Band 5 Cardiac Specialist Nurse

Clinical To give skilled nursing care, based on principles of best practice and clinical evidence. This includes Chronic disease management, palliative care, Specific skills include phlebotomy and recording electrocardiograms, with the identification of abnormalities and escalation to a senior Heart failure specialist nurse. Responsibility for the holistic health needs assessment including care planning, evaluation and appropriate implementation of health care and ensuring continuity of care following referral from acute care, rehabilitation units, GPs and other agencies. Undertake comprehensive assessment of the physical, psychological and social care needs of patients using the Single Assessment Process and including the needs of carers. To provide individualised and person-centred care plans under the supervision of a Heart failure Specialist nurse that provide monitoring and promotion of self-care to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions Act as the patients advocate and to facilitate the patients own choices regarding nursing care, promoting independence and self-care, as appropriate. To identify and record new problems and other relevant information reporting back to the team as appropriate. Maintain accurate, comprehensive and contemporaneous records in accordance with Trust and NMC Guidelines. Liaise with, and where appropriate initiate referrals, to ensure adequate care and support to patients and carers. To provide information and support to patients, relatives and other carers that promotes and optimises positive health. To have knowledge of and be able to effectively use local services and resources to promote patient care. For example, specialist services. To ensure the safe handling of body fluids and contaminated sharps. Be alert to the needs of vulnerable adults including risk assessment and taking appropriate action when required. To develop and utilise specialist nursing skills such a physical assessment of a Heart Failure patient and palliative care. Support patients and their carers with managing their medicines and undertaking medicines management reviews as directed. To provide care to people with Heart Failure undertaking reviews in accordance with the individual patient care plan and with support of more experienced colleagues as required. Communication Establish and maintain effective relationships with patients, carers and the multi-disciplinary team to facilitate patient choice and independence. To effectively communicate complex and sensitive patient information to colleagues within the district nursing service and to multi-disciplinary team members involved with patient care. To maintain positive and effective communication and working relationships with patients, their families, carers and all other professionals to enhance a dignified and high standard of care provision. At all times have an awareness of potential barriers to communication and an understanding of how to overcome these barriers to ensure effective communication occurs, maintaining equity of service provision. To be involved with service promotion, service presentations and facilitate patient focused meetings when necessary. Communicate effectively through IT systems such as RiO, data input and web-based information. Quality & Performance • Contribute to the implementation, monitoring and reporting of performance outcome measures, alerting Team Leads and managers of any shortfall • Provide statistical returns as required by the Trust including entering complete and accurate data onto the computerised system within the required time frames. • Provide care within the clinical governance framework. • To participate in clinical supervision on a regular basis with a designated person. • Maintain appropriate and up to date knowledge and skills and undertake continuing education in accordance with personal and service needs and the Knowledge and Skills Framework. • To be involved in the development of the role of nursing and service delivery. Education & Development • Actively participate in the teaching and support of junior staff in the Locality. • To act as a mentor to student nurses and support staff, for example Health Care Assistants / Health Care Support Workers. • Where relevant provide training and support to nursing colleagues and others, for example allied health professionals. • Participate in self-appraisal and performance review, maintaining an up-to-date Personal Development Plan that reflects the Trusts values and behaviours. • Participate in clinical audit and where necessary, research projects, to ensure the development of effective and innovative practice and maintenance of standards. Management and Leadership Responsibilities • Establish and maintain good working relationship with colleagues, the primary health care team and other health and social services providers, to provide a comprehensive service to patients and carers. • To organise and prioritise own work without direct supervision, reporting any issues, concerns or personal limitations to the team. • To attend and participate in team, locality and other relevant Trust meetings. • Take appropriate action regarding any accident or incident to patient, staff or visitor within the scope of the post holders responsibility and in line with Trust guidelines. • To be responsible for the care and safe keeping of equipment issued for personal and team use and to report any defect or loss. • Be a member of working parties and groups considering aspects of the service and professional practice as required. • Ensure you apply equal opportunities in practice considering the individual needs of patients, carers and colleagues. • To participate in service development activities, identifying areas for improvement as appropriate. Job description Job responsibilities Clinical To give skilled nursing care, based on principles of best practice and clinical evidence. This includes Chronic disease management, palliative care, Specific skills include phlebotomy and recording electrocardiograms, with the identification of abnormalities and escalation to a senior Heart failure specialist nurse. Responsibility for the holistic health needs assessment including care planning, evaluation and appropriate implementation of health care and ensuring continuity of care following referral from acute care, rehabilitation units, GPs and other agencies. Undertake comprehensive assessment of the physical, psychological and social care needs of patients using the Single Assessment Process and including the needs of carers. To provide individualised and person-centred care plans under the supervision of a Heart failure Specialist nurse that provide monitoring and promotion of self-care to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions Act as the patients advocate and to facilitate the patients own choices regarding nursing care, promoting independence and self-care, as appropriate. To identify and record new problems and other relevant information reporting back to the team as appropriate. Maintain accurate, comprehensive and contemporaneous records in accordance with Trust and NMC Guidelines. Liaise with, and where appropriate initiate referrals, to ensure adequate care and support to patients and carers. To provide information and support to patients, relatives and other carers that promotes and optimises positive health. To have knowledge of and be able to effectively use local services and resources to promote patient care. For example, specialist services. To ensure the safe handling of body fluids and contaminated sharps. Be alert to the needs of vulnerable adults including risk assessment and taking appropriate action when required. To develop and utilise specialist nursing skills such a physical assessment of a Heart Failure patient and palliative care. Support patients and their carers with managing their medicines and undertaking medicines management reviews as directed. To provide care to people with Heart Failure undertaking reviews in accordance with the individual patient care plan and with support of more experienced colleagues as required. Communication Establish and maintain effective relationships with patients, carers and the multi-disciplinary team to facilitate patient choice and independence. To effectively communicate complex and sensitive patient information to colleagues within the district nursing service and to multi-disciplinary team members involved with patient care. To maintain positive and effective communication and working relationships with patients, their families, carers and all other professionals to enhance a dignified and high standard of care provision. At all times have an awareness of potential barriers to communication and an understanding of how to overcome these barriers to ensure effective communication occurs, maintaining equity of service provision. To be involved with service promotion, service presentations and facilitate patient focused meetings when necessary. Communicate effectively through IT systems such as RiO, data input and web-based information. Quality & Performance • Contribute to the implementation, monitoring and reporting of performance outcome measures, alerting Team Leads and managers of any shortfall • Provide statistical returns as required by the Trust including entering complete and accurate data onto the computerised system within the required time frames. • Provide care within the clinical governance framework. • To participate in clinical supervision on a regular basis with a designated person. • Maintain appropriate and up to date knowledge and skills and undertake continuing education in accordance with personal and service needs and the Knowledge and Skills Framework. • To be involved in the development of the role of nursing and service delivery. Education & Development • Actively participate in the teaching and support of junior staff in the Locality. • To act as a mentor to student nurses and support staff, for example Health Care Assistants / Health Care Support Workers. • Where relevant provide training and support to nursing colleagues and others, for example allied health professionals. • Participate in self-appraisal and performance review, maintaining an up-to-date Personal Development Plan that reflects the Trusts values and behaviours. • Participate in clinical audit and where necessary, research projects, to ensure the development of effective and innovative practice and maintenance of standards. Management and Leadership Responsibilities • Establish and maintain good working relationship with colleagues, the primary health care team and other health and social services providers, to provide a comprehensive service to patients and carers. • To organise and prioritise own work without direct supervision, reporting any issues, concerns or personal limitations to the team. • To attend and participate in team, locality and other relevant Trust meetings. • Take appropriate action regarding any accident or incident to patient, staff or visitor within the scope of the post holders responsibility and in line with Trust guidelines. • To be responsible for the care and safe keeping of equipment issued for personal and team use and to report any defect or loss. • Be a member of working parties and groups considering aspects of the service and professional practice as required. • Ensure you apply equal opportunities in practice considering the individual needs of patients, carers and colleagues. • To participate in service development activities, identifying areas for improvement as appropriate.