JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Arrhythmia & Inherited Cardiac Conditions (ICC) Nurse.

Department: Cardiology

Division: Acute Medicine and Emergency Services

Band: Band 6

Hours: 18.75

Responsible to: Arrhythmia Specialist Nurse

Accountable to: Divisional Chief Nurse

Base: St Peter’s Hospital / Ashford Hospital and working at any other Trust
sites as required

Criminal Records Bureau Full

Disclosure:
Job Summary:
This role will assist with delivering the three main quality requirements of
Chapter 8 of the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart
Disease (NSF for CHD) ‘Arrhythmias and Sudden Cardiac Death’:

The post holder will work alongside the Arrhythmia & ICC Nurse
Specialist for Ashford and St Peter’s NHS Foundation Trust working to
improve diagnostic, referral and treatment pathways for patients with
arrhythmias throughout the patient journey. You will work within a
multidisciplinary team (MDT) and play a key role in caring for patients
with cardiac arrhythmias.

Key Result Areas:

To make an effective contribution to reaching the Trust’s vision,
strategic objectives and key work programmes.

 Patient Support
 Diagnosis and Treatment
 Sudden Cardiac Death
 Cardiomyopathies

Date of last review:

July 2018
Overview of Responsibilities :

Clinical
 Working within a multidisciplinary team the post holder will be responsible on a daily basis in caring
for adult, adult congenital and paediatric patients with cardiac arrhythmias, in particular, those
patients undergoing electrophysiological studies (EPS), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), cryo
ablation and insertion of implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICD) and cardiac resynchronisation
therapy (CRT) devices, permanent pacemakers (PPM) and implantable loop recorders.

 Develop and co-ordinate support services for patients requiring arrhythmia management and
complex implantable devices (ICD/CRT devices). The service will extend to patients/patient carers
and health care providers involved in the care of this client group locally, regionally and nationally.

 Support the nurse led DC Cardio version Service in liaison with the Band 7, Liaising with
anticoagulation services and pre-assessment of cardioversion patients, as well as performing the
cardioversions after appropriate training.

 Work across the cardiothoracic division with the requirement to extend their service to other areas
within the trust.

 Have advanced clinical assessment skills to ensure patients are suitable to undergo
electrophysiology procedures.

 Manage their own caseload with support from the Band 7.

 Take direct referrals from Consultant Cardiologists and perform psychological assessment of
patients’ pre and post device implantation.

 Act as a resource and develop patient/staff information booklets, integrated care pathways and
evidence based policies, protocols and guidelines to guide others involved in the care of this
diverse client group.

 Liaise with Consultant Cardiologists/Physicians, Specialist registrars, Physiologists, Nurse

Practitioners, Cardiology managers, administrative staff, ward/catheter lab/CCU staff, GPs and
other professionals within Primary Care to achieve a coordinated comprehensive service

Education, Training and Development

 Undertake appropriate arrhythmia care training in line Department of Health and other professional
guidelines including ASPH Trust mandatory training guidelines to promote career development,
clinical competence, maintain evidence based practice and high standards of care.

 Contribute to the development of a training programme to address the needs of healthcare staff
and deliver regular training to appropriate healthcare professionals.

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  Participate in the teaching and training of other healthcare staff to screen clients for cardiac
arrhythmias) and deliver brief advice in line with the specified protocols.

 Encourage and facilitate healthcare staff in developing skills and knowledge of appropriate
interventions for clients with arrhythmia.

 Act as a clinical supervisor and utilise clinical supervision and reflective practice to enhance
development of self and colleagues in the inter-professional team to optimise care.

Management and Leadership

 To support the audit process on the effectiveness of the secondary preventions clinics and
provide information on these patients’ risk factors and management within the Trust

 Provide expert clinical advice and support to other colleagues within the health care setting and to
other agencies concerned with arrhythmia care.

 Participate in the clinical governance (CG) of the service to ensure all quality standards are met
and provide liaison and support to a range of health and social care professionals with regard to
CG.

Health & Safety

 Comply fully with ASPH health and safety requirements in all areas of work.

Management of Resources

 Be responsible for the effective management and prioritisation of own workload in conjunction with
the Band 7.

 Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation of client’s records, ensuring confidentiality

protocols are adhered to.

 Be responsible for development, production and use of resources and materials required for the
purpose of the post.

Policy and Service Development

 Ensure a high quality of service is delivered by following local and national quality and
performance standards, guidance, protocols, procedures and practice guidelines.

 Be involved in developing and disseminating evidence based practice in the field of arrhythmia &
ICC management and where appropriate adapt and modify this to meet client needs.

 Participate in service development, reviews and audits and contribute to the production of the
annual review and report as required.

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  Function as part of a multi-professional team, assessing, evaluating developing the cardiac
secondary prevention service as appropriate

Communication

 Work as a member of the multidisciplinary team and participate in multidisciplinary team

meetings/case discussions both within the hospital and with community services.

 Maintain accurate records on key performance indicators (KPIs) outlined in CQUIN contracts with
NHS Surrey.

 Provide verbal and/or written feedback to referrers and client’s GPs.

 Liaise and communicate clinical information with other healthcare professionals and partner
agencies within the confidential information sharing guidelines and protocols.

 Work collaboratively in developing professional links with other statutory and voluntary service
providers, ensuring a corporate approach is adopted.

 Use word processing and database systems to manage arrhythmia service data.

 Maintain the accurate and up to date documentation of all clients referred to the arrhythmia service
and ensure the confidentiality of such records of information are in line with the Data Protection Act
and Information Sharing Protocol.

Research and Development

 To assist in any clinical audit or research programme, collating information as directed by research
lead.
 Manage the development of research and evaluation strategies of cardiac secondary prevention in
conjunction with relevant colleagues
 Manage a regular system of audit and research activities within the specialism; work with the
clinical audit team and in collaboration with colleagues

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 PERSON SPECIFICATION

Post: Arrhythmia & Inherited Cardiac Conditions (ICC) Nurse Department: Cardiology

Factors Essential Desirable Assessed by:

Attitude,  Must be able to demonstrate honesty, Application

Behaviour reliability and trustworthiness form and
and Values interview
TRUST VALUES
Must be able to demonstrate that you:
 Put patients first by:
o Offering to help
o Making everyone feel special
o Showing kindness and respect
o Apologising when things go wrong
 Take personal responsibility by:
o Smiling and being welcoming
o Having the courage to challenge
o Continuously learning and improving
o Performing your duties to the best of
your abilities
 Have passion for excellence by:
o Striving to be the best
o Going the extra mile
o Being bold and ambitious
o Leading by example
 Have pride in our team by:
o Celebrating our diversity
o Looking after colleagues
o Delivering what we promise
 Praising our achievements

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Qualifications Current First Level Nursing and Counselling certificate
and Further Midwifery Council Registration
Training Degree level or willing
to undertake
Recognised teaching and assessing
certificate i.e. ENB 998/730
Post graduate
Advanced Life Support Certificate qualification in
Clinical assessment
skills

Nurse Practitioner
framework
for obtaining consent
(within 6
months)

Nurse initiated
intravenous
moderate sedation
programme
Experience Post registration experience within a Management and
Cardiac service. development
of staff

Recent evidence of developing nursing Previous clinical

practise within a clinical setting research and
audit experience

Experience within Out

Patient Clinic
environment

Proven management of
teams within the
healthcare setting

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Knowledge  Must be able to demonstrate that you Evidence of developing Application
have knowledge of your professional policies and protocols form and
code of conduct and guidance issued by interview
your professional body and that you Clinical Supervision
adhere to these.
 NHS Constitution
 Trust vision, values, strategic objectives
and key work programmes
 NMC code of Conduct
 Reflective Practice
 Clinical Governance
 Implications of the NSF for Arrhythmias
and sudden Cardiac Death
 Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) and Cryo
ablation
 Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators (ICD)
 Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy
(CRT)
 Permanent Pacemakers (PPM)
Implantable Loop Recorders
 CPD
 Equal Opportunities
 National Service Framework for
Coronary Heart disease
 Electrophysiological Studies
 Advanced knowledge of high technology
monitoring

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Skills Must be able to demonstrate, in relation to Resource
people who use Trust and other related Management
services:
 You have knowledge & awareness of
diversity and human rights and the
competencies appropriate to your role to
support their diverse needs and human
rights.
 You are able to communicate effectively
with them and with other staff to ensure
that their care, treatment and support are
not compromised.
 You have a good understanding of their
communication, physical & emotional
needs; can identify their individual needs
and preferences, their changing needs
and recognise and promote their
independence.
 Evidence of advance nursing in a
relevant speciality – including health
promotion and health education

 Psychological assessment of patients

pre and post procedures
 Intravenous drug administration
 Advance skills in Cardiac Rhythm
 Interpretation /Analysis
 Venous Cannulation

 Advanced blood and ECG analysis

Other
requirements Request investigations i.e. 24hr ECG
monitoring/Exercise tolerance tests, interpret
results and take appropriate action

Ability to identify potential and

actual problems which may
threaten the safety of patients

Conscientious

Calm in pressurised and stressful situations

Reliable

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Working for the Trust:

A. Values and Behaviours

The Table below is a guide outlining the values and behaviours expected from Trust employees
measured as exemplary, acceptable and not acceptable. These standards will be used as a

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reference for the recruitment to this post, and throughout your employment, in appraisal, objective
setting, development opportunities and career progression.

B. Summary of Trust Policies

The information listed below is a summary reference guide for candidates and members of staff. It
is the personal responsibility of all employees to be aware of their duties and responsibilities under
the Trust policies, which outline expected standards of behaviour. Full details of all policies can be
found on the Trust intranet site, Trustnet. All employees can access Trustnet, candidates and
employees can contact the Workforce & Organisational Development Team for a copy of any Trust
workforce policy.

1. Communication and Confidentiality (Information Governance)

Effective communication is essential through active listening and responding to what people are
saying:

a) check information from other people and check its accuracy

b) establish any help people require and act on this appropriately
c) ensure confidentiality at all times

Employees of the Trust must not without prior permission disclose any information regarding
patients or staff obtained during the course of employment except to authorised bodies or
individuals acting in an official capacity. The Data Protection Act may render an individual liable for
prosecution in the event of unauthorised disclosure of information. The latest Confidentiality
Policy, Information Governance Policy, Freedom of Information Policy can be found on Trustnet,
along with the Trust’s Information and Technology Policies for employees who use computer
systems at work. All staff should update their Information Governance training annually.

2. Diversity and Rights

All staff have a duty to promote people’s equality, diversity and rights, and treat others with dignity
and respect. The Trust is unreservedly opposed to any form of discrimination being practiced
against its employees whether on the grounds of gender, ethnicity, marital status, sexual
orientation, disability, race, religion, or national origin or age.

A copy of the Trust’s Single Integrated Equality Scheme is available on the Trust’s Intranet site.

3. Monitoring and Maintaining Good Health and Safety

The safety of patients, staff and visitors is paramount. All staff have a duty to recognise safety as a
fundamental element of their role and to comply with Trust policies, procedures, protocols and
guidelines related to safety and well-being, and to keep up to date with Health & Safety training.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, all employees have a duty:

a) to take reasonable care of ourselves and others at work

b) to co-operate in meeting the requirements of the law
c) not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of
health safety or welfare

Familiarise yourself with the Trust’s Health and Safety Policies on Trustnet. There will be local,
department policies that cover your department/workplace and you should make sure your line
manager explains these to you during your local induction.

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4. Mandatory Training

All staff have a responsibility to ensure that they are up to date on the latest knowledge and skills
related to their job and workplace. Staff must ensure that they attend Mandatory Training
sessions, and a Mandatory Training Matrix is available on Trustnet.

5. NHS Constitution

The NHS commits:

 To provide all staff with clear roles and responsibilities and rewarding jobs for teams and
individuals that make a difference to patients, their families and carers and communities.
 To provide all staff with personal development, access to appropriate training for their jobs
and line management support to succeed.
 To provide support and opportunities for staff to maintain their health, well-being and safety.
 To engage staff in decisions that affect them and the services they provide, individually,
through representative organisations and through local partnership working arrangements.
All staff will be empowered to put forward ways to deliver better and safer services for
patients and their families.

Staff responsibilities:
 You have a duty to accept professional accountability and maintain the standards of
professional practice as set by the appropriate regulatory body applicable to your
profession or role.
 You have a duty to take reasonable care of health and safety at work for you, your team
and others, and to co-operate with employers to ensure compliance with health and safety
requirements.
 You have a duty to act in accordance with the express and implied terms of your contract
of employment.
 You have a duty not to discriminate against patients or staff and to adhere to equal
opportunities and equality and human rights legislation.
 You have a duty to protect the confidentiality of personal information that you hold unless
to do so would put anyone at risk of significant harm.
 You have a duty to be honest and truthful in applying for a job and in carrying out that job.

Details at:
http://www.nhs.uk/choiceintheNHS/Rightsandpledges/NHSConstitution/Pages/Overview.aspx

6. Whistle-blowing

The Trust is committed to achieving the highest possible ethical standards by encouraging
openness and honesty in the workplace. The term “Whistleblowing” is the disclosure of information
by an employee or worker which relates to some danger, fraud or other illegal or unethical conduct
in the workplace. The Whistleblowing Policy provides advice and guidance and sets out the
procedure by which employees and others that work at the Trust can report concerns about
workplace malpractices relating to any of the protected matters specified in the Policy.

The Trust welcomes your genuine concerns and is committed to dealing responsibly, openly and
professionally with them. It is only with the help of our staff that the Trust can deliver a safe service
and protect the interests of patients and staff. If you are worried, we would rather you raised the
matter when it is just a concern, rather than wait for proof.

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The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 governs the making of disclosures concerning workplace
activities and is intended to protect employees who blow the whistle on bad practice from being
subjected to any detriment or unfairly dismissed as a result. In providing this protection, the Act
also reinforces the obligations of all persons employed by the Trust not to disclose to external
sources any trade secrets or confidential information acquired during the course of their
employment, unless they fall within the qualifying criteria for protection disclosures. Details of when
and how concerns may properly be raised within or outside the Trust are available in the Trust’s
Whistle-blowing Policy on Trustnet.

We hope that you will be able to raise concerns with your manager or Head of Service. However,
we recognise that this may be difficult and therefore the policy enables you to raise a matter
directly with Senior Management. The Director of Workforce Transformation is the designated
Director for Whistle-blowing, but you can approach any member of the Trust Board.

7. Requirement for Flexibility in an Emergency Situation

In the event that the Trust is affected by an emergency situation (including but not limited to a flu
pandemic or a pandemic of any other disease or illness), whether relating to its staff and/or
patients, you agree that the Trust may require you to:

(a) Carry out additional and/or alternative duties to those contained in your job description; and/or

(b) Without prejudice to the other terms of your employment, perform duties (including any
additional and/or alternative duties as mentioned above) at any other location where NHS services
are provided.

8. Safeguarding

All Trust employees have a responsibility to take appropriate action if they believe that a child or
vulnerable adult is in need of services or in need of protection and they must be committed to
safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Everyone is responsible for accessing the relevant level of training and following the Trusts local
and SSCB’s Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures.

Information on Child Protection or on the Abuse or Suspected Abuse of Vulnerable Adults is on

Trustnet

The Trust complies with the requirements of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and the
requirement to report safeguarding issues to the Disclosure and Barring Service. All staff required
to have a DBS disclosure for their post will undergo a recheck every three years. Employees must
cooperate with the renewal process and complete their DBS applications promptly when
requested.

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