Job summary
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Cardiac Nurse Specialist, or an experienced cardiac nurse with a strong interest in valve disease and research, to join our Cardiology Care Division in a newly established Aortic Valve Nurse Specialist role.
This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in a nationally significant, externally funded research and service-development project, evaluating the clinical and operational impact of a dedicated valve nurse across non-surgical cardiac centres. The post holder will work closely with multidisciplinary teams across East Kent Trust and regional cardiac networks, acting as a key clinical coordinator for patients with aortic valve disease while contributing to research, pathway optimisation and service transformation.
We are looking for a nurse who is clinically credible, highly organised, and passionate about improving outcomes for patients with valve disease, and who is motivated by the opportunity to combine advanced clinical practice with research, audit and innovation. You will be supported by an experienced cardiology leadership team and will have the opportunity to help shape future models of care for valve patients within East Kent and beyond.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for a nurse who is clinically credible, highly organised, and passionate about improving outcomes for patients with valve disease, and who is motivated by the opportunity to combine advanced clinical practice with research, audit and innovation. You will be supported by an experienced cardiology leadership team and will have the opportunity to help shape future models of care for valve patients within East Kent and beyond.
You will be an experienced Registered Nurse (NMC Registered) with substantial post-registration experience in cardiology or acute cardiac care with excellent interpersonal communication skills and proven competence in enhanced or advanced assessment and research.
The post holder will be required to travel between Trust sites (William Harvey Hospital, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital, and Kent & Canterbury Hospital) to meet the needs of the service. Appropriate travel arrangements or reasonable adjustments will be supported in line with Trust policy.
About us
We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference'. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.
Please note that if you require a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK you must declare this on your application form, even if you currently have a certificate of sponsorship or a work permit for another role and are already working in the country. Please note we are only able to sponsor candidates on a Skilled Worker Visa applying for eligible Band 5 roles and above.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please scroll down to access the full Job Description and Person Specification located in 'supporting documents'.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please scroll down to access the full Job Description and Person Specification located in 'supporting documents'.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- oRGN with Current NMC registration.
- oSignificant post-registration experience in cardiology or acute cardiac care.
- oEvidence of continuing professional development within Cardiology
- oExcellent communication and decision-making skills
- oAbility to work autonomously and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
- oExperience working within MDTs and coordinating complex pathways
Desirable
- oPostgraduate qualification in cardiac nursing or advanced clinical assessment
- oExperience in leading nurse-led clinics.
- oExperience in audit, research or service evaluation.
Knowledge, skills and experience
Essential
- oProven experience and competence in cardiology nursing, including the assessment and management of patients with valvular issues.
- oCompetent IT skills, including use of electronic patient records and audit databases.
- oExperience of working within a multidisciplinary team and coordinating care across acute and outpatient settings.
Desirable
- oExperience of assessing patients and developing specialised programmes of care
- oExperience interpreting advanced cardiac investigations (e.g. echocardiography, CTCA, cardiac stress testing, Cardiac MRI).
- oExperience in education, teaching, or mentorship of students or junior staff.
Governance, Personal and Professional attributes
Essential
- oUnderstanding of clinical governance, patient safety, and risk management frameworks.
- oExperience of writing reports and presenting to teams or small groups
- oCommitment to maintaining accurate, timely and high-quality documentation in line with NMC and Trust standards.
- oDemonstrates critical thinking, clinical judgement and prioritisation under pressure.
Desirable
- oInvolvement in research, data collection, or participation in audits.
- oEvidence of involvement in staff wellbeing, inclusion, or patient-experience initiatives.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- oRGN with Current NMC registration.
- oSignificant post-registration experience in cardiology or acute cardiac care.
- oEvidence of continuing professional development within Cardiology
- oExcellent communication and decision-making skills
- oAbility to work autonomously and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
- oExperience working within MDTs and coordinating complex pathways
Desirable
- oPostgraduate qualification in cardiac nursing or advanced clinical assessment
- oExperience in leading nurse-led clinics.
- oExperience in audit, research or service evaluation.
Knowledge, skills and experience
Essential
- oProven experience and competence in cardiology nursing, including the assessment and management of patients with valvular issues.
- oCompetent IT skills, including use of electronic patient records and audit databases.
- oExperience of working within a multidisciplinary team and coordinating care across acute and outpatient settings.
Desirable
- oExperience of assessing patients and developing specialised programmes of care
- oExperience interpreting advanced cardiac investigations (e.g. echocardiography, CTCA, cardiac stress testing, Cardiac MRI).
- oExperience in education, teaching, or mentorship of students or junior staff.
Governance, Personal and Professional attributes
Essential
- oUnderstanding of clinical governance, patient safety, and risk management frameworks.
- oExperience of writing reports and presenting to teams or small groups
- oCommitment to maintaining accurate, timely and high-quality documentation in line with NMC and Trust standards.
- oDemonstrates critical thinking, clinical judgement and prioritisation under pressure.
Desirable
- oInvolvement in research, data collection, or participation in audits.
- oEvidence of involvement in staff wellbeing, inclusion, or patient-experience initiatives.
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).
