Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

• To manage the outpatient follow-up care for patients who have undergone PCI including the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of that care.

• To arrange admission dates for procedures and follow-up appointments as per PCI follow-up protocol.

• Use expert judgement and analytical and problem-solving skills in the surveillance and recognition of changes in the patients’ condition, referring to senior/medical staff as necessary.

• To independently manage a caseload of patients and the associated responsibilities.

• To ensure accuracy of documentation and to maintain an efficient and accurate record system with relevant information in agreement with the cardiology team.

• To be aware of the legal implications of all patient related records.

• To be responsible for data entry and maintaining the BCIS/CCAD patient database.

• To assist with the running of pre-admission clinics for all elective cardiology admissions.

• To participate in nurse-led discharge.

• To manage the psychological issues related to caring for patients on a long-term basis.

• To assist with the running of other cardiology nurse-led services.

• To act as an expert resource for patients/relatives/colleagues relating to the care of their caseload of patients.

• To maintain patient’s confidentiality, privacy, dignity, religious and cultural needs at all times.

• To be an independent non-medical prescriber.

• To prescribe within scope of practice /area of competency.

• To follow locally approved clinical guidelines and NICE and be within the formulary.  

• To provide cost effective prescribing activity.

• To regularly review prescribing activity and implement change as necessary.

• To have prescribing activity audited annually.

• To work within the framework of the Trust Non-Medical Prescribing Protocol.

• To interpret blood results, ECGs and other non-invasive tests and act accordingly.

• To maintain an environment for safe and effective patient care in accordance with the Trust Risk Management Policy.

• To work effectively within the Trust's adult multidisciplinary cardiology team as required ensuring an individualised, evidence based optimum service for each patient and their family.

• To act as advocate for cardiology patients enabling them to express their needs effectively when dealing with the multidisciplinary team.

• To promote collaborative relationships with other health care professionals for the benefit of quality patient care.

• To maintain effective channels of communication within the multidisciplinary team and promote effective interpersonal skills.

• To facilitate a seamless service between the Trust and locally based services by ensuring good on-going communication between tertiary, secondary and primary care.

• To actively promote a healthy lifestyle for patients & staff in line with national strategy requirements.

• To deputise for the Consultant Nurse in Cardiology when required.

Management

• To develop and maintain clinical skills and knowledge of the speciality of cardiology that are evidenced based aiming to achieve a 'best practice' principle.

• To act as a role model and clinical expert for staff providing education as appropriate.

• To work in partnership with colleagues, having accountability for decisions made (in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct).

·       To develop professional practice through reflection, participation on post registration courses and attendance at meetings and conferences.

·       To identify and be responsible for own professional and managerial development in liaison with the Consultant Nurse and Lead Nurse. 

·       To contribute to the development of positive staff morale and team cohesiveness.

·       To utilise appropriate resources within the Trust to provide a consultation, education, technical or information service as needed for self, staff, or patients.

• To co-ordinate departmental activities ensuring there is adequate cover for annual leave and study leave.

• To ensure staff, equipment and resources are managed effectively.

• To access and utilise all IT services appropriate to the service.

• To maintain high standards of nursing care within own practice and monitor the performance of junior staff.

• To act as a professional representative of the Cardiology department and the Trust.

• To attend suitable course/conferences and hold membership of appropriate professional organisations.

• Participate in the Trust appraisal and personal development plan schemes by meeting with their manager at least annually.

• To abide by the Trust’s core behaviours for staff and all other Trust policies.

Service Development

·       To ensure the constant provision of effective, high quality nursing care to all cardiology patients. 

• Plan and lead local audit as required, ensure findings are disseminated appropriately and recommendations implemented.   

• To support and work with the cardiology multidisciplinary team in the introduction of clinical changes.

• To be actively involved in the development and implementation of cardiology related protocols and procedures in conjunction with other members of the multidisciplinary team.

• To keep up to date with new advances treatment and new developments in the world of cardiology research and actively seek ways of implementing new ideas into clinical practice.

• To be actively involved in the production of departmental and divisional reports.

• To participate in the presentation and publication of relevant research and best practice initiatives.

• To attend and actively contribute to departmental and multidisciplinary meetings and actively participate in committee meetings as requested.       

• To develop and maintain operational policies, standards, guidelines, and procedures and ensure those kept within the department are up to date and monitored as per Trust procedure.

• To represent the Trust nationally and internationally.

Quality and Patient Safety

• To assist with the development and implementation of quality assurance programmes.

• To participate in departmental and divisional audit activities.

• To implement changes in care practices as indicated by audit results and current research findings including those identified within the Nursing strategy.

·       Be aware of and act in accordance with the Patients’ Charter for the care of cardiology patients.

·       To be aware of and act in accordance with the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease, NICE guidelines, and Trust Cardiology guidelines.

·       To participate promptly and effectively with the investigation of complaints and incidents in line with Trust policy and procedure.

• To comply with and participate in the Trust’s framework for Clinical Governance within the department.

• Identify clinical risks and ensure that appropriate action is implemented in accordance with the Trust risk management policy.

Research

• To maintain an active awareness of clinical and professional developments within cardiology and to disseminate that knowledge to all colleagues.

• To identify and suggest relevant areas for research within cardiology nursing which will benefit patient care.

• To lead on nursing research including publishing papers and speaking at conferences/meetings.

• To encourage other staff to recognise the need for nursing research.

• To assist in introducing and applying research findings along with members of the cardiology team.

• To participate in research studies as appropriate.

Teaching

• To mentor pre and post-registration students and health support workers as requested.

• To participate in the in-house adult education programme and to undertake informal teaching of colleagues and ward nursing staff as required.

• To be actively involved with conferences and meetings developing presenting skills in the national and international setting.