Charge Nurse - Cath Labs in London

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Cardiac Catheter Labs for a Band 6 Registered Nurse to join our dynamic and friendly team. If you are enthusiastic, flexible and passionate about cardiology then this would be an ideal opportunity for you to join our team. The successful candidate will have cath lab experience at band 5 level. The post holder will deliver exceptional clinical care to patients before and after cardiac procedures, including diagnostic coronary angiograms, permanent pacemaker insertions, PCI, ablations, and the implantation of complex devices. They will collaborate with consultants, support the Lead Nurse, and help with the line management of junior team members.

The role requires working within the catheter lab as either a circulating nurse or a scrub nurse. The post holder will also ensure the delivery of high-quality nursing care within the cardiology day care unit. There will be opportunities to expand in your clinical role in activities such as nurse-led ILR procedures.

Clinical Responsibilities:

• Provide care for all patients undergoing procedures in the catheter lab.
• Accurately monitor and record patients’ conditions during pre-assessment, day case, and laboratory settings, depending on work allocation.
• Possess specific knowledge and experience in catheter lab environments, caring for patients undergoing procedures and supporting the operator.
• Understand your role during emergency situations.
• Prepare and set up sterile trolleys in readiness for cardiac procedures.
• Complete The WHO Checklist And Pre/post-procedure Checklists.
• Serve as the scrub nurse and assist the operator during cardiac procedures.
• Have a solid understanding of cardiac rhythms and the clinical implications of any changes.
• Be competent in removing arterial and venous sheaths and assist the operator in managing haemostasis and closure devices.
• Have knowledge of intravenous and intracoronary medications used routinely and in emergencies.
• Understand a variety of catheter lab equipment, including catheters, guide wires, and balloon catheters, and their uses in different scenarios.
• Be knowledgeable about pacing devices, their leads, and pacing modes.
• Understand ablation procedures and provide support to the operator.
• Recognize and understand coronary artery disease, device implantation, and ablations to follow procedures accurately and update patients as necessary.
• Participate in and assist during cardiac arrest situations in the catheter lab.
• Conduct safety checks on swabs, instruments, and needles according to local policies, maintaining the highest standards of aseptic technique throughout procedures.
• Maintain accurate records in the ICP and Cerner systems during procedures.
• Support the on-call service.

Responsibility for Patients:

• Ensure the safety, confidentiality, and dignity of patients at all times.
• Demonstrate advanced clinical competence in managing cardiac patients, sharing knowledge about diagnosis, treatment, and lifestyle modifications with patients and their relatives or carers.
• Consistently deliver high standards of nursing care.
• Perform post-procedure care in line with local policy.
• Be open to rotation to the Cardiology inpatient area as part of personal development, service needs, or patient care requirements.

Communication / Relationship Skills:

• Communicate effectively with all healthcare disciplines involved in patient care, both within and outside the organisation, to support effective multidisciplinary teamwork, including discussions about patient care and progress.
• Build strong working relationships with wards to ensure smooth and efficient catheter lab operations.
• Use a variety of verbal and non-verbal communication methods to effectively engage with patients, including those with communication difficulties such as hearing or vision impairments.
• Communicate complex and sensitive information clearly to patients, carers, and staff, including delivering unwelcome news related to procedures.
• Maintain accurate records following Trust policies.
• Attend staff meetings and actively engage to ensure understanding of shared information.
• Manage potentially stressful, emotional, or upsetting situations with empathy.

Responsibility for Leading and Managing:

• Assist in assessing and monitoring staffing needs, reporting any issues to the appropriate manager.
• Welcome new staff to the unit and support the Lead Nurse in facilitating orientation, promoting a positive learning environment.
• Deliver teaching sessions to junior staff to maintain high standards in the catheter lab.
• Take on the role of shift leader when allocated, coordinating daily catheter lab activities to ensure efficiency.
• Participate in audits to monitor and review nursing quality.
• Take an active role in quality improvement projects across Cardiology.

Health, Safety, and Security:

• Monitor and uphold health, safety, and security for yourself and others.
• Identify and assess potential risks associated with work activities and processes for yourself and colleagues.
• Complete relevant risk assessments and associated documentation.
• Take appropriate action and report any actual or potential health, safety, or security issues.
• Be aware of risks involved in clinical care delivery and manage these within your own patient caseload.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of clinical governance and clinical risk, actively engaging in clinical governance groups.

Education, Training, and Development:

• Act as a professional supervisor, utilizing clinical supervision and reflective practice to enhance your own and colleagues development within the inter-professional team to optimize patient care.
• Mentor students and junior staff, ensuring their learning aligns with their educational needs.
• Provide patients and their carers with clear information to ensure understanding.
• Collaborate with Clinical Practice Educators and the Practice Development team to develop, evaluate, and manage education and training programmes related to the catheter labs.
• Work with these teams to manage competency development and review within the Cardiology Unit.
• Participate in education programmes offered by the Trust and local higher education providers, sharing knowledge with junior team members.
• Continuously update and maintain your professional development through attendance at meetings, study days, and use of educational resources, actively engaging with learning opportunities.

Research, Audit, and Quality:

• Regularly participate in relevant research and evaluation projects, staying informed about current research pertinent to the specialty.
• Engage in and initiate clinical audits and evaluations of clinical effectiveness in line with Trust policies.
• Evaluate your own clinical effectiveness.
• Ensure relevant topics are incorporated into annual clinical governance and service plans.
• Undertake and present evidence-based projects as appropriate.