Job DescriptionJob Title ; Cardiothoracic Clinical Nurse SpecialistDepartment ;Cardiothoracic / CardiologyReports to ;Cardiac Services ADONDate ;2026Overall Purpose of JobThe mission of Beacon Hospital is to provide exceptional patient care in an environment where quality, respect, caring and compassion are at the centre of all we do.To provide specialist cardiothoracic nursing care, leadership, education and coordination in the delivery, development and evaluation of cardiothoracic services (surgical, pre-operative, post-operative, ICU/Step Down Unit, follow-up)To deliver holistic, patient-centred care for patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery (and their families) including pre-op preparation, post-op recovery, risk factor management, psychosocial support, self-management and continuity of careTo develop and refine evidence-based protocols, pathways and ensure highquality service delivery in the cardiothoracic domain.Key Responsibilities and DeliverablesUndertake comprehensive assessments of cardiothoracic patients (pre-operative, operative, immediate post-operative, rehabilitation/follow-up) including history taking, risk-factor assessment, interpreting diagnostic investigations, monitoring treatment and outcomes.Co-ordinate, implement and evaluate nursing care and rehabilitation programmes across inpatient (ICU/Step Down/ward), outpatient and community follow-up settings.Provide specialist advice and input into care for patients with cardiothoracic conditions, including liaising with surgeons, anaesthetists, critical care teams, allied health professionals and community services.Maintain accurate and up-to-date clinical records in line with professional and organisational standards.Act as a patient/family advocate: communicate effectively with patients, families, primary care and other healthcare professionals to support continuity of care and safe transitions.Liaise with community services, general practitioners, public health nurses, rehabilitation services and other agencies to ensure optimal support for patients and families post-surgery.Develop, deliver and evaluate education programmes for patients/families on cardiothoracic surgery, recovery, lifestyle change, medications, self-management, post-operative complications and rehabilitation prior to discharge and ensuring referrals have been made to Cardiac Rehab program.Provide education, supervision and mentorship to nursing staff, students, allied health professionals and members of the multidisciplinary team on cardiothoracic nursing practices and best evidence.Serve as a role-model and leader in specialist nursing practice.Develop, implement and audit clinical standards, pathways and patient outcomes in the cardiothoracic service.Lead or participate in research projects relevant to cardiothoracic nursing, surgical recovery, rehabilitation and patient outcomes.Actively engage in service improvement initiatives (clinical governance, risk management, patient safety).Contribute to the development, review and implementation of service protocols, clinical pathways, strategic planning for the cardiothoracic service.Provide leadership in advancing specialist nursing practice, change management and service innovation.In-depth knowledge of cardiothoracic surgical pathophysiology, critical care, post-operative recovery, complications, rehabilitation and risk-factor management.Excellent clinical decision-making, assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation skills with the ability to work autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team.Strong communication, interpersonal and group-presentation skills; ability to deliver education to patients/families/colleagues; ability to liaise effectively across disciplines.Leadership, mentorship and change-management skills: ability to lead, motivate, supervise staff and drive service improvement.Organisational skills: ability to manage multiple tasks, deadlines, resources, service demands, and to prioritise effectively.Competent IT skills: use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email; ability to use clinical documentation systems.Commitment to evidence-based practice, quality improvement and patient safety frameworks.Personal & Professional ResponsibilitiesThe post holder is expected to:Attend in a timely manner all mandatory education sessions.Maintain a professional portfolio.Ensure their professional and personal persona positively reflects the profession of nursing and Beacon Hospital.Identify potential and beneficial topics for nursing research.Utilise all practical opportunities to educate the patient and their families.Be a preceptor and or supervisor to students & newly appointed staff.Participate in their performance review with their Assistant Director of NursingEducational ResponsibilitiesAct as a resource for healthcare professionals in the field of Cardiothoracic Nursing.Become part of the MDT monthly meeting team and prepare MDT program alongside Structural Heart CNS colleague.To develop and review documentation supporting the Cardiothoracic Program including patient information and integrated care pathway and Clinical Practice Guidelines.Provide clinical support for medical and nursing staff within the specialty.Provide teaching and education to patients and relatives.To take an active role in health education and educating patients about their lifestyle.Other Duties and ResponsibilitiesAct as a role model for the nursing team, setting standards and expectations of quality of patient care.Where appropriate, make clinical decisions with regard to individual patients and their symptom management.Use clinical time to develop and support ward nurses.Promote a seamless service of care through liaison with all relevant health care professionals, setting up appropriate systems of communication.Develop own clinical expertise, keeping up to date of development in practice.To demonstrate critical thinking and reasoning skills in clinical decision-making.To evaluate the results of interventions, revising plan of care when necessary and to consult/refer when needed.Ensure that families and carers are involved in the planning and provision of care where this is appropriate.Practice and Service DevelopmentEstablish Recovery Programs alongside the Cardiothoracic Team.Develop protocols for role development and skill enhancement.Devise systems for monitoring standards which are able to demonstrate continual improvements in the quality of patient care.Initiate a system of clinical audit and review so that the effectiveness of Cardiothoracic Recovery Program is monitored and patient outcomes are maximised.General Responsibilities and AccountabilitiesConfidentialityYou will be aware of the confidential nature of Hospital work and in particular, the right of patients to confidentiality.Policies & ProceduresYou are required to familiarise yourself with and adhere to all policy and procedural documents relevant to your position.Hygiene StandardsThe highest standard of hygiene must be maintained in the Hospital at all times and all staff members are responsible for ensuring compliance with the Hospitals requirements and standards with regard to hygiene. It is the responsibility of all staff to have a fundamental understanding of their individual responsibility in maintaining departmental & site hygiene standards.Health and SafetyEnsure that effective safety procedures are in place to comply not only with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 but also within the spirit of the Hospital's mission, vision and values, and they are known and followed by staff. You are required to familiarise yourself with the requirements of employees under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and to promote a work environment that is compliant with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. Each staff member is individually responsible for ensuring that the Hospital remains a safe place to work.Information TechnologyEnsure the most effective and efficient use of developments in information technology for administrative support in a manner, which integrates well with systems throughout the organisation.This job description is not intended to be a complete list of duties and responsibilities but is a guide for information to the role. The post holder may be required, after consultation, to carry out other related tasks, which may not be specifically mentioned above.Person SpecificationQualificationNMBI Registered General Nurse license in good standing.Post registration qualification in Cardiothoracic/CCU / Cardiology Nursing desirable.Qualification as an advanced nurse practitioner in the area is desirable or a willingness to undertake an appropriate course is essential.ExperiencePost registration of 5 years+ of which 3 should be with an Cardiac/Cardiothoracic surgical environment.Ability to develop policies and protocols in conjunction with other members of the teamCandidates must possess teaching abilities, leadership qualities, professional judgment, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, and a sense of professional development. Must demonstrate multi-tasking ability.The employee, must speak, read and write grammatically correct English.Utilises effective time management skills.Participates in unit/section problem solving and improvement of systems.Clearly documents all pertinent aspects of patient care in the patient notes.Adheres to Standard Precautions as appropriate.The use of protective barriers as appropriate.Handling and disposing of infectious waste appropriately.Hand hygiene as appropriate.Job Specific Competencies and KnowledgeCompetencies specific to the role of Cardiothoracic Nurse Specialist KnowledgeDemonstrate evidence of recent and relevant experience in the specialised area and in an acute hospital setting.Demonstrate knowledge of new developments in specialised area.Demonstrate knowledge of national strategies where appropriate to nursing care.TeamworkDemonstrate ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.Demonstrate effective communication skills including the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner.Planning and OrganisingDemonstrate evidence of effective planning, organising and time management skills.Demonstrate flexible approach - to internal rotations, rostering.Patient & Customer FocusDemonstrate a focus on quality.Demonstrate evidence of ability to empathise with and treat patients, relatives and colleagues with dignity and respect.Personal CompetenciesAll posts in Beacon Hospital require a high level of flexibility to ensure the delivery of an effective and efficient service. Therefore, the post holder will be required to demonstrate flexibility as and when required by their manager or hospital management.This job description is intended to be an outline of the areas of responsibility and deliverables at the time of its writing. As the Hospital and the post holder develop, this job description may be subject to review in light of the changing needs of the Hospital.Job Description received by employee: _________________________________ ______________Signature Date_________________________________