Clinical Nurse Specialist - Oncology/ Hematology

Clinical Nurse Specialist - Oncology/ Hematology

The above vacancy has arisen within Nursing department due to the expansion in service (additional role)

This role is on a permanent, full-time basis working 37.5 hours per week.

Professional Responsibilities:

The role:

A safe quality service is the foundation on which haematology/oncology care is provided to patients in Blackrock Health Group Galway Clinic. Multidisciplinary Team participation, with CNS leadership is an integral part of the patient care process. A nurse-led care approach is central to service delivery in a person-centered care environment.

Under the direction of the Line Manager the post holder will:

• Practice nursing according to:

(a) The professional code as laid down by the registration body

(b) The policies and procedures as laid down by Blackrock Health Galway Clinic.

• Support the philosophy, objectives and goals of the Nursing Department
• Follow appropriate lines of authority within the Nurse Management structure
• Participate as a team member in all aspects of patient care
• Demonstrate a high degree of motivation and assume responsibility for professional self -development
• Recognize the importance of good interpersonal relationship with patient, visitors and staff
• Demonstrate flexibility by assisting in other areas of the hospital as required

Direct Care

Clinical Nurse Specialist (Haematology) will:

• Provide a specialist nursing service for patients who require support and treatment through the continuum of care, demonstrating specialist knowledge of and clinical expertise in the delivery of patient care.
• Undertake a comprehensive patient assessment to include physical, psychological, social and spiritual elements of care using best evidenced based care in the specialist area of nursing practice.
• Use the outcomes of patient assessment to develop, coordinate and implement plan of care and treatment in conjunction with clinical team, the patient and family as appropriate. Attend multidisciplinary team meetings, ward rounds etc. as required.
• Contribute to and support the use of patient review through the use of virtual technology/telephone nurse led review. Provide a point of telephone contact for patient experiencing disease/treatment related symptoms and assess patients using the UKONS telephone triage system.
• Actively participate in planning and carrying out of unscheduled review of patients presenting unwell to the Haematology services with disease/treatment related side effects and escalating in line with local care pathways.
• Provide support to the family/ significant other, through listening, problem solving and education. Communicate with patients, family and /or carer as appropriate, to assess patient’s needs and provide relevant support, information, education, advice and counselling as required in relation to management of disease and treatment related side effects.
• Assess patients regarding their need for referral to specialist cancer services. Report such patient need promptly to the consultant/ clinical leader and discuss referral.
• Foster good working relationships with all members of the clinical team, which are both professional and supportive.
• Where appropriate work collaboratively with MDT colleagues across Primary and Secondary Care to provide a seamless service delivery to the patient, family and/or carer as appropriate.
• Participate in medication reconciliation taking cognisance of polypharmacy 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 patients with appropriate self-management strategies and escalation pathways.
• Maintain accurate clinical records complying with legislation and best practice.
• Demonstrate leadership ability and good communication skills in all aspects of the CNS role and responsibilities.
• Identify health promotion priorities for the patient, family and/or carer and support patient 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 patient’s needs.

Indirect Care

• Identify contribute to, agree and develop appropriate referral pathways for Haematology patients who are experiencing a disease or treatment related complication in collaboration with the Team.
• Participate in case review with MDT colleagues.
• Use a person-centred approach to patients with complex needs 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. Be actively involved in the preparation and implementation of policies and nursing guidelines in relation to the management of care to the Haematology patients.
• Take a lead role in ensuring the service for patients with a haematology condition is in line with best practice guidelines and the Safer Better Healthcare Standards (HIQA, 2012).
• Collaborate with other health care professionals to ensure all hospital policies and procedures are adhered to.

Patient/Client Advocate

• Communicate, negotiate and represent patient’s family and/or carer values and decisions in relation to their condition in collaboration with MDT colleagues in both Primary and Secondary Care as appropriate.
• Develop and support the concept of advocacy, particularly in relation to patient participation in decision making, thereby enabling informed choice of treatment options.
• Respect and maintain the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of the patient, family and/or carer.

Establish, maintain and improve procedures for collaboration and cooperation between Acute Services, Primary Care and Voluntary Organisations as appropriate.

• Proactively challenge any interaction which fails to deliver a quality service to patients.

Education & Training

• Maintain clinical competence in patient management within haematology nursing/midwifery, keeping up to date with relevant research to ensure the implementation of evidence-based practice.
• Maintain clinical competence in patient management within haematology nursing/midwifery, keeping up to date with relevant research to ensure the implementation of evidence based practice.
• Provide the patient, family and/or carer with appropriate information and other supportive interventions to increase their knowledge, skill and confidence in managing their haematology condition.
• Contribute to the design, development and implementation of education programmes and resources for the patient, family and/or carer in relation to haematology care thus empowering them to self-manage their condition.
• Provide mentorship and preceptorship for nursing 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 haematology care delivery through journal clubs, conferences, etc.
• Develop and maintain links with Regional Centres for Nursing & Midwifery Education (RCNMEs), the Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Units (NMPDUs) and relevant third level Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) in the design, development and delivery of educational programmes in haematology care.
• Be responsible for addressing own continuing professional development needs.

Audit & Research

• Establish and maintain a register of patients with haematology conditions within Clinical Nurse Specialist (Haematology) Caseload.
• Maintain a record of clinically relevant data aligned to National Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) as directed and advised by the DON.
• Identify, initiate and conduct nursing and MDT audit and research projects relevant to the area of practice.
• Identify, critically analyse, disseminate and integrate best evidence relating to transferring haematology care into practice.
• Contribute to nursing research on all aspects of haematology care.
• Use the outcomes of audit to improve service provision.
• Contribute to service planning and budgetary processes through use of audit data and specialist knowledge.
• Monitor, access, utilise and disseminate current relevant research to advise and ensure the provision of informed evidence based practice.

Audit expected outcomes including:

• Collate data which will provide evidence of the effectiveness of Clinical Nurse Specialist (Haematology) interventions undertaken - Refer to the National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery final report - Evaluation of Clinical Nurse and Midwife Specialist and Advanced Nurse and Midwife Practitioner roles in Ireland (SCAPE Report, 2010) and refer to the National KPIs associated with the speciality. They should have a clinical nursing focus as well as a breakdown of activity - patients seen and treated.
• Evaluate audit results and research findings to identify areas for quality improvement in collaboration with nursing management and MDT colleagues (Primary and Secondary Care).

Consultant

• Provide leadership in clinical practice and act as a resource and role model for haematology practice.
• Generate and contribute to the development of clinical standards and guidelines and support implementation.
• Use specialist knowledge to support and enhance generalist nursing practice.
• Develop collaborative working relationships with local Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialist’s/Registered Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioner/MDT colleagues as appropriate, developing person centred care pathways to promote the integrated model of care delivery.
• With the support of the Director of Nursing, attend integrated care planning meetings as required.
• Where appropriate develop and maintain relationships with specialist services in voluntary organisations which support patients in the community.
• Liaise with other health service providers in the development and on-going delivery of the National Clinical Programme model of care.
• Network with other Clinical Nurse Specialist (Haematology)’s in related professional associations.

Management/Administration

• Provide an efficient, effective and high quality service, respecting the needs of each patient, family and/or carer.
• Effectively manage time and caseload in order to meet changing and developing service needs.
• Continually monitor the service to ensure it reflects current needs.
• Implement and manage identified changes.
• Ensure that confidentiality in relation to patient records is maintained.
• Represent the specialist service at local, national and international forum as required.
• Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records and data on all matters pertaining to the planning, management, delivery and evaluation of care and ensure that this service is in line with HSE requirements.
• Contribute to the service planning process as appropriate and as directed by the DoN.
• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
• To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

The candidate:

• Be a registered nurse on the active Register of Nurses and Midwives held by NMBI
• Have a minimum of 1 years’ experience or an aggregate of 1 years’ fulltime experience in the specialist area of Haematology / Oncology
• Have successfully completed a post registration programme of study, as certified by the education provider which verifies that the applicant has achieved a Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) major academic Level 9 or higher award that is relevant to the specialist area of Cancer (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 4th ed (2008).

OR

• Alternatively provide written evidence from the Higher Education Institute that they have achieved the number of ECTS credits equivalent to a Level 9 or higher standard, relevant to the specialist area of Cancer(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 4th ed (2008) prior to application (See Note 1 below)
• Be required to demonstrate that they have continuing professional development (CPD) relevant to the specialist area.
• Have the ability to practice safely and effectively fulfilling his/her professional responsibility within his/her scope of practice
• Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability, including a high standard of suitability and clinical, leadership, managerial and administrative capacity for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.
• For Nurses/Midwives who express an interest in CNS role and who currently hold a level 8 educational qualification in the specialist area (equivalent to 60 ECTS or above), this qualification will be recognised up to September 2026

Closing date for receipt of applications is Monday, October 12th 2026 at 4.30 pm

Blackrock Health Galway Clinic is an equal opportunities employer.

Publisher job metadata

Hiring organisation: Blackrock Health Galway Clinic

addressLocality: Galway, Ireland

Country: Ireland

Employment type: fulltime