Clinical Nurse Specialist Dermatology

at  Beaumont Hospital

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Nurse Specialist in Dermatology is a practitioner with extensive clinical knowledge and expertise in the specialist field. Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, the nurse specialist will use his/her clinical skills, communication and inter personal skills to identify and address the needs of the patients and their families.

• To provide a holistic nursing, education and management service for patients/ clients, their families and health professionals in the Dermatology setting.
• To provide a timely, safe service to Dermatology patients, thus improving patient satisfaction and outcomes.
• To enhance the quality of service delivered by the multidisciplinary team to patients with dermatological conditions.
• To promote autonomous nursing practice by developing practice which is based on evidence and reflective problem solving.
• To devise and develop written protocols based on guidelines set out by the Irish Dermatology Society, British Dermatology Society and the American Collage of Dermatology, in order to improve and maintain a high quality of care to patients using the Dermatology service.

Responsibilities:

3. EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Patients and their families

The Clinical Nurse Specialist will :

• Assess and evaluate each individuals needs and learning abilities, taking into account experiences, attitudes and beliefs and provide educational programmes accordingly
• Work closely with the multidisciplinary team in the delivery of educational sessions on disease process, for patients and their families.
• Educate on self medication of both, oral and parental preparations prior to discharge or leaving outpatient clinic.
• Impart information, and educate patients in disease management, and life style change, coping strategies.
• Facilitate the provision of psychological and/or physiological support from other agencies as required.

Staff

The Clinical Nurse Specialist will:

• Facilitate staff education and development by delivering education sessions for staff regarding new medical treatments in Dermatology.
• Develop and deliver specific orientation and education programmes for all nurses joining the department.
• Facilitate the orientation and guidance of new members of the multidisciplinary team
• Engage in formal and non formal in house education programs to provide training for staff nurses, students and other members of the multidisciplinary team
• Educate, supervise and support junior staff to help them attain a level of competency in Dermatology nursing.
• Provide support, guidance and supervision to nursing staff, ensuring integration of both clinical and theoretical practice in achieving predetermined learning objectives.

THE JOB DESCRIPTION INDICATES THE MAIN FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST AND IS SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND AMENDMENT. OTHER SPECIFIC WORK NOT COVERED IN THIS JOB DESCRIPTION MAY ALSO BE ASSIGNED BY THE DIVISIONAL NURSE MANAGER OR DIRECTOR OF NURSING FROM TIME TO TIME.

Qualifications:

1. STATUTORY REGISTRATION, PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, ETC

(a) Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition:
(i) Be a registered nurse/midwife on the active Register of Nurses and Midwives
held by An Bord Altranais and Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing and
Midwifery Board of Ireland) or be eligible to be so registered.
(ii) Be registered in the division(s) of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
(Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) Register for which the
application is being made or be entitled to be so registered.
OR
(iii) 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.
(iv) Have a minimum of 1 years’ post registration full time experience or an
aggregate of 1 years’ full time experience in the division of the register in which
the application is being made (taking into account (ii) (iii) if relevant)
(v) Have a minimum of 1 years’ experience or an aggregate of 1 years’ full time
experience in specialist area of Dermatology Care.
(vi) 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 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 4th ed (2008).
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 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 4th ed (2008). Dermatology
care prior to application* (See *Note 1 below).
(vii) Be required to demonstrate that they have continuing professional development
(CPD) relevant to the specialist area.
(viii) Have the ability to practice safely and effectively fulfilling his/her professional
responsibility within his/her scope of practice
*Note 1: For Nurses/Midwives who express an interest in CNS/CMS roles 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.
(b) 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.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The provision of Specialist knowledge and Clinical Expertise in the Care of Patients focusing on 5 core competencies, which are:
1. Clinical Focus.
2. Patient Advocate.
3. Education and Training.
4. Audit and Research
5. Consultant