ABOUT THE HERMITAGE CLINIC

The Hermitage Clinic is a 112 bed private hospital in Lucan, West Dublin. Our specialised medical teams provide medical, surgical and advanced radiotherapy care to patients and are supported by the very latest medical technology. The Hermitage Clinic is committed to providing excellence in patient care using state-of-the-art facilities. The Clinic offers an outstanding level of expertise and cutting edge technology. We have the most advanced diagnostic imaging equipment available today, full Cardiological facilities including a Cardiac Catheterisation Suite and Clinical Laboratory services

LEARNING AND EDUCATION

• Contribute to the requirements of NMBI for the practice of professional nursing are met and upheld including the development of an expanded scope of nursing practice.
• Take personal responsibility for own professional development and keep up to date with evidence based practice and research.
• Attend and participate in development programmes on an ongoing basis and sharing knowledge with other members of the nursing team.
• Assist with the orientation and induction of new staff and be available to provide orientation as deemed necessary, helping them to integrate as members of the Unit team.
• Assist in the training of nursing support staff.
• Identify and informs the ADON nurse education and practice development of any training and professional development requirements.
• Attend all mandatory training days and ensure that all mandatary training is in date.
• Comply with all HR system and policy requirements.
• Promote awareness of National Clinical Guidelines for example Sepsis, its recognition and management, is embedded into all educational programmes for nursing and other healthcare staff.

JOB PURPOSE

As a key member of the nursing and education and professional development team, the Clinical Nurse Facilitator (CNF) will provide education, training and support to all members of staff. The CNF will facilitate professional development, encourage lifelong learning and foster an appropriate climate for learning within the clinical environment. In collaboration with the Clinical Nurse Managers the CNF will identify learning needs at ward level and develop effective learning activities to meet those needs. The position requires a collaborative and supportive approach to the development of services and structures, embracing continuous quality improvement and the implementation of changes necessary to achieve organisational objectives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Operations

• Provide education, mentorship and professional development support
• Monitors standards of nursing care provided and problem solves clinical nursing concerns.
• Is available to patients, relatives and visitors to provide the necessary support, education, reassurance and clinical and allied clinical information.
• Supervision of registered nurses, health care assistants, student nurses, ward clerks and administration staff while maintaining a safe working environment
• Ensures the agreed hospital policies and procedures are known, understood and implemented by the staff.
• Provides education and support for the implementation of national clinical guideline’s for example Sepsis.
• Gives direct nursing care to patients in a proactive manner.
• Works within a Multidisciplinary team in the co-ordination of holistic patient care.
• Implements evidence based nursing practice using a care planning / pathway approach.
• Liaises with medical staff on relevant matters concerning patient care and particularly with consultants.
• Ensures safe practice is adhered to in the storage, preparation, administration and documentation of all medications. Ensures that controlled drugs and controlled drug records are maintained in accordance with legal and professional standards.
• Design and develop curriculums that are effective and applicable to the clinical practice.
• Creates and maintains good communication patterns across all hospital s in providing excellent patient care.
• Maintains the safety and wellbeing of patients and staff in accordance with the Health and Safety policy. Investigates incidents, accidents and complaints. Reports these to nursing administration, submitting relevant forms as per policy and implements lessons learned from the incident.
• Encourages staff to utilise resources judiciously and to report faulty equipment. Ensures that repairs are carried out in a timely manner and recorded appropriately.
• Directs and supports the staff in the event of any emergency situation which may arise within the hospital.
• Reports on Nursing and Nursing practice issues to the ADON’s/Director of Nursing and Quality.
• Ensure best practice at department level by developing policies and procedures that are research and evidence based.
• Educates and supervises registered nurses, health care assistants, student nurses and administration staff to enable them to attain their potential and assume responsibility for delegated duties in a conductive learning environment.
• Identifies training and professional development needs for nursing staff and discusses same with the ADON’s/Director of Nursing and Quality. Facilitates staff to attend in-service training/programme when appropriate
• Exercises and demonstrates effective managerial and leadership skills.
• Promotes, nurtures and maintains a high level of staff morale hence promoting team spirit and job satisfaction.
• Promotes flexibility among staff thus ensuring a climate conductive to maximum performance and co-operation is maintained.
• Maintains personal nursing practice skills in the specialty and keeps abreast of clinical developments and new research
• Ensures that all staff practice nursing within the code set for the profession by NMBI and other standards such as those set by HIQA, HSA and JCI.
• Keeps up to date with Health & Safety requirements, fire regulations and Radiation Safety and Protection ensuring that all staff regularly attend such lectures and are familiar with the Cardiac Arrest procedure.
• Carries out Performance Reviews with all direct report staff.
• Reports to the ADON’s/Director of Nursing and Quality on the performance of the nursing staff on duty.
• Handles staff complaints, grievances and disciplinary matters in accordance with hospital policy.
• Attends staff committee meetings when appropriate.
• Promote the delivery of a high standard of care to all patients. Encourage evidence based practice and assist in the dissemination and implementation of research findings.
• Regularly evaluate clinical practice by means of inspection, audit and surveillance with a view to recommending improvement and changes where required.
• Partake in Accreditation, validation and approval processes relating to professional development and linked to quality patient care
• Promote a patient centred culture of openness and responsiveness to positive and constructive patient feedback and ensuring patient dignity, respect and choice is maintained in their care.