Heart failure specialist nurse

Job summary
This is a new substantive post to continue the work of a successful pilot project which established a specialist community heart failure service in North Norfolk.

This service is community based and involves working with primary, secondary and tertiary care to provide a high quality service to promote detection, treatment and ongoing care for heart failure patients in the community.

You should have substantial experience with nursing heart failure patients.

Community nursing experience and experience of case management would be an advantage.

Main duties of the job
To provide the highest standard of holistic safe and effective care through the use of guideline directed medical therapies in line with agreed local and national standards.

Accountable for the planning and delivery of all aspects of patient care throughout the working period as set out in the NMC Code.

To provide a continuously improving service in line with the clinical governance framework, Trust objectives, and the NHS performance framework.

To provide clinical leadership, expertise, advice and support to the nursing and multi-professional team to facilitate the effective delivery of care to patients at all times.

About us
This role is based in North Walsham and uses a number of EEC sites across North Norfolk to provide clinics close to patients homes and home visits for house bound patients.

The service works closely with other community services including the community matrons and community nursing and therapy teams.

Please note, the selection processes at East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust are in place to ensure we recruit candidates with the right values and skills, please be advised that the use of AI in applications are monitored. We remain watchful of candidates who misuse these tools to generate an application that doesn't accurately reflect their skills.

Details
Date posted: 23 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year pro rata per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
Reference number: 839-8375220-JH
Job locations: North Walsham, Yarmouth road, Norfolk, NR23 9AP, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

• To provide the highest standard of holistic care for patients in the assessment and management of patients in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team to improve and maintain the quality and safety of patient care
• To contribute to the delivery and development of the Heart Failure service through the use of effective evidence based practice in line with agreed national standards for clinical practice
• To be accountable for the planning and delivery of all aspects of patient care in relation to Heart Failure Services and as set out in the NMC Code
• To continuously improve clinical care standards in line with the clinical governance framework to ensure the highest quality of care is provided in safest manner
• To provide specialist clinical advice and support to clinical staff within EEC on the management and care of patients with Heart Failure to facilitate the effective delivery of care to patients
• To communicate effectively with all members of the multi-disciplinary team, patients, carers and the public
• To act as a resource and role model for the profession at all times
• To provide education and training to clinical staff and internal/external agencies
• To manage own case load of patients and independently review patients in clinic setting with Heart Failure
• Support the provision of Heart Failure knowledge and advice to other nursing staff, the wider multi-professional team, allied health professionals, patients and their families/carers
• Support the provision of education and training for nursing and allied health professionals; including health promotion
• Communicate with medical staff and other health professionals regarding patient conditions and clinical care plan, disseminating this information to the wider clinical team
• Ensure effective communication with patients, relatives and carers, explaining medical conditions, progress and investigations taking into consideration level of understanding, culture and background
• Encourage and support patients to take an active part in their own care
• Communicate with staff at all levels to motivate and advise on achieving high standards of care
• Maintain effective links with specialist nurses, utilising their skills and knowledge
• Represent the specialism/clinical area at appropriate forums, cascading information both up and down the organisation
• Demonstrate a caring, nurturing attitude at all times with patients, carers and relatives

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Current NMC Registration as 1st Level adult registered nurse
• Post-registration qualification relating to Cardiovascular Disease
• Post-registration teaching qualification e.g. ENB 998 or equivalent

Desirable

• To have or be working towards first or higher degree
• Independent Prescriber (or willing to undertake) Advanced Clinical Practice

Experience
Essential

• Up to date relevant clinical practice underpinned by highly specialised knowledge and experience
• Able to demonstrate management skills and experience
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of change management
• Good knowledge of NHS and Social Care structures and policy (most notably NICE and ESC Heart Failure Guidelines)
• Able to demonstrate examples of innovative practice

Desirable

• Previous experience in project management or service development
• Understanding of Primary, Community and Secondary care within the current NHS agenda

Skills, ability and knowledge
Essential

• Ability to work effectively within a number of different teams, demonstrating facilitative leadership skills
• Committed to developing clinical practice
• Interested in research and evidence-based practice
• Ability to travel between different bases
• Good IT skills
• Able to perform advanced assessments to support clinical decision making and developing a management plan
• Advanced clinical reasoning skills

Communication
Essential

• Self-motivated and directed
• Excellent expert communication skills
• Demonstrate empathy and sensitivity

Desirable

• Chairing meetings
• Evidence of Advanced communication training to include difficult / sensitive end of life discussions

Personal and people development
Essential

• Management / supervision of a team or other staff and facilitating development
• Delivering training / education to other professionals

Personal attributes/behaviours
Essential

• Flexible and committed
• Innovative and proactive
• Work autonomously under pressure, able to prioritise work with good time keeping
• Supporting colleagues when under pressure
• Act as role model, identify gaps in learning and identify own training needs
• Demonstrate responsibility for the wellbeing of patients other colleagues and self

Other
Essential

• Must hold full and valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle
• Able to communicate effectively in written and verbal English Language

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.

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: East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust
Address: North Walsham, Yarmouth road, Norfolk, NR23 9AP, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.eastofenglandcommunityhealthandcare.nhs.uk/

For questions about the job, contact:
Lead heart failure nurse, Rhona Dray, rhona.dray@nhs.net, 07833433658

Supporting documents
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