Cardiac Nurse
- Contract
- United Kingdom View on Map
- posted 2 months ago
- Posted : 29th November 2024 -Accepting applications
- View(s) 190
Job Detail
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Job ID 3844
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Job Location On-Site
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Experience No specific experience required
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Gender Any
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Industry General Healthcare
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Qualifications Degree Bachelor
Job Description
Cardiac Nurse
A Cardiac Nurse in the UK specializes in the care of patients with heart-related conditions. These nurses work in a variety of settings, including hospitals (cardiology departments, intensive care units, and cardiac wards), outpatient clinics, and community settings, providing specialized care to patients experiencing heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and other cardiovascular conditions. Cardiac nurses are essential in helping manage, treat, and prevent heart-related health issues, working alongside cardiologists, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals.
Key Responsibilities:
- Patient Assessment and Monitoring:
- Perform comprehensive assessments of patients with cardiovascular conditions, including taking detailed health histories and conducting physical examinations.
- Monitor patients’ vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels, and electrocardiograms (ECGs), to detect early signs of complications or deterioration.
- Recognize and respond to any changes in a patient’s cardiovascular status and adjust care plans accordingly.
- Cardiac Care and Treatment:
- Administer medications as prescribed by cardiologists, including antihypertensive drugs, anticoagulants, and antiarrhythmics, and monitor for side effects or complications.
- Assist with cardiac interventions such as catheterization, angioplasty, and other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.
- Manage patients receiving treatments such as pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), ensuring proper device function and monitoring for any complications.
- Provide support and education to patients undergoing cardiac surgery, such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or valve replacement.
- Cardiac Rehabilitation:
- Develop, implement, and monitor cardiac rehabilitation programs for patients recovering from heart surgery, heart attack, or other cardiac events.
- Provide advice on lifestyle changes, including dietary modifications, smoking cessation, physical activity, and stress management, to improve heart health.
- Assist in patient education on managing cardiovascular disease and preventing future complications, including understanding prescribed treatments, medications, and follow-up care.
- Chronic Disease Management:
- Monitor and manage chronic cardiovascular conditions, including heart failure, hypertension, arrhythmias, and coronary artery disease.
- Educate patients about managing their condition, recognizing symptoms, and following treatment plans to prevent further complications.
- Work with multidisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated care for patients with complex or multiple health conditions.
- Support During Cardiac Emergencies:
- Provide emergency care for patients experiencing acute cardiac events, such as heart attacks or arrhythmias, using protocols like advanced cardiac life support (ACLS).
- Administer resuscitation and other life-saving interventions in critical situations, ensuring rapid response and stabilization of the patient.
- Collaborate with the medical team in the management of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), including providing immediate care in the coronary care unit (CCU) or emergency department.
- Patient Education and Advocacy:
- Educate patients and families about heart health, including dietary guidelines, exercise plans, medication adherence, and understanding the risk factors for cardiovascular disease (e.g., smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol).
- Offer emotional support to patients and their families, helping them cope with the emotional impact of living with heart disease or recovering from cardiac procedures.
- Provide counselling for patients regarding long-term lifestyle modifications, including stress management and weight loss.
- Cardiac Investigations and Diagnostics:
- Assist with and interpret cardiac diagnostic tests, including ECGs, echocardiograms, stress tests, and Holter monitoring, to diagnose heart conditions and monitor patients’ progress.
- Prepare patients for diagnostic tests, explaining procedures and providing reassurance.
- Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to interpret test results and develop treatment plans based on findings.
- Post-operative Care and Recovery:
- Monitor and support patients during the post-operative period following cardiac surgery or invasive procedures such as angioplasty.
- Manage complications such as infections, bleeding, or arrhythmias in the immediate recovery phase.
- Provide education and support to patients post-surgery to help them understand the recovery process, medications, and follow-up appointments.
- Record Keeping and Documentation:
- Maintain accurate patient records, documenting assessments, treatments, progress, and any changes in condition.
- Ensure compliance with healthcare regulations and data protection laws by keeping patient information confidential and up to date.
- Complete discharge summaries and provide comprehensive care plans for follow-up visits.
- Collaboration with Healthcare Teams:
- Work closely with cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, physiotherapists, dietitians, and other healthcare professionals to deliver comprehensive patient care.
- Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss complex cases and develop individualized care plans for patients with heart conditions.
- Communicate effectively with colleagues to ensure continuity of care for patients during transitions from hospital to home or between healthcare settings.
- Continuing Education and Professional Development:
- Engage in continuous professional development (CPD) to stay current with new treatments, technologies, and evidence-based practices in cardiology.
- Attend training in specialized areas such as cardiac nursing, advanced life support (ALS), and post-cardiac surgery care.
- Participate in conferences, workshops, and educational programs to enhance skills and knowledge in the field of cardiology.
Skills and Qualifications:
- Registered Nurse (RN) Qualification:
- A Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (or equivalent).
- Registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Registered Nurse.
- Specialized Cardiac Nursing Qualification:
- Specialized training or postgraduate qualification in cardiac nursing, such as a cardiology nursing diploma or Advanced Cardiac Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) qualification.
- Additional training in areas such as electrocardiography (ECG) interpretation, cardiac rehabilitation, or advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) may be required.
- Clinical Skills:
- Proficient in the assessment and management of patients with cardiovascular conditions.
- Strong understanding of cardiac medications, such as anticoagulants, antiarrhythmics, and antihypertensives.
- Ability to administer intravenous therapy and provide wound care after cardiac procedures or surgery.
- Expertise in ECG interpretation, cardiac diagnostics, and monitoring devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators.
- Communication Skills:
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex medical information to patients and their families in a clear and empathetic manner.
- Strong written communication skills for accurate documentation and record-keeping.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals.
- Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving:
- Ability to make rapid clinical decisions based on patient assessments, clinical findings, and the latest evidence-based guidelines.
- Ability to respond appropriately to emergencies, such as cardiac arrest, heart attack, or arrhythmias.
- Patient-Centred Care:
- Compassionate and patient-centred approach to care, ensuring that patients’ needs, preferences, and values are prioritized.
- Ability to support patients in making informed decisions about their care and health management.
- Organizational Skills:
- Ability to manage a varied workload and prioritize tasks effectively, especially in high-pressure situations like cardiac emergencies.
- Excellent time management skills to provide timely interventions and follow-up care.
All applicants need to living in the United Kingdom (with residency in the UK, such as UK/Irish/EU Passport, or an Indefinite Leave to Remain Visa)