Rheumatology Nurse Specialist

Job responsibilities

Key Area 1: Clinical Leadership, Management, and Practice

1. Serve as an experienced Registered Nurse specialising in Rheumatology, managing a personal caseload that includes screening, treatment, and patient education via nurse-led clinics and a telephone helpline.
2. Provide specialist assessment, treatment, and comprehensive care for rheumatology patients, acting as a patient advocate and ensuring high-quality care.
3. Support service development through the preparation of business cases, resource acquisition, and management of physical assets and supplies.
4. Administer medications according to Trust policies and ensure accurate, clear, and timely documentation in line with NMC Standards for Records and Record Keeping.
5. Supervise and educate junior nurses, collaborating with consultants when needed to deliver optimal care for rheumatology patients.
6. Develop integrated care pathways and protocols for rheumatology patients, ensuring a seamless service and contributing to clinical governance requirements.
7. Take responsibility for resource management and ensure effective use of clinical patient databases (e.g., DAWN) to monitor patient care, particularly for those on Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) and biologics.
8. Promote the Trust at external events, engage with professional networks, and benchmark clinical practices with peers.
9. Empower patients in managing their conditions and support long-term care planning in collaboration with supervising consultants.
10. Maintain personal professional development, ensuring adherence to current guidelines, best practices, and NHS standards.
11. Manage the oversight of patients on high-cost drugs, ensuring accurate record-keeping and conducting regular audits to monitor usage and outcomes. Liaise with the pharmacy team to explore cost-effective alternatives whilst maintaining clinical efficacy.

Key Area 2: Education

1. Provide counselling and educational support to patients, delivering tailored educational programmes as needed.
2. Deliver educational sessions and advice to staff and, when appropriate, external service providers.
3. Continuously improve educational programmes through feedback and formal evaluation, making necessary adjustments.
4. Act as a role model, fostering a culture of continuous learning and evidence-based practice.
5. Offer guidance that enhances patient care, well-being, and health promotion.
6. Facilitate health education based on the needs of service users.

Key Area 3: Audit and Evidence-Based Practice

1. Deliver evidence-based nursing care autonomously in line with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct.
2. Coordinate and participate in research studies, clinical audits, and contribute to audit projects within the department.
3. Conduct regular audits of personal practice, providing feedback to the MDT.
4. Lead nursing research and audits, developing and implementing protocols of care based on evidence-based practice.
5. Create an annual nursing audit plan, report findings to the Trust's Clinical Audit and Effectiveness Team and ensure accurate data collection for research and audits.
6. Contribute to the department's research portfolio, adhering to Good Clinical Practice standards and maintaining up-to-date training.
7. Regularly review and develop evidence-based information for patients and carers.
8. Assist in data collection for clinical audits and research, ensuring high-quality data.
9. Communicate audit results effectively to the MDT and develop action plans as necessary.

Key Area 4:Communication, Relationship Skills, and Teamwork

1. Collaborate with internal and external colleagues to ensure effective delivery of the Rheumatology Service.
2. Attend regular MDT meetings to review and discuss patient care with consultants and nursing staff.
3. Communicate assessment outcomes, reviews, and interventions to the MDT and wider colleagues, including GPs and other health professionals.
4. Demonstrate effective communication with colleagues, patients, and other service users, both verbally and in writing.
5. Utilise strong time management and coordination skills to optimise care delivery.
6. Build positive relationships with colleagues and manage patient concerns in accordance with Trust policy.
7. Cooperate with other healthcare professionals, valuing the contributions of all team members and agencies involved in patient care.
8. Respect and advocate for the rights and needs of service users and their families, addressing concerns proactively.

Key Area 5: Specialist Practice

1. Provide specialise assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for patients with rheumatological conditions as an independent practitioner.
2. Perform procedures, including infusions and administration of DMARDs, following Trust protocols and NMC guidelines.
3. Utilise extensive knowledge of rheumatology to identify and address the physical, social, and psychological needs of patients.
4. Demonstrate technical proficiency in cannulation and venepuncture.
5. Coordinate the drug monitoring service for patients on DMARDs, adhering to British Society of Rheumatology standards.
6. Educate patients on self-administration of subcutaneous injections, adjusting for physical or mental disabilities, and ensure safe storage and disposal of medications and syringes.
7. Manage the supply of home-use medications in collaboration with the pharmacy department.

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

• Significant experience as a Registered Nurse with expertise in Rheumatology (at least 2 years).
• Proven track record of managing a caseload of patients independently, including patient assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
• Experience in administering biologic therapies and managing highcost medications.
• Knowledge of current best practices and evidence-based guidelines in rheumatology.
• Experience in conducting clinical audits and contributing to service development.
• Understanding of the multi-disciplinary approach in patient care and ability to work collaboratively with consultants, nurses, and other allied health professionals.
• Thorough understanding of clinical governance and risk management.

Desirable

• Experience with health education and patient counselling in chronic disease management.
• Involvement in research projects or quality improvement (QI) initiatives.
• Familiarity with using electronic health records and specialised databases (e.g., DAWN system for monitoring DMARDs and biologics).

Qualification(s) and Professional Training

Essential

• Registered Nurse with valid NMC Registration (including revalidation).
• BSc in Nursing OR relevant experience.
• Evidence of continued personal professional development in rheumatology or related fields.
• Complete training in cannulation, venepuncture, and administering intravenous therapies.

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualification in Rheumatology Nursing or Advanced Clinical Practice.
• Non-Medical Prescribing qualification.
• Training in conducting patient education and health promotion sessions.
• Leadership or management training relevant to healthcare.
• Relevant Joint Injection Qualification.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Excellent clinical skills, including physical assessment, diagnosis, and patient management.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for engaging diverse patient groups, colleagues, and external partners.
• Ability to manage and prioritise a varied workload efficiently.
• Competence in using electronic record systems for maintaining accurate and comprehensive patient documentation.
• Critical analytical skills to evaluate clinical data and inform evidence based care decisions.
• Ability to demonstrate sound clinical knowledge and professional judgement in complex situations.
• Ability to identify cost-saving opportunities whilst maintaining high quality care.
• Strong presentation skills for educating patients, staff, and external partners on Rheumatology topics.
• Ability to think strategically, contributing to service development and long-term planning.
• Proficiency in report writing, including summarising clinical audits and contributing to business cases.

Desirable

• Proficiency in analysing and interpreting clinical data to inform care decisions.
• Advanced skills in developing and delivering educational programmes to patients and staff.
• Ability to influence and lead service development projects within a multi-disciplinary team.

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Committed to patient-centred care and acting as a patient advocate.
• Demonstrates initiative, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work autonomously.
• A proactive and flexible approach, adaptable to changing priorities and demands.
• Strong leadership qualities with the ability to inspire and mentor junior colleagues.
• Committed to professional development and continuous learning.
• Enthusiastic about implementing new ideas and service improvements.
• A positive, approachable, and collaborative team member.
• Demonstrates resilience and the ability to handle challenging situations calmly.
• Courteous and professional attitude.

Other

Essential

• Eligibility to work in the UK.
• Must pass an enhanced DBS check.
• Willingness to work Monday to Friday.
• Ability to attend regular MDT meetings and collaborate with external

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

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