Senior Specialist Nurse Coronary Care Unit

Job Summary

The Senior Coronary Care Unit (CCU) Nurse plays a pivotal role in delivering high-quality, specialized nursing care to patients with acute and complex cardiac conditions. Working in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment, the Senior CCU Nurse is responsible for the assessment, monitoring, and management of patients with myocardial infarction, heart failure, arrhythmias, post-cardiac interventions, and other life-threatening cardiac events.

As a senior member of the CCU nursing team, this nurse provides clinical leadership, mentorship, and support to junior nurses and healthcare assistants. They ensure that patient care is evidence-based, timely, and aligned with institutional protocols and cardiology best practices. The role involves constant monitoring using advanced cardiac equipment (e.g., telemetry, intra-aortic balloon pumps, temporary pacemakers) and rapid response to changes in patient condition. The Senior CCU Nurse collaborates closely with cardiologists, critical care physicians, physiotherapists, pharmacists, and allied health professionals to develop and implement individualized care plans. They are also actively involved in quality improvement initiatives, incident reporting, and the ongoing education of staff and patients.

Excellent clinical judgment, critical thinking, and decision-making skills are essential, as is the ability to remain calm and effective during medical emergencies. The Senior CCU Nurse is expected to lead resuscitation efforts, participate in multidisciplinary rounds, and contribute to a culture of safety, empathy, and excellence in cardiac care. In addition to their clinical duties, the Senior CCU Nurse may assist in unit staffing coordination, audits, policy development, and orientation of new staff members. A compassionate approach, strong communication skills, and a commitment to continuous professional development are vital for success in this role.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership:

• Act as a clinical leader in the CCU, providing mentorship and guidance to junior nurses and support staff.
• Lead by example, promoting a culture of excellence in patient care and adherence to best practices.
• Participate in the orientation and training of new staff and students, fostering an environment of continuous learning.
• Lead or participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient care plans and improvements.

Strategic Development

• Contribute to the development and implementation of strategies to enhance CCU services, including the adoption of new technologies and treatment protocols.
• Participate in quality improvement projects aimed at reducing CCU mortality and morbidity rates.
• Assist in developing guidelines and protocols for CCU care that align with evidence-based practices.
• Engage in professional development opportunities to stay updated on the latest CCU nursing practices and innovations.

Governance

• Ensure compliance with all hospital policies, procedures, and regulatory standards, including infection control, medication management, and patient safety.
• Participate in clinical audits, incident reporting, and risk management activities to improve CCU care quality.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive documentation of patient care in accordance with legal and professional standards.
• Support the implementation of changes in clinical practice in response to audit findings or updated guidelines.

Other Responsibilities

• Provide specialized nursing care, including managing ventilators, administering advanced cardiac life support, and conducting CCU patient assessments.
• Respond promptly to emergency situations, initiating appropriate interventions to stabilize critically ill patients.
• Assist in the transfer of patients to and from the CCU, ensuring continuity of care and appropriate communication with receiving units.
• Provide emotional support and education to patients and their families, explaining conditions, treatments, and care plans.
• Ensuring clinical practice is based on validated research, and participating in quality assessment, research and clinical audits.
• In collaboration Head of Nursing and the Chief Nursing Officer, upholds the code of conduct and professional scope of practice of the nursing profession

Equality and Diversity

• Act as lead for Equality & Diversity in the Estates and Facilities department to ensure the development and effective implementation of a strategy, set of policies, procedures and monitoring and control systems are in place.

Personal and Staff Development

• Work with HR to undertake recruitment, retention, performance management and development of staff in the team.
• Work with the Recruitment Manager to establish connections with appropriate local, international and online communities to nurture a pipeline of talent to support the growth of the company.
• Responsible for development of high potential employees, providing a structured approach to mentoring and developing critical talent at all levels of management.

Communications And Working Relationships

• Collaborate closely with intensivists, consultants, surgeons, and other members of the healthcare team to provide holistic care to CCU patients.
•  Communicate effectively with patients’ families, providing regular updates on the patient's condition, treatment plans, and prognosis.
• Serve as a liaison between the CCU team and other hospital departments to coordinate patient care and resource allocation.
• Participate in team briefings, handovers, and case discussions to ensure continuity and quality of care.

Line Management

• Support the ICU/CCU Nurse Manager in managing staffing levels, including scheduling and coordinating shift patterns.
• Provide supervision, coaching, and support to junior nurses and healthcare assistants in the CCU.
• Assist in the appraisal and performance review of CCU nursing staff, identifying areas for development and training.
• Participate in the recruitment and induction of new CCU nursing staff. Provide strong leadership to develop, coach and ensure a high performing team.
• Establish the department goals, objectives and operating procedures.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Report to the ICU/CCU Nurse Manager or Head of Nursing, contributing to the strategic planning and development of CCU services.
• Represent the CCU in hospital-wide committees and working groups focused on patient safety, clinical governance, and quality improvement.
• Contribute to the hospital’s accreditation and compliance processes by ensuring adherence to CCU care standards.
• Support initiatives aimed at improving patient care outcomes and staff well-being within the CCU.

Confidentiality

The post holder must be aware that Confidential Information and data to which the post holder will have knowledge and access to in the course of their employment with the AMCE is to be kept confidential, and this confidentiality is a condition of employment. The duty to maintain confidentiality continues even when the post holder is no longer employed.

This information is not to be shared with anyone outside of the AMCE under any circumstances, except to the extent necessary to fulfil any duties and responsibilities required within the role. Furthermore, upon termination with the AMCE Abuja, the post holder will return to the AMCE all confidential information held.

General

The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and well-being and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.

To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of AMCE together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.

To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients, staff and visitors.

To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.

This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.

All employees must hold an AMCE email account, which will be the AMCE's formal route for email communication. You are therefore required to check this regularly and to deal with such communication promptly.

Infection Control Statement

The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to make to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene requirements of this role. These requirements are set out in the AMCE Code of Practice on Infection Control and in local policies and procedures, which will be made clear during your induction and subsequent refresher training. These standards must be strictly complied with at all times.