Sinead Syron Stephens

I co ordinate the clinic from a nursing perspective, we have between 100 and 120 patients per month booked to clinic and a team of four to six nursing staff on the day of clinic which is twice a month.

I am responsible for preparing and planning the clinic in advance.

I organise clinic lists, assessing which patients are on Treatment, organising their next prescription, assessing their needs for example if they would requite a translator on the day or a fibro scan or any relevant specific blood tests.

We see patients who are under long term surveillance for the care of Hepatitis B and those who are new referrals, many patients who are new to the country.

I follow up on all blood results post-clinic and liaise with the consultant to implement necessary changes and rearranged follow-up appointments.

I provide out of clinic time support to patients in the hepatology unit for repeat blood tests, fibros cans, or prescriptions, and address any difficulties related to their diagnosis or treatment.

I liaise with the whole team who are involved in the clinic, this includes the clerical staff, medical staff, nursing staff, social work staff and pharmacy staff.

I collaborate with the doctors/social workers to arrange emergency medical card application where necessary.

I evaluate who may need DPS card and medical card to ensure appropriate treatment access.

My documentation is both online on evolve and manually in a Hep B clinic diary which I keep a record of all clinics which can be used for auditing and assessing clinic figures etc.

Delivered care to OPAT patients attending Tuesday’s OPAT review clinic as an OPAT nurse (Outpatient antimicrobial therapy).

This included, assessing the PICC line, looking out for signs of infection and renewing dressings to the PICC line and assessing its patency. Informing the team of any concerns regarding the line.

Collected blood samples from the patient’s PICC line for testing., also I was guided by the doctors if they required blood cultures or something additional to the routine bloods.

I maintained a high standard of aseptic technique when dealing with a patient's PICC line or any dressings. This was a really important role for me in the prevention of infection. I reiterated the importance of this to the patients and the staff on the wards dealing with patients with PICC lines.

Reattached 24-hour infusion pump for patient treatment, added extension lines to facilitate SOPAT, and assessed patient management at home. Involved family members in administration of antibiotics and changed wound dressings to ensure hygiene and support healing.

I reiterated safety net instructions ensuring the patients had the relevant contact numbers should any issues arise at home during the week.

Liaised with doctors regarding treatment decisions and informed relevant bodies of any changes.

Recorded detailed patient notes to ensure accurate treatment history. via evolve 95% of the time, I used the clinical notes where evolve may not have been functioning.

I reviewed the blood results raising any concerns with the doctors with regard to same.

Delivered training sessions to patients and family members on medication administration techniques through practical demonstrations and visual literature, assessing comprehension by engaging patients and providing encouragement and reassurance.

I made a decision using my clinical judgement as to whether or not I thought the patient was suitable for SOPAT or if they might be more suitable for HOPAT or not suitable for the service again I drew on my knowledge of the policy and my own nursing experience.

Coordinated timely referrals and service delivery by preparing detailed schedules, monitoring delivery timelines, and maintaining regular communication with service providers, patients, and families to ensure updates on service progress.

Ensured patients received clear information regarding their treatment plans., It was also my role to liaise with the staff in MCC, Baxter, TCP, CIT, and VHI. It was within my role to work very closely with the doctors as changes could occur regularly and sometimes very quickly, i.e. a change in a patient’s condition which may affect them going out on the service. Therefor I was continually observing and monitoring patients situations.

To deliver care to patients in a nurse-led Hepatology unit to patients with Haemochromatosis. Carrying out therapeutic venesection and phlebotomy. Assessing the patient on the day of scheduled venesection to see if they were fit for venesection by using a pre procedure checklist.Reviewing the most recent blood results and observing the trend of blood results following previous venesections.

Assessing the patient’s vital signs pre procedure and ensuring they are stable enough for venesection. Assessed patient vital signs during and after procedure.

Identified potential complications and implemented resolutions, effectively managing vasovagal episodes to ensure patient safety.

Monitored patient safety throughout venesection procedures to prevent complications.

Watching for any bloods which are out of the normal range which may affect the decision to venesect. Selection of the most suitable veins. Management of anxious patients; patients who may have needle phobia. Assessing the most suitable method of venesection i.e. by the use of a venesection bag or by needle and 50ml syringe.

Documented pre and post venesection information accurately, supporting continuity of care and effective communication among the care team.

Disposed of venesection bags and equipment safely in accordance with health regulations.

Prepared patient charts in advance of clinics, streamlining workflow and improving service delivery for optimal patient management.

Organising appointments and doctor referrals to gastro clinics. Reviewing instructions from previous gastro appointments or any other important referrals which may impact the patients' care on the day. Sharing information with colleagues on the team and with medical staff via verbal and written communication.

Organising appointments and doctor referrals to gastro clinics. Reviewing instructions from previous gastro appointments or any other important referrals which may impact the patients' care on the day. Sharing information with colleagues on the team and with medical staff via verbal and written communication.

Providing care to patients in the nurse led pre assessment unit.

Performing tests to ensure the patients' fitness for surgery.

Assessing the patient’s general health.

Recording the patient’s vital signs.

Conducted electrocardiograms to monitor patients' heart activity.

Collected blood samples from patients for laboratory testing.

Recording the patient’s medical and surgical history.

Liaising with the anaesthetist.

Obtaining notes including old notes, relevant correspondence letters and test results from other disciplines if necessary.

Main Roles & Responsibilities:

Delivered comprehensive nursing care to patients in the stroke unit, ensuring high standards of patient wellbeing.

Monitoring the patient’s neurological status using the GCS.

Monitored patients for sepsis and infection, identifying and addressing signs of respiratory or urinary complications promptly.

Care of the patient with a NG tube, and P.E.G.

Providing basic nursing care.

Adhering to specific nutritional plans.

Pressure area care and risk assessment for the prevention of pressure sores.

Use of manual handling equipment.

Rehabilitation continuing physio exercises or instructions.

Provided emotional and psychological support to patients, fostering a compassionate environment that facilitated recovery.

Liaising with the multidisciplinary team physio, O.T., speech therapy, the medical team.

Communicating with the patient and their families.

End of life care, managing the physical and psychological issues with patients and their families.

Administer medications.

Instructed nursing students on patient care techniques.

Observing instructions from the speech and language therapist observing for signs of dysphagia.

Main Roles & Responsibilities:

Delivering care to patients in the hepatology unit and the Hepatitis C clinic.

Delivering care to patients in the medical admissions unit.

Taking charge of the unit as required.

Interviewed and assessed candidates for various nursing positions within various hospitals.

Liaised with sister branches to fill temporary assignments.

Delivering care to patients on a medical assessment unit.