Job overview
We are seeking an experienced, motivated, and compassionate Clinical Nurse Specialist to join our dynamic Rheumatology and Lupus service. As a Band 7 CNS, you will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality, patient-centred care to individuals living with complex autoimmune and connective tissue diseases. You will act as an expert resource, leading specialist clinics, supporting acute and long-term disease management, and providing advanced clinical assessment, education, and holistic support to patients and their families.
This role requires a highly autonomous practitioner with strong decision-making skills, exceptional communication, and a commitment to evidence-based practice. You will work collaboratively with consultants, multidisciplinary teams, and wider specialist services to optimise patient pathways and improve health outcomes. In addition to direct clinical care, you will contribute to service development, quality improvement initiatives, audit, and the education of nursing and medical staff.
This is an exciting opportunity for a nurse seeking to develop advanced specialist skills within a supportive and progressive team. You will help shape the future of rheumatology and lupus care, ensuring services remain responsive, innovative, and aligned with Trust values and national standards.
Main duties of the job
Provide specialist nursing care to patients with rheumatological and lupus conditions across inpatient, outpatient, virtual, and community settings. Lead autonomous nurse-led clinics, carrying out advanced assessment, clinical decision-making, interpreting investigations, and developing individualised care plans. Act as a key worker for complex patients, ensuring coordinated care, timely escalation, and effective MDT communication.
Deliver specialist education and self-management support to empower patients and carers. Support and monitor immunosuppressive and biologic therapy pathways, including counselling, safety checks, and adherence to protocols. Provide expert advice to colleagues, acting as a resource for nursing staff, junior doctors, and AHPs.
Contribute to service improvement through audit, research, patient experience work, and quality improvement initiatives. Develop and deliver teaching to upskill staff across rheumatology, lupus, and wider directorates. Work collaboratively with consultants and MDTs to ensure efficient, evidence-based pathways.
Support caseload management, monitoring activity, identifying pressures, and assisting in long-term condition and flare planning. Maintain accurate documentation in line with Trust policies and NMC standards. Promote holistic, personalised care and advocate for patients’ needs. Contribute to nursing leadership through mentorship, supervision, and supporting junior staff development.
Working for our organisation
Guy’s and St Thomas's NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK’s best known hospitals – Guy’s, St Thomas’, Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield – as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation.
We are among the UK’s busiest, most successful foundation trusts. We provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark.
We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and – as part of King’s Health Partners – we are one of England’s eight academic health sciences centres, bringing together world-class clinical services, teaching and research. We have one of the National Institute for Health Research’s biomedical research centres, established with King’s College London in 2007, as well as dedicated clinical research facilities.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
1. Provide expert specialist nursing assessment, care, and advice for patients with rheumatological and lupus conditions across inpatient, outpatient, and virtual platforms.
2. Lead and manage autonomous nurse-led clinics, undertaking comprehensive assessment, formulating differential diagnoses, interpreting diagnostic tests, and implementing evidence-based management plans.
3. Support the initiation, monitoring, and evaluation of immunosuppressive therapies, biologics, and other advanced treatments, ensuring safe prescribing pathways and adherence to local and national guidelines.
4. Act as a key worker for patients with complex, fluctuating conditions, ensuring continuity, coordination, and timely escalation of care.
5. Participate in multidisciplinary case discussions, ward reviews, and rapid-access clinics to support early detection and management of disease flares.
6. Provide holistic care, addressing physical, psychosocial, and social factors affecting chronic disease management.
7. Facilitate safe transition between services, including referrals to specialist teams, community services, and other hospital departments.
Education and Support
8. Deliver specialist education to patients, families, and carers regarding disease processes, medications, flare management, lifestyle strategies, and self-management skills.
9. Provide expert advice, teaching, and clinical supervision to nurses, junior doctors, AHPs, and learners within the service.
10. Develop and update patient information materials and contribute to educational programs across the Trust.
Leadership & Service Development
11. Lead or participate in quality improvement projects, patient experience initiatives, and service redesign to optimise pathways and enhance efficiency.
12. Contribute proactively to the development of protocols, guidelines, and clinical standards for rheumatology and lupus care.
13. Support clinical governance activities, including risk management, incident reviews, and policy development.
14. Work closely with senior nursing leadership and consultants to identify service gaps, analyse data, and implement sustainable improvements.
15. Provide mentorship and professional support to junior staff, contributing to workforce development and succession planning.
Research, Audit, and Innovation
16. Participate in and support clinical audits, research studies, and data collection to inform improvements in clinical practice.
17. Use evidence-based practice and emerging research to guide clinical decision-making and enhance patient outcomes.
18. Contribute to the dissemination of learning through presentations, publications, and professional networks where appropriate.
Professional Responsibilities
19. Ensure documentation is accurate, timely, and compliant with Trust policies and NMC standards.
20. Maintain up-to-date specialist knowledge through continuous professional development, study days, and advanced training.
21. Uphold the Trust’s values, champion patient safety, and promote equality, diversity, and inclusion within the service.
22. Adhere to infection prevention and control measures and contribute to the maintenance of a safe clinical environment.
Person specification
Education and Qualification
Essential criteria
23. BSC/1st degree (health related) or equivalent qualification/training and experience
24. Evidence of post-registration professional development relevant to the specialty.
25. Evidence of Completed Advanced Physical Assessment Course
Desirable criteria
26. To have or working towards a masters degree
27. To have or working towards a non medical physical assessment course
Skills and Knowledge
Essential criteria
28. Advanced clinical assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and decision-making skills.
29. Strong understanding of chronic disease management, immunology, and pharmacology related to autoimmune disease.
30. Ability to interpret complex investigations (, immunology panels, radiology, pathology results).
31. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including supporting patients with complex psychosocial needs.
32. Ability to prioritise a specialist caseload and work autonomously.
33. Proficiency in developing and delivering patient and staff education.
34. Competence in maintaining accurate documentation and ensuring governance compliance.
35. IT skills
Desirable criteria
36. Knowledge of national guidelines relevant to rheumatology and lupus (, BSR, NICE).
37. Ability to analyse clinical data and contribute to outcome measurement.
38. Skills in leading quality improvement projects and service innovation.
39. Experience presenting at conferences, teaching sessions, or professional forums.
Experience
Essential criteria
40. Significant post-registration experience within a relevant specialty (, rheumatology, immunology, internal medicine, ambulatory care, acute medicine).
41. Experience assessing and managing patients with complex long-term conditions.
42. Experience providing patient education and supporting self-management.
43. Experience working within an MDT and across different clinical settings.
Desirable criteria
44. Previous experience in a Clinical Nurse Specialist or highly autonomous role.
45. Experience managing patients with lupus, vasculitis, and other connective tissue diseases.
46. Experience running or contributing to nurse-led clinics.
47. Experience managing patients receiving biologics and immunosuppressive therapies.
48. Involvement in pathway development, service redesign, or transformation initiatives.
Values and Behaviour
Essential criteria
49. Demonstrates compassion, respect, and commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care
50. Upholds Trust values and promotes a positive, inclusive culture.
Desirable criteria
51. Demonstrates leadership behaviours that inspire, motivate, and support colleagues.
52. Evidence of innovation and ability to challenge practice constructively to improve services.
Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or study’s at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.