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

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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.

Working for our organisation

Our Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites—Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital—along with award-winning clinics across North West London.

Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5m, providing full clinical services including maternity, A&E and children’s services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health care. The CQC rates us Good in safety, effectiveness, care and responsiveness, and Outstanding in leadership and resource use.

We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Mid.

We are delivering sustainable healthcare through our Green Plan. In line with Greener NHS ambitions, we aim for net zero carbon emissions by 2045. Achieving this requires collective effort. We encourage staff to reduce their impact on carbon, waste and pollution wherever possible. Every action counts to create a healthier, more sustainable future.

We are committed to equal opportunities and believe diversity drives innovation and excellence. We welcome applications from the global majority, veterans and underrepresented communities, valuing the perspectives they bring

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.

Important

• There may be some occasions when we have to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date, this will be due to a high volume of applications. You are therefore advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
• Please check your emails regularly (and your junk folder) as this is how we will communicate with you throughout the recruitment process.
• In submitting an application, you authorise the Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process, should you be appointed to the post.
• During the recruitment process your identity documentation (ie passport, driving licence, visa etc) will be scanned using a device which recognises UV, infrared and machine-readable zone security features of the documents provided.
• Employment at the Trust is offered subject to successful completion of a six month probationary period.
• Some roles may require weekend shift working across multiple sites
• We operate a joint recruitment hub across the North West London Acute Provider Collaborative Group. As part of this, your application and personal data may be shared with partner trusts within the group for recruitment and workforce purposes, in line with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Right to work

If you need sponsorship to work in the UK, please visit the Home Office website for information on sponsorship and visa status before you fill in your application form. Due to recent changes in the UK immigration rules which affect Skilled Worker Visas, Global Business Mobility, Higher Skill Level and Increased Salary Thresholds, please ensure that you are able to meet the requirements to live and work in the UK before applying. Further information about eligibility is available on UK Visas and Immigration - GOV.UK