POSITION SUMMARY:

The Transplant, Urology & Nephrology Directorate provides a national transplant service and is a regional and tertiary referral centre for nephrology and urology. There are approximately 21 transplant beds, 16 urology beds and 26 nephrology beds. There are acute and maintenance haemodialysis services providing in the region of 30,000 haemodialysis treatments annually. There is an active home therapies service, providing training for patients to carry out peritoneal dialysis or haemodialysis in their own home. There is also a Plasmapheresis service provided by haemodialysis trained staff to the nephrology, transplant, haematology and neurology services.The Directorate also includes the national organ procurement service

EDUCATION - STAFF DEVELOPMENT

1. Create and maintain an environment conducive to evidence based teaching, learning and practice with the clinical practice nurse manager/ .
2. Act as an effective role model, mentor and leader of staff i.e. leading by example.
3. Take all possible steps to promote the development of staff nurses with the aim of facilitating nurses to be autonomous and expert practitioners.
4. Lead in the training and development of the Healthcare Assistant role in the Haemodialysis setting in collaboration with Clinical Nurse Manager III/Directorate Nurse Manager.
5. Identify training and development needs of individual staff assigned to the Unit and set objectives for such learning in collaboration with the clinical practice nurse manager/ dialysis instructor
6. Facilitate appropriate study days for nursing and support staff in accordance with Department of Nursing policy.
7. Identify and utilise teaching, learning and practice opportunities in the clinical setting and encourage problem based learning strategies based on patient health problems.
8. Participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of Induction/Orientation Training Programmes, Continuing Education Programmes and the Post Graduate Nephrology Nursing Programme.
9. Participate in the annual Transplant Urology and Nephrology conference. Assist with the preparation and presentation of posters for the conference and other suitable conferences throughout the year.
10. Ensure the availability of appropriate information/educational resources for patients and families aiming to encourage independence, the prevention of illness and the promotion of health for all Haemodialysis patients.
11. Actively seek research findings, which will support clinical practice and participate actively with research opportunities within the Unit.

THE JOB DESCRIPTION INDICATES THE MAIN FUNCTIONS 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 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) Are registered in the relevant division of the Register of Nurses & Midwives
maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland [NMBI] (Bord
Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) or entitled to be so registered.
(ii) Have at least 3 years post registration fulltime experience (or an aggregate of 3
years post registration full time experience) of which 1 year post registration full
time experience (or an aggregate of 1 years post registration full time experience)
must be in the speciality or related area.
(iii) Have the clinical, managerial and administrative capacity to properly discharge
the functions of the role.
(iv) Candidates must demonstrate evidence of Continuing Professional Development.

DESIRABLE SKILLS

Plasmapheresis experience is desirable or willingness to undertake a training programme.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

It is intended that the post holder will rotate between the roles of CNM1 to both the Regular and Acute Haemodialysis Services and CNM1 to the TPE programme. Rotation will be worked out locally depending on the needs of the service and as the post holder develops their expertise in the different areas.
The post holder is expected to demonstrate team leadership and management in the maintenance and development of a high quality nursing service to the Regular Haemodialysis Unit and Acute Renal Failure service to ITU’s at Beaumont Hospital and TPE service to the Renal and Neurology Departments. He/she will be responsible to assist in the day to day management of the Regular Haemodialysis Programme in co-operation with colleague Clinical Nurse Manager 11 Grades and will be expected to participate in the development of services provided in the Unit.
The job holder will assist Clinical Nurse Manager II with regard to:-
(a) Directing and co-ordinating a high quality evidence based nursing service in a multi-disciplinary environment and promoting the highest attainable standard of patient care..
(b) Rostering and supervising staff, teaching and training nursing and support staff, and ensure the economical management of resources.
(c) Enable the training and development of nursing staff in the provision of safe and effective practice through team leadership, management and practical expertise.
(d) Enable the development, implementation and evaluation of clinical practice in accordance with the Department of Nursing policy. Contributing to the development of clinical guidelines.
(e) Ensure the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care, the setting of standards of care and the review and update of nursing policies and procedures based on current and sound practice.
(f) Audit the work of the Department and evaluate outcomes of care.
(g) Take responsibility for the co-ordination of workload and the assignment of staff across the Haemodialysis services for the duty shifts and in the absence of CNMII & CNMIII.

CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To be an effective Practitioner able to establish and maintain a high quality evidence based nursing service.
2. Direct, supervise and support the nursing staff in the management of nursing care i.e. provide professional and specialist advice on the provision of nursing care and participate in the delivery of care.
3. Ensure clinical competency of nursing staff in performing clinical procedures and introduce new clinical practices and techniques in an appropriate manner.
4. Using a model of nursing consistent with Hospital Nursing Policy assess the health status of individual patients receiving Haemodialysis therapy.
5. Promotes the concept of primary nursing care and nursing delivery systems.
6. Ensure that appropriate nursing care and Haemodialysis treatment is planned for individual patients based on assessment and that each patient receives appropriate care in compassing medical decisions and in conformance with established procedures and standards of care.
7. Collaborate with the medical team with regard to the effectiveness of care and the adequacy of dialysis. Institute changes in dialysis management, as required, and implement nursing or medical treatment necessary.
8. Review patient care plans for appropriate patient goals, problems, approaches and revise based on nursing needs.
9. Promote patient/family participation in care, identifying and meeting the learning needs of patients and their family.
10. Ensure the provision of timely and complete information and education for individual patients aimed at promoting independence, prevention of illness and promotion of health.
11. Ensure the provision of psychological support by nursing staff to patient and families and encourage patients who have ongoing psychological problems to self-refer to the Nurse Counselling service.
12. Ensure adequate Liaison by nursing staff with patient/family and Patient Care Co-ordinators with regard to patient’s occupational and social needs.