Job Description
**Job Title:** Clinical Nurse Specialist - Inflammatory Bowel Disease **Reports to:** Assistant Director of Nursing, Director of Nursing **Full-time/flexible hours**- Full time **Job Purpose:** Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) often require complex multidisciplinary care. IBD patients may need input from various hospital departments, including outpatients, Day Ward, Medical Day Services (MDS), diagnostic imaging, pharmacy, and dietetics. There is increasing recognition of the need to address the psychological aspects of patient care. The CNSp (IBD) will be part of a multidisciplinary team within the hospital, responsible for the overall care of patients with IBD. They will demonstrate a compassionate and competent approach to build patient confidence and contribute to a patient-centred environment focused on the needs of IBD patients. The CNSp (IBD) will apply evidence-based practice within the rapidly evolving field of IBD nursing. They will play a pivotal role in addressing the psychological, emotional, and informational needs of IBD patients and their families or significant others. As a resource for education and training, the CNSp (IBD) will work alongside the Lead Physician and the multidisciplinary team (MDT) to plan and manage patient care. They will be a key member of the multidisciplinary primary care team, ensuring patient care is delivered in alignment with the five core concepts of the Clinical Nurse Specialist role, as outlined in the Framework for the Establishment of Clinical Nurse Specialist Posts (NCNM, 4th edition, 2008). **Key Duties and Responsibilities:** The post holder's practice is based on the five core concepts of the Clinical Nurse Specialist role as defined by the NCNM 4th edition (2008). These core concepts are: - Clinical Focus - Patient/Client Advocate - Education and Training - Audit and Research - Consultant Clinical Focus The CNSp (IBD) will maintain a strong patient focus, ensuring care is guided by the nursing profession's ethical standards. The role involves both direct and indirect patient care. Direct care includes the assessment, planning, delivery, and evaluation of care for patients, families, and carers. Indirect care involves activities that support and enhance direct patient care. **Direct Care Responsibilities:** - Provide specialized nursing care for patients diagnosed with IBD, supporting them throughout the continuum of care. - Conduct comprehensive assessments, addressing physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs using evidence-based IBD care. - Develop and implement individualized care plans in collaboration with the physician, MDT, and patient. - Monitor and evaluate patient responses to treatment, adjusting care plans as necessary in consultation with the MDT and patient. - Modify patient management plans as needed in line with agreed protocols, policies, and guidelines. - Accept appropriate referrals from MDT colleagues and coordinate investigations, treatments, therapies, and follow-up care. - Communicate with patients, families, and carers to assess needs, provide education, support, advice, and counseling as required. - Collaborate with MDT colleagues across primary and secondary care to ensure seamless service delivery. - Participate in medication reconciliation, assisting medical and pharmacy staff with medication reviews and management. - Identify and address health promotion priorities, supporting patient self-care by providing educational and health promotion materials. - Adhere to the Scope of Practice Nursing and Midwifery Practice Framework (NMBI 2015) and the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Midwives (NMBI 2021). - Implement health promotion strategies for patient groups as per the health agenda. **Indirect Care Responsibilities:** - Perform nursing assessments and develop care plans in collaboration with the MDT, utilizing appropriate tools and documentation. - Participate in case conferences and meetings as required to review patient progress. - Ensure accurate record-keeping and furnish required reports to the Assistant Director of Nursing. - Advise patients and families on the safe administration of medication and the safekeeping of drugs at home. - Monitor and facilitate drug administration systems for IBD patients and ensure compliance with hospital policies. **Hospital Duties:** - Participate in quality initiatives and clinical audits to maintain high standards of patient care. - Uphold the hospital's core values when interacting with patients and staff. - Participate in mandatory training and accreditation processes as required by hospital policy. **Essential Qualifications:** - NMBI Registration - Post-registration qualification relevant to the specialist field of Inflammatory Bowel Disease **Essential Experience:** - Minimum of 1 year of experience in the field of Inflammatory Bowel Disease - Demonstrated commitment to continuing professional development in the specialty area **Essential Skills:** - Strong clinical, leadership, managerial, and administrative skills required for the effective discharge of duties. For further information please contact Sonal at Skills: CNS IBD Dublin