Cardiology Specialist Nurse Rapid Access Chest Pain

NHS; Ashford; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Ashford is looking for a passionate Rapid Access Chest Pain Nurse to join their Cardiology team. The successful candidate will undertake comprehensive assessments and lead nurse-led clinics for patients with suspected coronary artery disease. This full-time position offers a competitive salary and a chance to work in a supportive environment that values professional development. Enjoy the benefits of flexible working while contributing to patient care in a dynamic setting.

Benefits

Flexible working

Support for professional development

Access to teaching facilities

Qualifications

• Evidence of continuing professional development within Cardiology.
• Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience leading nurse-led clinics is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive patient assessments and triage.
• Lead nurse-led chest pain clinics.
• Provide education and advice to patients.

Skills

Strong ECG and chest pain assessment skills

Excellent communication and decision-making skills

Competent IT skills

Education

RCGN (RGN) with Current NMC registration

Postgraduate qualification in cardiac nursing

Tools

Electronic patient records

Job description

Overview

Are you an experienced cardiac nurse passionate about delivering safe, timely and high-quality care for patients with suspected or established coronary artery disease? We are looking for a motivated and clinically confident Rapid Access Chest Pain Nurse to join our Cardiology team within East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust. The post holder will work as an autonomous specialist nurse practitioner in the RACPC service using specialized skills and knowledge to assess, plan implement and evaluate expert nursing care for patients to facilitate early diagnosis, investigation, and treatments. Our large district general hospitals, specialist units and community sites provide a vibrant and diverse working environment with the extensive opportunities and teaching facilities you would expect of a large trust. East Kent offers countryside, beaches and historic interest with easy access to London. With excellent schools and leisure facilities, the work-life balance is supported within a sustainable housing stock.

The post holder will support and contribute to the existing nurse-led Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic service in accordance with national targets providing expert clinical assessment and triage of patients referred to the Rapid Access Chest Pain Service.

Main duties of the job

The post holder supports and contributes to the existing nurse-led Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic service in accordance with national targets providing expert clinical assessment and triage of patients referred to the Rapid Access Chest Pain Service.

• Undertake comprehensive patient histories, cardiovascular examinations, ECG interpretation, blood test interpretation and risk stratification using NICE and ESC guidelines.
• Initiate and interpret appropriate diagnostic investigations (e.g. ETT, CTCA, Cardiac MRI, echocardiography, troponins) in liaison with the Cardiology Consultant team.
• Lead nurse-led chest pain clinics, delivering high-quality, evidence-based patient care.
• Provide education, advice, and reassurance to patients and carers regarding diagnosis, risk factors, and lifestyle modification.
• Act as a clinical resource and role model within the cardiology department, supporting junior nurses and allied health professionals.
• Collaborate with the rest of the Cardiology service and wider multidisciplinary team to ensure seamless patient pathways between emergency, inpatient, and outpatient cardiology services.
• Participate in service development, clinical audit, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation in accordance with Trust policy and NMC standards.

About us

We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is "great healthcare from great people". Our values are: "People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference". We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called "We care". It is about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We are looking for compassionate people to join our improvement journey for patients, families and carers.

Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for any declared disability.

Details

Date posted: 30 January 2026

Pay scheme: Agenda for Change

Band: Band 7

Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 a year Per annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number: 344-5737WHH

Job locations: William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, TN24 0LZ

Job responsibilities

Please scroll down to access the full Job Description and Person Specification located in Documents to download. If you have further queries please don\'t hesitate to contact the line manager using the contact details below.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

• RCGN (RGN) with Current NMC registration.
• Evidence of continuing professional development within Cardiology
• Non-medical prescriber (V300) or willingness to complete
• Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
• Excellent communication and decision-making skills

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualification in cardiac nursing or advanced clinical assessment
• Experience in leading nurse-led clinics

Knowledge, skills and experience

• Strong ECG and chest pain assessment skills
• Proven experience and competence in cardiology nursing, including the assessment and management of patients with chest pain and suspected coronary disease
• Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team and coordinating care across acute and outpatient settings
• Competent IT skills, including use of electronic patient records and audit databases

Desirable

• Experience of assessing patients and developing specialised programmes of care
• Experience interpreting advanced cardiac investigations (e.g. echocardiography, CTCA, stress testing)
• Experience in education, teaching, or mentorship of students or junior staff

Governance

• Experience participating in clinical audit, service evaluation or quality improvement initiatives. Utilisation of clinical effectiveness tools to deliver quality improvement e.g. risk management and clinical audit.
• Experience of writing reports and presenting to teams or small groups
• Understanding of clinical governance, patient safety, and risk management frameworks
• Commitment to maintaining accurate, timely and high-quality documentation in line with NMC and Trust standards

Personal & Professional Attributes

• Demonstrates compassionate, patient-centred care and commitment to the Trust\'s values
• Demonstrate self-awareness and critical reflection
• Excellent communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Demonstrates critical thinking, clinical judgement and prioritisation under pressure
• Commitment to continuous professional development and reflective practice
• Flexible and adaptable approach with the ability to travel between Trust sites (WHH, QEQM, and K&C) to meet service needs, with reasonable adjustments supported where required

Other Requirements

• Flexibility in working patterns to meet the needs of the service
• Commitment to equity and diversity
• Self-motivated, positive, adaptable and flexible approach
• Upholds and role models the Trust values

Disclosures

Disability and Disclosure: This post may be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks as part of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. A submission for Disclosure will be made to the DBS to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Qualifications & Sponsorship

Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered alongside other applications. Guidance about sponsorship can be found from the UK Visas and Immigration. From 6 April 2017, applicants may need to provide a criminal records certificate from certain countries; guidance on overseas criminal records checks is available from the appropriate authorities.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information see NHS Careers.

Employer details

Employer: East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Address: William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, TN24 0LZ