Heart Failure Service Clinical Nurse Specialist Lead

Job summary
We are seeking an experienced, highly skilled and motivated Heart Failure Clinical Nurse specialist Lead to take on a pivotal leadership role within our established Heart Failure Service.

This is a key senior post with responsibility for driving high quality, patient centred care, providing strong clinical and professional leadership, and supporting the delivery, evaluation and development of both existing and new heart failure services. The successful candidate will play a central role in shaping and progressing the strategic vision for heart failure care, working collaboratively across a wide multidisciplinary and regional network.

The post holder will act as an expert clinical practitioner, managing complex patients across inpatient and community settings, while fostering strong collaboration with cardiology, primary care and community teams to ensure seamless care pathways. You will lead on service improvement, contribute to innovation and quality initiatives, and support the ongoing development of the nursing workforce through education, mentorship and professional leadership.

This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and forward-thinking nurse leader who is passionate about improving patient outcomes and driving service development within a supportive and progressive environment.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide visible and effective clinical leadership to the Heart Failure Nursing Team, ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality, patient-centred care. They will act as an expert clinical practitioner, supporting the management of complex heart failure patients across inpatient and community settings, and promoting excellence in professional practice.

The role includes responsibility for leading and supporting the delivery, evaluation and ongoing development of heart failure services, including the implementation of new models of care in line with local and national priorities. The post holder will work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team, including cardiology, primary care and community services, to ensure integrated and seamless patient pathways.

The successful candidate will contribute to service improvement, clinical governance, audit and quality initiatives, supporting the strategic development of the service. They will also play a key role in education, training and professional development of nursing and wider multidisciplinary colleagues, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, patient safety and innovation.

They will be responsible for effective communication across local and regional networks, representing the service as required, and supporting the delivery of organisational and service objectives

About us
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Boards in the UK, employing over 17,000 staff, providing over 100 specialist services. Working across 6 hospital sites, we have a diverse range of career opportunities to offer. Serving over 500,000 people living in Cardiff and the Vale, we are focussed on the health and care needs of our local population whilst working with our partners to develop regional services. Together we are committed to improving health outcomes for everyone, delivering excellent care and support.

Our mission is "Living Well, Caring Well, Working Together", and our vision is that every person's chance of leading a healthy life should be equal. Our 10-year transformation and improvement strategy, Shaping Our Future Wellbeing, is our chance to work collaboratively with the public and our workforce to make our health board more sustainable for the future.

Details
Date posted: 04 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £58,379 to £65,723 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 001-NMR184-0626-B
Job locations: University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, CF14 4XW

Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac

The post holder will act as a Clinical Leader and Professional Manager for the Heart Failure Service, providing clear and visible leadership to the nursing team and ensuring the delivery of safe, highquality, patientcentred care. They will support the Lead Nurse and clinical leadership team in the operational management, service development, and clinical governance of the Heart Failure Service.

The role includes responsibility for leading and developing the nursing workforce, including line management, professional development, and ensuring staff are supported to deliver care in line with professional standards and organisational expectations. The post holder will ensure appropriate workforce planning, skill mix, and deployment to meet service demands safely and effectively.

The successful candidate will contribute to the strategic development and delivery of heart failure services, including the implementation of new models of care aligned to national and organisational priorities. They will work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams across hospital and community settings to ensure integrated, seamless care pathways and improved patient outcomes.

Person Specification
Essential

• Registered Nurse
• Evidence of study at Masters level
• CPA course or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Service improvement experience
• Independent prescribing

Essential

• Clinically credible with experience of working alongside a multi-disciplinary team, caring for acutely unwell patients. Experience of working in Heart Failure service

Desirable

• Safeguarding LEVEL 2 & 3

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.

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Address: University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, CF14 4XW, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://cavuhb.nhs.wales/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Lead Nurse
Ceri Phillips
ceri.phillips2@wales.nhs.uk
02921843567