County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is inviting applications for the role of Cardiovascular Specialist Nurse. Closing date: 19 June 2026.
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest integrated care providers in England, serving a population of around 600,000 people. We are a high‑performing organisation that is dedicated to delivering excellent health and care services across County Durham and Darlington. The post is based at Innovation House in Bishop Auckland, covering the Dales area. Core hours are 09:00–17:00 Monday to Friday, with no weekend work for now.
Main duties of the job
- Case manage patients with a cardiac diagnosis in hospital or at home without direct supervision, reporting to the cardiovascular specialist nurses or the multidisciplinary team as appropriate.
- Contribute to the development of service‑specific guidelines and protocols that are evidence‑based.
- Assess patient need and develop a personalised plan of care that meets the needs of patients and carers.
- Work closely with key members of the team from primary and secondary care to alter the management plan as appropriate, communicating any changes in a timely manner.
- Deliver cardiac and heart failure rehabilitation across the boundaries of County Durham and Darlington in line with agreed protocols.
- Support service provision within the local area and across the wider foundation trust.
- Assist patients to identify and manage risk factors using behavioural change to self‑manage their condition.
- Monitor and manage adjustments in medication within agreed service protocols.
- Deliver specialist care to patients with coronary heart disease and heart failure within a team setting.
- Accept responsibility for decisions made and actions taken.
Job responsibilities
- Provide specialist nursing care, support and monitoring to patients with cardiovascular disease and heart failure.
- Deliver cardiac rehabilitation both face‑to‑face in classes and home‑based (heart manuals and/or digital).
- Optimise treatments prescribed following diagnosis and monitor effects.
- Educate and support around lifestyle issues and risk reduction.
- Provide day‑to‑day clinical supervision to others.
- Undertake specialist assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of clinical care for a caseload of patients/clients with cardiovascular disease and heart failure.
- Give specialist advice to patients, clients and carers.
- Act as an accountable practitioner.
- Maintain records as an autonomous practitioner.
- Assess and manage risk.
- Make independent travel around the Easington/Seaham area with occasional support for other teams across the CDDFT footprint.
About the organisation
We provide hospital services from two acute sites – Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham – and a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland. Community care is delivered from hospitals in Chester‑Le‑Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield, Weardale and many other community settings, including patients’ homes.
We particularly encourage applications from disabled and BAME candidates as these groups are under‑represented within our workforce.
Qualifications
- Degree level qualification or evidence of study at degree level.
- Active first level registration with the NMC.
- Specialist professional knowledge acquired through a degree or equivalent level of demonstration, supplemented by diploma‑level specialist training, experience or short course.
- Sound knowledge of national and regional policies influencing coronary heart disease and heart failure.
- Accredited cardiology or heart failure course.
- Physical assessment skills course.
- Independent prescribing course and prescribing experience.
- Accredited teaching qualification (or working towards).
Statutory Registration
- Nursing & Midwifery Council part 1 and 2 registration.
- Registered Nurse (adult or child) on part 1 of the NMC register.
- Valid UK NMC PIN.
Special skills and knowledge
- Good verbal and written communication skills.
- Good organisational and facilitation skills.
- Ability to work independently.
- Knowledge of clinical governance.
- IT literacy.
- Reflective practice ability.
Special requirements
- Able to travel independently around County Durham & Darlington.
- Flexible attitude to work.
- Able to safely move and handle loads.
- Driving posts must have a valid full UK driving licence.
Experience
- Significant post‑registration experience, some of which must be in cardiology.
- Experience of cardiac rehabilitation.
- Experience of health improvement/promotion.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check to screen for any previous criminal convictions.
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 per annum, pro rata.
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