University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Rheumatology Practitioner

The closing date is 28 April 2026

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Job summary

Applications are invited for the post of Rheumatology Practitioner within the Rheumatology department at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust. This can be an established Rheumatology Practitioner or someone wishing to advance their skills in rheumatology. We have positions available in the East - Christchurch and the West - Dorchester.

We are looking for an innovative, motivated practitioner interested in rheumatology who would fit into this team. You will be expected to develop your rheumatology practice and become an autonomous practitioner caring for patients with Rheumatic conditions. The specialist practitioner service works within a multi-disciplinary team providing holistic care for patients including practitioner-led clinics, advice via a telephone helpline service, provision of shared care monitoring, and assisting in delivery of consultant led outpatient clinics.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to work in a multi disciplinary team environment. This would be suitable for an Allied Health Professional or clinical nurse with some awareness of rheumatology. You will be interested in injection therapy, ultrasound and independent prescribing training. To apply for the post you must have clinical patient experience

This role requires an Active UK NMC or HCPC Registration

Interview date: Friday 8th May 2026

Main duties of the job

The role includes practitioner-led clinics, advice via a telephone helpline service, provision of shared care monitoring, and assisting in delivery of consultant led outpatient clinics.

Full support will be provided from the band 7 Rheumatology practitioners as well as from the rheumatology consultants enabling you to develop your skills and be able to run outpatient clinics as well as the patient adviceline

You will have excellent communication skills which will be essential in an MDT approach to management including linking with primary care.

About us

UHD are investing, developing and transforming Trust services in line with the New Hospital Programme. As part of this, some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or permanently. Recruiting Managers will be happy to answer any service-specific questions at interview.

This service has a planned East and West model, with the East moving to Christchurch site in Summer 2026.

If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions.

UHD has active networks including Women's, BAME, Pride, EU, Pro Ability, and Armed Forces. We support Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant interview schemes.

AI tools may be used, but applications must honestly reflect your own skills and experience. Integrity is key to our recruitment process.

Details

Date posted

14 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year pa/pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

153-ME05865

Job locations

University Hospitals Dorset Christchurch and Dorchester

Dorset

BH23 2JX


Job description

Job responsibilities

To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Current registration with professional body
  • Evidence of degree study
  • Expectation to undertake Enhanced Practice qualification or equivalent
  • Willing to work towards independent prescribing qualification
  • Demonstrates evidence of on-going continuous professional development

Desirable

  • Physical examination/assessment course or recognised equivalent

Experience

Essential

  • Clinical knowledge of musculo-skeletal and inflammatory arthritis conditions and assessment
  • Demonstrates ability to apply research-based practice and advocate it to improve the quality of patient clinical assessment and management.

Desirable

  • NMR IRMER experience
  • Recent experience / evidence of managing a caseload of rheumatology patients

Technical Skills Competencies

Essential

  • Able to obtain, analyse and interpret information from patient assessment and interventions, to formulate diagnoses, plan and implement care plans
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, using a range of methods e.g. verbal, written and record keeping

Desirable

  • A commitment to improving patient services through an ability to sustain a clear performance focus on achieving demanding goals
  • A strong sense of personal and team accountability whist understanding the boundaries around delegated authority, responsibility, accountability
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Current registration with professional body
  • Evidence of degree study
  • Expectation to undertake Enhanced Practice qualification or equivalent
  • Willing to work towards independent prescribing qualification
  • Demonstrates evidence of on-going continuous professional development

Desirable

  • Physical examination/assessment course or recognised equivalent

Experience

Essential

  • Clinical knowledge of musculo-skeletal and inflammatory arthritis conditions and assessment
  • Demonstrates ability to apply research-based practice and advocate it to improve the quality of patient clinical assessment and management.

Desirable

  • NMR IRMER experience
  • Recent experience / evidence of managing a caseload of rheumatology patients

Technical Skills Competencies

Essential

  • Able to obtain, analyse and interpret information from patient assessment and interventions, to formulate diagnoses, plan and implement care plans
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, using a range of methods e.g. verbal, written and record keeping

Desirable

  • A commitment to improving patient services through an ability to sustain a clear performance focus on achieving demanding goals
  • A strong sense of personal and team accountability whist understanding the boundaries around delegated authority, responsibility, accountability

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

University Hospitals Dorset Christchurch and Dorchester

Dorset

BH23 2JX


Employer's website

https://www.uhd.nhs.uk/careers (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

University Hospitals Dorset Christchurch and Dorchester

Dorset

BH23 2JX


Employer's website

https://www.uhd.nhs.uk/careers (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead rheumatology practitioner

Lucy.sanders

lucy.sanders12@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

14 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year pa/pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

153-ME05865

Job locations

University Hospitals Dorset Christchurch and Dorchester

Dorset

BH23 2JX


Supporting documents

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