Band 6 Charge Nurse - Cath Labs

London North West Healthcare NHS Trust; Greenhill; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare provider in the UK seeks an experienced Band 6 Registered Nurse for their catheter lab. The role involves providing exceptional care before and after cardiac procedures, working collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team, and supporting junior staff. Ideal candidates should have cath lab experience and strong communication skills. Competitive salary and opportunities for flexible working arrangements available.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience at band 5 level in a cath lab.
• Willingness to work across multiple sites.
• Registered Nurse qualification.

Responsibilities

• Provide care for patients in the catheter lab.
• Monitor patient conditions during procedures.
• Assist in emergency situations.

Skills

Cath lab experience

Patient advocacy

Communication

Emergency response

Aseptic technique

Leadership

Education

Band 6 Registered Nurse

Tools

ICP system

Cerner system

Job description

The post holder will deliver exceptional clinical care to patients before and after cardiac procedures, including diagnostic coronary angiograms, permanent pacemaker insertions, PCI, ablations, and the implantation of complex devices. They will collaborate with consultants, support the Lead Nurse, and help with the line management of junior team members. The role requires working within the catheter lab as either a circulating nurse or a scrub nurse. During procedures, the nurse will act as the patient’s advocate and provide assistance to members of the multidisciplinary team as needed. The post holder will also ensure the delivery of high‑quality nursing care within the cardiology day‑care unit. There will be opportunities to expand the clinical role in activities such as nurse‑led ILR procedures.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide care for all patients undergoing procedures in the catheter lab.
• Accurately monitor and record patients’ conditions during pre‑assessment, day case, and laboratory settings, depending on work allocation.
• Possess specific knowledge and experience in catheter lab environments, caring for patients undergoing procedures and supporting the operator.
• Understand your role during emergency situations.
• Prepare and set up sterile trolleys in readiness for cardiac procedures.
• Complete the WHO checklist and pre/post‑procedure checklists.
• Serve as the scrub nurse and assist the operator during cardiac procedures.
• Have a solid understanding of cardiac rhythms and the clinical implications of any changes.
• Be competent in removing arterial and venous sheaths and assist the operator in managing haemostasis and closure devices.
• Have knowledge of intravenous and intracoronary medications used routinely and in emergencies.
• Understand a variety of catheter lab equipment, including catheters, guide wires, and balloon catheters, and their uses in different scenarios.
• Be knowledgeable about pacing devices, their leads, and pacing modes.
• Understand ablation procedures and provide support to the operator.
• Recognise and understand coronary artery disease, device implantation, and ablations to follow procedures accurately and update patients as necessary.
• Participate in and assist during cardiac arrest situations in the catheter lab.
• Conduct safety checks on swabs, instruments, and needles according to local policies, maintaining the highest standards of aseptic technique throughout procedures.
• Maintain accurate records in the ICP and Cerner systems during procedures.
• Support the on‑call service.
• Ensure the safety, confidentiality, and dignity of patients at all times.
• Demonstrate advanced clinical competence in managing cardiac patients, sharing knowledge about diagnosis, treatment, and lifestyle modifications with patients and their relatives or carers.
• Consistently deliver high standards of nursing care.
• Perform post‑procedure care in line with local policy.
• Be open to rotation to the Cardiology inpatient area as part of personal development, service needs, or patient care requirements.

Communication & Relationship Skills

• Communicate effectively with all healthcare disciplines involved in patient care, both within and outside the organisation, to support effective multidisciplinary teamwork, including discussions about patient care and progress.
• Build strong working relationships with wards to ensure smooth and efficient catheter lab operations.
• Use a variety of verbal and non‑verbal communication methods to effectively engage with patients, including those with communication difficulties such as hearing or vision impairments.
• Communicate complex and sensitive information clearly to patients, carers, and staff, including delivering unwelcome news related to procedures.
• Maintain accurate records following Trust policies.
• Attend staff meetings and actively engage to ensure understanding of shared information.
• Manage potentially stressful, emotional, or upsetting situations with empathy.

Leadership & Management

• Assist in assessing and monitoring staffing needs, reporting any issues to the appropriate manager.
• Welcome new staff to the unit and support the Lead Nurse in facilitating orientation, promoting a positive learning environment.
• Deliver teaching sessions to junior staff to maintain high standards in the catheter lab.
• Take on the role of shift leader when allocated, coordinating daily catheter lab activities to ensure efficiency.
• Participate in audits to monitor and review nursing quality.
• Take an active role in quality improvement projects across Cardiology.

Health, Safety & Security

• Monitor and uphold health, safety, and security for yourself and others.
• Identify and assess potential risks associated with work activities and processes for yourself and colleagues.
• Complete relevant risk assessments and associated documentation.
• Take appropriate action and report any actual or potential health, safety, or security issues.
• Be aware of risks involved in clinical care delivery and manage these within your own patient caseload.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of clinical governance and clinical risk, actively engaging in clinical governance groups.

Qualifications & Experience

• The successful candidate will have cath lab experience at band 5 level.
• The post holder is expected to work across both Northwick Park and Ealing Hospital, supporting band 7 Clinical Nurse Managers across sites to maintain and audit quality standards and staff management.
• Applicant must be a Band 6 Registered Nurse.

Equality, Diversity & Flexible Working

• As part of our commitment to Equality and Diversity at LNWUH, we encourage applications from BME (Black, Minority Ethnic) candidates.
• LNWUH is a flexible‑working friendly organisation. Please speak to us about how we might accommodate a flexible working arrangement whether that is job share, part‑time or another flexible pattern. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

Trust Commitment

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We promote the wellbeing and safety of patients and carers through effective communication and sharing of information as required by our policy and procedures. All posts working with vulnerable groups will be subject to an enhanced criminal records check upon appointment; staff will need to give consent for the Trust to receive regular updates on their criminal record status throughout employment.

Application & Recruitment

Due to the high volumes of applications, we reserve the right to close adverts before the published closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received. Applicants are advised to check their email account which is registered. If no hearing within four weeks of the closing date, the applicant may assume they have not been shortlisted. Shortlisted candidates must provide contact details of their current HR department; if shortlisted, they will receive an email reminder to present these details at interview.