Specialist Nurse (ICVD) – Band 6

About the Role

Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is looking for an experienced, motivated and compassionate Specialist Nurse to join its Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases (ICVD) team in London. This Band 6 opportunity is suited to a skilled cardiac nurse who wants to develop specialist expertise while supporting children, young people and their families affected by inherited heart conditions.

The ICVD team provides care for patients with inherited cardiomyopathies, inherited cardiac rhythm disorders and inherited aortic conditions. Alongside supporting children who have already been diagnosed, the service runs screening programmes for those who may be at increased risk because of their family history.

The service is primarily outpatient-based, with clinics operating throughout the week. However, support also extends to patients at home, in the community and during hospital admissions. You will help coordinate clinics, collect detailed family medical histories and liaise with external healthcare professionals to ensure families receive appropriate support throughout screening, diagnosis and ongoing care.

You will work alongside a multidisciplinary team of specialist nurses, cardiologists, clinical assistants, psychologists, geneticists and administrative colleagues. You will also collaborate closely with electrophysiology, ECG, echocardiography and MRI departments to help deliver coordinated, patient-centred care.

This vacancy is offered as a 12-month fixed-term contract at Band 6. There may be an opportunity to apply for a Band 7 position within the team at the end of the contract period. Applications are particularly encouraged from experienced cardiac nurses currently working at Band 6.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop specialist clinical knowledge and work towards becoming an expert in inherited cardiovascular diseases.
• Deliver safe, compassionate and evidence-based nursing care to children and their families.
• Assess each child's needs and work with families to plan, implement and evaluate individualised care.
• Maintain accurate, clear and up-to-date clinical documentation.
• Promote effective communication between the multidisciplinary team, other hospital departments, relatives and visitors.
• Follow Trust policies and agreed clinical standards, escalating concerns when the expected standard of care cannot be achieved.
• Support the education and practical development of ward nursing staff through formal teaching and informal guidance.
• Participate in clinical audits and reviews of the learning environment to support quality improvement.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and protect sensitive information relating to each child's admission, assessment and treatment.

About Great Ormond Street Hospital

Great Ormond Street Hospital is committed to delivering high-quality care while creating a fair, respectful and inclusive working environment. The Trust aims to recruit staff through an open and consistent process that provides equal opportunities for all applicants.

The organisation is actively working to challenge racism, tackle discrimination and remove barriers to professional development. Its anti-racism commitment is supported by an action plan developed in collaboration with the REACH staff network.

GOSH welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds, including people with disabilities, long-term health conditions and members of the LGBTQ+ community. The Trust is a Disability Confident Employer, a member of the Business Disability Forum and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.

Staff networks, including REACH, PRIDE, ENABLED and the Women's Networks, help strengthen an inclusive workplace where colleagues feel respected, supported and valued. Collaboration, respect and curiosity remain central to the Trust's approach to patient care and professional development.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

Professional Qualifications

• Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Children's Nurse, or as an Adult Nurse with significant relevant experience in the specialty.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development related to the clinical specialty.
• A relevant honours degree or evidence of working towards obtaining one.
• An appropriate assessing and mentoring qualification.

Clinical Knowledge and Experience

• Demonstrable knowledge of inherited cardiovascular diseases.
• Experience coordinating and managing patient care.
• An understanding of current professional issues and developments in nursing.
• Knowledge of resource management, health and safety, clinical risk and quality standards.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent clinical assessment and nursing skills relevant to cardiac care.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to teach, train and support other members of the nursing team.
• Confidence in problem-solving and initiating improvements in clinical practice.
• The ability to work effectively across professional teams and organisational boundaries.
• Good organisational skills, including prioritising workloads and delegating tasks appropriately.

Desirable Criteria

Applicants with any of the following experience or qualifications may have an additional advantage:

• Previous experience in cardiology or in a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) role.
• Experience in teaching, clinical supervision or staff management.
• Involvement in clinical research and audit projects.
• Experience contributing to service development, change management and problem-solving.
• Experience dealing with clinical incidents and complaints.
• Additional training in leadership or management.
• The ability to motivate colleagues and support the development of other team members.

UK Visa and Sponsorship Information

Applications are welcome from candidates who require Skilled Worker visa sponsorship to work in the UK. Such applicants will be considered alongside other candidates, in accordance with the Trust's recruitment process. Sponsorship is not guaranteed, and applicants should check their eligibility before applying.

For official information about eligibility, requirements and the application process, read the GOV.UK Skilled Worker visa guidance.

You can also consult the government's official UK Visas and Immigration information for further details about UK immigration and visa services.

Important Recruitment Information

The advertised closing date is a guide and the vacancy may close earlier if enough applications are received. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing the opportunity.

Shortlisting will be based on how clearly applicants demonstrate that they meet the essential requirements in the person specification. If a high number of applications is received, additional criteria may be used to identify candidates for interview.

The Trust also advises that certain administrative and clerical vacancies at Bands 2–4 involve a two-stage recruitment process, including online literacy, numeracy, ICT and typing assessments before a formal interview. This provision is relevant to those specified roles rather than the Band 6 nursing vacancy advertised here.

How to Apply

Before submitting an application, candidates should review the complete job description and person specification available through the employer's recruitment portal. Your application should clearly demonstrate your cardiac nursing experience, relevant qualifications, specialist knowledge and ability to deliver safe, family-centred care.

If you have the relevant cardiac nursing experience and a genuine commitment to supporting children and families, this role offers an opportunity to contribute to a specialist service while developing your professional expertise.