Clinical Nurse Specialist

ROLE SUMMARY

The Clinical Nurse Specialist focuses on the delivery of quality competent nursing care. The incumbent acts as a clinical resource and leader in a particular clinical specialty, performing functions at an advanced level competently and consistently.

Sound and contemporary knowledge of the area of specialty, together with an advanced understanding of professional nursing, health care delivery and programme planning, allows the CNS to fulfil the following primary roles:

• Advanced clinical care
• Consultation as a source of expert knowledge
• Clinical teaching of staff and learners
• Research
• Leadership

KEY WORK OUTPUT AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

CONSISTENCY OF CARE

Patient care

• Acts as shift leader for the post that shift that he / she is responsible for
• Responsible for the delivery and co-ordination of competent nursing care during the shift for which the CNS is responsible
• Supports and supervises less experienced staff, acts as a preceptor for new staff, and assists in the clinical teaching of learners
• Provide leadership in the clinical situation, and acts as an influential role model for best competent professional practice

Research activities

• Contribute to the ongoing research, development and review of best practice in the specialty

Teamwork

• Actively participate as a member of a team to achieve goals
• Co-operate and collaborate with other hospital departments to provide appropriate support services.

Education and training facilitation

• Acts as a resource in the clinical specialty as a result of advanced and broad knowledge and skills in that specialty

Resource Allocation

• Allocate staff members in a manner that promotes optimal use of staff to provide appropriate nursing care for the individual patient regarding his / her needs and specialised skills needed by the nursing staff member
• Adjust staff levels to provide for acuity level needs

Personal and professional development

• Active involvement in own professional development to maintain a satisfactory level of skill and knowledge
• Keep up to date with Netcare’s evolving policies and procedures

Build and maintain stakeholder relationships

• Work effectively and co-operatively with others to establish and maintain good working relationships that are mutually beneficial.
• Develop collaborative relationships to help accomplish work goal
• Maintain and encourage effective communication and interaction within the unit, other members of the multi-disciplinary team and the public.
• Foster good interpersonal relations and public relations while interpreting / applying the philosophy, goals, objectives, policies and procedures

DISRUPTIVE INNOVATION

Implementing medical technologies, digitisation, and data solutions for the benefit of our business and patients.

• CareOn adoption of electronic patient records, e-scripts and clinical orders by doctors and stock management

SKILLS PROFILE

EDUCATION

Essential

• Registered as a Professional Nurse with the South African Nursing Council or equivalent NQF level 7 qualification
• A post basic qualification in the area of specialty, or evidence of competent experience in that field, together with contemporary skills and knowledge of that specialty.

KNOWLEDGE

Essential

• Thorough knowledge of general / specialized nursing theory and practice
• Extensive knowledge of modern nursing care principles and practices in the highly specialised field

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

In the event of any physical or psychological limitation that may impair the employee’s ability to perform the required job function, the employee must consult the employer for reasonable accommodation.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Professional flexibility in working hours, including night duty and weekend shifts.
• Will interact with internal and external customers through several different means.