Cardiology Nurse Specialist

Merseywestlancs; Sefton; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits a dedicated nurse to join a passionate cardiology team. This role involves independent patient assessment and management, focusing on heart failure care. You'll lead a team, ensuring high-quality care and support to patients and their families. With a commitment to professional growth, you will have the chance to enhance your skills and contribute to service improvement. Join a forward-thinking organization dedicated to delivering exceptional patient care and fostering a supportive work environment. Your journey towards making a difference in patients' lives starts here.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

27 days annual leave

NHS discounts

Health and Wellbeing programme

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Registered nurse with experience in cardiology and heart failure.
• Ability to work independently and in a team setting.

Responsibilities

• Assess and manage patients with heart failure in various settings.
• Provide leadership and management to the nursing team.

Skills

Cardiology experience

Patient assessment

Team leadership

Communication skills

Critical thinking

Education

First level registered nurse

Degree level education

Non-medical prescriber

Job description

We want talented and enthusiastic people from all backgrounds to join #TeamMWL, with us you can learn, grow and develop yourself and your career, realising your true ambitions and aspirations.

Whatever you’re looking for in your career, you’ll find it here at MWL.

After applying via NHS Jobs, your submitted application will be imported into our preferred Third-party recruitment system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs. You will not be able to track the progress of your application or receive messages through the NHS Jobs website, and furthermore, as an employer, we will not be able to respond to any e-mails sent to us via the NHS Jobs website. By applying for this post you are agreeing to "name of trust" transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are appointed to a post information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

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 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 patients. 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. The ideal candidate would be a non-medical prescriber or a desire to pursue this quickly upon appointment.

Main duties of the job

• The post holder will have responsibility for the delivery of the clinical service in the defined area. The post holder will be required to provide team leadership and management to a team.
• The primary function of the role is to provide leadership, management and communication to and for the team, ensuring the delivery of efficient, effective, co-ordinated and responsive high-quality care to patients and their families/carers. )
• The Team Manager role is a first level nurse with advanced heart failure skills in the care of the individual with heart failure.
• The nurse will be attached to and work closely with a group of General Practices as a specialist support for specialist heart failure in the community and /or will work with hospital colleagues to provide a specialist heart failure service within the hospital environment.
• The service is provided over 5 days.The post-holder/team will work to a 5-day rota and will also support an on call rota for weekends and bank holidays. The post holder will be expected to attend the partnership working, building professional relationships with GPs, acute physicians, public and voluntary sector colleagues
• Principally the post holder will be available to advise and support staff in all aspects of the care of the person with heart failure.The post holder’s key roles will include influencing the quality of patient care via formal and informal educational and development processes

Working for our organisation

The Secretary of State has approved the partnership between St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals and Southport & Ormskirk Hospitals.

From 1 st July we have come together as a single organisation under the name Mersey & West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

The Trust delivers acute hospital care, intermediate care, community, and primary care services to a population of over 600,000 people with a combined workforce of around 9000 dedicated and skilled staff from 17 locations including Whiston, Southport & Formby, St Helens, Ormskirk and Newton hospitals.

The Trust provides regional services for burns, plastic surgery and spinal injuries to more than 4 million people across Mersey and West Lancashire, Cheshire, the Isle of Man and North Wales.

Our Vision is to deliver 5 Star Patient Care:

· CARE that is evidence based, high quality and compassionate

· SAFETY that is of the highest standards

· COMMUNICATION that is open, inclusive and respectful

· SYSTEMS that are efficient, patient centred and reliable

· PATHWAYS that are best practice and embedded, but also respect the individual needs of patients

Our achievements include:

• Trust rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
• Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)

Awarded National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for our Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• · Assess, plan, implement and evaluate care delivery according to individual changing health care needs using informed clinical reasoning and professional judgements when organising, implementing and monitoring programmes of care for individual patients.
• · Work independently when monitoring and managing a caseload of patients with NYHA Class 111-1V Heart Failure.
• · Lead education programmes, supporting patients to achieve independence to the patient’s maximum potential whilst working as part of a multidisciplinary team, for this cohort of patients and their carers’.
• · Actively up-titrate evidence – based medication as per guidelines and when necessary, adjust dose of diuretics to improve patient’s condition and prognosis, (in conjunction with both acute physicians, General Practitioners)
• · Lead on the development, implementation and running of the heart failure clinics held within the community.
• · Actively manage problematic patients NYHA Class III and IV, monitoring their on -going management.
• · Facilitate patients to make lifestyle and behaviour changes in order to improve their quality of life and avoid admission/readmission to hospital.
• · As part of a patient’s assessment take blood samples, , weight, height, BMI and blood pressure checks including performing renal profile and routine blood monitoring
• · In conjunction with patient and carer, identify other healthcare needs and refer to appropriate professional to deal with those needs.
• · Maintain a flexible schedule to meet the needs of individual patients referred to the Community Heart Failure Team by primary and secondary agencies according to agreed referral criteria and care pathway.
• · Act as a resource and advisor for specialist heart failure advice and liaise with GP/Practice Nurses in providing continuous education, support and advice in the care of people with CHD/Heart Failure.
• · Actively contribute to service improvement within the Specialist Heart Failure Team, supporting quality improvement approaches to maximise the patient’s experience.
• · Implement the delivery of Infection Control practice within area of responsibility, ensuring compliance to mandatory training requirements.
• · Act as an advocate for self-care strategies, including the use of Telehealth and Telecare as appropriate.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• · Keep accurate records as per Trust policy and NMC guidance. Maintain cotemporaneous record keeping.
• · Prioritise workload to meet the needs of patients and the CDT.
• · Attend meetings as required.
• · Provide data on performance indicators monthly to line manager e.g. number of contacts with patients etc.
• · Develop professional links nationally and locally acting as the advocate for the Specialist Heart Failure Service, attending appropriate professional meetings e.g. North West Heart Failure Forums
• · Maintain effective communication both within and outside of the clinical team to ensure that patient needs are met by the most appropriate agency.
• · To communicate with patients and carers to maximise their involvement and understanding of their condition, care and treatment.
• · Provide effective skilled communication of sensitive issues, counselling and reassurance to maximise patient and carer wellbeing.
• · Maintain competence in IT skills and make best use of IT systems to enhance patient care.
• · Maintain contemporaneous clinical records in line with Trust Clinical Records Policy.

TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES

• · Support the service manager in ensuring the team provides care which is evidence-based and in line with local and national Clinical Guidelines and Policy
• · Support the monitoring of quality and practice standards within the team, supporting Care Quality Commission (CQC) outcomes. Identify and report any issues relating to poor clinical standards/clinical risk within the Heart Failure team.
• · To be aware of, and adhere to, policies and procedures relating to safeguarding children, and vulnerable adults.
• · To have in-depth knowledge of NMC standards and guidance, understand implications for, and be able to, apply to practice for example:

§ Code of Professional Conduct, standards for conduct, performance and ethics

§ Records of Record keeping

§ Standards of proficiency for nurse and midwife prescribers

§ Standards to support learning and assessment in practice

• · Participate in quality initiatives, to promote the development of community nursing.
• · To monitor outcomes and propose changes to working practice, supporting clinical audit and evidence gathering for CQC, service checklists, patient feedback including information from patient surveys
• · Develop educational programmes to meet the needs of patients with heart failure and their carers’ in the community setting.
• · Contribute to the development, provision and delivery of educational programmes and resources for patients, carers, care home staff and all health care professionals to improve patient care.
• · Participate in the development of health promotion and health education activities, including awareness raising sessions.
• · Participate in teaching of registered and non-registered staff involved in cardiac care.
• · Participate in clinical placement of students/staff undertaking nurse training.
• · Support clinical supervision, providing opportunities for staff participation in the service.

LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• · Support the effective use of staff within the team, promoting flexible deployment of staff across the service.
• · Maintain minimal clinical stock levels and the effective use of clinical stock.
• · To complete timely returns on an individual level relating to activity and performance.
• · Manage time and resources effectively, having an ability to prioritise workload and to be flexible in response to changing or urgent needs when required.
• · Act as the designated signatory for time claims and mileage for staff working within the team.
• · Participate in the PDR process ensuring compliance for staff working within the service.
• · Ensure compliance for own mandatory training and for staff working in the service.
• · Participate in recruitment and retention of staff.

RESEARCH & AUDIT

• · To contribute to new ways of working and the modernisation of nursing / public health agenda.
• · To support the formulation of policies/protocols/guidelines within sphere of work.
• · Develop areas of special interest, participate in the development of projects and assist the service manager in the implementation of projects, facilitating a quality improvement approach.
• · Contribute to the workforce plan ensuring a climate is created where individuals and the team are supported and empowered to achieve individual and collective development in order to be effective in their role.

Person specification

Qualifications

• First level registered nurse
• Recognised post registration Heart Failure/Cardiac course e.g. HEA 765
• Educated to Degree Level
• Clinical Examination course
• Willingness to undertake further relevant qualifications
• Non-medical prescriber
• Support service improvement
• Community Nursing Qualification

Knowledge & Experience

• Multi-disciplinary / multi-agency working
• Undertaking complex assessments and the planning and evaluation of care relating to cardiac and heart failure patients
• Experience in team management
• Demonstrated Specialist interest in cardiac nursing
• An experience of working/dealing with patients with heart failure
• Primary care experience

Skills

• Evidence of effective interpersonal skills
• Team worker and ability to work autonomously
• Ability to problem solve and make clinical decisions using advanced critical thinking and reasoning within informed professional judgement
• Understanding of NMC standards and implications to practice
• Motivated and enthusiastic
• High clinical standards
• Awareness of current NHS policy and organisational change.
• Commitment to service and quality improvement
• Motivated to self-develop
• Knowledge of lone working risks and associated risk management
• Understanding of clinical governance framework and implications for practice
• Ability to work independently in community setting
• Knowledge of current community issues and up to date clinical and leadership skills

Other

• Requires frequent periods of concentration on a daily basis
• Exposure on a daily basis to a variety of complex situations requiring robust emotional intelligence and critical thinking skills

Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey West Lancashire NHS Trust. MWL is an exciting and forward-thinking NHS Trust who are one of the best places to work for in England.

Given sometimes we receive a high volume of applications to work for us, please be aware, that we may close a vacancy earlier than stated should a sufficient number of applications be received from which a shortlist can be confirmed. Therefore, you are advised to apply at your earliest convenience.

The Trust may contact you during the recruitment process for your feedback on your experience. We always aim for continuous improvement in our practice.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

We actively cultivate a professional environment of fairness, equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and value the unique skills, perspective and experience you bring. We are grounded in the belief that diversity enhances our collective strength, fostering innovation and excellence within our workforce. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.

As a Disability Confident Leader , we commit to offering an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.

If you are having difficulty completing an online application, or require any disability reasonable adjustments, to the application process, please contact [e-mail]

We also commit to offering an interview to all armed forces veterans who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.

The Trust operates anonymous shortlisting where no personal information about you, including your name or personal details are shared with the recruiting manager. No equality information is shared at any time during the recruitment process with the recruiting manager or other people involved in the decision-making process.

The equality monitoring information you provide is used in the following situations: to review our recruitment practices; where a job is limited to a specific person to verify their eligibility to apply; and to offer disability reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process.

Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click here to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorship.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

If this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Please note if applicable, applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment.

If you have not already done so, you are therefore encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service to which a small annual fee of £13 per year applies.

Flexible Working

We actively support flexible working patterns throughout MWL. Changes made to the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook mean that:

· All employees have the right to request flexible working from day one of employment.

· There is no limit on the number of requests they can make.

· Employees have the right to make requests, have them considered, regardless of the reason.

At Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, we will consider requests for flexible working. We would also encourage you to also discuss flexible working options at interview stage.

Working for Team MWL

Staff recognition is especially important to us; as well as performance reviews and appraisals, we recognise staff through Employee of the month. Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.

The Trust is a non-smoking across all our sites. Failure to follow this rule could lead to disciplinary action. For more information, see the Smoke Free NHS website

You must ensure that your application, including personal statements and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.

The Trust will not accept applications which are found to be AI generated and will check all applications against AI detection software.

Additional Information

Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and Behaviours which are We are KIND, We are OPEN, We are INCLUSIVE, which can be found here .

An applicant guide to help and support you with your application and what to expect during your recruitment journey can be accessed in the supporting documents.

Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team MWL very soon.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.