Assistant Paediatric Cardiac Nurse Specialist

As an organisation we recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Job overview

• Permanent 22.5 hour a week
• Fixed Term 30 hour a week for 9 months

We are excited to be able to offer this exciting opportunity to join this niche team of Cardiac Nurse Specialists on a fixed term/permanent basis. 

We are looking for an efficient, well-motivated and enthusiastic nurse to join our team of Cardiac Nurse Specialists. The post holder, as part of the cardiac/cardiology team, will support children and families from across the South Wales and South West Cardiac Network with acquired/congenital heart disease during their patient journey, and will act as a primary point of information for the wider multidisciplinary team from across the network, 

The Bristol Royal Hospital for Children is the level 1 surgical centre for paediatric cardiac surgery in the South West of England and South Wales. We are a centre of excellence, not only dedicated to the care of children but committed to on-going personal and professional development for staff. A strong emphasis is placed on training and teaching.

The successful candidate will be RSCN or RN Child Branch accredited. Relevant clinical experience in paediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery is essential along with excellent verbal and written communication skills.

The post offers an excellent career development opportunity for an individual committed to children’s nursing.

Main duties of the job

• Act as a clinical expert ensuring children and their families receive specialised, highly skilled care, support, information and advice from point of referral through to transition to adult services.
• Work with other members of the multidisciplinary team to co-ordinate and monitor the child’s treatment in the inpatient, outpatient and community setting, collating results and ensuring appropriate follow up under the direct supervision of Band 7 colleagues.
• Use advanced communication skills to impart sensitive, complex and potentially distressing information to patients and carers providing counselling, emotional support, advice and information as appropriate.
• Identify gaps in evidence and/or practise knowledge that require resolution through research and assist with research activities as appropriate.
• Participate in regular service evaluation and assist in improving current services and the planning of future service provision.
• Communicate effectively with allied health professionals ensuring a seamless service between hospital and community services throughout the South West and South Wales.
• Act as an educational specialist for the child and family ensuring up to date knowledge and understanding of condition and treatment plan at point of contact/diagnosis.
• Actively participate and contribute in education and teaching to local groups related to cardiac disease

Working for our organisation

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as ‘Good’ overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward-thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Person specification

Aptitudes

Essential criteria

• Decisive decision-making skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent time management and task prioritisation ability
• Positive role modelling
• Supportive
• Innovative
• Respectful
• Collaborative

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Current NMC registration (Child Branch/RSCN)
• Relevant accredited post registration qualification (Level 3)

Desirable criteria

• Counselling qualification
• BSc in Nursing or relevant discipline

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• Have extensive knowledge in Paediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery
• Evidence of professional development

Desirable criteria

• Teaching in practice
• Have community nursing experience
• Have experience of undertaking audit and research projects

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria

• Have excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to work with allied healthcare professionals at all levels within the organisation and at regional levels
• Have excellent organisation and time management skills
• Be able to work professionally and effectively within highly stressful situations
• Be flexible to the needs of the service and changes within that service
• IT skills and knowledge of databases
• Influential and clinically credible
• Ability to work together with other professionals in the community ensuring a seamless service across organisations
• Knowledge of Clinical Governance and management of risk
• Awareness of the local context and national agenda regarding paediatric cardiac service
• Be able to work autonomously whilst acknowledging professional limitations and boundaries

Interview date: 07/05/2024