Heart Failure Specialist Nurse

• To provide the highest standard of holistic care for patients through the utilisation of enhanced clinical skills and advice in the assessment and management of patients in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team to improve and maintain the quality and safety of patient care
• To contribute to the delivery and development of Heart Failure Service through the use of effective evidence based practice in line with agreed national standards for clinical practice
• To be accountable for the planning and delivery of all aspects of patient care in relation to the Heart Failure Service and as set out in the NMC Code
• To continuously improve clinical care standards in line with the clinical governance framework to ensure the highest quality of care is provided in safest manner
• To work as a member of a clinical team in the provision of Heart Failure care and knowledge
• To provide specialist clinical advice and support to clinical staff within GHNT on the management and care of patients with own area of specialist practice to facilitate the effective delivery of care to patients
• To communicate effectively with all members of the multi-disciplinary team, patients, carers and the public
• To act as a resource and role model for the profession at all times
• To provide education and training to clinical staff and internal /external agencies
• Assess patients using clinical skills and knowledge to make a clinical judgement on condition and discuss treatment plan with clinical colleagues
• Work as a specialist practitioner, providing support and advice relevant to patient care and treatment/ management plan
• Utilise analytical and judgement skills in the implementation of agreed protocols
• Communicate with medical staff and other health professionals regarding patient conditions and clinical care plan, disseminating this information to the wider clinical team
• Ensure effective communication with patients, relatives and carers, explaining medical conditions, progress and investigations taking into consideration level of understanding, culture and background
• Encourage and support patients to take an active part in their own care
• Maintain effective links with specialist nurses, utilising their skills and knowledge
• Represent the specialism/clinical area at appropriate forums, cascading information both up and down the organisation Actively participate in the planning, organisation and implementation of individual patient care
• Plan short term adjustments to own workload depending on priorities and staffing
• Carry out audit of compliance with protocols/care pathways

Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.

Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.

We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.

Our values should be the ‘golden thread’ which runs through everything we do – they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronym ICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.

We have a number of staff networks including the Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women’s Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our Armed Forces network is one of our emerging networks.

The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our ‘Balance’ programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Jeff Knox Job title: Joint Clinical Lead for Cardiology Email address: jeff.knox@nhs.net Telephone number: 01914452902