Senior Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialist

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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To develop and evaluate rheumatology nursing services
• Act as a role model within the Trust and demonstrating high standards of care.
• Responsible for providing specialist advice to rheumatology patients and their families attending the nurse led rheumatology clinics.
• Responsible for assessing patients' physical, psychological and social needs.
• Responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating patient care, and recommending the most appropriate course of action autonomously (within scope of practice).
• For patients on disease modifying drugs/biologic therapies/biosimilars and bone therapies:

i) Use recognised outcome measures, assessment tools and clinical skills to evaluate patient progress. Re-assess and alter interventions autonomously as necessary and within scope of practice .

ii) Request appropriate investigations for monitoring of patients. Analyse, interpret and compare and action results.

• Work closely with the multi-disciplinary team, making appropriate referrals when required.
• Responsible for the care of patients receiving intravenous therapies, working closely with and supporting the day care unit team who administer the treatments.
• Provide high quality written, verbal and telephone advice for other health care professionals, patients, their families and carers.
• Ensure that written information for health professionals in primary and secondary care is clear, concise and of a high standard, therefore providing seamless care.
• Responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of patient group directives.
• Responsible for modifying patient treatment according to patient group directives.
• Utilise department databases to update and maintain accurate patient information. Competent with relevant IT applications used in the Trust that are required for this role.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

The rheumatology specialist nurse is responsible for the provision of specialist education in the following areas:

• To patients, their families and carers either on a one to one basis or in a group setting in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team or via digitally enabled pathways.
• To enable patients to self-administer their medication at home as a subcutaneous injection.
• Act as resource for pre and post registration students.
• Provide shadowing opportunities for pre and post registration nursing students, those from other disciplines and visitors to the Trust.
• Plan, implement and evaluate teaching programmes for nursing staff and other professionals.
• Educate, supervise and support junior staff in the department.

MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participate in the development of Trust policies, protocols and guidance for Rheumatology care and adjustments to the scope of professional practice.
• Provide support and specialist advice to colleagues in the Trust and in the community.
• Attend and actively contribute to relevant meetings within and outside the Trust which include business and finance meetings.
• Assist with nursing workforce management.

PROFESSIONAL/PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT:

• Take responsibility for one's own development, undertaking appropriate activities to update clinical knowledge and skills.
• Undertake research and audit projects.
• Attend regular mandatory and statutory training as specified by the Trust.
• Promote awareness and compliance amongst colleagues regarding Trust policies, procedures, guidelines and standards.
• Participate in yearly performance review and ensure that procedures for extending one's role are implemented and regularly reviewed.

Person specification

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential criteria

• Registered Nurse
• Degree in nursing or equivalent experience
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• ENB998/MSPP

Desirable criteria

• Non-medical Prescribers Course or willing to work towards

EXPERIENCE

Essential criteria

• The relevant registration experience within Rheumatology with experience in working with patients on biologics, DMARDs and osteoporosis treatments
• Able to demonstrate achievement in previous role
• Teaching and supervision of other healthcare professionals
• Experience in conducting nurse-led clinics

Desirable criteria

• Experience working with biosimilars and switching process

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Essential criteria

• Evidence of good interpersonal skills
• Excellent written skills
• Ability to teach
• Excellent counselling skills
• Excellent presentation skills

Desirable criteria

• Writing guidance documents and patient literature
• Experience of conducting virtual clinic (phone and/or video)

KNOWLEDGE

Essential criteria

• Sound knowledge of current practice and recent advances in Rheumatology Practice
• Knowledge of current NICE/NHS policy for Rheumatology and implications on services
• Understanding of the specialist nursing role
• Up to date research and evidence based knowledge
• Understanding of the need of confidentiality awareness at all times.
• Audit

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of BSR guidance effecting current patients care

SKILLS

Essential criteria

• High standards of clinical performance
• Evidence of good managerial skills and ability to lead a team
• Computer skills including databases
• Good organisational, leadership and motivation skills
• Ability to problem solve, prioritise and work to deadlines
• Ability to be self-directed but also work effectively as a team member

Desirable criteria

• Awareness of implementing change and willingness to learn new skills
• Able to develop new process in Rheumatology as needed and amend exsisting ones when required

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS & RELATIONSHIP SKILLS

Essential criteria

• Proactive
• Self-confident
• Motivated
• Enthusiastic
• Flexible
• Organised

Desirable criteria

• Innovater

It is an exciting time to join the newly formed Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• Job Description (PDF, 218.8KB)
• Person Spec (PDF, 135.4KB)
• B7 Functional Aspects (PDF, 120.7KB)
• L&D Hospital site map (PDF, 96.8KB)
• Disclosure & Barring Information and Recruitment of Ex-Offenders (PDF, 78.5KB)
• Staff Diversity Network (PDF, 140.3KB)
• Information for Disabled Applicants (PDF, 98.7KB)
• Staff Benefits (PNG, 1.6MB)