Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

•  To assist in providing an integrated cardiac rehabilitation (CR) service primarily for residents within Southwark and Lambeth, linking closely with primary care and community-based services
•  To work as a specialist practitioner managing own caseload of cardiac patients.
• To provide a high-quality holistic service including rehabilitation advice, behaviour change support and education for cardiac patients and their families.
•  A flexible approach to team working, with the need to see cardiology, cardiac surgery or heart failure patients as required.
• To provide evidence-based care in line with current research, NACR, BACPR and cardiac rehabilitation guidelines.
• To maintain clear lines of communication with primary healthcare teams to facilitate the continuity of care for CHD patients in the community.
•  Work collaboratively with other specialist cardiac teams at PRUH including the Heart Failure team.
• To provide comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation in the form of education and support to patients with CHD at King’s College Hospital.  This includes inpatient ward visits and outpatient clinical review.
•  To provide support to patients and their families following diagnosis and during recovery phase.
• To undertake cardiac risk factor assessments and assist patients with behaviour change by using motivational communication skills.
•  To effectively and efficiently manage own patient caseload under minimal supervision.
• To assist in arranging and managing the cardiac health programme of education, exercise and relaxation for patients post cardiac event.
• To undertake appropriate clinics and write letters to relevant teams
• To be able to assess a patient and be willing to undertake advanced assessment training if needed.
•  To provide telephone support to patients, relatives/carers and other healthcare professionals in a timely manner.
•  To maintain accurate records of care both written and within computerised systems.
• To promote the interface between hospital-based services and community based / primary care service for Cardiology and Heart Failure patients.
•  To liaise with local community, social services, leisure services and voluntary organisations as appropriate.
•  To attend all relevant team meetings and actively contribute.
• To ensure all care is given in accordance with agreed protocols.
•  To actively involve service users in providing feedback of their experience of the current service and suggestions for improvements.
•  To act as a resource to others, providing accurate information, advice and support to the MDT, patients and relatives.

Education and Research

• To provide accurate written and oral information for patients and carers about all aspects of cardiac rehabilitation and cardiac care, to help patients make informed choices as to their treatment plan and continuing management.
•  To participate in the delivery of the health education component of the cardiac rehabilitation programme.
• To actively participate in educational events provided by the trust and Primary Care sector.
• To attend meetings and conferences as appropriate ensuring that you are fully conversant with current issues within the trust and within cardiac rehabilitation.
•  To participate in clinical audit within the team as directed and entry of accurate data for local and national databases including NACR.
• To participate in any appropriate/relevant trust approved research or projects conducted within the team.
•  To be aware of and actively apply nursing research and evidence-based practice relevant to cardiac rehabilitation.
• To work with other staff in clinical areas where changes to practice are required, also where opportunities exist to improve treatment and support for patient.

Management

• To participate in any local change programmes to improve standards and communication links from acute trust through to Primary Care.
• Network with the team of clinical nurse specialists within the trust and other cardiac rehabilitation centres to evaluate and promote the specialist-nursing role.
• To keep accurate patient data, via the data information system to aid audit and to maintain accurate treatment records

Personal Professional Development

• To achieve a range of clinical competencies as required within the team, such as assisting with the exercise programme and undertaking relevant training.
• To keep up to date with current literature and research within cardiac rehabilitation.
•  To maintain your own personal and professional development in accordance with local and national regulatory requirements, including attending mandatory study sessions as required.
•  To undergo and actively participate in your own performance appraisal.

General 

•  The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and well-being and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.
• To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of King’s College Hospital NHS Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.
•   To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.
•  To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
• This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.