Clinical Nurse Specialist – Cardiothoracic Pre-Assessment Clinic

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 Type: Permanent

Hours: 35 per week (Full-Time)

Job Purpose:

The Cardiothoracic Clinical Nurse Specialist will lead the patient pathway through pre-assessment to surgery. Patients are assessed pre-operatively to ensure they are optimally fit for their surgery by carrying out systematic review to include documenting an accurate clinical history, medication review, physical examination and the ordering of relevant tests as determined by the pre-assessment history. The CNS will work in close collaboration with the multidisciplinary team in leading the pathway to surgery and supporting the pre-operative patients. 

The Cardiothoracic Clinical Nurse Specialist will direct data capture and audit processes to ensure evidence-based practice.

The role is responsible for the provision of quality service in line with standards of nursing practice. As a key member of the frontline team, the Clinical Nurse Specialist will demonstrate strong clinical skills and knowledge of cardiothoracic surgery and facilitate effective communication and efficiency. The position requires a collaborative and supportive approach to the development of services and process design, embracing continuous quality improvement and the implementation of changes necessary to achieve organisational objectives. 

A key responsibility is to ensure a stress-free surgical journey for patients and family members, and to assist consultants and anesthetists with detecting issues before they arise.

Key Relationships:

Consultant Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons and Anesthetists

Cardiac and Thoracic Registrars 

Cardiac and Thoracic Multidisciplinary Team Members

General Practice Referring Clinicians 

Referring Hospital Teams

Theatre and Cardiology Service teams 

CNS Cardiothoracic Post Operative Care 

Key Responsibilities:

Use a structured approach in the process of assessment and collection of data regarding the health and functional status of the patient.

Conduct comprehensive and accurate nursing assessment of patients, plan and implement care and evaluate the achievement of identified outcomes.

Utilising assessment skills and techniques to determine patient needs on admission

Liaise with consultants and their secretaries as required.

Coordinate patient tests as required, interpret results and flag accordingly.

Analyse and interpret data accurately.

Liaise with patients and family/carers in a timely manner.

Collaborate with the patient and family/carers in identifying expected health care outcomes and patient needs.

Develop appropriate and individualised patient and family/carers education and discharge planning and utilise available ward resources for same.

Update the written or computerised care plan as indicated.

Arrange consults and transfers.

Attend Cath Lab when required.

Follow through with all tests whilst providing reassurance and support to patient and family/carers.

Formulate a patients plan of care, outcomes including timeframes for achievement, and continuity in collaboration with other health professionals and the patient

Develop and plan discharge criteria from time of pre assessment in PAC.

See inpatients at the request of the cardiologist and arrange surgical review.

Provide safe, comprehensive nursing based on current standards and research, perform procedures according to established policy and procedures.

Administer the developed care plan in a consistent and flexible manner.

Fulfill prescribed orders completely and accurately.

Provide care with minimal supervision in a timely accurate and safe manner.

Maintain a safe environment for patients, visitors, and colleagues.

Advocate as necessary for the patients, respecting their dignity and confidentiality.

Function effectively in an emergency.

Adapt to changing workloads.

Know and practice within legal requirements including those set down by NMBI.

Evaluate personal nursing practice as compared to standards of care and know own ability and competence.

Comply with all hospital policies in relation to Infection Prevention and Control. Every employee has a responsibility to know how to reduce infection in their role.

Work as a member of the nursing team on day duty and perform duties as allocated.

Ensure safe practice is adhered to in the storage and administration of all drugs in accordance with local policy and Department of Health / NMBI guidelines, keeping patient and staff safety a priority.

Be aware of the multifaceted needs of emergency, medical and surgical patients and provide a holistic support service for them and their families.

Keep accurate, comprehensive, up-dated records and written reports as required and guided by NMBI recommendations.

Other responsibilities:

Be willing to be deployed to other areas of the hospital if requested to do so.

Document and report to the ADON, in a timely and comprehensive manner, any incidents, accidents, near misses or complaints and participate in any subsequent investigation as requested.

Participate in staff meetings, team meetings and committees as required.

Promote a patient centered culture of openness and responsiveness to positive and constructive patient feedback and ensuring patient dignity, respect and choice is maintained in their care.

Actively participate in hospital clinical audit and clinical governance processes.

Essential Criteria:

Knowledge/Experience

Be registered in the general division of the Register of Nurses maintained by NMBI

Have at least 8 years relevant post-registration nursing experience (full-time or equivalent hours part-time) in an acute hospital setting, with one year in a surgical setting

A recognised post graduate qualification in 'care of the surgical patient'.

Have strong knowledge, interest and liking of cardiothoracic surgery.

Skills/ Competencies

Clinical Skills

Stakeholder management skills

Relationship building skills

Management skills

Leadership skills

Quality focus

Risk Management

Clinical audit

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Professional Expectations

Function within the limits of NMBI and hospital policies, procedures, and standards.

Observe appropriate lines of authority.

Demonstrate flexibility at all times.

Continue to develop personal knowledge and skills.

Seek and take education opportunities in addition to those provided by the hospital.

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.

Work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team.

Participate in the education of learners and assist with the orientation of new personnel.

Present a professional appearance and is punctual

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.