Heart Failure Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated nurse to join our integrated, multidisciplinary team to work collaboratively, deliver care meeting best practice in heart failure. It is envisaged this post holder will work with the cross-site team at Chelsea & Westminster site & at West Middlesex University Hospital site. The post holder will be expected to contribute to the service as a whole under the direction of the lead specialist nurse for heart failure. The Heart Failure Specialist Nurse provides expertise in all aspects of cardiac care provision with a specific interest & experience in Heart Failure. The post holder will be an experienced practitioner with extensive experience of cardiology & the ability to work autonomously and as an autonomous practitioner will be required to manage their own caseload including nurse-led clinics, virtual clinics, and telephone consultations. Will also provide support & education to cardiac inpatients’ within the hospitals. The post holder will provide a leadership role and forge links with those involved in the development of the cardiology services both internally and externally. They will analyse service performance by undertaking regular audits, quality improvement activities and participate in the strategic development of the service. The post holder will also actively disseminate experiences through publication, conference presentations and participate in local heart failure and nursing research and national working parties

Main duties of the job

As an autonomous practitioner, manage a caseload of patient’s both acute and chronic heart failure across the Trust providing specialist assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care. Undertake nurse-led heart failure clinics to monitor, review and optimise patient management. Work cross-site under the direction of the Trust's Lead Heart Failure Nurse and collaborate with the multidisciplinary cardiology team to provide specialist inpatient heart failure reviews, management plans and patient education. Ensure patients understand their diagnosis and evidenced based heart failure medications that improve symptoms and prognosis whilst supporting effective discharge planning, arrange follow-up care. Maintain the heart failure telephone advice service for patients and healthcare professionals. Incorporate information and communication technologies (ICTs) into patient pathways and support the development of digital personal health records and digital care pathways. Work within agreed policies, procedures and protocols using professional judgement. Utilise multidisciplinary and multi-agency resources to ensure patients receive appropriate services and referrals. Work collaboratively with colleagues, patients and families to improve patient experience and contribute to the ongoing development of heart failure and cardiology services across the Trust.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To communicate clearly, accurately and effectively both verbally and in writing with patients and a wide range of healthcare professionals. Maintain a high standard of documentation using the Trust electronic patient record, Systm1, case notes, electronic communication as appropriate.
• To foster good communication with patients’ and their relatives/carers, with colleagues and other health care professionals, including GPs and community nurses.
• Use advanced communication and examination skills, order blood and cardiology diagnostics appropriately within guidelines, in order to establish a holistic assessment of the patient’s needs.
• Work in partnership with patients in order to support self-management. Involve the patient in all decisions and provide the knowledge, resources and encouragement to care for him/her safely and with increasing confidence.
• To review diagnostics and prepare and deliver nurse-led clinics for Heart Failure.
• Work with the cardiology MDT to ensure patients with heart failure have access to cardiac rehabilitation in line with NICE mandated best practice.
• Provide cardiac patients’ with education relevant to their condition within the nurse specialist competence and scope of expertise. Consult other health professionals and make referrals and signpost to other services as required.
• To maintain a high profile in the clinical area as a role model for expert clinical nursing practice in the care of patients with acute and chronic cardiac conditions.
• Responsible for undertaking the National Heart Failure Audit and to participate in all other cardiac audits both at a National and local Trust level to monitor service performance and shape future developments to cardiology nurse led services’.
• To work within the NMC Code of Professional Conduct, Trust Guidelines and recognise limitations within own professional knowledge and practice and seek advice and assistance from nursing and medical colleagues appropriately.

Applicant requirements

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.