Job overview
We have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Cardiology Specialist Nurse to provide effective and efficient leadership of the cardiology department cross-site between Luton and Dunstable Hospital and Bedford Hospital, focusing on cardiology specialist nursing services and Cardiac Cath Suite/Cardiac Centre, ensuring high quality patient care and an optimal cardiology service for all.
The post holder will contribute to the development of a high quality local cardiology service.
Main duties of the job
The Lead Cardiology Specialist Nurse will work alongside the Deputy Head of Nursing to provide professional leadership and specialist clinical advice, education and support to all level of health care providers including colleagues working in nursing, midwifery, medical and Allied Health Professionals.
The post holder will be an expert, autonomous practitioner, working under the supervision of the Clinical lead, with a broad experience of all aspects of cardiology. They will manage their own caseload and supervise the caseload of the cardiology specialist nursing teams. They will lead on the development of appropriate evidenced based programmes of education and care for people with cardiology conditions.
The post holder will increase awareness of cardiac concerns by disseminating knowledge and skills to other health care professionals and people with cardiac conditions and their family /carers, thereby improving the day to day and long term management of cardiac conditions through enhanced self-care.
Working for our organisation
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities
Key responsibilities
1. To deliver evidence based individualised patient care according to patient’s changing health care needs. Providing leadership and specialist advice to ensure effective continuity of care delivery.
2. Be recognised as a clinical expert in the management of cardiac conditions, to set standards and engage in autonomous high-level decision making.
3. To manage a significant caseload of patients with cardiology conditions, managing complete programmes of care. Working with patients and carers to empower them to make informed decisions about their health, in particular, those at high risk of developing complications that require intensive therapies, technology, or education and support.
4. To promote and contribute to the clinical governance agenda.
5. To lead on the development of standards and protocols that concerns the nursing care of people with cardiac conditions
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
6. Relevant experience, degree or education, knowledge and experience to degree level
7. Registered Adult Nurse (NMC)
8. Further relevant training in speciality
9. Evidence of continuous professional development
10. Non-medical prescribing qualification
11. Mentorship/ teaching and assessors qualification
12. Recognised qualification in cardiology (any specialism)
Desirable criteria
13. Project Management Qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
14. Proven experience of working in cardiology at a band 7 or above
15. Leading changes in practice in a complex environment to improve performance/services.
16. Identifying and interpreting national policy and implementing required changes.
17. Evidence of individual research or audit of nursing practice
18. Clinical credibility
19. Experience in working collaboratively across agencies and organisations to improve patient care
20. Experience in working with service users and carers to improve patient pathways and ensuring involvement in care planning
21. Experience of managing a team
Knowledge
Essential criteria
22. Financial procedures including budget setting and knowledge of financial processes
23. Awareness of national nursing and midwifery initiatives in relation to cardiology and specialist services
24. Understanding of change management.
25. Able to use IT systems including Microsoft Office.
26. Understanding of the current NHS agenda and health policy including transformation and workforce.
27. Knowledge of service improvements and project management.
28. Knowledge of risk management and governance
Desirable criteria
29. NHS IT systems
30. Understanding of the relationship between providers and commissioning organisations.
Personal Skills
Essential criteria
31. Good analytical and problem solving skills – ability to respond to unexpected demands.
32. Ability to work independently and make autonomous decisions
33. Strong communication skills both written and verbal - able to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive information and use influencing and negotiation with individuals and groups including stakeholders
34. Ability to embrace, lead and drive change in a complex environment
35. Ability to organise and prioritise own workload
36. Able to work flexibly to meet the demands of the role
37. Demonstrates a strong desire to improve performance and services
38. Able to form and maintain excellent professional relationships with all members of the multi professional team
Other
Essential criteria
39. Ability to travel independently and routinely within/around Bedfordshire as required for the cross-site role.
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.