Job Description

The Cath Lab Nurse plays a pivotal role in supporting patients undergoing diagnostic and interventional cardiovascular procedures.



Working within the cardiac catheterization laboratory, you will collaborate closely with cardiologists, radiographers, Cardiac Physiologists and other members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality care before, during, and after procedures.



This role is ideal for a proactive, detail-oriented nurse with a passion for cardiac care and a commitment to continuous learning and excellence in clinical practice.



The post holder will work as part of the Cardiac Catheter Lab team assisting medical staff with diagnostic and interventional procedures, angiogram, PCI, pacing and EPS .



In this theatre style environment the nurse/practitioner will have both scrub and circulating duties. There is a requirement to wear a lead PPE during the procedures.



You will be required to promote and maintain a caring and highly professional standard of nursing, meeting the needs of the patients pre, during and post cath lab procedures.



You will act as a professional role model.



The successful candidate will be an RGN (min 1 yrs experience in a cardiology setting), will be ILS trained and will have an awareness of how to deal with cardiac emergencies and post cath lab procedure complications.



Ashford and St. Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of more than 410,000 people living in North-West Surrey, parts of Hounslow and beyond.



Over 3,700 highly trained doctors, nurses, midwives, therapists, healthcare scientists and other support staff make up our workforce, providing a wide range of services across our two hospital sites, Ashford, Surrey and St Peter's, Chertsey, Surrey.



We also run many specialist clinics in the community and local community hospitals and other healthcare facilities.



Our vision is to be one of the best healthcare Trusts in the country. There has never been a better time to join us in the NHS at ASPH. We are committed to providing continuous professional development and flexibility to shape our workforce around our patient care.



We are expanding our theatres at Ashford Hospital and moving towards this becoming our dedicated elective centre. We want to create a state-of-the-art centre for excellence for planned surgical procedures.



We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:



Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement



On-site Nurseries



On-site staff cafes



On-site parking



Support in career development



Salary Sacrifice schemes including wage stream, lease cars, Cycle to Work schemes and home electronics



Adverts may close early, so applicants are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.

For more information about a career at ASPH please visit:

www.asph-careers.org



The Cath Lab Nurse is an essential member of the multidisciplinary cardiac care team, responsible for delivering high-quality nursing care to patients undergoing invasive and non-invasive cardiovascular procedures. This role encompasses pre-procedural preparation, intra-procedural assistance, and post-procedural recovery care, ensuring patient safety and promoting optimal clinical outcomes.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Patient Preparation:

Conduct pre-procedure assessments, including allergy checks, medical history reviews, and baseline observations.



Verify patient consent and readiness for scheduled procedures.



Provide emotional support and patient education on procedures and aftercare.

2. Intra-Procedure Support:

Scrub and circulate during angiograms, angioplasties, pacemaker/ICD insertions, and other interventional cardiac procedures.



Assist the cardiologist with sterile technique and catheter handling.



Monitor and record patient vitals continuously throughout procedures.



Administer IV medications, including sedation and anticoagulants, as per protocol.



Anticipate the needs of the operator and maintain sterility and procedure flow.

3. Post-Procedure Care:

Manage vascular access sites including radial and femoral, ensuring safe removal of sheaths and proper haemostasis.



Monitor patients during recovery for signs of complications (e.g., bleeding, arrhythmias, vasovagal responses).



Document post-procedure assessments and nursing interventions accurately.



Provide discharge instructions and follow-up education.

4. Emergency Response:

Respond promptly and appropriately to cardiac emergencies, including STEMI activations (PPCI) and cardiac arrest.



Perform Basic and Advanced Life Support (BLS/ALS) interventions when required.



Participate in resuscitation and emergency procedures within the lab.

5. Equipment and Environment Management:

Check and prepare equipment and instrumentation prior to procedures.



Maintain cleanliness, organization, and readiness of the Cath Lab environment.



Ensure all equipment faults or issues are reported and escalated.

6. Communication and Teamwork:

Collaborate effectively with cardiologists, radiographers, technicians, and other nurses.



Participate in daily team briefings and debriefings (e.g., huddles).



Contribute to a positive, respectful, and patient-focused team culture.

7. Governance and Compliance:

Adhere to infection control, health and safety, safeguarding, and data protection policies.



Ensure accurate and timely documentation in patient records.



Participate in audits, incident reporting, and quality improvement initiatives.

8. Professional Development:

Engage in continuous learning and skills development relevant to Cath Lab nursing.



Attend mandatory training sessions and professional development courses.



Maintain up-to-date registration with the NMC and fulfill revalidation requirements.

Person Specification:

Qualifications:

Registered Nurse (NMC registered). ILS certification preferred.

Experience:

Minimum 1 year Cath Lab experience desirable.

Skills:

Excellent ECG interpretation, IV drug administration, strong communication, ability to work under pressure.

Attributes:

Team player, attention to detail, proactive, compassionate, and adaptable.

Working Conditions:

Exposure to acute cardiac emergencies.



Physically demanding with periods of standing, moving, and wearing PPE.



Participation in on-call rota, evening, or weekend shifts as required.