Job overview
The heart failure nurse plays a critical role in the management and care of patients diagnosed with heart failure.
The successful candidate will display a thorough understanding of heart failure pathophysiology, treatment modalities, and the ability to recognize early signs of deterioration. Candidates should have strong clinical assessment and advanced history taking skills, excellent communication abilities, and a passion for patient education and advocacy.
Main duties of the job
- Lead and coordinate nursing care for patients with heart failure
- Act as a clinical expert and role model, ensuring evidence-based practice and adherence to national and local guidelines.
- Maintain high standards of infection control, patient safety, and dignity.
- Where qualified, utilise Non-Medical Prescribing to support timely and effective patient care.
- Support staff undertaking NMP training and promote safe prescribing practices.
Operational Management
- Oversee daily roles of of the heart failure service Unit, including patient flow, staffing, and resource allocation.
- Ensure timely and efficient scheduling of clinic appointments in collaboration with administrative teams.
Staff Development & Supervision
- Support staff, including assisting with possible recruitment, staff induction,
- Provide clinical education, mentorship, and competency development.
- Promote a supportive learning environment for students and new staff.
- Encourage and support staff in pursuing advanced roles, including NMP training.
Quality & Governance
- Lead audits, incident reviews, and service improvement projects including NICOR
- Ensure compliance with CQC standards, Trust policies, and clinical governance frameworks.
- Contribute to policy development and implementation of best practices.
Working for our organisation
Listen to why colleagues think we are a great place to work! -
What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?
1. As part of our BHT family, you’ll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
2. We offer flexible and agile working opportunities, alongside your NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement, pension and access to NHS discount schemes.
3. We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.
4. Why work for us?
We’re committed to promoting inclusion and making sure all colleagues feel they belong. We encourage new colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply. As an employer, we aim to create a workplace where differences are valued and colleagues treat one another with dignity and respect. Greater diversity within our BHT family improves positive outcomes for the people and communities we serve. A keen supporter of the Armed Forces Community who know the value of employing a service leaver/veteran and their families.
What do we stand for?
Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work. Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time. Our care values are collaborate, aspire, respect and enable.
Person specification
EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
Essential criteria
5. Registered General Nurse - Currently registered with the Nursing & Midwifery Council
6. MSc in nursing or working towards
7. ENB 998/ Mentorship Course
8. Evidence of continued professional development related to cardiology.
Desirable criteria
9. Assessment and diagnostic experience and qualification or willing to work towards.
10. Post registration cardiac specialist heart failure qualification e.g. Caledonian
11. Advanced Life Support Course
EXPERIENCE
Essential criteria
12. Experience of managing Heart Failure condition
13. Cardiology experience
Desirable criteria
14. Substantial experience in delivering community based cardiac care
15. Experience in delivering formal and informal education and teaching self-management to complex patients / patient groups
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
Essential criteria
16. Car driver- able to travel between sites and to external meetings
17. Ability to work as a team and form professional relationships with colleagues
PPE requirements: Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust requires all colleagues to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with our infection prevention and control procedures.
COVID-19 and Flu vaccinations remain the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the viruses when working in our healthcare settings. We encourage our staff to be vaccinated when recommended.
Application deadline: This post will close on the closing date stated at midnight, however if we receive a large number of applications or there is a change in circumstance, we may be required to close a job before the advertised date.
Application information: If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records (ESR) system.
Shortlisting: The monitoring and safeguarding sections are not made visible to the shortlisting panel. The safeguarding section may be made visible to the interview panel, dependent on the role being recruited into.
Travel expenses: It is Trust policy that travel expenses for interviews will not be reimbursed.
Smoking: All Trust sites are NO SMOKING. Smoking in all areas of the buildings and premises is prohibited.
Employer certification / accreditation badges