South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinical Nurse Specialist.
Closing date: 14 June 2026.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be an expert clinical practitioner who will work as part of the Cardiology Clinical Nurse Specialist Team (CCNST). They will provide specialist nursing care for patients requiring all aspects of cardiac rehabilitation including heart failure.
To be a clinically based competent and skilled autonomous practitioner choosing, managing, planning and delivering the most appropriate treatment programmes tailored to individual needs, ensuring access to high quality phase 1 - 4 cardiac rehabilitation services.
Work with the local Leisure Service, local NHS providers and wider community to promote long term physical activity amongst individuals with established heart disease.
Key role in demonstrating an equitable service through clinical audit and clinical effectiveness.
Work as part of a multi‑professional team to ensure effective communication and coordinated delivery of care for patients and carers.
Work in collaboration with the cardiac nursing team to plan and deliver care and cardiac services locally. Continually develop and update knowledge and highly specialist skills in specialist area of competence and delivery of evidence based care.
About us
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust has been rated Outstanding by the CQC and is recruiting new staff to improve service quality. Services are provided across Warwickshire and beyond, including hospitals and community services.
Our values are 'Trusted to provide safe, inclusive, effective and compassionate care'.
Job responsibilities
Key Result Areas:
Expertise & Excellence in Clinical Practice
* Provide support to patients with cardiac conditions and their families, in line with NICE guidelines and BACPR standards.
* Contribute to delivery of evidence‑based personalised care, responsive to individual needs.
* Act as a patient advocate and promote shared decision making.
* Support management of a clinical caseload for at least 80% - 85% of the role.
* Contribute to development of patient/staff education, policies and protocols (15% - 20% of role).
* Plan programmes for cardiac rehabilitation, including heart failure.
* Recruit patients to exercise programme, contact individual referrals.
* Undertake comprehensive assessment of patients following cardiac event.
* Use clinical reasoning to risk assess and advise on treatment.
* Manage group sessions, provide clinical monitoring and education.
* Refer and report to other agencies and health professionals.
* Educate and mentor less experienced members of the cardiology nursing team.
* Work autonomously within scope of practice to make clinical decisions.
* Undertake risk assessment regarding patient condition and environment.
* Explain patient condition and proposed management, discuss expected outcomes.
* Educate patients individually and in groups.
* Ensure patient understands and agrees to therapy plan, set realistic timescales.
* Monitor patient exercise prescription in group setting, modify treatment as needed.
* In conjunction with exercise specialist, undertake individual risk assessment for exercise.
* Perform agreed functional capacity tests at initial assessment and completion.
* Support patients to self‑manage where appropriate.
* Contribute to caseload management and prioritise workload, including MDT clinics.
* Act as role model demonstrating high standards of holistic care.
* Participate in recruitment and selection of staff where required.
* Support public and patient involvement embedded within practice.
* Assist in setting measurable outcomes and continuous evaluation of practice.
* Participate in operational and strategic planning for service development.
* Attend Trust senior nurse meetings and contribute to agenda.
* Represent Trust in local, regional and national meetings.
* Contribute to annual service review and gather information for annual report.
Communication
* Ensure effective communication between all service providers.
* Model excellent communication skills.
* Work in partnership with patients, relatives and carers to obtain complex information.
* Create a climate where patients are empowered to make informed choices.
* Document all clinical practice appropriately.
* Informally manage complaints, ensuring satisfactory resolution or escalation.
* Demonstrate empathetic interpersonal and communication skills.
* Communicate complex and sensitive information to distressed patients and carers.
Education
* Identify and use educational strategies for patients and carers.
* Assist in development of other professionals via trust‑wide specialist education and training.
* Support delivery of formal and informal teaching initiatives as part of Trust's education strategy.
* Take responsibility for life‑long learning and personal development.
* Promote educational links with local providers and deliver lectures.
* Act as mentor/clinical supervisor.
Quality, Audit, Innovation and Research
* Assist in development of written patient information.
* Work within NMC code of professional conduct.
* Contribute to development of policies and clinical guidelines.
* Collaborate with other MDT members to update operational policies.
* Maintain patient records and documentation system.
* Support local and national audits.
* Develop new skills in response to emerging knowledge.
* Support management of change.
* Maintain membership and attendance at national and local forums.
* Assist with collation of data for audit and research.
* Participate in clinical research.
* Develop links to seek views of patients and carers.
Strategic and Service Responsibilities
* Work across organisational and professional boundaries to deliver high quality care.
* Promote collaborative working relationships and effective communication.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Registered General Nurse Level 1 with active NMC registration
* Post basic qualification in specialty
* Degree or equivalent in a relevant subject
* BACR Phase IV training or equivalent or willingness to undertake course
* Evidence of continued professional development
* Recognised teaching certificate / qualification (e.g. Post Graduate Certificate in Education / Mentors & assessors / SLAiP / ENB 998, C&G 730 or equivalent)
* Counselling qualification
Experience
* A minimum of three years post registration experience
* Extensive clinical experience in an Acute cardiology setting
* Evidence of continuing professional development
* ILS training
Skills
* Clinical, managerial and leadership skills in acute cardiology
* Up to date knowledge of current clinical and professional issues
* Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal and communication skills
* Ability to prioritise workload
* Evidence of negotiation skills, informing, enquiring, persuading and directing as appropriate
* Understanding of the change management process
* Knowledge of quality standards and relevant national and local guidance e.g NICE, BACPR, BSH, CQUINS
Personal Qualities
* Recognition of own development requirements
* Team player
* Creative thinker
* Diplomatic
Other Job Requirements
* Flexible and positive approach to work, ability to work at various hospital and service delivery locations.
* Car Driver
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
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