Cardiovascular Nurse (Primary Care) in Taunton

We are seeking an experienced Cardiovascular Nurse Specialist to join our GP practice, bringing established specialist expertise in cardiac care to support the assessment and ongoing management of patients with cardiovascular disease. The post holder will work within the practice team to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care for patients with conditions including coronary heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and hypertension.

You will run autonomous nurse-led cardiac clinics, support optimisation of treatment in line with national guidance, and provide specialist patient education focused on secondary prevention and long-term condition management. This is not a development post. Applicants should already be practising at a specialist level in cardiac nursing and be confident in applying their expertise within a primary care or community-based setting.

You will work closely with GPs, pharmacists, and other practice clinicians to provide specialist input, contribute to high-quality clinical decision-making, and support continuity of care for patients. This role offers an opportunity to use established cardiac specialist skills within a supportive general practice environment, with a focus on improving outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide specialist cardiovascular nursing care within general practice, delivering high-quality, evidence-based assessment, treatment, and ongoing management for patients with cardiovascular disease. You will independently run nurse-led cardiovascular clinics, managing patients with conditions including coronary heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and hyperlipidaemia.

This will include comprehensive assessment, interpretation of investigations, optimisation of treatment in line with national guidance, and appropriate referral or escalation when required. Where qualified, the post holder will act as an independent non-medical prescriber, initiating, adjusting, and reviewing cardiovascular medications within scope of practice and local prescribing policies, working closely with GPs and the practice pharmacist.

The role includes delivering secondary prevention and long-term condition reviews, providing patient education to support self-management, lifestyle modification, and medication adherence. You will work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to ensure coordinated care for patients with complex needs.

You will contribute specialist advice to the wider practice team, maintain accurate clinical records, and participate in audit and quality improvement activity, supporting delivery of high-quality cardiovascular care.

About us

French Weir Health Centre is a large, friendly, and well-established GP practice based in Taunton, caring for a registered population of approximately 17,500 patients. We are a forward-thinking and supportive practice with 11 GP Partners and 12 GPs, working alongside a strong, experienced multidisciplinary team.

Our nursing team is a particular strength of the practice and includes highly skilled practice nurses, nurse practitioners, and healthcare assistants who work collaboratively and support one another in delivering high-quality care. French Weir Health Centre places a strong emphasis on the proactive management of long-term conditions, including cardiovascular disease.

We value evidence-based practice, continuity of care, and the development of specialist roles within general practice. As a large practice, we are able to offer clinical stability, strong peer support, and the opportunity to work closely with colleagues who value specialist expertise and shared decision-making.

We pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive workplace, with a positive team culture and a commitment to staff wellbeing. The practice encourages professional autonomy while providing excellent support from experienced clinicians and leadership.

This makes French Weir Health Centre an ideal environment for an experienced cardiovascular nurse specialist looking to apply their skills within a supportive primary care setting and make a meaningful difference to patient outcomes.

Job responsibilities

Job purpose

The post holder will provide expert, specialist cardiovascular nursing care within general practice, delivering high-quality, evidence-based assessment, treatment, and ongoing management for patients with cardiovascular disease. The role focuses on secondary prevention, long-term condition management, and medicines optimisation, supporting improved clinical outcomes and continuity of care for patients.

This is not a development role. The post holder will be an experienced cardiac nurse specialist, working with a high level of professional autonomy and clinical responsibility, and contributing specialist knowledge to the wider practice team.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Provide specialist cardiovascular assessment, diagnosis support, and ongoing management for patients with established cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and hyperlipidaemia.
• Independently run nurse-led cardiovascular clinics within general practice.
• Undertake comprehensive clinical assessment, interpretation of investigations, and risk stratification in line with national guidance.
• Optimise evidence-based treatment, including medication review and titration, lifestyle advice, and secondary prevention strategies.
• Identify clinical deterioration or risk and initiate timely referral, escalation, or shared care as appropriate.

Prescribing and medicines optimisation

• Act as an independent non-medical prescriber (where qualified), initiating, adjusting, and reviewing cardiovascular medications within scope of practice and in accordance with local and national prescribing policies.
• Work closely with GPs and the practice pharmacist to support safe, effective, and cost-conscious prescribing.
• Monitor treatment effectiveness and side effects, ensuring patient understanding and adherence.

Long-term condition management and prevention

• Deliver structured long-term condition reviews for cardiovascular disease.
• Provide tailored patient education to support self-management, lifestyle modification, and informed decision-making.
• Support early identification and proactive management of cardiovascular risk factors.
• Contribute to reducing health inequalities through personalised, accessible care.

Multidisciplinary working

• Work collaboratively with GPs, practice nurses, pharmacists, healthcare assistants, and administrative staff.
• Provide specialist cardiovascular advice and support to colleagues within the practice.
• Contribute to shared clinical decision-making and coordinated patient care.

Quality, audit, and service development

• Contribute to audit, quality improvement, and service evaluation relating to cardiovascular care.
• Support the practice in meeting national and local quality standards, including NICE guidance and QOF requirements.
• Participate in the development and review of cardiovascular pathways and protocols within the practice.

Professional responsibilities

• Maintain accurate, timely, and high-quality clinical records.
• Practise in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Standards.
• Maintain professional competence through continuing professional development.
• Participate in appraisal, supervision, and clinical governance processes.
• Contribute to a positive, supportive team culture within the practice.

Responsibility for policy and service development

The post holder will contribute specialist input to the development and review of cardiovascular-related policies, procedures, and pathways within the practice, ensuring care remains evidence-based and patient centred.

Responsibility for financial and physical resources

The post holder will ensure cost-effective use of clinical resources and prescribing, in line with local formularies and practice policies.

Responsibility for staff and training

The post holder will provide informal support, advice, and specialist guidance to members of the practice team. There is no direct line management responsibility unless agreed locally.

Responsibility for information resources

The post holder will be responsible for maintaining accurate clinical documentation and ensuring compliance with information governance and data protection requirements.

Freedom to act

The role involves a high level of autonomy and independent clinical decision-making within agreed professional boundaries, supported by GP colleagues and practice leadership.

Working conditions

The role is based within general practice and involves clinical sessions, patient-facing consultations, and multidisciplinary working. Some flexibility in working patterns may be required.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse (NMC).
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in nursing.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development relevant to cardiovascular nursing.
• Independent non-medical prescriber (V300).
• Advanced clinical assessment qualification.

Personal Qualities

• Ability to work independently with a high level of professional accountability.
• Patient-centred approach with a commitment to high-quality, safe care.
• Organised, flexible, and able to manage a varied workload.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Experience

• Significant post-registration experience in cardiac or cardiovascular nursing.
• Experience managing patients with established cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and hypertension.
• Experience of working autonomously and making independent clinical decisions.
• Experience of nurse-led clinics or specialist caseload management.
• Experience of delivering patient education and secondary prevention.
• Experience working in primary care or community settings.
• Experience of medicines optimisation and cardiovascular prescribing.
• Experience contributing to audit or quality improvement activity.

Knowledge and Skills

• In-depth knowledge of cardiovascular disease and its management in line with national guidance.
• Strong clinical assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information to patients.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Competence in maintaining accurate and high-quality clinical records.
• Knowledge of QOF, NICE guidance, and cardiovascular pathways in primary care.
• IT skills relevant to clinical systems used in general practice.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.