Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) - Oncology

We provide meaningful careers that connect people with purpose. We are united by a common purpose of providing the best and safest care; and by our shared values of Care, Truth, Participation, Compassion and Dignity. Netcare invites you to be part of our journey. 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 NATURE OF SPECIALIZATION Oncology and Palliative Nursing is a speciality, whereby nurses care for people who are at risk for developing cancer, patients diagnosed with cancer, patients receiving treatment for cancer, patients in need of supportive and palliative care, serious illness, cancer survivors and their families/caregivers.

Oncology and palliative nursing occurs throughout the lifespan and includes individuals from all ages and cultures along a continuum of care and across service delivery systems. Oncology and palliative nursing occurs at primary, secondary and tertiary care levels and include hospices and homes. The role of the Oncology and Palliative Nurse is underpinned by holism and encompasses direct care to patients and families/caregivers in cancer care settings as part of the multidisciplinary team.

The role is expanded to include cancer prevention and health promotion in communities, and caring for patients for whom cure is no longer possible and their families/caregivers for improved quality care. Caring for the cancer survivor forms part of her/his role. The core concepts and interventions specific to oncology and palliative nursing include: Prevention and detection of cancer through immunization and screening.

Management of patients who are treated for cancer by means of surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hematopoietic stem cell transplantations and immunotherapy. Management of acute and chronic cancer and treatment related complications and side effects as well as patient problems and issues, including those of the family/caregiver. These include managing pain and other distressing symptoms and optimizing quality of life for the sick person and the family/caregiver throughout the disease trajectory, in a holistic manner.

Management of the patient experiencing an oncology emergency. Management of the patient for whom cure is no longer possible and the families/caregivers. Care for cancer survivors and people with serious illness in their family setting. The Oncology and Palliative Nurse requires specific evidence-based knowledge and demonstrates excellent clinical competencies in cancer and palliative care, beyond that acquired through a basic nursing education programme.

2. OVERLAP OF COMPETENCIES While each of the study areas below may yield a stand-alone qualification, there is shared knowledge and skills, creating an overlap of some competencies. This might have educational implications where some modules could be shared by the different specialities. It is possible that some of the names disciplines may not become full qualifications, depending on educational requirements and the percentage of core content.

The overlapping qualifications are: Child nursing Nephrology nursing Intensive care nursing Primary care nursing Orthopaedic nursing 3. SUMMARY OF CORE COMPETENCIES DOMAIN 1: PROFESSIONAL, ETHICAL AND LEGAL PRACTICE 1.1 Professional practice 1.1.1 Accept accountability for increased responsibility in respect of own professional judgment, actions, outcomes of care and continued competence, in accordance with legislation