Advanced Practitioner Heart Failure/Palliative Care

About us

St Christopher’s was founded in 1967 by Dame Cicely Saunders and led the development of the modern hospice movement. Fully committed to delivering education and research programmes alongside expert practice related to the experiences of death, dying and loss, we aim to provide a holistic approach to our care, offering help and support at home as well as in outpatient and inpatient settings. 

Your new role 

Bromley CCG & St Christopher’s Community Palliative Care Team (in Bromley) have piloted a very successful and innovative integrated community palliative care / heart failure service within the borough and this post continues to build on that success. The focus of the service is to support heart failure patients (thought to be in the palliative phase of their life) in the community to reduce their symptom burden and consequently improve their quality of life by reducing the need for hospital admission.

The role is for 1 year, during which time we are expanding the service across the organization, which we hope will ultimately become embedded in the community team. We would consider applications from nurses seeking a secondment opportunity, & will consider applications from nurses wishing to apply for a CNS post to train to fulfill this position. The successful applicant will be part of the community palliative team, but will be working closely with, & supporting the community heart failure nurse specialists in delivering end of life care to heart failure patients.

To succeed in this role

We are currently looking for a dynamic, committed and enthusiastic nurse with experience in heart failure & palliative care. Ideally the post holder should have a minimum of three years’ post registration experience and a post basic qualification in palliative care. Heart Failure experience is desirable & a willingness to learn is essential. 

Do you strive to deliver care that is empowering to both the patient and to those around them to be able to be the best they can be? 

Can you work autonomously, but in the knowledge that you have an experienced and supportive multidisciplinary team behind you comprising a Consultant doctor, a consultant nurse and a variety of nurses with a varied background?

Are you solutions focussed, goal oriented and a great team player? Close working relationships with cardiology and primary care will be a key to the success of the service. 

Can you support colleagues in the community, sharing your knowledge & expertise in cardiac disease?

Are you able to undertake comprehensive assessments of patients with advanced heart failure and formulate care plans including the patient and family goals and preferences for care?

Additionally, it is just as important to us that you have the following skills;

• Passionate about looking after people and driving positive change to support your patients and carers;

• Ability to ‘go the extra mile’

• Confident, influential and with excellent customer service skills;

• Excellent communicator & able to use advanced clinical reasoning

• Keen to develop and learn

• Have a can do attitude

• Possess a full driving license and have access to their own vehicle.

What you will get in return is a stimulating and rewarding career with an opportunity to influence and make a real difference in the community. In addition, you will benefit from access to excellent training and development opportunities, a number of health and wellbeing schemes, a competitive contributory pension scheme and life assurance scheme with generous beneficiary plan. You will also have access to free off-street parking nearby, an onsite staff canteen at our Sydenham site and facilities to order lunch at our Orpington site. 

What you need to do now if you are interested, please contact Isobel Jackson Lead Nurse for Heart Failure/Palliative Care i.jackson@stchristophers.org.uk or call 07720669148  for an informal discussion about the role. 

Please check out our website for further information on all aspects of St Christopher’s at www.stchristophers.org.uk and to apply for this position, please click the ‘Apply Online’ button below.

Closing Date:  4th April 2023

Shortlisting Date: 5th April 2023

Please note, each application is scored according to how well the supporting statement addresses each point on the Person Specification for the role. Candidates will be short-listed for interview on the extent to which they meet the specific points within the Person Specification. When completing your application, please use the supporting statement section to tell us how you meet each of the points in the Person Specification.