Clinical Nurse Specialist – Theatre Unit - Ferncrest Hospital at Netcare

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

•  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
•  Contribute to the ongoing research, development and review of best practice in the specialty
•  Actively participate as a member of a team to achieve goals
•  Co-operate and collaborate with other hospital departments to provide appropriate support services.
• Contribute to the ongoing research, development and review of best practice in the specialty
•  Acts as a resource in the clinical specialty as a result of advanced and broad knowledge and skills in that specialty

Skills profile
Education

•  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

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