Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for Senior Staff Nurse roles within the Cardiovascular Directorate in the Cardiac Catheter Labs. There will be one full time permanent position available, as well as a full time one year secondment covering maternity leave.
The working days are Monday to Friday, standard working pattern being four hour shifts per week. There is an expectation to cover the on-call service, on a rotational basis, during weekends and weeknights.
St. Thomas’ Hospital has five Cardiac Cath Labs, through which a range of procedures are undertaken, such as, diagnostic angiography, complex interventional coronary angioplasty, device implantation, electrophysiology studies and ablation, and structural heart interventions. We also provide an on-call emergency post-acute MI service. The department includes a 4 bed day case unit and a 4 bed recovery area.
We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic, flexible and highly motivated individual who is looking to expand their experience. Applicants must have excellent communication skills, knowledge and clinical experience in the Cardiac Cath Lab setting. Evidence of further training and development within the speciality is essential for this role.
We are looking for a team member who will act as a role model to the staff to ensure a high standard of care is delivered consistently. You will have the opportunity to enhance existing clinical skills whilst learning leadership skills to help with your career development.
Main duties of the job
The post requires the applicant to be able to work under pressure, demonstrate excellent clinical nursing and communication skills, willingness to learn and develop new skills and strive to provide the highest quality care for patients and their relatives.
The applicant will have the opportunity to learn how to coordinate the daily running and flow of patients through the department. This will help to develop problem-solving skills and the ability to identify how to improve the service.
As a Band 6, you will also act as mentor and leader; supporting new starters, junior staff and students working in the department. You will also support the sister/charge nurse with leadership tasks within the department.
The role will involve close working with other members of the multidisciplinary team in the Cath Lab including the cardiac physiologists, radiographers and cardiologists. Strong communication skills are key to the role.
Working for our organisation
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK’s best known hospitals – Guy’s, St Thomas’, Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield – as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation.
We are among the UK’s busiest, most successful foundation trusts. We provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark.
We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and – as part of King’s Health Partners – we are one of England’s eight academic health sciences centres, bringing together world-class clinical services, teaching and research. We have one of the National Institute for Health Research’s biomedical research centres, established with King’s College London in 2007, as well as dedicated clinical research facilities.
We strive to recruit and retain the best staff as the dedication and skills of our employees lie at the heart of our organisation and ensure that our services are of the highest quality, safe and focused on our patients.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Staff Nurse includes supporting the Ward Sister/Charge nurse, the nursing team and multidisciplinary workforce in contributing to high standards of clinical leadership and are committed to providing excellent patient care.
Supporting and leading the team in adhering to areas of compliance and governance. Provide leadership, support and guidance to staff in the monitoring, planning and delivering of patient care.
The applicant must also be able to interpret 12 lead ECGs, recognise and act upon emergency cardiac rhythms.
The successful applicant will be involved in relevant quality improvement projects and patient safety initiatives within the department and the cardiovascular directorate. You will be involved in implementing change to improve patient safety and experience.
The applicant must have the relevant cardiovascular and Cath Lab knowledge and skills necessary to support the team.
Person specification
Professional/ Statutory Registration
Essential criteria
1. NMC Registration
Qualifications/Education
Essential criteria
2. Evidence of Professional or Clinical Knowledge in area
3. ILS course, or willing to complete
4. Mentorship course
5. Specialist Cardiac Course at Level 6 or 7 ( Advanced ECG course, Arrhythmia course, Advanced physical assessment) or willingness to complete
Desirable criteria
6. ALS course
Previous Experience
Essential criteria
7. Extensive post registration experience with the relevant speciality
8. Experienced and competent in the management of patients within the speciality
9. Proven experience in mentoring a more junior member of staff
Desirable criteria
10. Further study in the field
11. Project leadership
12. Link nurse role
13. Experience and knowledge in sub-specialities within the Cath Lab ( EP, TAVI, Vascular intervention)
14. Experience taking charge of a clinical area.
Skills/Knowledge/Ability
Essential criteria
15. Demonstrates specialist expertise underpinned by theory acquired through CPD
16. Up to date knowledge of current clinical and professional issues
17. 12-lead ECG or cardiac rhythm strip analysis
18. Knowledge of evidence-based practice
Desirable criteria
19. IT Skills
Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or study’s at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.