Job Description

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY Fulfil the requirements as directed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council to maintain and revalidate registration Lead and attend daily bed meeting with nursing personnel/Cardiology Service Manager to confirm patient movement and Cath Lab activity. Ensure Cardiology Matron is informed of any issues. Liaise with Senior Medical Staff, Secretaries, Matrons and Ward Senior Nurses to determine the available resources and plan workload accordingly. Communicate any resources and plan workload accordingly.



Communicate any resource issues with the relevant cardiologists and cardiorespiratory management team and take appropriate action. Be the link person between the Wards and the Cath Labs and all other relevant departments. Act as a central point of enquiry for all acute adult cardiology and patient referrals. Liaising with any member of LTHT staff as appropriate.



Referrals from District General Hospitals can be highly sensitive and the scheduler must choose who to discuss this with to determine the best intervention for the patient, this includes surgeons and cardiologists and requires difficult conversations using persuasion. Liaise with Consultant Cardiologists and their teams at both LTHT and the referring District Hospital for all acute referrals. Investigate and respond to accidents, complaints, untoward incidents and other significant events. Responsible for scheduling the labs involving difficult conversations with the multi-disciplinary teams and using persuasive and negotiating skills to ensure that the patient gets the best intervention, and that the labs work efficiently and effectively.



Other clinicians can be resistant to what the scheduler needs and so strong communication skills are necessary. Deliver an effective quality service within budgetary constraints. Attend and participate in monthly Cardiology Governance meetings. Proactively promotes and uses the Leeds Improvement Method to improve the quality and safety of our services.



Clinical Continually manage and prioritise own workload. Work closely on a day to day basis with the Cath Lab Co-ordinator and the nurse in charge of Ward L14 and the Take Heart Suite. The scheduler takes all Primary PCI calls from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service and obtains all the clinical information relating to the patient. The scheduler is responsible for deciding if it is appropriate for the patient to be brought to the Cath lab for life saving treatment.



The post holder may be required to discuss the patient with a clinician who will ask the scheduler for an in depth history of the patients presenting condition. The scheduler is responsible for high level decision making about whether the patient is fit to travel to Leeds for treatment or whether they should be taken to the nearest local hospital for stabilisation prior to transfer. Manage and maintain the scheduling service for all adult cardiology intervention, liaising with Consultant Cardiologist on a daily basis. Refer patients as appropriate to other members of the multi-disciplinary team.



Ensure an achievable and timely Catheter Lab list is produced and available to all cardiology teams and clinical areas. Monitor, investigate, record and act on the reasons for all cancelled procedures on a daily and monthly basis. Monitor the daily utilisation of Cath Lab time in order to minimise patient cancellations and maximise utilisation. Keep daily records of scheduling activity to assist in the development of the service and scheduler role.



In Conjunction with the cardiology admissions team ensure cancelled patients are rescheduled for intervention in line with both local and national standards. Maintain the cancellation database for cardiology intervention. Supervise and maintain accurate records using the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trusts documentation. In conjunction with senior staff ensure the safe use and efficient management of equipment and supplies.



On occasions undertake nursing duties within the cardiorespiratory CSU in line with the job holders scope of practice and competence. Ensure Local Audit data is collated; this is to be used for National data requirements. Follow local guidelines on COVID 19 screening of elective and acute patients. Act in such a way that safeguards the health and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults at all times.



Is familiar with and adheres to, the LTHT safeguarding policies. Raise concerns with regards to risk, danger, malpractice or wrong doing by following the LTHT Whistleblowing policy and supporting processes. Undertake duties on other wards or departments as and when required by service demands or patient need. Education and Training.



Participate in personal appraisal and mandatory training within the required timescales. Promote a positive learning environment within the clinical area to support the development of knowledge and skills in learners. Support and facilitate work-based inter-professional learning. This is not an exhaustive list of roles and responsibilities and these may be subject to change with professional and service developments.