Heart Failure CNS Band 7

We are looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated nurse to join our integrated, multidisciplinary team to work collaboratively, deliver care that meets best practice in heart failure.

It is envisaged that this post holder will work with the cross‑site team at Chelsea and Westminster site and at West Middlesex University Hospital site and the post holder will be expected to contribute to the service as a whole under the direction of the lead specialist nurse for heart failure.

The Heart Failure Specialist Nurse provides expertise in all aspects of cardiac care provision with a specific interest and experience in Heart Failure. The post holder will be an experienced practitioner with extensive experience of cardiology and the ability to work autonomously.

As an autonomous practitioner the post holder will be required to manage their own caseload including nurse‑led clinics, virtual clinics, telephone consultations and heart failure exercise programmes. They will also provide support and education to cardiac inpatients within the hospital.

They will analyse service performance by undertaking regular audits, quality improvement activities and participate in the strategic development of the service. The post holder will also actively disseminate experiences through publication, conference presentations and participate in local heart failure and nursing research and national working parties.

• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate specialist nursing care of a caseload of acute and chronic heart failure patients across the Trust and work cross‑site under the direction of the Trust’s lead heart failure nurse.
• Collaborate with the multi‑professional cardiology team to provide cardiac inpatients with relevant patient information and nurse specialist contact details.
• Ensure all patients have a good understanding of their heart failure medications, particularly those that improve symptoms and/or prognosis.
• Ensure effective discharge planning is in place and follow‑up appointments are made.
• Maintain the telephone help‑line service for patients and healthcare professionals seeking advice re heart failure and provide support re wider cardiology services within the Trust.
• Incorporate information and communication technologies (ICTs) into patient pathways.
• Provide patient education around digital technologies needed for remote monitoring and help facilitate early discharges from hospital through virtual wards.
• Maintain boundaries of own practice within agreed guidelines and protocols, using professional judgment in managing complex and unpredictable situations.
• Communicate clearly, accurately and effectively both verbally and in writing with patients and a wide range of healthcare professionals.
• Maintain a high standard of documentation using the Trust electronic patient record, case notes and electronic communication as appropriate.
• Foster good communication with patients’ and their relatives/carers, with colleagues and other health care professionals, including GPs and community nurses.
• Use advanced communication and examination skills, order blood and cardiology diagnostics appropriately within guidelines to establish a holistic assessment of the patient’s needs.
• Work in partnership with patients to support self‑management, involve the patient in all decisions and provide the knowledge, resources and encouragement to care for him/her safely and with increasing confidence.
• Review diagnostics and prepare and deliver nurse‑led clinics for heart failure.
• Work with the cardiology MDT to ensure patients with heart failure have access to cardiac rehabilitation in line with NICE mandated best practice.
• Provide cardiac patients with education relevant to their condition within the nurse specialist competence and scope of expertise, consult other health professionals and make referrals and signpost to other services as required.
• Maintain a high profile in the clinical area as a role model for expert clinical nursing practice in the care of patients with acute and chronic cardiac conditions.
• Undertake the National Heart Failure Audit and participate in all other cardiac audits at both national and local Trust levels to…