Staff Nurse, Dialysis Therapies Centre

Post Title:

Staff Nurse in Haemodialysis

Post Status:

Permanent

Department

TUN Directorate.

Location:

Beaumont Hospital Dublin 9

Reports to:

Clinical Nurse Manager I/II/III and TUN Directorate Nurse Manager

Salary:

Appointment will be made on Staff Nurse Grade at a point in line with Government pay policy.

Hours of work:

37.5 hours per week

Closing Date:

12 Noon 31/03/2026 (Please note the hospital reserves the right to close the competition early should a substantial number of applications be received)

Position Summary:

The Transplant Urology & Nephrology Directorate provides a national transplant service and is a regional and tertiary referral centre for nephrology and urology. There are approximately 21 transplant beds 16 urology beds and 26 nephrology beds. There are acute and maintenance haemodialysis services providing in the region of 30000 haemodialysis treatments annually. There is an active home therapies service providing training for patients to carry out peritoneal dialysis or haemodialysis in their own home. There is also a Plasmapheresis service provided by haemodialysis trained staff to the nephrology transplant haematology and neurology services.
The Directorate also includes the national organ procurement service

HAEMODIALYSIS SERVICES
The Haemodialysis Services at Beaumont Hospital comprise:
Regular Haemodialysis Programme
Acute Haemodialysis Unit Peters ward
Intensive Care Unit - Acute Haemodialysis

Plasma Exchange Therapy.

Over 25000 Haemodialysis treatments were carried out in Beaumont Hospital per annum.

The Dialysis Therapies Centre
The Regular Haemodialysis Programme is located in the Dialysis Therapies Centre above the Ashlinn Centre at the front of the hospital. The staff working in this unit has continuous responsibility for the care of currently 151 patients who attend the unit three times weekly for treatment and care. The unit is currently operational 6 days a week. There are also dedicated single dialysis rooms to facilitate isolation dialysis for outpatients. Nursing staff are rotated between both the regular outpatient and acute haemodialysis unit both based in developing their skills and the needs of the unit. The nursing staff when working in the in this unit are also accountable for the provision of a backup nursing service for Plasma Exchange Therapy.

Peters Acute Haemodialysis Unit provides a twenty four hour seven days a week Acute Dialysis service. Peters Acute Dialysis Unit comprises of four dialysis stations on the unit and an additional 2 isolation rooms. The Acute Dialysis Service provides backup support for the National Transplant Service ITU in patients requiring intermittent dialysis and patients requiting dialysis in an Isolation room.

THERAPUTIC PLASMA EXCHANGE PROGRAMME
The TPE Programme is an integral part of the services provided in the Renal Unit. The service is aimed at the management of patients with various forms of renal and neurological vascular diseases and anti-body mediated renal transplant rejection. TPE is performed by membrane separator modality. Because of its similarities with haemodialysis extracorporeal therapies the service is supported by the Haemodialysis Nursing Team

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

CLINICAL ROLE:

The post holder is expected to deliver high quality nursing care to the Regular Haemodialysis Unit Acute Renal Failure services and Plasma Exchange Therapy at Beaumont Hospital.

The job holder will assist Clinical Nurse Manager I & II with regard to:-

1. To promote and maintain a safe environment for patients and staff.

2. Works within their scope of practice at all times as outlined by the NMBI.

3. Ensure patient/professional confidentiality and data protection in line with General Data Protections regulations (GDPR).

4. Maintaining a high standard of professional and ethical responsibility

5. Maintain supervision of students and junior staff providing direction and supports as necessary.

6. Development of clinical expertise team leadership and teaching skills through nursing practice.

7. Maintain accurate clinical records complying with current legislation and best practice

8. Implement and manage identified changes.

9. Carrying out all nursing / clinical practice in accordance with Department of Nursing and Hospital policies procedures and clinical guidelines.

10. Provision of a high quality evidence based nursing service in a multi-disciplinary environment and to promote the highest attainable standard of safe and effective patient care.

11. Management of nursing care and the patients environment under the direction of the Clinical Nurse Manager/Charge Nurse.

12. Maintain effective communication and professional relationships with all members of the multi-disciplinary team to ensure that a cohesive effective service is provided.

13. Participate in the development implementation and evaluation of clinical practice in accordance with Hospital and Unit nursing policies and clinical guidelines and contribute to their ongoing development

DETAILS OF RESPONSIBILITIES

CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To be an effective Practitioner able to establish and maintain high quality evidence based nursing service.

2. To use a framework and a model of nursing which reflects the speciality needs of Haemodialysis Nursing to undertake a comprehensive assessment pre-initiation during and post Haemodialysis treatment. This assessment (with the patients where possible) should include the physical psychological social problems of individual patients receiving Haemodialysis therapy and the need for nursing intervention

3. Based on pre-assessment needs collaborate with the Medical Consultant / Team with regard to the formulation of a haemodialysis treatment plan; assessment of vascular access; timely placement of arteriovenous fistula dialysis prescription and general clinical management issues.

4. Monitor the patient throughout the Haemodialysis treatment process. Ensures maintenance of homeostasis by optimal management of fluid balance blood flow and dialysis flow; modify dialysis prescription according to patients condition within pre-determined clinical parameters.

5. Maintain a strict aseptic technique when assessing the Central venous catheter/arteriovenous fistula/graft for haemodialysis treatment.

6. Locate read & refer to the renal unit guidelines on the care of the CVC & AVF/AVG prevention of infection and management of complications.

7. Recognise situations which require medical consultation / intervention and liaise closely with the Medical Team.

8. Carry out a post treatment evaluation of patient wellbeing and effectiveness of the Haemodialysis treatment adequacy and provide appropriate post treatment nursing care.

9. Examine the patients blood results prior to each haemodialysis treatment and liase with the CNM/Medical team in altering prescriptions.

10. Locate and refer to the guideline on the management of calcium and phosphate in ESRF and the renal anaemia guideline.

11. Prepare and update the nurse care plans within a nursing framework to include treatment delegated by medical staff.

12. Liaise with the medical and nursing team on the ward to communicate the outcome of care and continuing management post treatment.

13. Play a role in ensuring that appropriate nursing care and Haemodialysis treatment is planned for individual patients based on assessment and that each patient receives appropriate care encompassing medical decisions and in conformance with established procedures and standards of care.

14. Collaborate with the medical team with regard to the effectiveness of care and the adequacy of dialysis. Institute changes in dialysis management as required and implement nursing or medical treatment necessary.

15. Maintain clear concise and legible documentation of all nursing care and changes to treatment.

16. Review patient care plans for appropriate patient goals and problems and revise same based on nursing needs.

17. Assist patients and their families to make informed decisions regarding the various aspects of their care.

18. Promote patient/family participation in care identifying and meeting the learning needs of patients and their family.

14. Ensure the provision of timely and complete information and education for individual patients aimed at promoting independence prevention of illness and promotion of health.

15. Ensure the provision of psychological support by nursing staff to patient and families and encourage patients who have ongoing psychological problems to self-refer to the Nurse Counselling service.

16. Ensure adequate liaison by nursing staff with patient/family and Patient Care Co-ordinators with regard to patients occupational and social needs.

17. Maintain knowledge and actively participate in the screening prevention and management of blood borne viruses according to both Beaumont Hospitals Policy and the National Guidelines.

18. Maintain knowledge actively participate and contribute hygiene and decontamination protocols set out by both Beaumont Hospital and Government agencies.

19. Be aware of policies set out by Beaumont Hospital for the safer handling and disposal of waste (including dialysis clinical and domestic) and sharp disposal.

20. Be aware of policies set out by Beaumont Hospital for the safer handling management and disposal of linen.

21. Maintain knowledge and actively participate in the prevention and reporting of near misses incidents and adverse events involving patients staff and visitors in accordance with hospital policy. Report these both verbally and in writing using the risk management occurrence form in accordance with hospital policy to Clinical Nurse Manager on duty.

22. Locates reads & demonstrates understanding of and adherence to all infection control & hygiene protocols within the unit.

23. Ensure the maintenance of a suitable environment for patients and staff with particular emphasis on Health and Safety hygiene decontamination and infection control

24. Be aware of the Beaumont Hospitals complaints procedure.

25. Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.

STANDARDS AND QUALITY OF CARE:

1. Takes all steps possible to safeguard the welfare of patients through actively participation in:-

2. Quality initiatives within the Unit with the aim of improving patient care and promoting the further development of Nursing within the speciality.

3. Identifying areas of practice which require review and update and lead in the development of evidence based practice in consultation with staff.

4. Participate in new quality improvement initiatives and therapies to improve patient care within the unit such as cannulation techniques haemodiafiltration and home haemodialysis.

5. Actively participate in the virology screening and prevention of blood borne viruses. Liaise with the Renal Virology Nurse with regard to the screening vaccination and management of blood borne viral positive patients.

MANAGEMENT OF HAEMODIALYSIS EQUIPMENT

1 Carry out safety checks on all equipment in accordance with operator manuals prior to use and throughout the dialysis procedure.

2 Be responsible for the preparation management and aftercare of Haemodialysis equipment.

3 Carry out all equipment disinfectant procedures in accordance with standards set out in operator manuals.

4 Initiate prompt action if the water pressure alarm or water quality alarm sounds out of hours.

5 Liaise with the Renal Technical Staff should any problems arise with both equipment and water.

6 Advise the Renal Technical Staff of blood soiled dialysis equipment in order for them to carry out the necessary internal technical checks.

7 Provide supervision of Healthcare Assistant staff who carry out the preparation management and aftercare of haemodialysis equipment and dialysis station.

MANAGERIAL

1. Maintain effective communication and professional relationships within the Haemodialysis Unit with all areas of the Renal Unit and all associated clinical and administrative areas within Beaumont Hospital.

2. Promote effective communication with staff in both regional and satellite units

3. Inform the Clinical Nurse Manger when staffing levels fall below or are in excess of that considered adequate to meet the complexity and variations in workload.

4. Be willing in an emergency to work other areas of the Directorate or Hospital.

5. Ensure that the agreed hospital and specialist policies and procedures are known to and understood by staff and are implemented.

6. Ensure the maintenance of a suitable environment for patients and staff with particular emphasis on Health and Safety

7. Establish communications with non-clinical departments (i.e. catering contract cleaning linen portering ward supplies and technical services) to ensure that the services to the Unit are provided to the highest possible standards which will ensure economical utilisation of such services.

8. Ensure that medical waste including Dialysis products are discarded according to hospital policy.

9. Ensure the implementation of effective maintenance systems for haemodialysis equipment and other electron medical equipment in use i.e. maintaining inventory of equipment checking equipment before use ensuring adequate training of staff in the correct use and care of equipment.

10. (a) Ensure that verbal and written nursing reporting systems are accurate and adequate and that nursing reports accompany patients who are being transferred to other units / centers.

(b) Ensure the appropriate utilisation of the Renal Clinical Management system with regard to the management of individual patients clinical data audit and utilisation of data to establish clinical outcomes standards of care and to update clinical practice.

11. Actively participate in the supervision support and development of Healthcare Assistants Household operatives and Clerical Staff in the Unit.

12. Participate in regular ward meetings to encourage a positive staff environment and participation in the development of Haemodialysis Services.

EDUCATION - STAFF DEVELOPMENT

1. Create and maintain an environment conducive to evidence based teaching learning and practice.

2. Act as an effective role model mentor and leader of staff i.e. leading by example.

3. Participate in the training and development of the Healthcare Assistant role in the Haemodialysis setting in collaboration with Clinical Nurse Managers.

4. Identify and utilise teaching learning and practice opportunities in the clinical setting.

5. Ensure the availability of appropriate information/educational resources for patients and families aiming to encourage independence the prevention of illness and the promotion of health for all Haemodialysis patients.

6. Actively seek research findings which will support clinical practice and participate actively with research opportunities within the Unit.

SELF DEVELOPMENT

1 Have a creative outlook enabling progress to be made towards the ultimate objective of reaching standards of excellence in the delivery of nursing care and in the co-ordination of multi-disciplinary care.

2 Maintain and update knowledge of relevant professional development and all current trends in the speciality of renal nursing and an awareness of future trends.

3 Develop personal skills in renal nursing with hands on nursing commitment.

4 Attend and participate in staff development programmes and represent Renal Nursing as a speciality at meetings and conferences as required.

5 Discuss present performance and future needs with Clinical Nurse Manager I or II using Job Performance Review in accordance with unit policy.

ADMINISTRATIVE

1. Ensure the correct completion of unit records and reports.

2. Actively promote the utilisation and further development of clinical and administrative computerisation.

Selection Criteria:

Selection criteria outline the qualifications skills knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post.

Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.

Mandatory:

Applicants must be registered on the General Register of Nurses maintained by The Nursing & Midwifery Board Ireland and have name maintained on Live Register.

Have a minimum of 2 years experience in the specialist area of Nephrology Nursing Care.

Desirable:

A Post Graduate Diploma in Nephrology nursing.

Haemodialysis Experience.

Further Information for Candidates:

Supplementary information:

The Hospital

Management Unit:

Enquiries ONLY to:

Name:

Ms Yvonne Ryan

Title:

CNM III Haemodialysis

Email address:

Telephone:

Application Procedure:

A short listing exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application. The criteria for ranking and or short listing are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification.