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:

1. Advanced clinical care

2. Consultation as a source of expert knowledge

3. Clinical teaching of staff and learners

4. Research

5. Leadership

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