Job Description

Do you have an interest in heart failure?



Do you want to work for an expanding community organization serving over 1.2 million patients?



Our community based heart failure service in East and North Hertfordshire is looking for a band 7 clinician (maternity leave cover) with an interest in improving the lives of patients with heart failure. The post is being recruited across the Stevenage, Welwyn and Hatfield areas.



Improving identification and management of patients newly diagnosed and those living with heart failure, you will manage your own caseload with the support of a service lead and cardiologist. Seeing patients in their own homes and in clinic settings, you will provide high quality, targeted, evidence-based care as part of this team.



If you are a car driver with access to a car, have experience in managing heart failure patents or wish to learn new skills in this area then contact Rachel Hards at rachel.hards1@nhs.net to discuss this opportunity.



To improve clinical outcomes for patients with Heart Failure, offering a viable alternative to hospital care. The post holder is a recognised expert in the specialty, responsible for assessing, developing and implementing specialist nursing care programs and undertaking specialist nursing procedures. Responsible for providing specialist advice and support to, and liaising with, other staff. The elements of the service include admission prevention, supportive discharge from hospital, be part of a rota for remote monitoring of patients, patients and carers, and 'complex management' for those beyond remit of general practice. This includes the provision of specialist education and training for other staff and students responsible for implementing a clearly defined integrated approach to patient care, encompassing new treatments and evidence-based care



A big thank you for considering joining us at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust



You'll find it a great place to work with many benefits offered to you as a member of our staff



We put our patients, their families and carers at the centre of our vision - Outstanding Services and Healthier Communities



Our staff are proud to be Innovative, Caring and Agile in their work to help achieve the Trust vision



We welcome diversity in our workforce and are interested in applicants from all backgrounds



We don't want you to miss out so we'd like you to know that if we have a high level of interest in this role, the vacancy may close prior to the advertised closing date, so please make your application as soon as possible - Apply now



You've made a great decision to apply to join to HCT - we're looking forward to taking the next steps of the journey with you.



Working with the Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist to support and maintain a clinically managed network of multidisciplinary professionals, enhancing the care of people with Heart Failure at local level and promoting evidence based practice to ensure efficient and effective use of expert resources.



Working with the Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist, develop robust pathways with all the acute trusts covering East & North Herts ICP, to ensure the patients' journey is as smooth as possible.



Work closely with all members of the multi-disciplinary team across primary, community, secondary, social care, hospices, voluntary and wellbeing sector to promote the development of a 'seamless service' ensuring good communication at all times.



Communicate complex patient related information effectively, to ensure collaborative working within the multidisciplinary team and with colleagues across health and social care sectors.



Act as a resource for primary care staff on the management of patients with heart failure, promoting effective care and avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions/referrals.



Participate in decision-making and policy reviews.



To work with the Cardiology Clinical Lead and other members of the Heart Failure Service to continually monitor, evaluate and develop the service, including support of lay people with involvement in service re-design.



To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients and carers, to ensure an understanding of their condition so that patients are supported in the short and long term self -management of their condition, including gaining consent and discharge plans.

ANALYTICAL AND JUDGEMENTAL:

Demonstrate a high level of advanced clinical competence in Heart Failure disease management, based on in-depth knowledge, research and evidence based findings.



Identify gaps in service provision and discuss steps to manage any identified problem areas with the Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist.



Assess and manage any clinical risk for the benefit of self, colleagues and clients in line with the Risk Management Policy



Critically evaluate and interpret evidence based research findings from a variety of sources, making informed judgements about their implications for changing and/or developing services, policies and clinical practice



Ensure safe practice through caseload management considering risk management and documentation, assessing and managing any non-clinical risk for the benefit of self, colleagues and clients in relation to the Lone Worker Policy.

PLANNING AND ORGANISATION :

Plan, deliver and evaluate multidisciplinary education and training programmes for health professionals throughout East & North Herts ICP.



Use advanced skills and expert knowledge to assess the physical and psycho-social needs of a defined client group, instigating therapeutic treatments based on best available evidence, in order to improve outcomes.



Anticipate care needs and develop appropriate care management plans referring onto other services or professionals as required.



PATIENT AND CLIENT CARE



Provide highly specialist advice and support to patients, their families and their carer's. Empower appropriate patients at all stages to embrace self-management and self-responsibility for managing their condition.



Evaluate the effects of medication, ensuring the safe management and support of these patients, in partnership with Hertfordshire medicines management teams.



Set up and run specialist led clinics - confirming or refuting diagnosis of Heart Failure, interpreting the results of ECG/ECG monitoring, ECHO and blood results. To act upon the results autonomously, assessing and changing treatments as appropriate.



Teach patients and relatives about their condition, treatment and self-help options.



To be an advocate for those patients that require end of life / advanced care planning discussions.



Provide remote monitoring of patients as part of a rotated activity.



Ensure policies and protocols are in place to reflect the autonomous nature of specialist led clinics.



Act as an effective role model to all staff and act as an expert resource on the management of Heart Failure.



Prescribe under the remit of non-medical prescribing, working to trust and NMC guidelines (or equivalent) or to successfully complete the Non-Medical Prescribing course and practice as a prescriber within current guidelines.



Maintain confidentiality and manage information sensitively.

POLICY AND SERVICE:

Maintain own professional development working at all times within the NMC Code of Professional Conduct or HCPC standards of proficiency and Trust policy and guidelines. This includes clinical and safeguarding supervision.



Positively participate in and promote clinical governance, thus ensuring the highest quality of practice is maintained, within the service. Demonstrate the use of evidence based practice and participation in clinical audit.



Encourage sharing of best practice and knowledge through participation at relevant local / national meetings.



In conjunction with other members of the Heart Failure Service set, maintain and monitor standards of patient care.

FINANCIAL AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES:

Responsible for financial and physical resources ensuring their effective and efficient use and to contribute to ensuring that the service is delivered within the operational budget.

HUMAN RESOURCES:

Participate in the recruitment, selection and interview process, when necessary.



Participate fully in the appraisal process.



Ensure the smooth and safe running of the Heart Failure service.



Evaluate the work of more junior staff and some other clinical colleagues delivering aspects of Heart Failure care.



Deal with clinical problems in the absence of the Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist and provide cover when other members of the Integrated Heart Failure Service are absent on an agreed cover rota.

INFORMATION RESOURCES:

Ensure accurate and timely recording of all patient records and workload activity via patient information systems in line with NMC or HCPC standards and Trust guidelines.



Contribute to the compilation of reports and presentations with regard to the service and present, as required to the ICS and appropriate groups.