Job Overview

THIS POST IS FIXED TERM/SECONDMENT FOR 6 MONTHS DUE TO FUNDING

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR THE SECONDMENT POSITION, YOU MUST OBTAIN PERMISSION FROM YOUR CURRENT LINE MANAGER PRIOR TO APPLYING FOR THIS POST.

The Clinical Nurse Specialist works across BCUHB within a clinical speciality acting in the roles of practitioner, educator, consultant, researcher, leader/change agent and care coordinator/case manager in the pursuit of clinical excellence and improved health outcomes.

Clinical Nurse Specialists are recognised internationally as expert practitioners, having in-depth knowledge of a speciality that results in expanding boundaries of nursing practice and the implementation of evidence-based practice and clinical research.

Clinical practice is central to the Clinical Nurse Specialist role, however in order to influence and improve nursing practice it is essential the role is underpinned by the competencies as outlined in the job description below. Due to the diversity of the CNS role key accountabilities and key performance indicators will vary according to patient/population and service needs. Therefore, the key performance indicators will be determined by the individual service and will be based on the key accountabilities as outlined in this CNS generic job description.

This position includes a clinical workload.

Main duties of the job

• Provide expert nursing knowledge in the management of patient care within a defined area of specialty practice, working with the patient, family or other health professionals to provide timely nursing care to optimise outcomes.
• Uses advanced health assessment skills in the assessment of patients and critiques own practice to maintain clinical competence.
• Prescribes advanced evidence-based nursing therapeutics, pharmacological/non-pharmacological interventions, diagnostic measures, equipment, procedures, and treatments to meet the needs of patients, families and groups, in accordance with professional preparation, institutional policies and scope of practice.
• Role models expert evidence based clinical practice, is seen as highly effective, progressive and knowledgeable.
• Guides and supports others in the speciality in their assessment, clinical decision-making, implementation, evaluation and documentation of care.
• Provides leadership, role models and guides others in nursing practice.
• Networks nationally and internationally to identify and implement nursing advances and changes in practice.
• Identifies opportunities for general health / wellness education e.g. smoking cessation.