Clinical Nurse Specialist for Heart Failure

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity to take on a part time role to improve access to heart failure services for Epsom and St Helier. We ideally would like somebody with heart failure experience that is keen to improve the access to specialised care in hospital and assisting in the transition to the community.

Main duties of the job

We are an expanding cardiology team and we are looking for an experienced heart failure specialist or cardiology nurse who wants to help shape the care we deliver.

Working closely with the lead Heart Failure specialist nurse, the Cardiology Matron and the lead Heart Failure Consultant, you will run and develop thediagnostic and treatment pathways for heart failure patients promoting high quality care across the care continuum from tertiary to primarycare, engaging with healthcare professionals across the network.

The post holder will also be required to support clinical staff in heart failure management plans; make appropriate onward referrals for follow up care; be involved in optimisation of medical therapy; provide education and support to patients, relatives and carers in both inpatient and outpatient settings with the aim being to reduce symptoms, prevent unnecessary admissions/readmission and maximise patients' quality of life. The role involves working closely with the community heart failure teams and the collection of data for local and national audits. You will have a keen interest in education, research, training and development.

If you think this is the role for you please contact Sharon Smart [email protected]

About us

St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey.Our sites include St George's Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC). After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached supporting document which contains more information about the Clinical Nurse Specialist at Epsom and St Helier.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Professional
• 1st Level Degree
• Evidence of significant professional development with a focus on heart failure
• Evidence of further qualification in Cardiology

Desirable

• Management module
• Master's degree
• Non medical prescriber

Experience

Essential

• Substantial experience and achievement in nursing cardiac patients
• Experience of managing a patient case load in an NHS setting
• Experience of managing patients with heart failure
• Experience of clinical audit
• Highly developed specialist knowledge underpinned by theory and experience

Desirable

• Research module
• Evidence of developing clinical guidelines and pathways

Knowledge

Essential

• Ability to work independently and unsupervised
• Physical assessment and diagnostic skills
• Ability to co-ordinate heart failure pathways
• Good knowledge of cardiac drugs and side effects
• Venepuncture and cannulation skills
• ILS competent

Desirable

• ALS
• Recent teaching experience at senior level
• Budgetary experience