Download Job Description Job Title: Heart Failure Specialist Nurse Department

Job Description
Job Title:
Heart Failure Specialist Nurse
Department:
Specialist Services
Responsible to:
Assistant Director of South Locality
Reports to:
Modern Matron South Locality
Band:
7
Base:
Dereham Hospital, Dereham Norfolk
Aims of Position
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To develop and deliver a specialist nursing and support service across the
care pathway.
The development for working practices in the management of heart failure
with other providers of Health and Social Services across the statutory and
voluntary sector.
Liaison with supportive and palliative care agencies in order to develop
services for people with heart failure, including a programme for day care and
education.
Supporting the improvement of Standards of Care for people with heart
failure, in line with the National Service Framework (NSF) for Coronary Heart
Disease (CHD) and National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guidelines
for Chronic Heart Failure.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
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To accept referrals and manage a patient caseload according to agreed
guidelines.
To maintain a database of heart failure patients’ according to agreed
guidelines.
To initiate and titrate beta-blockers and other evidence based medications in
a clinic setting under the direction of the Consultant Cardiologist.
To provide an expert resource for Primary Health Care Teams to provide care
and support for people with heart failure.
Collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams (MDT) in order to develop the care
pathway for people with heart failure, including supportive and palliative care.
To assist in the provision of training and education for patients, carers and
professionals to develop the skills required to manage heart failure effectively.
Key Areas of Responsibility
Clinical Practice
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To give direct expert nursing care in speciality area, in a variety of settings, in
line with local and national guidelines.
To demonstrate specialist knowledge and skills through nursing practice in
line with local and national guidelines.
To initiate and titrate evidence based medications under the direction of the
Consultant Cardiologist, using locally agreed patient group directives.
To maintain own levels of clinical competence.
To promote and facilitate research and evidence based practice in heart
failure nursing.
To assist in establishing, implementing and monitoring a care pathway for
heart failure patients, including rehabilitation and lifestyle changes.
To maintain a high profile in the clinical area, acting as a role model for other
health care professionals.
Education
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To provide information about heart failure to people with the disease,
including its treatment and symptom management.
To provide information to healthcare professionals about heart failure, its
treatment and symptom management at practice level and as part of
education programme.
Maintain links with other Heart Failure Nurse Specialists and networks in
order to learn and share examples of good practice.
To be responsible for developing and sustaining own knowledge, clinical skills
and professional awareness in accordance with NMC requirements and to
maintain a professional profile.
Research & Development
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May be required to undertake surveys or audits, as necessary to own work; may
occasionally participate in R&D, clinical trials or equipment testing.
Safeguarding Clause
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Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust is committed to safeguarding
and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and
expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Rigorous recruitment
checks are carried out and where applicable to the role successful applicants will
be required to undertake a criminal records check via the Disclosure and Barring
Service (DBS).
Infection Control
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Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust staff are responsible for
protecting themselves and others against infection risks. All staff regardless of
whether clinical or not are expected to comply with current infection control
policies and procedures and to report any problems with regard to this to their
managers. All staff undertaking patient care activities must attend infection
control training and updates as required by Norfolk Community Health and Care
NHS Trust.
Health and Safety
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Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed upon them under the
Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), to ensure the agreed safety procedures
are carried out to maintain a safe environment for employees and visitors.
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To ensure that the Trust’s Health and Safety Policies are understood and
observed and that procedures are followed.
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To ensure the appropriate use of equipment and facilities and the environment is
maintained in good order.
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To take the necessary precautions to safeguard the welfare and safety of
themselves, patients, staff and visitors, in accordance with the Health and Safety
at Work Act.
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To undertake appropriate Health and Safety training to support safe working
practice including, where appropriate, its management.
General
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All staff are required to respect confidentiality of all matters that they learn as a
result of the employment with the Trust, including matters relating to other
members of the staff and members of the public/patients.
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Maintain appropriate patient and clinical records in line with the Trusts policies
and procedures, and in line with the agreed service specification.
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The post holder will be expected to participate in an annual appraisal of their
work in line with the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) where the job
description will be reviewed and objectives set. In line with the annual personal
development plan the post holder will be expected to undertake any training or
development required to fulfil their role.
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Ensure that all patients, clients and colleagues are treated at all times in an
equitable manner, respecting diversity and showing an understanding of diversity
in the workplace.
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The post holder must carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the Trust’s
Equality and Diversity Policies, Procedures and Schemes and must ensure that
equality is promoted at all times.
Post Holder’s Signature
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Manager’s Signature
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Date Job Description Agreed
……………………………………………..
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title:
Band:
Heart Failure Nurse
7
ESSENTIAL
 Registration in adult nursing
QUALIFICATIONS
 Post-registration qualification
& KNOWLEDGE
relating to Cardiovascular
Disease
 Post-registration teaching
qualification e.g. ENB 998 or
equivalent
 Up to date relevant clinical
EXPERIENCE
experience
 Able to demonstrate
management skills and
experience
 Excellent interpersonal skills.
 Knowledge or change
management
 Good knowledge of NHS and
Social Care structures and policy
(most notably NSF for CHD.)
 Able to demonstrate examples of
innovative practice
 Ability to work effectively within a
SKILLS
number of different teams,
demonstrating facilitative
leadership skills
 Committed to developing clinical
practice
 Interested in research and
evidence-based practice
 Holder of a full and valid UK
Driver’s License with access to a
vehicle
 Self motivated and directed
PERSONAL
 Confident in own ability whilst
QUALITIES
acknowledging limitations
 Forward thinking
 Able to communicate effectively
using the English Language
DESIRABLE
 To have or
be working
towards first
or higher
degree