Senior Staff Nurse

Job overview

The Band 6 Senior Staff Nurse plays a key leadership role within the cardiac ward, providing advanced clinical expertise, senior oversight, and high‑quality patient care for individuals with acute and complex cardiac conditions. As a senior member of the nursing team, the post‑holder supports the Ward Manager in ensuring safe, effective, and evidence‑based practice across the unit.

The role involves coordinating the daily running of the ward, supervising junior staff, and delivering specialist cardiac care, including the management of patients with acute coronary syndromes, heart failure, arrhythmias, post‑angiography/PCI care, and those requiring cardiac monitoring. The Band 6 nurse acts as a clinical role model, promoting excellence in patient care, supporting staff development, and contributing to continuous quality improvement.

The post‑holder will be expected to demonstrate strong leadership, advanced assessment skills, and the ability to make sound clinical decisions in a fast‑paced environment. They will work closely with the multidisciplinary team including cardiologists, cardiac CNS, cath Lab pharmacists, and rehabilitation teams to ensure seamless, patient‑centred care.

This role is ideal for an experienced cardiac nurse who is passionate about developing specialist skills, leading teams, and improving outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease.

Main duties of the job

Act as the nurse in charge of the cardiac ward, providing senior clinical leadership on each shift.

Ensure safe staffing levels, appropriate skill mix, and effective patient allocation based on acuity.

Lead the management of patients with acute coronary syndromes, STEMI/NSTEMI, arrhythmias, heart failure, post‑angiography/PCI care, and cardiac monitoring.

Make timely clinical decisions and escalate deteriorating patients using NEWS and cardiac escalation pathways.

Provide visible leadership to maintain safety, flow, and high‑quality care.

Provide real‑time supervision, guidance, and clinical support to Band 5 nurses, HCAs, students, and new starters.

Act as a role model for high‑quality cardiac nursing practice.

Conduct competency assessments (e.g., ECG interpretation, telemetry, chest pain assessment).

Support staff wellbeing and help prevent burnout by offering senior presence and mentorship.

Contribute to recruitment, induction, and retention of staff.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Band 6 Senior Staff Nurse is a key clinical leader within the cardiac ward, responsible for delivering high‑quality specialist cardiac care, providing senior oversight on every shift, and ensuring safe, effective coordination of the ward. The post‑holder supports the Ward Manager in maintaining clinical standards, supervising junior staff, and ensuring the safe management of patients with acute and complex cardiac conditions.

The role requires advanced cardiac knowledge, strong leadership skills, and the ability to make timely clinical decisions in a fast‑paced, high‑acuity environment.

• Act as the nurse in charge, providing visible senior leadership and clinical support across the ward.
• Ensure safe staffing levels, appropriate skill mix, and effective patient allocation based on acuity and clinical need.
• Lead the management of patients with: Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) Heart failure Arrhythmias (AF, SVT, bradycardias) Post‑angiography and post‑PCI care Continuous cardiac monitoring
• Acute coronary syndromes (ACS)
• Heart failure
• Arrhythmias (AF, SVT, bradycardias)
• Post‑angiography and post‑PCI care
• Continuous cardiac monitoring

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.