Staff Nurse; Medical Oncology Inpatient Unit

Job Title : Staff Nurse

Department : Oncology

Reports to : Nurse Manager

Date : 2025

Overall Purpose of Job

To provide professional nursing skills in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating the nursing care for assigned patients and provide exceptional patient care in an environment where quality, respect, caring and compassion are at the centre of all we do and to administer care and support for patients undergoing cancer treatments.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables

Provide direct care to assigned patients.

Take the nursing history, summarise data, and state nursing diagnoses and patient care needs.

Observe and record signs, symptoms, and behaviours, including the physiological status of patients; present the assessment of changes, the proposed revision of interventions, and desired outcomes.

Follow policy for activating an individualised plan of care for newly admitted patients.

Deliver designated nursing interventions to assigned patients that are consistent with the stated medical plan of care.

Perform admission, discharge and transfer procedures, and assist others with patient's activities and care.

Execute physician's orders for all assigned patients; safely and properly administer medications and treatments.

Notify appropriate nursing and medical staff to changes in the patient's status.

Independently perform duties and assume responsibility for care of assigned patients.

Perform techniques and routines in the specialty service area.

Perform or assist others to perform proper aseptic techniques, isolation procedures, and infection control measures.

Document nursing care in all assigned patient records.

Maintain patient's privacy and confidentiality of information and records at all times.

Evaluate care given including the patient response.

Reassess and document the proposed revision of interventions and desired outcomes.

Demonstrate ability to assess patient's understanding of and compliance with instructions and health care teaching.

Review documentation of instructions, teaching topics, and patient response with the Nurse Manager or designee.

Adhere to internal controls established for department.

Clinical Responsibilities

The post holder will be familiar with and adhere to The Professional Scope of Practice Framework 2000 (Nursing & Midwife Board of Ireland).

The post holder will ensure :

The patient's needs are individually assessed.

A care plan and evaluation process is planned and implemented.

The patient's families and significant others are involved as appropriate.

Patients are cared for in the optimum clinical environment, adhering to all nursing and hospital wide policies and guidelines.

Full nursing participation in and supervision of patient's meal and special dietary requirements.

Visiting time policies are adhered to.

Delegation is appropriate to the skill level and knowledge of the individual to whom the task is delegated.

Documentation is recorded in a professional, legible and timely fashion.

Managerial Responsibilities

The timely identification and communication of any issues to the Nurse Manager.

Demonstrate a confidence and competence in all hospital policies and guidelines.

Efficient recording of all necessary documentation.

Effective management of complaints.

Monitoring of all risk management processes.

Maintaining effective interdisciplinary communication processes.

Deputise for the Nurse Manager as appropriate.

Participate in all ward and hospital nursing communication.

Personal and Professional Responsibilities

The post holder is expected to :

Maintain a professional portfolio.

Utilise all practical opportunities to educate the patient and their families.

Attend appropriate study days and courses.

Be a preceptor and or supervisor to students and newly appointed staff.

Participate in their performance review with their Nurse Manager.

Educational Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Nurse Managers the post holder will :

Identify and contribute to the continual enhancement of learning opportunities in the clinical area.

Participate in the clinical induction of all new nursing and support staff.

Assume responsibility for own learning and development needs.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

Utilise effective time management skills.

All employees are expected to remain flexible to meet the needs of the hospital, which may include floating to other departments to assist as the patient needs fluctuate.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Nursing & Midwife Board of Ireland (NMBI) Registered General Nurse licence in good standing.

Experience

1 year post nursing registration experience preferred.

Previous Oncology experience preferred.

Job Specific Competencies and Knowledge

Teamwork

Demonstrate ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Demonstrate motivation and an innovative approach to job.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

Demonstrate effective communication skills including the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner.

Demonstrate an understanding of change management.

Planning and Organising

Demonstrate evidence of effective planning, organising and time management skills.

Demonstrate flexible approach - to internal rotations, rostering e.g. night duty, theatre on call, attitude to work.

Knowledge

Demonstrate evidence of recent and relevant experience in the specialised area and in an acute hospital setting.

Demonstrate knowledge of new developments in specialised area.

Demonstrate knowledge of national strategies where appropriate to nursing care.

Patient Focus

Demonstrate a focus on quality.

Demonstrate evidence of ability to empathise with and treat patients, relatives and colleagues with dignity and respect.

Personal Competencies

All posts in Beacon Hospital require a high level of flexibility to ensure the delivery of an effective and efficient service. Therefore, the post holder will be required to demonstrate flexibility as and when required by their manager or hospital management.

This job description is intended to be an outline of the areas of responsibility and deliverables at the time of its writing.  As the Hospital and the post holder develop, this job description may be subject to review in light of the changing needs of the Hospital.