Band 4 Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise Co-Ordinator

Assess and analyse, incorporating risk stratification tests as recommended by BACPR for exercise tolerance enabling patients to exercise safely, taking complex presentations, and co-morbidities, psychological issues, exercise beliefs and barriers into account. Take and monitor patients vital signs using knowledge of anatomical and physiological markers. Be able to interpret and clinically analyse these measures and modify treatment as indicated or advise appropriate member of the MDT if appropriate.

To lead, implement and ensure the smooth delivery of group cardiac rehabilitation sessions in line with current BACPR guidelines. Respond to patients who may be suffering an acute coronary event or illness which requires urgent care. Be prepared to act quickly, advise the patient or refer to other members of the MDT as appropriate, working within the hospital policies and guidelines.

Educate patients, carers and significant others of the physiological and general benefits of exercise, activity and healthy lifestyle. This will be to individuals and groups. You will be able to provide formal group presentations and education to a range of levels including patients and clinical ward staff. Participate fully in the multidisciplinary team and refer patients to other Cardiology team members as appropriate, as well as GPs, Leisure Centre Exercise Professionals and other external agencies.

Communicate highly complex and sensitive information to patients, carers and staff where there may be barriers to communication e.g. non-English speaking patients, use of interpreters, excess noise or lack of privacy. This may also include communications with parties those who have complex emotional, physical (including pain) and psychological conditions, hearing impairment, dysphasia, depression, memory loss and altered personality. Communicate through a variety of verbal and non-verbal techniques to encourage understanding and motivation towards healthy behaviour changes.

Provide cover for other members of the Cardiac Rehabilitation team as and when required within own scope of practice. Be prepared to support the team in supervising students and voluntary workers. Deliver evidence-based care and keep abreast of relevant up to date guidelines and standards. Share learning with the CNS team and wider staff as appropriate. Be instrumental in helping to device and maintain an accurate and evaluative record keeping system for the Cardiac Rehabilitation caseload using the Electronic Patient Record system at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.

Be competent in the use of IT e.g. to access patient details, book appointments, send patient reports. Be responsible for the management and maintenance of equipment used for exercise and for instructing patients and other staff in the safe use of it. Ensure environmental risk assessments are up to date. Complete incident reporting as appropriate. To organise own mandatory training and supervision.

Ensure own CPD is up to date through research, benchmarking, networking and attending relevant courses, tutorials and meetings. This will include attending the departmental clinical supervision and Clinical Governance. To participate in the development of the departments audit and evaluation projects including providing information for the National Audit for Cardiac Rehabilitation.

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust