Arrhythmia Nurse Specialist, Band 7
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Job Description Job title: Arrhythmia Nurse Specialist Department: Cardiac Physiology Clinical Unit, Cardiac Rhythm Management Nursing Grade: Band 7 Hours of Work: 37.5 hpw Special Conditions: Nil Line manager: Cardiac Physiology Clinical Unit Manager Clinically Accountable to: Consultant Electrophysiologists Professional support: Matron, Cardiac Medicine Liaises with: Cardiac Physiologists, Cardiology Ward team, Cardiac Angiography, patients and their families, Primary Care Team, Multidisciplinary team PURPOSE OF POST 1. To provide professional nursing leadership within the arrhythmia field, leading a patient centred nursing service within the Cardiac Physiology Clinical Unit Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Services. 2. To take a lead for practice development in the field of arrhythmia management within the Cardiac Physiology Clinical Unit CRM Service 3. To assess, plan and implement care, provide specialist advice, educate and support arrhythmia patients (including adult, adolescent and paediatric patient groups), carers and colleagues 4. To facilitate the efficient and effective management of resources within the field of arrhythmia. 5. Ensure that the standards of the service delivered meet the strategic aims and development of the Trust. 6. To be a lead specialist for arrhythmia patients within the ORH Trust and the regional referring centres. 7. To establish mechanisms for the provision of education and training for staff and students within the ORH Trust, regional referring centres, Oxford Brookes University, Primary Care Trusts and support national initiatives. 8. To initiate and undertake research and audit within the specialist area. Clinical Practice 1. To participate in a joint physiologist/nurse-led clinic for the ongoing follow up of patients with complex pacemakers, which includes; interrogating and troubleshooting the devices; interpreting complex technical data; recommending treatment/ programme changes and altering device settings as required. 2. To provide education, counselling and reassurance to patients with a variety of arrhythmias. In particular those with atrial fibrillation (AF) and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), with specific emphasis on electrophysiological management 3. To obtain written informed consent for a named group of patients by communicating complex information regarding management of care, including: benefits; risks (i.e. mortality risks); complications and lifestyle advice whilst using an agreed protocol. 4. To take a medical history and perform physical assessment on patients with atrial fibrillation, those prior to catheter ablation procedures and as part of the ongoing follow up within a nurse-led clinic environment. This includes assessment of cardiovascular, respiratory and peripheral vascular system; reviewing medication and recommending changes in conjunction with Consultant Cardiologists. 5 To actively manage the clinic schedule and liaise with the administration team. 6. To review and prescribe medication, within the speciality, in accordance with the Non-medical Prescribing course at Master’s level. 7. To be a lead specialist and point of access via the patient telephone helpline for arrhythmia patients, in order to identify problems and provide ongoing care. This includes advice regarding medications, making referrals to other members of the multidisciplinary team, requesting investigations such as 24 hour electrocardiogram, exercise tolerance test, echocardiogram and haematological investigations. 8. To provide psychological support for arrhythmia patients (including adult, adolescent and paediatric patient groups): To impart news of medical condition and prognosis To support patients with genetic heart conditions, whose families have suffered Sudden Cardiac Death To liaise with other Health Care Professionals regarding family screening for genetic heart conditions. 9. To be a lead specialist responsible for the development and review of current, comprehensive health information to arrhythmia patients and their relatives. In addition to ensuring full understanding of complex cardiac conditions, the information is relevant to age, level of understanding, culture and language. 10. To provide technical support during diagnostic and interventional electrophysiological procedures, catheter ablation and electro anatomical mapping. This involves equipment preparation and interpretation of complex intracardiac signals in conjunction with the Consultant Electrophysiologists. 11. To keep abreast of new technological developments and demonstrate a commitment to the future development of educational material, such as video, DVD, website, newsletter and patient education study days. 12. To be responsible for promoting the multi-disciplinary team within the field of arrhythmia locally and nationally/internationally by organising and presenting at courses and conferences and increasing public awareness of arrhythmias and their management. 13. To provide expert clinical advice and support/supervision to nurses and members of the multi-disciplinary team and act as a role model. 14. To demonstrate skill at interpreting complex clinical information/data (and develop this skill in others), anticipating potential problems , taking action to prevent/minimise these, responding to any changes promptly and effectively and developing specialised plans of care / follow relevant protocols. 15. To demonstrate dexterity, accuracy and attention to detail in the preparing of specialist equipment for procedures to be undertaken within cardiac medicine/catheter laboratory adhering to Local and Trust policies e.g. interrogating and troubleshooting devices, to ensure that staff are trained and supported to develop these skills and that appropriate policies are in place and reviewed. 16. To exercise professional accountability at all times and to be aware of own development needs/limitations, actively seeking to address these and raise awareness in others. 17. To promote and foster a culture of nurse-led decision making within clinical areas through overseeing the implementation and evaluation of evidence-based protocols/guidelines e.g. Pre-assessment ablation clinic protocol. 18. To manage emergency situations/crisis with competence, taking appropriate action, utilising relevant protocols and supporting the patient, their relatives and members of the multidisciplinary team as required, whilst ensuring efficient and up-to-date policies/procedures/protocols are in place within patient areas. 19. To hold a current ALS certificate, leading and participating in arrests where required and provision of support for all members of the multi-disciplinary team, including debriefing. 20. To demonstrate ability to concentrate for prolonged periods and to apply accuracy and attention to detail even in adverse conditions e.g. preparing and utilising specialist equipment, despite frequent interruptions and demands. 21. To provide supervision to staff/students developing specialist Nursing and management skills and to engage in the formulation/implementation and evaluation of appropriate policies within the field of arrhythmia care and management. 22. To demonstrate a commitment to research based practice and clinical excellence, and to lead and encourage such practice and excellence. 23. To support and facilitate patient-centred approaches to organising and delivering arrhythmia care and management. 24. To demonstrate use of excellent communication skills to support patients and families in highly stressful situations 25. Broadly contribute to the implementation of an effective communication strategy across the Cardiac Directorate, promoting effective channels of communication at Local, Divisional and Trust Level. 26. To manage conflict promptly and effectively, supporting and promoting effective working relationships at all levels and initiating/implementing relevant strategies to support senior colleagues to manage conflict situations effectively 27. Effectively contribute to strategy for the implementation and evaluation of evidence based Protocols/Guidelines within the field of arrhythmia and to provide support and direction to the multidisciplinary team. Nursing Management 1. To work within the Scope of Professional Practice, according to the NMC’s Code of Professional Conduct (2002). 2. To provide support to the Electrophysiologists, CRM, Matron and Ward/Unit managers in all operational/managerial matters as required e.g. recruitment, effective use of resources. 3. To audit and evaluate the arrhythmia/electrophysiological service in order to meet the needs of patients within this speciality. In particular to contribute to and utilise data within CCAD. 4. To implement and support quality initiatives within Cardiac Medicine by utilising effective use and monitoring of standards. 5. To develop links with other departments and encourage sharing of innovations and best practice. 6. To support the Matron and Cardiac Directorate Management to fulfil the Trust’s chosen means of monitoring and attaining Government related targets. 7. To facilitate the implementing and auditing of local and Trust policies/protocols/guidelines within the field of arrhythmia. 8. To work collaboratively with the Cardiac Physiology Clinical Unit Manager and Electrophysiologists to write business cases/develop strategic plans for the service to meet evolving needs. 9. To work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team and be responsible for the maintenance of effective channels of communication. 10. To ensure complaints are dealt