Job Title: Structural Heart Nurse Specialist (SHNS) Department: Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory Reports to: Director of Clinical Services/Interventional Cardiologist Date: **** Overall Purpose of the Job The Structural Heart Nurse Specialist (SHNS) for the structural heart program at Beacon hospital is expected to be independently responsible for the management and coordination of care of patients who are being evaluated for structural heart procedures.
The SHNS will partner and work closely with the interventional cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, inpatient and outpatient clinical staff from the department of cardiology, radiology and outpatient clinics to co-ordinate both the pre-op and post-op care of patients selected for structural heart procedures.
The SHNS acts as the linchpin in coordinating and collaborating care between patients and their family members and the clinicians involved directly in the care where it relates to the structural heart procedure and post-operative surveillance care.
Consequently, the role requires a nurse with excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills.
Key Responsibilities and Deliverables: Provides care co-ordination to patients who are suffering from valvular heart disease - both before and after any intervention.
Care for these patients requires co-ordination involving services provided in radiology, non-invasive cardiology, the Cath lab, inpatient and outpatient units both within Beacon Hospital and from referring institutions physicians.
Acts as the Leads figure of the Structural Heart Program both internally within Beacon Hospital, but also externally for referral centres and physicians alike.
Leads and Participates in patient, family and staff education.
Participates formulation of patient and staff education materials.
Participates in patient safety and outcome surveillance.
Supports and participates in research programs involving structural heart patients Plans and manages the monthly Beacon Hospital Multi-disciplinary team meetings in addition to seminars and educational events related to the structural heart program.
Participates and is supported in continuing medical education specific to structural heart disease Maintain effective communication with The Director of Clinical Services, The Head of Cardiology Services, Nurse Management, Ward Management, Consultant Staff and Clinical Director to ensure prescribed care is delivered in a safe, efficient and effective manner.
Development of standard 'Patient Care Pathways' for cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery patients during in-patient stay Maintain careful documentation of all pertinent information relating to patient assessment, management and follow-up arrangements on the hospital records.
Provide reports and statistical information relating to referrals, waiting times, clinical data and patient safety outcomes.
Identifies appropriate internal controls for department; provides mechanisms to monitor and enforce compliance.
Assist with the Joint Commission International accreditation process Clinical Responsibilities: Interrelationships Maintain good working relationships with other departments, with physicians, patients, families and outside agencies.
Communicate during the shift with the Nurse Manager Nurse Supervisor.
Demonstrate the ability to delegate tasks and responsibilities.
Participate in ongoing consultation and collaboration with physicians and other care.
Provider to maximise patient outcomes and unit specific goals.
Demonstrate willingness to assist co-workers whenever needed.
The post holder will partake in the Total Quality Management processes thereby contributing to: The identification of quality, policy guideline issues.
The evaluation of current practices to best practice.
The setting of standards utilising structure, process and outcome.
All hospital, regional and national audit processes.
The Hospital Wide Accreditation Cycle.
Health Promotion initiatives.
Personal Professional Responsibilities The 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.
Attend appropriate study days courses.
Be a preceptor and or supervisor to students newly appointed staff.
Participate in their performance review with their Nurse Manager.
Assume responsibility for own learning and development needs.
Other Duties and Responsibilities Utilise effective time management skills.
Maintain professional appearance and dress code.
Comply with guidelines for absence or tardiness Attend staff meetings, reads email and other postings.
Attend all required in-services.
All employees are expected to remain flexible to meet the needs of the Hospital, which may include floating to other departments to assist as the patient needs fluctuate.
Wears Identification badge when working.
Person Specification Qualifications Nursing Midwife Board Registered General Nurse (NMBI) licence in good standing.
Post Graduate qualification in Cardiology/Cardiovascular Nursing preferred but not required, with a commitment to complete Postgraduate qualification BLS ACLS Experience Minimum of 5 years Cardiology / Cath Lab Nursing with demonstrated leadership experience required.
Possess expert knowledge and experience in cardiovascular disease management.
Candidates must possess teaching abilities, leadership qualities, professional judgment, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, and a sense of professional development.
Proven management ability Must demonstrate multi-tasking ability.
The employee, must speak, read and write grammatically correct English.
Utilises effective time management skills.
Job Specific Competencies and Knowledge Competencies specific to the role Knowledge Demonstrate 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.
Teamwork Demonstrate ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Communication Interpersonal Skills Demonstrate effective communication skills including the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner.
Planning and Organising Demonstrate evidence of effective planning, organising and time management skills.
Demonstrate flexible approach - to internal rotations, rostering.
Patient Customer Focus Demonstrate a focus on quality.
Demonstrate evidence of ability to empathise with and treat patients, relatives and colleagues with dignity and respect Personal Competencies All 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.