage the provision of a high standard of care to patients and families·      The CNS in Tissue Viability makes recommendations to the medical team for referrals of patients to dietitian, occupational therapist and community health care providers.·      Provide patient and family education at a level suitable for their learning needs·      Facilitate effective communication between patient/ family and the multidisciplinary teamEducation and Professional Development·      Help to foster supportive working and learning environment and maintain staff morale.·      Promote and create a climate of clinical inquiry through practice.·      Share specialist clinical knowledge with staff nurses and health care assistants through formal and informal learning opportunities. ·      Act as a resource to undergraduate and post-registration students and junior medical staff in tissue viability.·      Provide and develop family education, for example: available support groups, social services, and community resources.·      Complements the staff nurse role when more detailed specialist knowledge is required.·      Develop patient education materials in conjunction with multidisciplinary team.·      Identifies own learning needs and objectives and communicates these with line manager.·      Engages in relevant professional development.·      Network with other CNS to exchange and enhance specialist knowledge, both internal and external to the organisation.Audits and Research·      Be aware of hospital policies and procedures and collaborate with the multidisciplinary team and Quality manager to ensure that these are observed and updated.·      Utilise current research to function as a change agent, identify barriers to more comprehensive health-care delivery, modify behaviour, and introduce new approaches to patient care.·      Set standards of nursing practice. Communicate these standards to nursing personnel.·      Initiate, participate in and evaluate audit.·      Involved in continuous audit. ·      Identify evidence based practice in Tissue Viability and initiate change when indicated.·      Evaluate educational programmes for effectiveness. Consultations·      Receive referrals for patient consultation from other members of the multi disciplinary team throughout the hospital.·      Respond to request for specialist nursing knowledge throughout the hospital. Promote the role and demonstrate an understanding of the functions of the palliative care nurse specialist within the hospital.·      Identify need for service development.·      Consult with patients, family, multidisciplinary team, and hospital management to develop service·      Form links with other experts nationally and internationally.Professional Development ·      To facilitate professional development of nursing staff across the service.·      To act as a role model by demonstrating own continuous professional development.·      To be an effective practitioner with the ability to demonstrate clinical expertise in the care of patients using the Scope of Practice as set down by Irish Nursing Midwifery Board Ireland.·      Participate in research, audit and quality initiatives. Professional ExpectationsFunction within the limits of NMBI and hospital policies, procedures and standards.Support the Mission Statement of Blackrock Clinic.Demonstrate flexibility by assisting in other areas of the hospital as required.Demonstrate leadership qualitiesContinue to develop personal knowledge and skills. Provide direct supervision to other members of the nursing team when appropriate.Participate in working groups to develop and promote quality care within Blackrock Clinic.Actively support the infection control practice within the hospital.Maintain effective communication networks with all departments throughout the hospitalServe on committees within the hospital as appropriate.Ensure compliance with the Hospital Infection Prevention and Control Policy.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 recruitment@blackrock-clinic.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.