Aortic Dissection Specialist Nurse

Job Title: Aortic Care Specialist
The post holder will work closely with a wide range of professionals and stakeholders, including:

• Aortic surgeons (cardiac and vascular)
• Cardiologists, intensivists, anaesthetists
• Geneticists
• Radiologists and imaging cardiologists
• Advanced Care Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialist colleagues
• Administrative, audit, and data management staff
• Surgical ward staff
• University of Liverpool academic partners
• Referring hospitals across the UK
• Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust
• Aortic Dissection Awareness UK Charity

Key Responsibilities:

• Attend ward rounds with Lead Aortic ACP and Aorto-Vascular Fellows, ensuring appropriate documentation on EPR.
• Manage acute patients in line with national and local protocols.
• Manage follow-up care for patients with acute and chronic aortic dissection, including outpatient clinic coordination.
• Provide specialist advice, education, and support to patients, families, and referring clinicians.
• Coordinate imaging and investigations, liaising with local hospitals.
• Deliver genetic screening and counselling where appropriate, in conjunction with Consultant Geneticist.
• Support clinical decision-making independently and within the MDT.

MDT Preparation and Documentation:

• Ensure all patients requiring review are listed for MDT meetings.
• Collate and present clinical data to the MDT in conjunction with Aortic Fellows and ACP Lead.
• Document MDT decisions on EPR and ensure timely implementation.
• Manage onward referrals and care pathways.

Audit, Data & Governance:

• Contribute to accurate data collection in line with regional and national requirements.
• Lead and participate in audits and service evaluation.
• Support clinical governance and patient safety initiatives.

Education & Training:

• Develop and deliver regional aortic dissection education sessions for acute trusts and emergency departments.
• Provide training for colleagues, patients, and carers.
• Act as a resource for clinical expertise across the Trust and wider network.
• Maintain own professional development.

Patient Engagement & Support:

• Help coordinate patient engagement days and support initiatives.
• Refer patients to national charities for support and resources.

Research & Innovation:

• Support recruitment into clinical trials.
• Participate in current and future research projects in collaboration with the University of Liverpool.

Professional Development:

• Maintain and develop clinical expertise in aortic disease.
• Engage in CPD, supervision, and appraisal processes.
• Contribute to service redesign and innovation.
• Demonstrate excellent values and behaviours in line with Trust standards.

Managerial and Leadership:

• Identify own development needs and set personal development objectives in discussion with reviewer.
• Take responsibility for own personal development and maintain a Personal Development Plan (PDP).
• Make effective use of learning opportunities and contribute to developing the workplace as a learning environment.
• Actively participate in continuing education programmes, including staff meetings, tutorials, training sessions, clinical supervision, and reflective practice.
• Undertake annual mandatory training updates and other relevant courses in line with Trust and local policies.
• Share responsibility for delivering training and development programmes for the multidisciplinary team, internally and externally.
• Identify and contribute to ongoing clinical and service developments to enhance quality care.
• Act as a role model, providing mentorship and/or clinical supervision to other staff and learners.
• Promote the service and disseminate good practice both internally and externally to the Trust.

Communication:

• Communicate effectively with a wide range of people, adapting to their level of understanding.
• Use communication skills to gain informed consent and be aware of barriers to effective communication.
• Assess capacity, gain valid informed consent, and work within legal frameworks for patients lacking capacity.
• Explore complex issues and make decisions that encourage effective participation.
• Communicate highly sensitive condition-related information empathetically and reassuringly.
• Receive and manage highly sensitive information concerning patients' medical conditions.
• Adapt delivery of information using appropriate methods and environments, including breaking bad news and supporting patients with special needs.
• Provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching, and instruction to relatives, carers, and professionals.
• Maintain comprehensive and accurate assessment and treatment records in line with legal and directorate requirements.
• Communicate assessment and treatment results to appropriate disciplines via letters and reports.
• Ensure safeguarding concerns are managed and escalated appropriately in line with Trust policy, including MCA and DOLS considerations.

Planning and Organising:

• Accept clinical responsibility for a diverse and often complex caseload of patients, including clinics, and organise and plan this efficiently and effectively regarding clinical priorities and use of time.
• Decide priorities for own work area, balancing patient-related and professional demands and ensuring that these remain in accordance with those of the service.
• Demonstrate a sound understanding of Governance and Risk Management and apply to work situations.
• Attend staff meetings and participate in discussions concerning the running of the service.
• Actively contribute to and support agreed developments and directorate/Trust objectives.