Aortic Dissection Specialist Nurse

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and experienced nurse to join the Liverpool Cardiovascular Surgery (LCS) multidisciplinary team as a Band 7 Aortic Dissection Nurse Specialist. This role focuses on the care of patients with acute and chronic aortic dissection, supporting clinical management, service coordination, education, audit, research, and patient support.

You will act as the first point of contact for patients and families, coordinating complex care pathways across regional and national networks. The post holder will play a key role in implementing the NHS England Acute Aortic Dissection Toolkit, contributing to improved outcomes and reduced variation in care.

You will be supported by the Lead Aortic Advanced Clinical Practitioner and the Aorto-Vascular Consultant team, with access to structured professional development and mentorship.

The Aortic Dissection Nurse Specialist will play a central role in the multidisciplinary management of patients with acute and chronic aortic dissection. Working closely with the Lead Aortic ACP, Aorto-Vascular Fellows, and Consultant teams, the post holder will:

Attend ward rounds and outpatient clinics, ensuring accurate documentation and continuity of care.

Manage patients across the full pathway — from acute presentation to long-term follow-up — in line with national and local protocols.

Provide specialist advice and education to patients, families, and referring clinicians.

Coordinate imaging, investigations, and referrals across regional and national networks.

Support genetic screening and counselling in collaboration with the Consultant Geneticist.

Prepare and present cases for MDT meetings, ensuring decisions are documented and implemented.

Lead on audit, data collection, and service evaluation to support governance and quality improvement.

Deliver education sessions to acute trusts and emergency departments.

Act as a clinical resource across the Trust and wider network.

Support patient engagement initiatives and signpost to national charities for ongoing support.

As the largest single site specialist heart and chest hospital in the UK, we, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, have a clear vision 'to be the best cardiothoracic integrated healthcare organisation'.

We provide specialist services in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine both in the hospital and out in the community.

We serve a catchment area of 2.8 million people, spanning Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man, and increasingly we receive referrals from outside these areas for highly specialised services such as aortics.

Our reputation for strong performance is important in delivering the best care for our patients and high quality clinical services. This is underpinned by a culture of research and innovation, delivered in modern estate and our encouragement of flexible working in a variety of forms.

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The post holder will work closely with a wide range of professionals and stakeholders, including:

Aortic surgeons (cardiac and vascular)

Cardiologists, intensivists, anaesthetists

Geneticists

Radiologists and imaging cardiologists

Advanced Care Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialist colleagues

Administrative, audit, and data management staff

Surgical ward staff

University of Liverpool academic partners

Referring hospitals across the UK

Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust

Aortic Dissection Awareness UK Charity

Clinical

Attend ward rounds with Lead Aortic ACP and Aorto-Vascular Fellows, ensuring appropriate documentation on EPR.

Manage acute patients in line with national and local protocols.

Manage follow-up care for patients with acute and chronic aortic dissection, including outpatient clinic coordination.

Provide specialist advice, education, and support to patients, families, and referring clinicians.

Coordinate imaging and investigations, liaising with local hospitals.

Deliver genetic screening and counselling where appropriate, in conjunction with Consultant Geneticist.

Support clinical decision-making independently and within the MDT.

MDT Preparation and Documentation

Ensure all patients requiring review are listed for MDT meetings.

Collate and present clinical data to the MDT in conjunction with Aortic Fellows and ACP Lead.

Document MDT decisions on EPR and ensure timely implementation.

Manage onward referrals and care pathways.

Audit, Data & Governance

Contribute to accurate data collection in line with regional and national requirements.

Lead and participate in audits and service evaluation.

Support clinical governance and patient safety initiatives.

Education & Training

Develop and deliver regional aortic dissection education sessions for acute trusts and emergency departments.

Provide training for colleagues, patients, and carers.

Act as a resource for clinical expertise across the Trust and wider network.

Maintain own professional development.

Patient Engagement & Support

Help coordinate patient engagement days and support initiatives.

Refer patients to national charities for support and resources.

Research & Innovation

Support recruitment into clinical trials.

Participate in current and future research projects in collaboration with the University of Liverpool.

Professional

Maintain and develop clinical expertise in aortic disease.

Engage in CPD, supervision, and appraisal processes.

Contribute to service redesign and innovation.

Demonstrate excellent values and behaviours in line with Trust standards.

Managerial and Leadership

Identify own development needs and set personal development objectives in discussion with reviewer.

Take responsibility for own personal development and maintain a Personal Development Plan (PDP).

Make effective use of learning opportunities and contribute to developing the workplace as a learning environment.

Actively participate in continuing education programmes, including staff meetings, tutorials, training sessions, clinical supervision, and reflective practice.

Undertake annual mandatory training updates and other relevant courses in line with Trust and local policies.

Share responsibility for delivering training and development programmes for the multidisciplinary team, internally and externally.

Identify and contribute to ongoing clinical and service developments to enhance quality care.

Act as a role model, providing mentorship and/or clinical supervision to other staff and learners.

Promote the service and disseminate good practice both internally and externally to the Trust.

Communication

Communicate effectively with a wide range of people, adapting to their level of understanding.

Use communication skills to gain informed consent and be aware of barriers to effective communication.

Assess capacity, gain valid informed consent, and work within legal frameworks for patients lacking capacity.

Explore complex issues and make decisions that encourage effective participation.

Communicate highly sensitive condition-related information empathetically and reassuringly.

Receive and manage highly sensitive information concerning patients' medical conditions.

Adapt delivery of information using appropriate methods and environments, including breaking bad news and supporting patients with special needs.

Provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching, and instruction to relatives, carers, and professionals.

Maintain comprehensive and accurate assessment and treatment records in line with legal and directorate requirements.

Communicate assessment and treatment results to appropriate disciplines via letters and reports.

Ensure safeguarding concerns are managed and escalated appropriately in line with Trust policy, including MCA and DOLS considerations.

Planning and Organising

Accept clinical responsibility for a diverse and often complex caseload of patients, including clinics, and organise and plan this efficiently and effectively regarding clinical priorities and use of time.

Decide priorities for own work area, balancing patient-related and professional demands and ensuring that these remain in accordance with those of the service.

Demonstrate a sound understanding of Governance and Risk Management and apply to work situations.

Attend staff meetings and participate in discussions concerning the running of the service.

Actively contribute to and support agreed developments and directorate/Trust objectives.