Senior Specialist Nurse, Coronary Care Unit (CCU) at Deloitte

Job Purpose

The Senior Specialist Nurse, Coronary Care Unit (CCU) is a highly skilled and experienced registered nurse dedicated to providing critical care to patients with acute cardiac conditions. This role requires a deep understanding of cardiovascular physiology, acute cardiac interventions, and advanced life support. The Senior Specialist Nurse CCU plays a crucial role in stabilizing patients, minimizing complications, optimizing patient outcomes and managing the junior nursing staff within the CCU.

Core Responsibilities

Patient Assessment and Clinical Care Delivery

• Provide expert nursing care for patients with cardiac conditions, including assessment, monitoring, and management of acute coronary syndromes, heart failure, arrhythmias, post-cardiac surgery, and other cardiovascular disorders.
• Initiate and administer medications (including IV drugs), anticoagulants, and other treatments as per AMCE’s protocols and patient needs.
• Monitor and interpret cardiac rhythms, and intervene as necessary, including defibrillation, cardioversion, or other emergency interventions.
• Conduct regular physical assessments, monitor vital signs, oxygen saturation, and laboratory values, ensuring early recognition and management of deterioration.
• Manage invasive monitoring techniques such as central venous pressure (CVP), arterial lines, and intra-arterial monitoring.
• Provide post-operative care for cardiac surgery patients, ensuring effective pain management, wound care, and rehabilitation.
• Implement and monitor non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and invasive mechanical ventilation in patients as required.

Emergency Response

• Respond to medical emergencies such as cardiac arrest, acute arrhythmias, or other life-threatening conditions, taking leadership in resuscitation efforts, implementing advanced life support (ALS), and managing critical care situations.
• Administer and interpret diagnostic tests, including 12-lead ECG, chest X-ray, and laboratory results, ensuring timely interventions.

Patient and Family Education

• Educate patients and their families on managing heart disease, including lifestyle changes, medication adherence, risk factor modification, and the importance of ongoing follow-up care.
• Provide emotional support to patients and families, addressing concerns related to diagnosis, treatment options, and recovery.

Safety and Compliance

• Ensure adherence to AMCE health and safety policies, including the safe handling of medications, equipment, and patient safety protocols.
• Follow infection control procedures to minimize the risk of hospital-acquired infections and ensure patient safety.
• Actively participate in the development and implementation of clinical guidelines and protocols to ensure best practice and safe care delivery.

Quality Improvement

• Participate in regular audits, quality assurance activities, and evidence-based research to continually improve service delivery and patient outcomes.
• Identify opportunities for improvement in patient care and contribute to the development of solutions and action plans.

Training and Professional Development

• Engage in ongoing education and professional development, ensuring up-to-date knowledge of advances in cardiovascular care, cardiac nursing, and critical care.
• Contribute to the orientation, education, and development of new and junior staff within the Coronary Care Unit.

Qualifications

Educational Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing or equivalent from a recognized institution OR;
• Diploma in Nursing with post-basic training in Cardiovascular nursing.

Professional Requirements

• Valid nursing license
• Membership in relevant medical associations
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or equivalent certification, with proven skills in advanced life support

Experience Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years post registered nursing experience, with at least 5 years specializing in cardiovascular administration.
• Direct experience in managing acute cardiac conditions such as Acute myocardial infarction (MI), Heart failure (Acute and chronic), post-cardia surgery recovery, acute and chronic respiratory failure in cardiac patients
• Experience with invasive monitoring techniques such as Central venous pressure (CVP), arterial line insertion and management, etc.

Knowledge Requirements

• In-depth knowledge of the cardiovascular system, including cardiac anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology.
• Knowledge of and experience with cardiac diagnostic equipment and techniques, including ECG interpretation. 
• A deep understanding of Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) protocols and procedures.
• Comprehensive knowledge of medications used in cardiac care, including vasoactive drugs, antiarrhythmics, and anticoagulants.
• Ability to interpret hemodynamic parameters and make informed clinical decisions.
• Proficiency in interpreting ECG rhythms and identifying arrhythmias.
• A solid foundation in critical care nursing principles, including assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Knowledge of current evidence-based practices in cardiac care.

​Skill Requirements

• Strong clinical skills, including advanced cardiac assessment, hemodynamic monitoring, and medication administration
• Effective communication skills to interact with patients, families, and healthcare team members
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to perform effectively in sensitive situations.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Proficiency in patient assessment and critical-thinking abilities to prioritize patient safety
• Strong collaborative skills to work seamlessly within a fast-paced multidisciplinary environment
• Good leadership skills to mentor junior staff and take initiative

​Personal Abilities

• Professional attitude towards work
• Shares the AMCE’s vision
• Proactive and organized
• Commitment to clinical governance / improving quality of patient care
• Has personal and professional credibility and commands the respect of colleagues and peers
• Supportive and approachable and capable of inspiring confidence in staff members
• Ability to manage stress and maintain composure in high-pressure situations
• High attention to detail 
• Openness to new ideas and continuous improvement
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• High levels of honesty and integrity
• Empathy and compassion for patients, with a focus on delivering patient-centred care