Amy O'Hara
Derry
Summary
I have been a qualified registered nurse for 15 years with great experience across various areas but mainly in Oncology and cancer services. I am a compassionate yet ambitious healthcare professional committed to providing high quality patient care.
Identifying strategies for streamlining processes and leading teams to success is an important key aspect of being a leader. I believe in fostering collaborative work environment that drives employee engagement and performance.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
4038
4038
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Deputy Sister band 6
Western Trust Altnagelvin Hospital Cancer services
Londonderry, Northern Ireland
11.2021 - Current
- My role within Sperrin outpatients involves coordinating the flow of patients through a very busy department and collaboration with other senior members of the nursing team to ensure a high delivery of service.
- Management and appropriate delegation of staff are crucial to delivering high quality care.
- I work in a nurse led role educating patients on the side effects of anti-cancer therapies and how to manage them. This allows the patient to make an informed choice when they sign a consent to proceed. I also assess patients needs holistically and identify areas for further support and make onward referrals or signposting as necessary.
- Carrying out audits and data reports are important part of my role to maintain high standards and identify areas for improvement.
- Continuous ongoing service improvements allow us to adapt the service to the patients needs and enhancing patient satisfaction.
- Providing excellent care with focus on patient safety, comfort and dignity.
- Coordinated with multidisciplinary teams, bettering patient treatment.
Sessional OSCE examiner
University of Ulster
Derry
09.2019 - 09.2024
- My role as an examiner assessing overseas qualified nurses in a simulated clinical environment involves making sure they meet the required criteria set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) to practice safely within the United Kingdom
- My daily duties involve maintaining consistency of assessments for all candidates at a professional level whilst supporting them through their journey within the centre
- My calm nature allows for a relaxed atmosphere when the candidate may be nervous which in turn gives candidates the best opportunity to succeed
- Knowing these candidates will get on the NMC register to practice as a qualified nurse gives me great satisfaction considering they have worked hard and can continue their vocation within the UK
Oncology Sister/Unit Manager
Leaders in Oncology Care
04.2017 - 09.2018
- Promoted within LOC to manage a 10 bed satellite unit, managing 3 senior nurses, 1 staff nurse and a healthcare assistant
- My role was to make sure overall running of the unit was safe and up to LOC standard
- This included working closely with the multidisciplinary team to provide safe and effective care at a high standard
- As well as running a unit and managing staff on the floor, I remained clinical, providing care for Oncology patients from diagnosis, collaborative treatment planning, chronic pain control, to integration into the community and end of life care
- I had a very good professional rapport with colleagues and adopted a transformational leadership approach to best support my team, allowing them to provide the best overall care for patients
- Operational issues, risk assessments, protocols and audits were also part of my role which I managed to multitask and time manage accordingly
Junior Oncology Sister
Leaders in Oncology Care
London
10.2016 - 04.2017
- Promoted within the same organisation to take on the lead role of Sister
- My roles and responsibilities included overseeing a large unit which treated up to 55 cancer patients in a day
- Supporting staff on the floor, making sure staff are safe, adhering to best practise and well informed to deliver high quality care in a safe environment which is comfortable for the patients
- My role also involved troubleshooting when problems arose such as a delay in treatment for one patient affecting the next patient's appointment
- Dealing with and leading emergency situations and also resolving complaints
Senior Oncology Nurse
Leaders in Oncology Care
London
07.2014 - 10.2016
- Employed in an outpatient nurse led chemotherapy setting in private healthcare
- Assessing patients for toxicity associated side effects of chemotherapy and reviewing test results including bloods, then if suitable deeming them fit for treatment before administering chemotherapy
- This rewarding and yet challenging role allowed me to utilise a full range of nursing skills from diagnosis support, patient and relative education, administering chemotherapy and treating all illness related symptoms, medically, physically, emotionally and mentally
- Team collaborating and good communication where essential to providing safe and effective care at a high standard
Registered Oncology Nurse
Hospital Corporation of America
London
10.2013 - 07.2014
- I was employed into this position to bring my knowledge and experience to an up and coming oncology ward
- As a developing ward my role involves caring for patients with various medical conditions with a view to eventually treating and caring for oncology patients exclusively
- This will be achieved by management as they continue to deploy relevant plans and protocols as they also continue to develop a rapport with consultants, encouraging them to bring their patients to us
- These changes will allow me to implement and hone the oncology skills I have developed while working overseas
APHRA Registered Oncology Nurse, Level 1.3
Ramsay Healthcare
Perth
10.2013 - 05.2013
- This position entailed administration of chemotherapy and other intravenous drugs within a day unit setting
- My role involves assessing the patient's current health and any side effects they are experiencing from the treatment and decide whether or not it is appropriate to continue with current course of action
- The initial assessment also involves cannulating the patient or accessing a port/ PICC line they may have
- When dealing with patients diagnosed with cancer it is important to provide constant support as well as any relevant information which can help them coping with their situation while at home
NMC Registered Nurse, Band 5
NHS
London
04.2010 - 04.2011
- My job as a staff nurse at Saint Bartholomew's Hospital was based on a surgical cardiothoracic ward, meaning I prepared patients for both heart and lung surgery, then cared for them post-operatively and decided when the patients were fit enough for discharge
- I have experience in administration of medications, in particular cardiac drugs, as well as intravenous drugs and infusing them accordingly, monitoring heart rates and identifying important cardiac rhythms
- For patients post lung surgery it was my job to manage any chest drains they may have, before removing them all while keeping their pain levels at a minimum throughout
- Teaching and encouraging patients breathing exercises and simple movements such as walking was important for both cardiac and thoracic patients to get them back to full health
Education
Principles in Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapies Level 6
The Royal Marsden, St. Georges University
London 01.2014 - 05.2014
Principles of Lung Cancer Care Level 6
The Royal Marsden, St. Georges University
London 01.2016 - 03.2016
Psychology in Cancer Care Level 2
HCA Harley Street
LondonLeadership in Healthcare
HCA Healthcare
LondonBachelor of Science - Nursing Science
Queens University
Belfast 01.2007 - 01.2010
Skills
- Bladder installations via catheter
- Care of PICC lines & Infusaports
- Intravenous Chemotherapy
- Intravenous cannulation
- Monitoring for drug side-effects
- Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy
- Monitoring of extravasations
- Male and female catheterisation
- Education of anti-cancer therapy
- Management and team lead
- Audits and data reporting
- Preparing for RQIA and CQC inspection
Other employment
On my return to Northern Ireland in 2019 I worked with Direct Medics for a year as an agency band 5 nurse coving surgical shifts in The Causeway Hospital. My previous employment history also includes 5 months as an agency Nurse in Australia gaining experience in various specialist areas and also 5 months working in London’s major NHS hospitals such as St. Guy’s & Thomas’. I was first employed as a care assistant for 2 years at Dunanney nursing home in Belfast. I started this job with the desire to become a nurse and this position was the foundation I needed to give me an insight into my chosen vocation. While studying for my degree I was employed as a healthcare assistant by Premiere People Healthcare Agency which allowed me to gain further invaluable experience early in my career in many of Belfast prestigious hospitals.
Timeline
Deputy Sister band 6
Western Trust Altnagelvin Hospital Cancer services
11.2021 - Current
Sessional OSCE examiner
University of Ulster
09.2019 - 09.2024
Oncology Sister/Unit Manager
Leaders in Oncology Care
04.2017 - 09.2018
Junior Oncology Sister
Leaders in Oncology Care
10.2016 - 04.2017
Principles of Lung Cancer Care Level 6
The Royal Marsden, St. Georges University
01.2016 - 03.2016
Senior Oncology Nurse
Leaders in Oncology Care
07.2014 - 10.2016
Principles in Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapies Level 6
The Royal Marsden, St. Georges University
01.2014 - 05.2014
APHRA Registered Oncology Nurse, Level 1.3
Ramsay Healthcare
10.2013 - 05.2013
Registered Oncology Nurse
Hospital Corporation of America
10.2013 - 07.2014
NMC Registered Nurse, Band 5
NHS
04.2010 - 04.2011
Bachelor of Science - Nursing Science
Queens University
01.2007 - 01.2010
Psychology in Cancer Care Level 2
HCA Harley Street
Leadership in Healthcare
HCA Healthcare
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