Lead Cardiac Clinical Nurse Specialist

NHS; Royal Tunbridge Wells; On-site; GBP 53,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced cardiac nurse specialist to lead the cardiac CNS team at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. The successful candidate will manage a team while also carrying a patient caseload in specialized areas such as heart failure and arrhythmia. This role offers a chance to make a significant impact in a leading NHS Trust known for its commitment to patient care and staff satisfaction.

Benefits

At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays

Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme

Blue Light card eligibility

Qualifications

• Minimum required for the post is Master's Level Qualification (or equivalent relevant experience).
• Independent Nurse Prescribing qualification.
• Previous experience in a managerial role (at band 7 or above) managing a team.

Responsibilities

• Lead the cardiac CNS team, managing change and navigating service reconfiguration.
• Carry a caseload of patients in heart failure, arrhythmia, or chest pain assessment.
• Run nurse-led clinics independently and autonomously.

Skills

Leadership skills

Clinical assessment skills

Communication skills

Project management skills

Education

Master's Level Qualification

Independent Nurse Prescribing qualification

Leadership and management qualifications

Job description

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a new lead for our cardiac CNS team.

Applications are invited for an experienced cardiac nurse specialist with proven team leadership/management skills to join and lead our dynamic cardiac nurse specialist team.

The successful candidate will lead the team (approximately 60% of their job plan) and will carry a caseload of patients from at least one of the following 3 sub speciality areas - heart failure, arrhythmia, rapid access chest pain assessment - for approximately 40% of their job plan.

Main duties of the job

For the managerial aspects of the role, we are looking for an experienced nurse manager to lead our cross-site team. The post holder will have experience in leading a clinical team, managing change, and will need to navigate the team through our local cardiology service reconfiguration process and beyond. A proven track record of strong leadership skills will need to be demonstrated.

For the clinical aspects of the role, the post holder will carry a caseload of patients with conditions in at least one of the sub-speciality areas (heart failure, arrhythmia, rapid access chest pain clinic). The postholder will be an experienced non-medical prescriber and autonomous practitioner within their sub-speciality area and will independently and autonomously run nurse led clinics in their sub-speciality area.

Informal discussions and visits are strongly encouraged.

About us

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.

Looking for flexible working?We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it's adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:

• At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
• Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
• Blue Light card eligibility
• And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below

Details Date posted

19 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£53,755 to £60,504 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

359-7173782-T2

Job locations

Cross Site

Hermitage Lane/ Tonbridge Road

Maidstone/ Tunbridge Wells

ME16 9QQ

Job description Job responsibilities

Weve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.

Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children).

All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.

Following your corporate induction you will be expected to attend the Trusts 2-week Induction Programme for RNs, NAs, RMs, ODPs and Paramedics.The programme is full-time (please email [e-mail] if this is problematic) and will involve travel to both Trust sites. The programme includes supernumerary shifts in the clinical area, classroom-based sessions and e-learning.

Job description Job responsibilities

Weve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.

Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children).

All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.

Following your corporate induction you will be expected to attend the Trusts 2-week Induction Programme for RNs, NAs, RMs, ODPs and Paramedics.The programme is full-time (please email [e-mail] if this is problematic) and will involve travel to both Trust sites. The programme includes supernumerary shifts in the clinical area, classroom-based sessions and e-learning.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Minimum required for the post is Master's Level Qualification (or equivalent relevant experience).
• Independent Nurse Prescribing qualification
• Clinical assessment qualification
• Leadership and management qualifications
• RN with experience at Band 7 in a cardiac setting
• A clinical expert either through formal qualification (Degree / Masters) and / or extensive clinical experience pertinent to cardiology
• ENB 997/998 or equivalent teaching qualification
• ILS certification (or equivalent)

Desirable

• ALS certification
• Counselling course

Experience/ Knowledge Essential

• Previous experience in a managerial role (at band 7 or above) managing a team
• Previous significant duration of clinical experience post registration within a cardiology setting
• Previous role that involved autonomous management of a caseload of patients in at least one of these sub-speciality areas: heart failure or arrhythmia or chest pain assessment
• Track record of innovating services
• Experience of change management
• Evidence of understanding and insight into current issues in nursing and NHS
• Knowledge and understanding of Health and Safety policies
• Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures and the ability to liaise concerns appropriately
• Knowledge of audit / research methodologies and evidence of using this is practice
• To have a proven track record of service development

Desirable

• Track record of publications relevant to this role
• Previous role that involved autonomous management of a caseload of patients in two or more of these sub-speciality areas: heart failure and /or arrhythmia and /or chest pain assessment and / or cardiac rehabilitation

Skills Essential

• Strong leadership skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to build up a rapport with patients and the MDT
• Ability to impart complex information to patients, parents and carers, with different levels of understanding
• Advanced clinical assessment skills,
• Counselling skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Capable of making clinical / managerial decisions on own initiative
• Project management skills
• Computer literacy at intermediate level (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Ability to prioritise workload
• Ability to be reflective, accept criticism and act constructively
• Formal presentation skills (in large forums)
• Chairing meetings

Desirable

• Evidence of ability to undertake research
• Venepuncture and cannulation skills

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Minimum required for the post is Master's Level Qualification (or equivalent relevant experience).
• Independent Nurse Prescribing qualification
• Clinical assessment qualification
• Leadership and management qualifications
• RN with experience at Band 7 in a cardiac setting
• A clinical expert either through formal qualification (Degree / Masters) and / or extensive clinical experience pertinent to cardiology
• ENB 997/998 or equivalent teaching qualification
• ILS certification (or equivalent)

Desirable

• ALS certification
• Counselling course

Experience/ Knowledge Essential

• Previous experience in a managerial role (at band 7 or above) managing a team
• Previous significant duration of clinical experience post registration within a cardiology setting
• Previous role that involved autonomous management of a caseload of patients in at least one of these sub-speciality areas: heart failure or arrhythmia or chest pain assessment
• Track record of innovating services
• Experience of change management
• Evidence of understanding and insight into current issues in nursing and NHS
• Knowledge and understanding of Health and Safety policies
• Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures and the ability to liaise concerns appropriately
• Knowledge of audit / research methodologies and evidence of using this is practice
• To have a proven track record of service development

Desirable

• Track record of publications relevant to this role
• Previous role that involved autonomous management of a caseload of patients in two or more of these sub-speciality areas: heart failure and /or arrhythmia and /or chest pain assessment and / or cardiac rehabilitation

Skills Essential

• Strong leadership skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to build up a rapport with patients and the MDT
• Ability to impart complex information to patients, parents and carers, with different levels of understanding
• Advanced clinical assessment skills,
• Counselling skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Capable of making clinical / managerial decisions on own initiative
• Project management skills
• Computer literacy at intermediate level (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Ability to prioritise workload
• Ability to be reflective, accept criticism and act constructively
• Formal presentation skills (in large forums)
• Chairing meetings

Desirable

• Evidence of ability to undertake research
• Venepuncture and cannulation skills

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Address

Cross Site

Hermitage Lane/ Tonbridge Road

Maidstone/ Tunbridge Wells

ME16 9QQ

Employer's website

https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Address

Cross Site

Hermitage Lane/ Tonbridge Road

Maidstone/ Tunbridge Wells

ME16 9QQ

Employer's website

https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)