Job summary
This role is offered on a permanent basis. The hours are part-time, 26 hours per week. We would also consider 22.5 hours per week.
The Heart Failure Service is responsible for the management of patients across all stages of heart failure. This position requires a highly experienced and suitably qualified registered nurse to provide effective, evidence-based care and management to this patient group.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work as a key member of the Heart Failure Specialist Nursing Team, providing high-quality, patient-centred care for individuals across all stages of heart failure. The role involves managing an allocated caseload, delivering nurse-led clinics, home visits, and supporting patients and their carers with education, self-management, and symptom monitoring. Working collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team, the post holder will contribute to the development and delivery of the Heart Failure Service across primary and secondary care, supporting GPs and other healthcare professionals in the management of patients. The role encompasses clinical assessment, medication titration, patient education, clinical governance, and participation in audit and service evaluation, while maintaining professional standards and working within agreed protocols and guidance.
About us
We have a skilled and dedicated workforce of over 5000 colleagues working in a diverse range of services over 55 sites and within people's homes. We strive to enable a welcoming workplace culture that builds and celebrates civility, inclusivity and diversity, while providing a sense of belonging and trust.
Annual staff surveys, regular Pulse surveys and other engagement opportunities provide our people with lots of opportunity to tell us about their experiences of working with us. In the latest staff survey, 61% of colleagues gave us their views. It was great to hear that:
- 72% of colleagues would recommend the Trust as a place to work, ranking us 1st for Provider Trusts in the South West region on this question.
- 76% would recommend the standard of care provided in our services if a friend or relative needed treatment, also ranking us 1st in the South West region.
- 81% said that care of patients and service users is the Trust's priority, compared with an average in comparable NHS Trusts in England of 64%.
This high-level overview shows we are in a healthy position, with higher scores than average for comparable organisations, alongside a great response rate, indicating good staff engagement. However, we also know we have plenty of room for improvement in many areas. To that end, we continue to prioritise and invest in our commitment to genuinely becoming a Great Place to Work with consistent top-quartile performance in the annual staff survey and Pulse surveys.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Be responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care for patients across all stages of heart failure, under the supervision and guidance of senior members of the Heart Failure Specialist Nursing Team.
Work as part of the multidisciplinary Heart Failure Service, managing an allocated caseload of patients and contributing to the overall delivery of safe and effective patient care.
Provide education, advice, and ongoing support to patients, families, and carers to promote understanding and self-management of heart failure.
Support and contribute to the education of other healthcare professionals involved in the care of heart failure patients.
Assist in the delivery of heart failure rehabilitation and exercise programmes as part of the patients treatment plan.
Function as a point of contact and resource for colleagues and patients regarding the management of heart failure, seeking advice from senior team members when required.
Participate in clinical audit, data collection, and service evaluation to support quality improvement and evidence-based practice.
Contribute to triage processes and diagnostic pathways, ensuring patients are assessed and managed in a timely and appropriate manner.
Demonstrate flexibility to support service delivery during periods of change or exceptional circumstances, such as public health emergencies, in line with Trust guidance.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Be responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care for patients across all stages of heart failure, under the supervision and guidance of senior members of the Heart Failure Specialist Nursing Team.
Work as part of the multidisciplinary Heart Failure Service, managing an allocated caseload of patients and contributing to the overall delivery of safe and effective patient care.
Provide education, advice, and ongoing support to patients, families, and carers to promote understanding and self-management of heart failure.
Support and contribute to the education of other healthcare professionals involved in the care of heart failure patients.
Assist in the delivery of heart failure rehabilitation and exercise programmes as part of the patients treatment plan.
Function as a point of contact and resource for colleagues and patients regarding the management of heart failure, seeking advice from senior team members when required.
Participate in clinical audit, data collection, and service evaluation to support quality improvement and evidence-based practice.
Contribute to triage processes and diagnostic pathways, ensuring patients are assessed and managed in a timely and appropriate manner.
Demonstrate flexibility to support service delivery during periods of change or exceptional circumstances, such as public health emergencies, in line with Trust guidance.
Person Specification
Essential and Desirable
Essential
- Registered General Nurse (1st level) with Teaching and Assessing qualification or equivalent, with relevant cardiology experience
- Intermediate Life Support (ILS) certification and competence in venepuncture.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and general IT systems.
- Professional knowledge gained through a degree, supplemented by diploma-level specialist training, practical experience, or relevant short courses.
- English Language & Mathematics - Grade C / 4 or above
Desirable
- Completion of CCU, ITU, cardiothoracic, or Management of Chronic Heart Failure course (degree level or equivalent).
- Independent non-medical prescribing qualification, or willingness to undertake.
- Completion of a heart failure course (degree level or equivalent) or comparable specialist training.
Essential
Essential
- Must hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a car for work purposes
Desirable
- Experience in clinical audit to support service development and quality improvement.
Essential & Desirable
Essential
- Experience in managing long-term conditions (LTCs), cardiac rehabilitation, or palliative care.
- Proven experience in the management of patients with advanced heart failure.
- Experience with medical device therapies, including Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy (CRT) and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICD).
- Competence in ECG interpretation, including recognition of common arrhythmias and changes associated with heart failure.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Desirable
- Demonstrable understanding of primary care working and the interface between primary and secondary care services.
Person Specification
Essential and Desirable
Essential
- Registered General Nurse (1st level) with Teaching and Assessing qualification or equivalent, with relevant cardiology experience
- Intermediate Life Support (ILS) certification and competence in venepuncture.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and general IT systems.
- Professional knowledge gained through a degree, supplemented by diploma-level specialist training, practical experience, or relevant short courses.
- English Language & Mathematics - Grade C / 4 or above
Desirable
- Completion of CCU, ITU, cardiothoracic, or Management of Chronic Heart Failure course (degree level or equivalent).
- Independent non-medical prescribing qualification, or willingness to undertake.
- Completion of a heart failure course (degree level or equivalent) or comparable specialist training.
Essential
Essential
- Must hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a car for work purposes
Desirable
- Experience in clinical audit to support service development and quality improvement.
Essential & Desirable
Essential
- Experience in managing long-term conditions (LTCs), cardiac rehabilitation, or palliative care.
- Proven experience in the management of patients with advanced heart failure.
- Experience with medical device therapies, including Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy (CRT) and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICD).
- Competence in ECG interpretation, including recognition of common arrhythmias and changes associated with heart failure.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Desirable
- Demonstrable understanding of primary care working and the interface between primary and secondary care services.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
