Clinical Nurse Specialist for Cardiothoracic Pre-assessment

Guys & St Thomas Hospital; London; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in London is seeking a Clinical Nurse Specialist for Cardiothoracic Pre-assessment. The role involves advanced clinical practice, patient assessment, and leadership within a multidisciplinary team. Candidates must be a registered nurse with post-registration qualifications in cardiothoracic surgery and possess excellent communication and clinical skills. This fixed-term position offers a competitive salary and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing patients via protocols and pathways.
• Experience in research and audit.
• Proven managerial and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct routine assessments, including history taking and clinical examination.
• Utilize evidence-based, advanced specialist skills to deliver high standards of clinical practice.
• Integrate into the existing clinical structure and support other healthcare professionals.

Skills

Clinical skills

Advanced communication

Leadership

Patient advocacy

Education

First level Registered Nurse with the NMC

University accredited post registration qualification in CardioThoracic surgery

Nurse specialist course/physical assessment course

Job description

This post is only open to internal applicants.

Clinical Nurse Specialist for Cardiothoracic Pre-assessment

NHS AfC: Band 7

Main area Cardiothoracic Preassessment Grade NHS AfC: Band 7 Contract Fixed term: 12 months (maternity cover) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 196-NM13022

Employer Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Guys and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust - St Thomas Hospital site Town London Salary £54,320 - £60,981 pa in HCA Salary period Yearly Closing 11/07/2025 23:59 Interview date 17/07/2025

Guy’s and St Thomas’ is among the UK’s busiest and most successful NHS foundation trusts. We provide a full range of hospital and community services for people in south London and as well as specialist care for patients from further afield including cancer, renal, orthopaedic, respiratory and cardiovascular services.

Guy’s is home to the largest dental school in Europe and a £160 million Cancer Centre opened in 2016. As part of our commitment to provide care closer to home, in 2017 we also opened a cancer centre and a kidney treatment centre at Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup. St Thomas’ has one of the largest critical care units in the UK and one of the busiest emergency departments in London. It is also home to Evelina London Children’s Hospital.

Evelina London cares for local children in Lambeth and Southwark and provides specialist services across south east England including cardiac, renal and critical care services. We lead a number of specialist service networks aiming to ensure children are treated locally where possible, but have access to specialist expertise when they need it. Our community services include health visiting, school nursing and support for families of children with long-term conditions.

Our adult community services teams deliver care at the heart of the local communities we serve, working in partnership with GPs, local authorities and other healthcare and voluntary sector organisations. Working with our partners in Lambeth and Southwark, we are focusing on new ways of working to improve care for local patients.

In February 2021 the Royal Brompton and Harefield joined Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, bringing together world-leading expertise in the care and research of heart and lung disease. Our merger provides a once in a generation opportunity to build a lasting, world-renowned heart and lung centre, providing the highest quality care for patients and conducting world-leading research.

We have a reputation for clinical excellence and high quality teaching and research. We are part of King’s Health Partners, one of eight accredited UK academic health sciences centres. In partnership with King’s College London we have dedicated clinical research facilities including an MHRA accredited Phase I clinical trials unit.

Patients are at the heart of everything we do and we pride ourselves on ensuring the best possible patient experience as well as safe, high quality care. We are proud to have one of the lowest mortality rates in the NHS. Following a comprehensive Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in 2019 we maintained our overall rating of ‘good’. Our adult community services achieved a rating of ‘outstanding’.

The commitment of our 23,500 staff is key to our success. We are one of the largest local employers and we aim to develop and support all our staff so they are able to deliver high quality, safe and efficient care. The 2019 NHS staff survey results show that we have one of the most engaged and motivated workforces in the NHS. We know this has a positive impact on the care provided to our patients.

We have one of the most ambitious capital investment programmes anywhere in the NHS.

Job overview

The pre assessment nurses have advisory, clinical caseloads and teaching responsibilities on an equal basis in order to fulfil the role, including:

• Provision of expert advisory and consultative services to healthcare professionals within the organisation and to GP’s if further investigations are required.
• Provide leadership and vision within the multidisciplinary team to affect the modernisation of pre assessment service.
• Have responsibility for the assessment of surgical patients to prepare them safely for surgery.
• Facilitate the pathway of care prior to, in between and after surgery whilst developing strong links with the Surgeons and the wider multi-disciplinary teams eg Scheduling, Anaesthetists, ACPs, Ward nurses
• Identifying through pre assessment patients who are suitable for same day admissions and which require admission prior to surgery.
• Scheduling of patients within the agreed timeframe for and following the investigation provide a full report to the referrer within 3 working days

Main duties of the job

Utilise evidence-based, advanced specialist skills, knowledge, and expertise to deliver high standards of clinical practice.

Develop and enhance the role of the Cardiac Clinical Nurse Specialist to ensure the delivery of holistic, patient-centred care.

Integrate into the existing clinical structure and support other healthcare professionals in managing the surgical service.

Be responsible for conducting routine assessments, including history taking and clinical examination, arranging relevant investigations, and communicating results to the lead clinician and scheduling staff where appropriate.

Take a lead role in organising the pre-admission clinics, in collaboration with the Clinical Nurse Specialist team, including coordinating the staff rota to ensure appropriate cover.

Perform physical assessments for surgical patients during the pre-assessment process and complete the relevant medical and nursing documentation. (If you have not yet completed a physical assessment course, you will be required to undertake this training, however that might mean we will not be able to appoint you as Band 7, but Band 6 instead)

Working for our organisation

Behaviours for Everyone

These behaviours apply to everyone at the Trust.
Additional behaviours apply when we are managing and supporting others, or leading people and the organisation.

Ambitious – We innovate and strive for excellence.

Inclusive – We respect each other and work collaboratively.

Our Values and Behaviours Framework describes what it means for each of us at the Trust to put our values into action. The full framework is available on our Trust careers pages and the GTIntranet.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Department Information

The department comprises Clinical Nurse Specialists, Consultants, Advanced Clinical Practitioners, and Pharmacists. The team is responsible for reviewing and preparing patients for elective cardiac surgery. Patients are identified from the waiting list and scheduled according to clinical priority. These are multidisciplinary-led clinics where teamwork is central to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care.

Job Description – Band 7 Pre-Assessment Nurse

Clinical Responsibilities

Utilise evidence-based, advanced specialist knowledge, skills, and expertise to provide high-quality clinical care.

Develop the role of the Cardiac Nurse Specialist to support the delivery of holistic, patient-centred care.

Integrate into the existing clinical structure and support the wider multidisciplinary team in managing the cardiac surgical service.

Undertake routine patient assessments, including history taking and clinical examination. Arrange and interpret relevant investigations, and communicate findings to the lead clinician and scheduling staff as appropriate.

Lead the organisation of pre-admission clinics in collaboration with the CNS team, including coordinating staff rotas to ensure appropriate cover.

Perform physical assessments during pre-assessment and complete all medical and nursing documentation. (If you have not completed a physical assessment course, training will be required.)

Provide individualised support and guidance to surgical patients and their families.

Liaise with ward managers, administrative staff, and the multidisciplinary team to ensure a smooth transition of patients along the surgical pathway.

In collaboration with the Lead Nurse and operational lead, contribute to setting goals and benchmarking standards for pre-assessment and pathway management.

Maintain accurate documentation in line with Trust standards, including electronic patient records.

Produce reports related to all aspects of the pre-assessment and discharge service.

Ensure continuity of care across the multidisciplinary team, from hospital to community settings including communication with GPs.

Adhere to the Trust’s infection prevention and control policies.

Act as an advocate for patients and their families, supporting them in expressing their needs effectively.

Manage and communicate complex or sensitive information with compassion and clarity.

Management and Leadership

Maintain and develop clinical skills and knowledge in pre-assessment, ensuring practice remains evidence-based and aligned with best practice principles.

Take responsibility for maintaining your own professional scope of practice and demonstrating competence.

Act as a role model and clinical expert, supporting the multidisciplinary team with evidence-based guidance.

Work autonomously, making accountable clinical decisions in accordance with the NMC Code of Conduct.

Undertake the independent/supplementary prescribing course following completion of the physical assessment/nurse practitioner training.

Participate in advanced skills training and continuous professional development.

Manage personal annual leave in line with Trust policy.

Identify personal and professional development needs in consultation with the Divisional Lead Nurse and Senior Business Manager.

Support and supervise colleagues in the development of advanced clinical competencies.

Quality, Risk, and Governance

Lead the implementation of effective governance systems and risk management processes within the pre-assessment service—for example, when patients require additional investigations or medication changes.

Monitor compliance with internal and external governance requirements, such as tracking patients on the waiting list and using Medpad.

Support conflict resolution among patients, staff, suppliers, and partner organisations.

Participate in complaint investigations and assist with PALS concerns.

Ensure learning from root cause analyses, serious incidents, and PALS feedback is implemented.

Contribute to quality improvement and audit programmes within the cardiothoracic service.

Strategy, Change, and Service Improvement

Ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality care to all patients.

Support the multidisciplinary team in the implementation of service changes.

Actively contribute to the development and review of pre-assessment protocols and procedures in collaboration with the wider team, surgeons, and anaesthetists.

Lead service improvements and ensure governance systems are in place.

Engage in the Trust’s performance review process to maintain and enhance care standards.

Contribute to business planning and service development initiatives.

Innovate and explore new approaches within nursing and allied health professional boundaries.

Demonstrate advanced clinical knowledge and take responsibility for your professional development.

Deliver teaching sessions to nursing and multidisciplinary staff across the Trust.

Assist with resource management, ensuring efficient use of supplies and equipment.

Contribute to accurate data entry on PAS and other electronic systems.

Complete training on electronic systems and use them for ordering tests and reviewing results.

Communicate findings and outcomes to the surgical team promptly.

Use email as a standard method of professional communication.

Review and update patient-facing literature in collaboration with the care team.

Input data into the Trust clinical data warehouse.

Represent the team at directorate and corporate meetings as required.

Research and Audit

Participate in clinical audits, quality assurance initiatives, and research projects, implementing findings where appropriate.

Identify and conduct local audits and analyse data to inform practice.

Engage with patient feedback and satisfaction surveys to support service development.

Remain up to date with professional and clinical advancements and share knowledge with colleagues.

Identify and recommend relevant areas for research to enhance patient care.

Take part in multidisciplinary research and promote a positive culture for nursing and AHP-led research.

Implement and apply relevant research findings into practice.

Attend and represent the Trust at relevant conferences and working groups.

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

• First level Registered Nurse with the NMC.
• University accredited post registration qualification in CardioThoracic surgery
• All staff is expected to take responsibility for their own continual personal development.
• Nurse specialist course/physical assessment course, undertake an independent prescribing course.
• SLICE 1 and 11 or equivalent level teaching and assessing course

Experience and knowledge

• Excellent clinical skills, that have been practiced at a senior staff nurse/charge nurse level, with proven managerial and leadership skills.Excellent Clinical skills
• Managing a specific patient case load
• Managing patients via protocols and pathways.
• Research and audit
• Experience of care of surgical patients or relevant acute /critical care
• Experience in the supervision of junior staff / others.
• Budget management
• Phlebotomy and cannulation

Skills and Abilities

• Advanced communication skills using a range of methods e.g. verbal, written, report writing, record keeping.
• Proven teaching and assessing skills.
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Demonstrate the ability to compile complex written information.
• Flexible to change.
• Able to prioritise and meet deadlines.
• Able to manage difficult situations effectively.
• Able to communicate with the wide healthcare community outside of the Hospital
• Able to use own initiative and decision making
• Demonstrates an awareness of the wider NHS organisation and its service developments.
• Demonstrates evidence of applying current research to practice
• Experience of using computer packages
• Budget management
• Phlebotomy and cannulation

Personal Qualities

• Maturity in approach to role and responsibilities
• Reliable
• Kind and compassionate.
• Calm and objective.
• Approachable.
• Good interpersonal skills
• Positive change agent.
• Self-motivating and able to motivate others
• Commitment.
• Punctual.
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team
• Well presented

Other requirements

Guy’s and St Thomas’celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or study’s at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity , gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.

Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. Equality of opportunity is our policy.

As an organisation we are committed to developing our services in ways that best suit the needs of our patients. This means that some staff groups will increasingly be asked to work a more flexible shift pattern so that we can offer services in the evenings or at weekends.

We are committed to supporting all employees to achieve a healthy work life balance and to work in a way that is best for them and our patients. We will consider all requests to work flexibly, taking in to account the individual’s personalcircumstances as well the needs of the service. We encourage all prospective applicants to discuss their individual circumstances with the recruiting manager as part of the on-boarding process.

Your e-mail address is important to us -We communicate to all job applicants via the e-mail address which has been provided on the application form. Please ensure that you check your e-mail on a regular basis.

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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.

Name Ana Alves Job title Advanced Clinical Practitioner - Lead ACP Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 020 71188 0754 Additional information

We would encourage you to contact us for more details about this job, as it is a great opportunity to join our team on a secondment - maternity leave cover

Our dedicated and talented staff make it their mission to provide outstanding care for our patients.

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