Inherited Cardiac Conditions Clinical Nurse Specialist in Stafford

This is an exciting opportunity to work as part of the Inherited Cardiac Conditions Team. The post holder will provide support within a multidisciplinary team and will be involved in the assessment, co-ordination and support of patients undergoing screening and diagnosis of an Inherited Cardiac Condition (ICC). The post holder functions as part of the wider multidisciplinary team to provide advice, information and support to patients and their families with electrophysiological impairment of their hearts and those with or at risk of inherited cardiac conditions including, cardiomyopathies and inherited arrhythmias.

Main duties of the job:

• The post holder is a specialised nurse working as part of the ICC team.
• The post holder will practice under supervision within the cardiac team to manage caseloads being guided by best practice and Trust policies and guidelines.
• The post holder is an important resource for other health care professionals.
• To ensure that patients and their families are fully informed and supported by providing clinical and social support.
• To assist in the development of evidence based clinical nursing practice in line with current research and guidelines.
• Communicating and working with the multidisciplinary team to promote excellent care and informed clinical decisions.
• To act as an ambassador for patient centred care and contribute to patient and public involvement at a local level.
• To promote ongoing research and service development.

Job responsibilities:

• The Inherited Cardiovascular Condition service (ICC) at UHNM offers specialized care for the diagnosis, symptoms evaluation and management of patients and families affected with inherited cardiovascular conditions.
• The post holder will assist in the delivery of a specialist nursing service for people with a known or suspected inherited cardiac condition.
• Work effectively ensuring a high standard of care throughout the patients journey from the earliest point at which concern for the individual is raised through to discharge or transition.
• Elicit and accurately document the patients detailed family history.
• Interpreting medical, family and psychological history.
• Obtain consent from patient to approach other family members either directly or through patient.
• Have ongoing responsibility for own caseload building the relationship with each family but delegating care and referring as appropriate.
• Liaise, coordinate and support the care of families who have had a sudden cardiac death or sudden arrhythmic death (SADS) through the bereavement, screening and diagnosis process.
• Will be able to communicate very sensitive and distressing information to patients, parents and families, under the guidance and supervision of the senior members in the nursing team.
• Confirm diagnostic information, such as results of cardiac investigation, post-mortem reports, genetic information, death certificates and tissue for expert pathological evaluation and DNA extraction to assist in diagnosis and counselling.
• To know when to refer patients on to other professionals for more specialist guidance, support, advice and counselling.
• Identify and prioritise urgent referrals.
• To liaise with, make recommendations and discuss treatment plans with consultants/registrars based on the findings of relevant investigations and patient assessment.
• Liaise with colleagues in other specialities, locally and nationally to ensure appropriate follow up of patients.
• To work as an integral part of the multidisciplinary team to develop the service and appropriate referrals.
• To develop effective working relationships with all other departments resulting in effective, coordinated care for clients with all other local, regional and national organisations.
• To be available for telephone contact from families.
• See patients and families as in-patients where necessary, to ensure any outstanding issues are being effectively dealt with.
• To provide greater continuity of service provision.
• To establish clear lines of communication within the cardiac setting to ensure cohesive multidisciplinary management of patients requiring intervention.
• Ordering diagnostic tests within agreed parameters.
• Ensure that up to date records are kept relating to all patients assessed.
• To manage own time effectively, ensuring balance between clinical and administrative responsibilities.
• To identify, assess and meet the educational needs of the patient and their family to include risks and benefits of screening and treatment.
• To promote patients' autonomy through education and support so that the individual is able to make informed choice.
• Provide specialist advice, guidance and support for patients and relatives so that their specific, individual needs are met.
• Provide them with information on conditions, bereavement services and charities.

Person Specification:

• Registered General Nurse on NMC Register
• Degree in Nursing or Health/ Nursing related study
• 3 Years Nursing experience within the field of Cardiology.
• Evidence of ongoing professional education in a specialist area.
• Health Assessment Qualification
• V300 non medical prescriber
• Lead on or implement a quality initiative

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.