Outpatient Clinical Sister

Job responsibilities

Key Area 1: Clinical Leadership and Patient Care

1. Act in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code of Professional Conduct and Trust policies, recognising personal abilities and limitations.

2. Support the Rheumatology Nurse Specialists in Matron in coordinating and managing outpatient services.

3. Provide high standards of evidence-based care, ensuring patient safety and an excellent patient experience.

4. Conduct comprehensive nursing assessments, implementing, and evaluating individualised care plans.

5. Safely perform essential clinical duties, including venepuncture, cannulation, administering injections (e.g., Denosumab), ECG recordings, and midline insertion, whilst adhering to Trust protocols.

6. Facilitate effective clinic operations, collaborating with MDT, GPs, and other healthcare professionals to initiate treatment pathways and ensure continuity of care.

7. Promote health and wellbeing initiatives to improve patient outcomes.

8. Participate in audits, such as the New Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit, and investigate incidents on DATIX to maintain and improve clinical standards.

9. Monitor and audit clinical performance, ensuring compliance with KPIs, safety protocols, and Trust targets.

10. Create and maintain a safe and effective working environment, addressing issues and escalating when necessary.

Key Area 2: Communication, Relationships, and Teamwork

1. Communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare professionals, ensuring confidentiality and respect.

2. Provide advice and support to patients via the telephone advice line.

3. Attending and contribute to MDT meetings, assisting with care planning and decision-making.

4. Coordinate daily clinic operations, addressing staffing and skill mix concerns as needed.

5. Build positive relationships within the team and across disciplines, addressing concerns proactively.

6. Support staff recruitment, retention, and development in collaboration with the Matron/Operational Manager.

7. Ensure effective rostering to maintain appropriate staffing levels and skill mix.

Key Area 3: Education, Training, and Professional Development

1. Complete all mandatory and role-specific training, including mandatory study days.

2. Mentor, supervise, and assess junior staff and students, fostering a supportive learning environment.

3. Participate in research and audits to influence best practices and service development.

4. Lead training initiatives and contribute to the dissemination of findings from complaints, incidents, and audits to improve patient outcomes.

5. Maintain professional development through appraisal and mentorship, ensuring readiness for NMC revalidation.

Key Area 4: Health and Safety Compliance

1. Maintain a safe working environment by conducting risk assessments and adhering to Health and Safety regulations.

2. Respond to deteriorating patients promptly, providing support to junior staff as needed.

3. Ensure compliance with infection control protocols and safe use of equipment.

4. Investigate complaints and incidents, escalating when appropriate and implementing learning outcomes.

Key Area 5: Professional Leadership and Personal Qualities

1. Act as a role model, demonstrating clinical expertise, professionalism, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

2. Advocate for patients rights and ensure their needs are met with compassion and efficiency.

3. Promote team cohesion and foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative working environment.

4. Demonstrate professionalism, courtesy, and excellent communication to foster strong working relationships at all levels.

5. Respect team members, offering support and collaboration.

6. Actively seek mentorship and supervision to support personal and professional development.

For a full comprehensive list of main responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to job description and personal specification attached.

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

• Registered Nurse (RN) with current valid Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Registration.
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) relevant to the role.
• Completion of or willingness to undertake Advanced Clinical Assessment Skills and Non-Medical Prescribing qualification.

Desirable

• Training or experience in administering rheumatology-specific therapies.
• Clinical leadership qualification or leadership development course.

Other

Essential

• Eligibility to work in the UK.
• Must pass an enhanced DBS check.
• Willingness to work Monday to Friday.
• Commitment to upholding Trust values and contributing to a positive workplace culture.
• Awareness of equality, diversity, and inclusion principles and their application in clinical practice.
• Ability to attend regular MDT meetings and collaborate with external stakeholders, including GPs and other Trusts.

Desirable

• Participation in professional networks or associations relevant to rheumatology.

Essential

Essential

• Significant post-registration nursing experience (2 years minimum), preferably in an outpatient or rheumatology setting
• Demonstrated ability to manage a clinical caseload, including the delivery of injections and venepuncture
• Understanding of the multi-disciplinary approach in patient care and proven experience working collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs)
• Thorough understanding of clinical governance, risk management, and incident investigation processes.
• Knowledge of health promotion strategies and patient education techniques, preferably for patients with chronic disease.
• Understanding of NHS policies, including infection control, safeguarding, and Health and Safety regulations.

Desirable

• Experience in delivering patient advice through telephone or other remote means.
• Experience in conducting clinical audits and contributing to service development.
• Understanding of evidence-based practice and clinical guidelines in rheumatology care.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Experience of using evidence-based practice.
• Strong clinical assessment and diagnostic skills, including the ability to triage and prioritise effectively.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively convey complex information to patients, families, and healthcare professionals.
• Exceptional organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities.
• Competence in managing and escalating staffing concerns, ensuring safe and effective service delivery.

Desirable

• Demonstrated ability to mentor and supervise junior staff, students, and other learners.

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Compassionate, empathetic, and patient-centred approach to care.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of a dynamic patient environment.
• Committed to personal and team development, with a reflective approach to learning and improvement.
• Professional and approachable demeanour, acting as a role model for staff and students.

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).