Structural Heart Nurse Specialist and Cardiac Cath Lab Nurse

Job overview

****** THIS POSITION IS ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST EMPLOYEES ******

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced cardiac catheter lab nurse to join our structural heart nurse team to support our busy structural heart programme. We have funding initially for a 12 month period. The Sussex Cardiac Centre performs about 400 Structural and Congenital Interventions per year, including PFO closure, ASD closure, paravalvular leak closure, balloon mitral and aortic valvuloplasty, left atrial appendage occlusion, transcatheter aortic valve implantation and transcatheter mitral valve interventions. 

This post will spend 50% of time working within the structural heart nurse specialist team and the remaining 50% of time within the cardiac cath lab team, on both structural and non structural work. 

Please note that this role is a fixed term opportunity. If applying for this post as a secondment, before applying you must seek agreement and authorisation from your current line manager. Secondments can’t be agreed without your current manager’s approval. If you are unable to gain your managers approval you should refrain from applying unless you wish to take this role as a fixed term position.

Main duties of the job

This specialist post will include a pre-assessment clinic, active participation in the Structural Heart MDT meeting, delivering a nurse-led follow up clinic, as well as a fixed commitment to the cardiac catheter lab team (providing direct input into these cases and others). Non-clinical aspects of the role will include the delivery of specialist education and training and undertaking clinical audit and research. This post will involve close liaison with all members of the MDT, including our cardiac research department - many of these patients participate in clinical trials.

You will need to be an experienced cardiac cath lab nurse with experience in structural work. You will need to have excellent communication skills, and a desire to contribute to the whole patient pathway. This is an excellent opportunity to develop specialist nurse skills and you will be supported in this role development.

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex. 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Communication

1.Presentation of procedural data and nursing related information at both national and international level.

2.Attend relevant internal and external meetings as required to communicate the performance of the service.

3.Attend multidisciplinary team meetings.

4.Attend specialist team meetings as required.

5.Acts as a patients’ advocate in issues concerning their care.

6.Communicate effectively with patients, relatives and healthcare professionals, including consultants and clinical nurse specialists working in this field. To share knowledge and experience through networking.

7.Communicate life-changing issues such as medical complications to patients and provide support to patients and their families.

8.Refer patients with complex issues and challenging behaviour to the clinical psychologist after obtaining the patient’s consent.

9.Provide written and verbal reports to GPs and other members of the multidisciplinary team regarding treatment changes and recommended management of care. Communicate results of tests results to patients and GPs.

10.Support verbal communication by providing written educational material to patients, carers and healthcare professional to ensure understanding of complex issues.

11.Utilise the interpreting service for patients with language barrier.

12.Maintain accurate records regarding all patient contacts, including telephone consultations.

13.Consult with equipment manufacturers regarding service provision, patient and service support and technological advances.

14.Ensure that confidentiality and adherence to the Data Protection Act in relation to own practice is maintained.

15.Seek opportunities to publicise and promote the service.

Service Delivery and Improvement

1.The post-holder will coordinate cases with the administrative staff to ensure anaesthetic support, CCU bed availability and lab time are all available. Peri-procedural imaging and industry support will also be coordinated.

2.They will ensure appropriate specialist stock and ancillary equipment availability in advance of the cases.

3.Respond and take appropriate action relating to hazard notification regarding products and equipment.

4.Inform manager of any untoward incident or accident and ensure that appropriate investigation, corrective action and documentation takes place. Complete the DATIX procedure, in accordance with the Trust Policy.

5.In discussion with the Nurse Consultant Cardiology, represent the specialist team at senior levels within the Trust and at local and national levels, on key issues regarding their specialism.

6.Lead on the implementation of Trust policies relevant to their specialist field.

7.Adhere to all local standard operating procedures and policies.

8.Take responsibility for Policy and Service development, as delegated by Senior Management or as required, in line with changing legal or professional issues.

9.Utilise information provided by the Trust library services and critically appraise research papers obtained from a literature search.

10.Critically analyse methodology and results of research and apply to future clinical practice where appropriate.

11.In collaboration with UHSussex research department, develop, participate in and encourage research pertaining to area of specialism, and assist in changing practice related to evidence based research findings.

12.Collect audit data in line with local and national requirements. Independently undertake service audit or local protocol audits according to service need.

13.Work with the structural team to analyse data available and contribute to the publication and dissemination of results.

14.Implement NICE guidance and quality standards, contributing to gap analyses where required.

15.Participate in local clinical governance programmes.

16.Represent the specialist team at senior levels within the Trust and at local and national levels, when required, on key issues regarding structural nursing.

17.Review and update nursing pathways with the MDT, reflecting contemporary evidence.

18.Actively contribute to setting and monitoring standards in nursing practice and service provision.

Please see attached job description for full details.

Person specification

clincial experience

Essential criteria

cardiac catheter lab experience Structural heart experience post registration studies

Desirable criteria

evidence of independant working

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential criteria

Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

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