Job summary 22.5 hours per week. We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Community Cardiac Nurse to work in the Livewell Community Cardiac Team. The team offers specialist advice, management and education to patients with Heart Failure and Cardiac Rehabilitation needs. Working closely with Primary and Secondary care, you will support patients on the continuum from 1st cardiac event to end of life. The work to optimise cardiac patients health, educate on self management and offer rehabilitation is a rewarding one and experienced Nurses are invited to apply. We offer regular education, supervision and development support and have a very experienced and supportive team. An ability to attend a variety of venues and peoples homes is essential. Main duties of the job To provide patients with specialist advice and education regarding independent management of their cardiac conditions. To aid in the optimisation of patients specialist management, treatment and stabilisation of their symptoms. To give specialist education to patients regarding management of their cardiac condition, including exacerbations and avoidance of hospital admissions. To act as a resource of specialist expertise for patients and the wider MDT within Livewell Southwest, Primary and Secondary Care partners. To be involved in the planning, delivery and evaluation of the Cardiac rehabilitation service. This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route; please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility. Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application at the earliest opportunity. All Livewell staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service. About us Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs. As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values, kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve. We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives. We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation. Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert. Date posted 07 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 6 Salary £37,338 to £44,962 a year pa, pro-rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Part-time, Job share, Flexible working Reference number B9832-2025-NM-9598 Job locations Cumberland Centre Damerel Close, Devonport Plymouth Devon PL1 4JZ Job description Job responsibilities Responsibility for People Management To support and participate in the induction and supervision of new staff and other team members. Be responsible for providing and maintaining a learning environment and maximise opportunities for educational and development in the clinical area to enhance individual development and performance in the delivery of high standards. Acting as an specialist cardiac resource and assist in teaching knowledge and clinical skills for other health care professionals. Providing advice, support and completing caseload reviews for the development of specialist knowledge of other team members. Support and give advice on the management of cardiac patients to the exercise specialists within the cardiac team and support and supervise the work of exercise instructors employed by the leisure industry within the phase 3 exercise program for the heart failure and cardiac rehab patients. To manage and prioritise a specialist caseload and delegate where appropriate to the skill mix of the team. Take individual responsibility for your personal and professional development, maintain competencies, knowledge and skills commensurate with the role and NMC code. Provide and maintain a learning environment and maximise opportunities for education and development in the clinical area to support and enhance individual development and performance in the delivery of high standards of care. Act as role model for other staff and students demonstrating high standards of specialist practice and professional conduct according to the NMC code. To act as a mentor for nursing and medical students and fulfil requirements of a practice placement. Responsibility for financial and/or physical resources Responsible for identifying when stock is low and making requests for ordering. Identifying when equipment is not fit for use or new equipment is required. Responsibility for administration Ensure effective and timely information exchange is maintained, verbally, written or electronically To be responsible for maintaining accurate and comprehensive patient records in line with the nursing and midwifery Council and Livewell data protection guidelines. Responsibility for people who use our services Work as a lone practitioner with the support from senior colleagues and MDT as required within the community setting. To undertake the comprehensive specialist assessment of cardiac patients, including those with a complex presentation, using investigative and analytical skills, and to formulate individualised management and treatment plans, using clinical reasoning, and utilising a wide range or treatment skills and options to formulate a specialised programme of care and patient goals. Work within the framework of patient group directives for the administration of emergency drugs Working within professional guidelines (local and national) to make specialist nurse clinical decisions without direct supervision. Seeking advice as necessary from patients GP, consultant, GPSI in using evidence-based research or peer support from another trust. To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to patients, relatives, carers and other professionals, to promote understanding of their cardiac condition, drugs, self-management and the aims of rehabilitation, to ensure a consistent and individualised approach to patient care. Support in reducing unnecessary hospital admissions and enable the patient to be managed in the community by making clinical decisions with the supervision and support from the MDT as part of the patient management plan which may involve optimising and de prescribing of cardiac specialist drugs. To provide specialist clinical assessment, support and tailored education to patients, and their carers, to enable them to make informed decisions about their treatment, management and self-monitoring of their condition, that may precipitate symptoms of acute exacerbation of their underlying conditions or illness and how to manage them and when to ask for help. Evaluate the impact of education programmes and clinical interventions, for patients and carers, to ensure that they provide the necessary knowledge and skills to gain independence, safely manage changing circumstances and plan for unavoidable progression of conditions with the aim of optimising their quality/quantity of life. Act as a patient advocate as required ensuring individual needs, preferences and choices are delivered by the Service. Deal effectively with arising clinical issues and emergency situations. Ability to perform and interpret 12 lead ECG and act accordingly with the support from the MDT and senior colleagues. To request and interpret blood results and start /adjust /stop medications as required with the support from MDT and senior colleagues by liaising with the patients GP or consultant as appropriate. Providing clinical support and guidance to the exercise physiotherapist / physiologist within the BACPR guidelines ensuring the appropriate referral and assessment of patients to the phase 3 cardiac rehab programme. To attend the exercise group on a weekly basis to provide clinical support to the rest of the team. To ensure that the patient is informed regarding cardiac medications including the benefits and potential side effects that the patient has been started on and working in partnership with the patient, GP, MDT and consultant in recommending the commencement and up titration of cardiac medications, this also includes potentially down titration and stopping medications according to patients clinical presentation. To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of your work including management of patient care within NMC guidelines To discuss advanced care planning as appropriate with the patient and their carers, which may include a discussion on EOL planning and to discuss with the GP regarding the writing of the TEP form As part of your role there is an opportunity to undertake training to complete a Treatment Escalation Plan (TEP) document, to achieve this you will be required to complete training in advanced communication, care planning and TEP form writing. Liaise closely with community teams and acute cardiology team to ensure palliative care needs are addressed utilising existing services following local and national guidelines. Work within Livewell guidelines and have a good working knowledge of national standards, such as the National service framework for CHD and guidelines by BACPR, NICE and ESC, QOS framework and CQC standards. Use a high level of empathy, sensitivity and communication skills daily with patients and their carers / family members. Establish the dynamic process of understanding, reflecting, active listening and checking understanding, thus developing a therapeutic relationship with patients and carers To act as the advocate for patients and their carers liaising at a local level using specialist knowledge and communication skills with other allied health professionals and the MDT. Demonstrate excellent communication skills required to enable case discussions in case discussions/case conferences concerning service users in their caseload. Provide and receive specialist, complex, sensitive or contentious information where motivational, empathetic and reassurance skills are required verbal and non- verbal, as well as written and electronic to communicate effectively with patients, carers and GPs. This will include patients who have barriers to understanding eg. Language, learning difficulties, sensory loss. Able to provide the interface between hospital, primary, community and social care settings. Maintain case manager responsibility in liaising with inpatient teams to facilitate discharge to community (inreach HF team, AAU, arrhythmia team). Responsibility for implementation of policy and/or service developments Support clinical governance including satisfaction questionnaire, patient notes audit, clinical audits as deemed necessary. Propose recommendations to changes within clinical practice and community cardiac rehabilitation and heart failure. Alongside team manager, assist in the development and updating of standards and protocols for community cardiac rehabilitation and heart failure service in line with national guidelines. Act as an expert specialist resource to advise and assist in teaching knowledge and clinical skills for other health care professionals. Other Responsibilities Support the team manager in the planning, development and day-to-day running of the community cardiac rehabilitation and heart failure service in their locality. Take responsibility for your own personal and professional development; maintain competence, knowledge and skills commensurate with role using the heart failure and cardiac rehab competencies. Take part in the process of clinical supervision and support clinical supervision for team members. To develop, plan, implement and evaluate educational programmes for service users. To undertake all required training to develop competencies required for the role Integrate theory into practice by bringing new knowledge around Cardiac Nursing into the practice environment. Maintain attendance at mandatory and statutory training as per organisation guidelines. Work within the NMC Code. Remain updated and ensure that clinical practice is evidence based. Have a personal development plan and professional portfolio Please see the job description for further details. Job description Job responsibilities Responsibility for People Management To support and participate in the induction and supervision of new staff and other team members. Be responsible for providing and maintaining a learning environment and maximise opportunities for educational and development in the clinical area to enhance individual development and performance in the delivery of high standards. Acting as an specialist cardiac resource and assist in teaching knowledge and clinical skills for other health care professionals. Providing advice, support and completing caseload reviews for the development of specialist knowledge of other team members. Support and give advice on the management of cardiac patients to the exercise specialists within the cardiac team and support and supervise the work of exercise instructors employed by the leisure industry within the phase 3 exercise program for the heart failure and cardiac rehab patients. To manage and prioritise a specialist caseload and delegate where appropriate to the skill mix of the team. Take individual responsibility for your personal and professional development, maintain competencies, knowledge and skills commensurate with the role and NMC code. Provide and maintain a learning environment and maximise opportunities for education and development in the clinical area to support and enhance individual development and performance in the delivery of high standards of care. Act as role model for other staff and students demonstrating high standards of specialist practice and professional conduct according to the NMC code. To act as a mentor for nursing and medical students and fulfil requirements of a practice placement. Responsibility for financial and/or physical resources Responsible for identifying when stock is low and making requests for ordering. Identifying when equipment is not fit for use or new equipment is required. Responsibility for administration Ensure effective and timely information exchange is maintained, verbally, written or electronically To be responsible for maintaining accurate and comprehensive patient records in line with the nursing and midwifery Council and Livewell data protection guidelines. Responsibility for people who use our services Work as a lone practitioner with the support from senior colleagues and MDT as required within the community setting. To undertake the comprehensive specialist assessment of cardiac patients, including those with a complex presentation, using investigative and analytical skills, and to formulate individualised management and treatment plans, using clinical reasoning, and utilising a wide range or treatment skills and options to formulate a specialised programme of care and patient goals. Work within the framework of patient group directives for the administration of emergency drugs Working within professional guidelines (local and national) to make specialist nurse clinical decisions without direct supervision. Seeking advice as necessary from patients GP, consultant, GPSI in using evidence-based research or peer support from another trust. To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to patients, relatives, carers and other professionals, to promote understanding of their cardiac condition, drugs, self-management and the aims of rehabilitation, to ensure a consistent and individualised approach to patient care. Support in reducing unnecessary hospital admissions and enable the patient to be managed in the community by making clinical decisions with the supervision and support from the MDT as part of the patient management plan which may involve optimising and de prescribing of cardiac specialist drugs. To provide specialist clinical assessment, support and tailored education to patients, and their carers, to enable them to make informed decisions about their treatment, management and self-monitoring of their condition, that may precipitate symptoms of acute exacerbation of their underlying conditions or illness and how to manage them and when to ask for help. Evaluate the impact of education programmes and clinical interventions, for patients and carers, to ensure that they provide the necessary knowledge and skills to gain independence, safely manage changing circumstances and plan for unavoidable progression of conditions with the aim of optimising their quality/quantity of life. Act as a patient advocate as required ensuring individual needs, preferences and choices are delivered by the Service. Deal effectively with arising clinical issues and emergency situations. Ability to perform and interpret 12 lead ECG and act accordingly with the support from the MDT and senior colleagues. To request and interpret blood results and start /adjust /stop medications as required with the support from MDT and senior colleagues by liaising with the patients GP or consultant as appropriate. Providing clinical support and guidance to the exercise physiotherapist / physiologist within the BACPR guidelines ensuring the appropriate referral and assessment of patients to the phase 3 cardiac rehab programme. To attend the exercise group on a weekly basis to provide clinical support to the rest of the team. To ensure that the patient is informed regarding cardiac medications including the benefits and potential side effects that the patient has been started on and working in partnership with the patient, GP, MDT and consultant in recommending the commencement and up titration of cardiac medications, this also includes potentially down titration and stopping medications according to patients clinical presentation. To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of your work including management of patient care within NMC guidelines To discuss advanced care planning as appropriate with the patient and their carers, which may include a discussion on EOL planning and to discuss with the GP regarding the writing of the TEP form As part of your role there is an opportunity to undertake training to complete a Treatment Escalation Plan (TEP) document, to achieve this you will be required to complete training in advanced communication, care planning and TEP form writing. Liaise closely with community teams and acute cardiology team to ensure palliative care needs are addressed utilising existing services following local and national guidelines. Work within Livewell guidelines and have a good working knowledge of national standards, such as the National service framework for CHD and guidelines by BACPR, NICE and ESC, QOS framework and CQC standards. Use a high level of empathy, sensitivity and communication skills daily with patients and their carers / family members. Establish the dynamic process of understanding, reflecting, active listening and checking understanding, thus developing a therapeutic relationship with patients and carers To act as the advocate for patients and their carers liaising at a local level using specialist knowledge and communication skills with other allied health professionals and the MDT. Demonstrate excellent communication skills required to enable case discussions in case discussions/case conferences concerning service users in their caseload. Provide and receive specialist, complex, sensitive or contentious information where motivational, empathetic and reassurance skills are required verbal and non- verbal, as well as written and electronic to communicate effectively with patients, carers and GPs. This will include patients who have barriers to understanding eg. Language, learning difficulties, sensory loss. Able to provide the interface between hospital, primary, community and social care settings. Maintain case manager responsibility in liaising with inpatient teams to facilitate discharge to community (inreach HF team, AAU, arrhythmia team). Responsibility for implementation of policy and/or service developments Support clinical governance including satisfaction questionnaire, patient notes audit, clinical audits as deemed necessary. Propose recommendations to changes within clinical practice and community cardiac rehabilitation and heart failure. Alongside team manager, assist in the development and updating of standards and protocols for community cardiac rehabilitation and heart failure service in line with national guidelines. Act as an expert specialist resource to advise and assist in teaching knowledge and clinical skills for other health care professionals. Other Responsibilities Support the team manager in the planning, development and day-to-day running of the community cardiac rehabilitation and heart failure service in their locality. Take responsibility for your own personal and professional development; maintain competence, knowledge and skills commensurate with role using the heart failure and cardiac rehab competencies. Take part in the process of clinical supervision and support clinical supervision for team members. To develop, plan, implement and evaluate educational programmes for service users. To undertake all required training to develop competencies required for the role Integrate theory into practice by bringing new knowledge around Cardiac Nursing into the practice environment. Maintain attendance at mandatory and statutory training as per organisation guidelines. Work within the NMC Code. Remain updated and ensure that clinical practice is evidence based. Have a personal development plan and professional portfolio Please see the job description for further details. Person Specification Skills Essential Works independently and engages with regular caseload reviews and MDT meetings within a defined scope of specialist practice in accordance with the NMC code. Provide specialist advice to people and their carers and other allied health care professionals. Assess, plan, implement and evaluate care in line with local and national guidance. Ability to undertake holistic patient centred assessments. Desirable Coaching/ motivational interviewing skills Develop specialist plans of care for heart failure and Cardiac rehab patients. Additional requirements Essential Able to travel throughout the Livewell footprint Holds a valid UK driving licence IT literate Excellent interpersonal skills Highly motivated and the ability to inspire others Demonstrates commitment to promote high standards and quality of care to consistently improve patient outcomes. Desirable Car driver Experience Essential Relevant experience of working in a Cardiology setting Experience in managing sensitive issues and overcoming obstacles in communication with patients and within the MDT. Desirable Previous experience in a specialist cardiac nursing role. Previous experience working in a community setting Experience of influencing change in the workplace Qualifications Essential Registered Nurse NMC Registration Evidence of continued recent academic and clinical development. To hold a heart failure qualification, cardiac rehabilitation qualification and/or cardiac rehabilitation exercise qualification or willingness to work towards Experience in mentoring Desirable Teaching qualification ALS trained Qualifications in education or health promotion at degree level or equivalent ILS qualification Assessed at advanced beginner / competent level across the core domains of the cardiac rehab competency document and the BSH Nurse forum competency document. Knowledge Essential Knowledge of Cardiac Rehabilitation, Heart Failure, Secondary Prevention, Cardiac Surgery, Cardiac intervention Knowledge of national and local frameworks and strategies pertaining to the speciality Professional knowledge acquired through post registration experience in cardiology or related field. Excellent interpersonal skills. Evidence of being able to work independently Person Specification Skills Essential Works independently and engages with regular caseload reviews and MDT meetings within a defined scope of specialist practice in accordance with the NMC code. Provide specialist advice to people and their carers and other allied health care professionals. Assess, plan, implement and evaluate care in line with local and national guidance. Ability to undertake holistic patient centred assessments. Desirable Coaching/ motivational interviewing skills Develop specialist plans of care for heart failure and Cardiac rehab patients. Additional requirements Essential Able to travel throughout the Livewell footprint Holds a valid UK driving licence IT literate Excellent interpersonal skills Highly motivated and the ability to inspire others Demonstrates commitment to promote high standards and quality of care to consistently improve patient outcomes. Desirable Car driver Experience Essential Relevant experience of working in a Cardiology setting Experience in managing sensitive issues and overcoming obstacles in communication with patients and within the MDT. Desirable Previous experience in a specialist cardiac nursing role. Previous experience working in a community setting Experience of influencing change in the workplace Qualifications Essential Registered Nurse NMC Registration Evidence of continued recent academic and clinical development. To hold a heart failure qualification, cardiac rehabilitation qualification and/or cardiac rehabilitation exercise qualification or willingness to work towards Experience in mentoring Desirable Teaching qualification ALS trained Qualifications in education or health promotion at degree level or equivalent ILS qualification Assessed at advanced beginner / competent level across the core domains of the cardiac rehab competency document and the BSH Nurse forum competency document. Knowledge Essential Knowledge of Cardiac Rehabilitation, Heart Failure, Secondary Prevention, Cardiac Surgery, Cardiac intervention Knowledge of national and local frameworks and strategies pertaining to the speciality Professional knowledge acquired through post registration experience in cardiology or related field. Excellent interpersonal skills. Evidence of being able to work independently Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Livewell Southwest Address Cumberland Centre Damerel Close, Devonport Plymouth Devon PL1 4JZ Employer's website https://www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)