Cardiology Nurse Specialist

Job overview

An exciting and challenging opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, imaginative and motivated nurse to work with the cardiology team. The Nurse will function independently and work within a team of nurses, doctors and other medical practitioners. The ideal candidate will currently be working within cardiology and have coronary care experience. Following a period of induction training you will be expected to work independently within the Emergency Department and Acute Admissions Units assessing and managing patients with cardiac chest pain. Undertake nurse led post MI clinics and deliver Phase one cardiac rehabilitation to patients with confirmed diagnosis of MI. Assess and manage patients with heart failure both in the inpatient and outpatient setting offering education and support to patients, carers and families. The post holder must exhibit excellent communication and organizational skills. There is scope to develop within the team and acquire the necessary skills for career progression. The successful candidate would work across all areas of the nursing team but with initial time spent within the ACS service allowing for service progression. The ideal candidate would be a non-medical prescriber or a desire to pursue this quickly upon appointment.

An Enhanced DBS Certificate with the checking of Adults’ Barred Lists is required for this post.

Shortlisting will commence w/c 6.01.2025

Interview Date :TBC

Main duties of the job

• Work within the existing ACS and HF nursing team to provide service within the trust demonstrating expert knowledge within the area of ACS and HF
• Autonomously review patients presenting to A&E or AMU with cardiac sounding chest pain or Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). Independently take a history from the patient and liaise with clinical teams to facilitate safe discharge, with relevant follow up, or admission to appropriate area.
• Autonomously undertake nurse led post myocardial infarction clinics. Assess the patient’s recovery, symptoms and treatment. Then, working within agreed protocols, make recommendations regarding medications and treatment whilst exercising judgement, discretion and decision making in clinical care.
• Independently assess relevant cardiology patients in non-cardiac areas. Request appropriate diagnostic tests; interpret the results and provide evidence based management plans based on the findings. Work with the existing heart failure team to ensure all patients with a suspected diagnosis of heart failure have undergone the relevant investigations which will confirm or refute diagnosis

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

KEY DUTIES

• Assist the heart failure team to ensure that all relevant patients are educated, on correct treatment, undergone appropriate investigations and reviewed at least once prior to discharge in accordance with NICE guidelines

• See HF patients in clinic to assess condition, symptoms and treatment. Make changes/additions to current medication as appropriate and communicate with GP’s and community nursing team.
• Co-ordinate and implement cardiology care in conjunction with relevant health care professionals and multi-disciplinary teams to ensure appropriate ACS and Heart Failure treatment; investigations and follow up are undertaken.
• Discuss complex patients with a senior member of the cardiology team and take appropriate action post discussion.
• Complete a risk factor assessment and offer appropriate lifestyle advice when appropriate.
• Liaise and support primary and secondary care clinicians with cardiology clinical care and management.
• Administer intravenous ferinject/frusemide for day case patients in accordance with agreed protocol.

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain Professional Registration
• Adhere to the NMC Code of Practice and The Scope of Professional Practice
• Identify, contribute to or lead on some aspects in development and dissemination of evidence- based guidelines, standards and protocols as required to ensure nursing care is appropriate and consistent with clinical guidelines.
• In accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, the post holder will actively participate in the prevention and control of infection within the capacity of their role. The Act requires the post holder to attend infection prevention and control training on induction and at regular updates and to take responsibility for the practical application of the training in the course of their work. Infection prevention and control must be included in any personal development plan and/or appraisal
• To report and record any untoward incidents
• To assist in the promotion of effective communication with all staff, patients and relatives and other departments as required

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ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Offer supervision and support to the community teams
• Offer clinical supervision to other colleagues

TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSBILITIES

• Develop co-ordinate and participate in cardiology education and training programmes and evaluate their effectiveness for key areas.
• Contribute to the Multi-disciplinary education and training provision/programme for healthcare professionals involved in cardiology complaints.
• Maintain and develop personal knowledge and skills in the field of cardiology nursing
• Develop audit skills and undertake training as required
• Supervise and support junior doctors and nurses, students and paramedics

RESEARCH & AUDIT

• Undertake relevant audit projects and be responsible for collecting all required information such as MINAP and National HF data
• Work in collaboration with the audit department to ensure correct data entry
• In liaison with the relevant audit departments be responsible for developing an audit tool and database
• Provide regular reports / presentations on performance to appropriate personnel
• Take appropriate action to improve performance as required
• To comply with the Data Protection Policy of the Trust
• Involvement in agreed cardiology research projects alongside the wider cardiology team as appropriate