Staff Nurse Cardiac Cath Lab

Job overview

We are seeking enthusiastic nurses aiming to develop their clinical skills, with recent experience of working in an acute setting or new to all things nursing and want a fresh new challenge.

You must enjoy working in a busy environment and be a true team player. The job can be physically demanding and you must be able to stand for long periods in the Cath Lab wearing lead protection. Excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills are essential.

Working with the current Band 6 and Band 7 team you will be essential in maintaining a strong 24/7 primary PCI service,  assist in complex structural cases and complex EP work. The role will involve participation in the 24/7 Primary PCI service with an on-call commitment.

You will join our team of experienced nurses working in our catheterisation labs. The clinical environment can be challenging and rapidly changing with high acuity patients. The nursing staff work closely alongside the multidisciplinary team to provide high standards of evidence-based care. There is a strong focus on developing clinical practice and professional development and contribute to a research culture within the nursing team to identify current knowledge and deliver evidence-based care. Training will be provided, and further academic study is encouraged and supported.

Main duties of the job

As a Cardiac Cath Lab nurse your role will be diverse and unique. The role will consist of being a scrub nurse for cardiac procedures including PCI, pacemaker insertion, TAVIs, ablations and other procedures. The lab also has a nurse that circulates completing documentation, administering IV medications, inserting cannulas, using the defib.

When not in the lab the role consists of monitoring patients post procedure if required, collecting patients from wards, returning patients to wards and giving a proficient handover and supporting the patient in their Cath Lab journey.

Cannulation skills required or willingness to learn. Knowledge of IV medications would be great but all medications will be explained and supported to learn.

The Cath Lab is independent in regards to structure within the hospital so a strong work ethic with a willingness to clean and stock up the labs is essential as teams all contribute to the Labs day to day.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Cardiac Cath Labs is a busy vibrant area that completes procedures in 4 labs. The nurses in the lab are a fun team that always puts the patients first. The role consists of collecting patients from wards or the Cardiac Day Case Unit. The assist in preparing the patient including cannulation and other preparations such as giving oral medications and/or antibiotics. They will then be in the lab with the patient either circulating, which consists of filling in relevant paperwork, providing medications, opening equipment and monitoring the patient throughout. The other nurse in the same lab will be scrubbed in with the consultant completing the procedure. New nurses to the area will be taught scrub techniques, how to prepare equipment and how to be the consultant's second. The role is varied and offers lots of opportunities to learn about the heart and all things Cardiac.