Registered/ Candidate Advanced Nurse Practitioner - Acute Oncology Nursing

The Hermitage Clinic is an acute care hospital with 110 inpatient beds, seven operating theatres, a 7 bed ICU, an Emergency Department, many outpatient services, and a wide range of modern technically complex medical diagnostic and treatment facilities, providing high quality patient care. As a part of the Blackrock Health Group, the Hermitage Clinic offers a range of services in areas such as cardiology, oncology, and urology.

Working with Blackrock Health is a unique opportunity. We offer the chance to work at some of Ireland's most advanced hospitals while still enjoying a sustainable work-life balance. We ensure all our people have the support they need to progress their career, and we offer a package of unmatched benefits across our three hospitals and diagnostic clinic.

Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic is a private hospital providing a full range of medical and surgical care across a broad spectrum of specialities. Each Ward provides a range of services and this role is important in making a significant contribution, developing and maintaining best practice in nursing services at clinical areas.

Job Title: Registered/ Candidate Advanced Nurse Practitioner - Acute Oncology Nursing

Department: Oncology

Job Function: Nursing

Reporting to: Director of Nursing and Transformation

Location: Hermitage Clinic, Blackrock Health

Job Purpose:

The main purpose of the post is to develop the expert role and supporting documentation, to enable the individual nurse to meet the NMBI Criteria for Registration as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner as set out in Advanced Practice (Nursing) Standards and Requirements (NMBI, 2017). The individual will undertake the academic preparation and develop the clinical and leadership skills, competencies and knowledge required to meet the criteria to be registered as a RANP with NMBI. The scope of the c/rANP role must reflect the incremental development of expertise and as such, the c/rANP cannot deliver care as an autonomous practitioner. Furthermore, the c/rANP will develop and submit their personal portfolio and all other necessary documentation to NMBI in order to register as a RANP if not currently registered.

The value of the nursing contribution as a distinct profession must be safeguarded and articulated in the development of new services led by Advanced Nurse Practitioners, complementing rather than replacing current services delivered by doctors (NMBI 2017 p.9).

The overall purpose of the post is to provide safe, timely, evidenced based nurse-led care to patients at an advanced nursing level .This involves undertaking and documenting a complete episode of patient care (assess, diagnose, plan, treat and discharge patients) according to collaboratively agreed protocols and scope of practice in the clinical setting; demonstrating advanced clinical and theoretical knowledge, critical thinking, clinical leadership and decision making skills.

The advanced practice role demonstrates a high degree of knowledge, skill and experience that is applied within the nurse-patient/client relationship to achieve optimal outcomes through critical analysis, problem solving and accurate decision-making (NMBI, 2017).

Central to this is the provision of quality care, a safe environment and processes for patients by the use of evidence based clinical guidelines that address patient expectations, promote wellness and evaluate care given.The role will provide clinical leadership and professional scholarship in order to develop nursing practice and health policy at local, regional and national level. The role will contribute to nursing research to shape and advance nursing practice, education and health care policy at local, national and international levels.

Key Responsibilities:

• The post holder's practice is based on developing a higher level of capability across the six domains of competences as defined by Bord Altranais agus Cnaimhseachais na hEireann Advanced Practice (Nursing) Standards and Requirements (NMBI 2017).

The domains are:

Domain 1: Professional Values and Conduct

The c/rANP Acute Oncology will gain increased competence in applying ethically sound solutions to complex issues related to individuals and populations by:

• Demonstrating accountability and responsibility for professional practice as a lead healthcare professional in the care of patients who present to the Acute Oncology Service
• Collaborating with his/her supervisor and local stakeholder group to scope the caseload and scope of practice for the RANP Acute Oncology
• Collaborating with his/her supervisor to determine the inclusion criteria for the RANP Acute Oncology
• Collaborating with his/her supervisor to determine the exclusion criteria for the RANP Acute Oncology
• Articulating safe boundaries and engaging in timely referral and collaboration for those areas outside his/her scope of practice, experience, and competence by establishing, in collaboration with key stakeholders, referral pathways and locally agreed policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines to support and guide the RANP (Acute Oncology) service
• Demonstrating leadership by practising compassionately to facilitate, optimise, promote and support the health, comfort, quality of life and wellbeing of persons whose lives are affected by altered health, chronic disorders, disability, distress or life-limiting conditions.
• Selecting a professional practice model that provides him/her latitude to control his/her own practice, focusing on person centred care, interpersonal interactions and the promotion of healing environments
• The chosen professional practice model for nursing will emphasise a caring therapeutic relationship between the c/rANP (Acute Oncology) and his/her patients, recognising that c/rANPs work in partnership with their multidisciplinary colleagues.
• Articulating and promoting the advanced practice nursing service in clinical, political and professional contexts {for example presenting key performance outcomes locally and nationally; contributing to the service's annual report; participating in committees to ensure best practice as per the relevant national clinical and international guidelines}.

 Domain 2: Clinical-Decision Making Competences

 The c/rANP (Acute Oncology) will enhance his/her advanced knowledge, skills, and abilities to engage in senior clinical decision-making by increasing his/her capability to:

• Conduct a comprehensive holistic health assessment using evidenced based frameworks, policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines to determine diagnoses and inform autonomous advanced nursing care
• Synthesise and interpret assessment information particularly history including prior treatment outcomes, physical findings and diagnostic data to identify normal, at risk and subnormal states of health
• Implementing practice changes using negotiation and consensus building, in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team and persons receiving care.
• Demonstrate timely use of diagnostic investigations / additional evidence-based advanced assessments to inform clinical-decision making
• Exhibit comprehensive knowledge of therapeutic interventions including pharmacological and non-pharmacological advanced nursing interventions, supported by evidence-based policies, procedures, protocols, and guidelines, relevant legislation, and relevant professional regulatory standards and requirements
• Initiate and implement health promotion activities and self-management plans in accordance with the wider public health agenda
• Discharge patients from the service as per an agreed supporting policy, procedure, protocols, guidelines and referral pathways

 Domain 3: Knowledge and Cognitive Competences

 The c/rANP (Acute Oncology) will actively contribute to the professional body of knowledge related to his/her area of advanced practice by enhancing his/her capability to:

• Provide leadership in the translation of new knowledge to clinical practice (for example teaching sessions; journal clubs; case reviews; facilitating clinical supervision to other members of the team)
• Educate others using an advanced expert knowledge base derived from clinical experience, on-going reflection, clinical supervision and engagement in continuous professional development
• Demonstrate a vision for advanced practice nursing based on service need and a competent expert knowledge base that is developed through research, critical thinking, and experiential learning
• Demonstrate accountability in considering access, cost and clinical effectiveness when planning, delivering and evaluating care (for example key performance areas, key performance indicators, metrics).

Domain 4: Communication and Interpersonal Competences

 The c/rANP (Acute Oncology) will negotiate and advocate with other health professionals to ensure the beliefs, rights and wishes of the person are respected by gaining increased competence and capability to:

• Communicate effectively with the healthcare team through sharing of information in accordance with legal, professional and regulatory requirements as per established referral pathways
• Demonstrate leadership in professional practice by using professional language (verbally and in writing) that represents the plan of care, which is developed in collaboration with the person and shared with the other members of the inter-professional team as per the organisation's policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines
• Facilitate clinical supervision and mentorship through utilising one's expert knowledge and clinical competences
• Utilise information technology, in accordance with legislation and organisational policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines to record all aspects of advanced nursing care.

Domain 5: Management and Team Competences

The c/rANP (Acute Oncology) will manage risk to those who access the service through collaborative risk assessments and promotion of a safe environment by:

• Promoting a culture of quality care.
• Proactively seeking feedback from persons receiving care, families and staff on their experiences and suggestions for improvement.
• Implementing practice changes using negotiation and consensus building, in collaboration with colleagues and persons receiving care.
• Provide support, advice and direction to staff as required.
• Engage with the wider healthcare team and facilitate team building.
• Facilitate communication with the healthcare team across services and within the senior nurse team.
• Provide staff leadership and motivation which is conducive to good working relations and work performance.
• Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace
• Contribute to the strategic management and planning process.
• Formulate service plans and budgets in co-operation with the wider healthcare team.
• Provide reports on activity and services as required.
• Engage in IT developments as they apply to service user and service administration

 Domain 6: Leadership and Professional Scholarship Competences

The c/rANP (Acute Oncology) will lead in multidisciplinary team planning for transitions across the continuum of care by enhancing his/her competence and capability to:

• Demonstrate clinical leadership in the design and evaluation of services (for example findings from research, audit, metrics, new evidence)
• Engage in health policy development, implementation, and evaluation (for example key performance indicators from national clinical and integrated care programme/HSE national service plan/ local service need to influence and shape the future development and direction of advanced practice in Acute Oncology)
• Identify gaps in the provision of care and services pertaining to his/her area of advanced practice and expand the service to enhance the quality, effectiveness and safety of the service in response to emerging healthcare needs
• Lead in managing and implementing change.

The c/rANP will evaluate audit results and research findings to identify areas for quality improvement in collaboration with nursing management and multidisciplinary team colleagues.

Professional / Clinical

The c/rANP (Acute Oncology) will practice nursing according to:

      Professional clinical guidelines

      National Health Policy.

      Local policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines

      Current legislation

      Values for Nursing and Midwifery - Care, Compassion and Commitment (DoH, 2016).

      JCI standards

Education and Training

The c/rANP (Acute Oncology) will:

      Contribute to service development through appropriate continuous education, research initiatives, keeping up to date with nursing literature, recent nursing research and new developments in nursing practice, education and management.

      Provide support and advice to those engaging in continuous professional development in his/her area of advanced nursing practice

Quality and Key Performance Indicators (KPI's)

The c/rANP (Acute Oncology) will:

      Contribute to the identification and development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which are congruent with the Hospital's service plan targets.

      Develop Action Plans to address KPI targets.

      Drive and promote a performance improvement and patient safety culture.

      Actively participate and drive the requirements of JCI standards in the hospital

      Manage and deliver of KPIs as a routine and core business objective

The c/rANP (Acute Oncology) must develop a professional practice portfolio, incorporating evidence of learning from continuing professional development, clinical supervision, reflective practice and review of his/her own scope of practice in accordance with regulatory requirements and service need.

Essential Criteria:

Knowledge/Experience

      Be a registered General Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (Bord Altranais agus Cnaimhseachais na hEireann) or entitled to be so registered.

      And

      Be registered in the General Division of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (Bord Altranais agus Cnaimhseachais na hEireann) Register for which the application is being made or entitled to be so registered.

      Have a broad base of clinical experience in Oncology nursing

      And

      Be eligible to undertake a Master's Degree (or higher) in Nursing or a Master's Degree, which is relevant, or applicable, to theadvanced field ofpractice. The Master's programme must be at Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications (Quality & Qualifications Ireland), or equivalent. Educational preparation must include at least three modular components pertaining to the relevant area of advanced practice, in addition to clinical practicum.

      Or

      Be currently undertaking a Master's Degree in Nursing (Advanced Practice Pathway) or be eligible to register to undertake additional Level 9 National Framework of Qualifications (Quality and Qualifications Ireland) specific modules of a Master's Degree in Nursing (Advanced Practice Pathway) within an agreed timeframe. Educational preparation must include at least three modular components pertaining to the relevant area of advanced practice, in addition to clinical practicum

Or

      Possess a Master's Degree (or higher) in Nursing or a Master's Degree which is relevant, or applicable, to the advanced field of practice. The Master's programme must be at Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications (Quality & Qualifications Ireland), or equivalent. Educational preparation must include at least three modular components pertaining to the relevant area of advanced practice, in addition to clinical practicum.                               

And

      Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability including a high standard of suitability and clinical, professional and administrative capacity to properly discharge the functions of the role.

Skills/Competencies:

• Clinical Skills
• Management skills
• Leadership skills
• IT skills
• Quality focus
• Risk Management
• Clinical audit
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Desirable skills and competencies:

    The ability to lead on clinical practice and service quality

    Promotion of evidence-based decision making

    Practitioner competence and professionalism.

    The ability to plan and manage effectively

    The ability to build, lead and manage a team(s)

    Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to build and maintain relationships

    Strong communication and influencing skills

    Commitment to providing a quality service

    Strong problem solving and decision making skills

    Initiative and innovation in the delivery of service

    Resilience and composure

    Openness to change

    Integrity and ethical stance

    A commitment to continuing professional development

    The ability to relate nursing research to nursing practice

    Knowledge of quality assurance practices and their application to nursing procedures

This Job Description is intended as a basic guide to the scope and responsibilities of the position and is subject to regular review and amendment. The role holder will be required to be flexible in this position and is expected to facilitate working additional hours on occasion, when requested.

The Hermitage Clinic is an Equal Opportunities Employer with a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion and equality at all levels of the organisation. If you require assistance due to a disability during the recruitment process, please email (url removed)