NursingNetUK

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will work closely with the advanced nurse practitioner, consultants, specialist Registrars, cardiac physiologists, nurses, medical staff, radiographers, Operational Services Manager (OSM), Matron and a team of multi-disciplinary staff within the Cardiology Directorate to provide clinical support and education and to the development of the patient pathway.

JOB SUMMARY
The Post holder will be an experienced nurse within cardiology; promoting and providing high quality service throughout the patient pathway for patients and their families. The Post holder will provide and facilitate the delivery of specialised care for patients with ACHD and PHT. The post holder will assess, plan and implement care, provide specialist advice and education to support patients with congenital heart disease and pulmonary hypertension (including adult, adolescent and paediatric patient groups), carers and colleagues. The Post holder will support the  telemedicine clinics for adult congenital heart disease and pulmonary hypertension. The Post holder will be a member of the ACHD/PHT nursing team to provide specialist services within the OUH Trust and regional referring centres. 

The post holder will demonstrate excellent organisational and communication skills that will contribute to effective team work.
The Post holder will facilitate change in response to service needs, participating in the development of an evidence-based approach to practice, fostering a culture that contributes to the clinical governance agenda.

The Specialist Nurse Practitioner (SNP) has a variety of roles from providing support and information for patients, to managing complex psychosocial and lifestyle aspects of care. SNPs work autonomously and are clinical experts with specialist education and experience in 
ACHD. The patients cared for may be young adults moving through transition to adult care, Pulmonary Hypertension patients, those with complex pregnancy issues or those facing end of life care. The SNP will provide nursing support to patients  in ACHD clinic, pre and post-surgery or intervention, providing  knowledge and a listening ear to help them manage the many challenges they may face living with a lifelong condition. The care provided is adapted to the needs of each individual patient and their families using empathy, and understanding to assess each individual person’s holistic needs.

The SNP provides a link between the patient and their consultant; they can be contacted via a helpline, bleep or email. Using history taking and assessment skills, and with a sound knowledge of the patient’s cardiac condition the SNP can decide how best to treat or direct the patient to reduce the risk of unwarranted hospital admission or access appropriate care in a safe and prompt manner. The Liaison role of the SNP involves communication and referral to other disciplines and services as required. This role may require education of ACHD for other teams such as 
palliative care so that teams can work together to provide the best care for each individuals specific needs. The SNP will work closely across the Oxford Southampton Congenital network to provide care for ACHD patients, attending peripheral outreach clinics. They will also work with the 
Paediatric Cardiac Liaison nurses to provide continuity of care to teenagers transitioning from paediatric services to adult services. The SNP will work with the nursing team to ensure the development and implementation of protocols and guidance and provide assurance of the provision of evidence-based care for patients referred to and following discharge from the cardiology directorate. The SNP will facilitate a first point of contact policy for patients following discharge. The SNP will promote service evaluation and development by coordinating and participating  in clinical audit including seeking and monitoring patient experience of the service.