Inherited Cardiac Conditions Clinical Nurse SpecialistNHS

Job summary

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 & 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. We also aim that all members of the ICC, adult and paediatric teams will work in an environment which provides support and mutual respect for each other. 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 on-going research and service development.

Job description

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.

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.

Have ongoing responsibility for own caseload building the relationship with each family but delegating care and referring as appropriate. This will be overseen by your line-manager, and other Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) in the ICC nursing team.

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. This will be within an ongoing relationship that commences at an early stage of diagnosis.

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, co-ordinated care for clients with all other local, regional and national organisations.

To be able to work both individually and as part of the multidisciplinary team. We also aim that all members of the ICC teams will work in an environment which provides support and mutual respect for each other.

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

To 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.

About us

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. Based across two sites, Royal Stoke in Stoke-on-Trent and County Hospital in Stafford, we are proud to serve around three million people and we're highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales.

All of our employees make a valuable contribution regardless of role here at UHNM and we are proud of our wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their true potential.

UHNM create and encourage a culture of inclusion, providing equal opportunities for career development that are fair and transparent. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture in which all staff feel valued and respected. In return we ask all of our employees to make a commitment to the values, co-created by or staff, patients and carers, and that unite us as a Trust.

At University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust we know that investing in, supporting and developing our staff has a direct impact on the quality of care that we deliver. Our employees are as important as our patients and the population that we serve.