Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Rheumatology Department at the Bedford Hospital site for an enthusiastic, highly motivated nurse.
This post is a 11-month fixed-term maternity cover, working 37.5 hours per week.
As a registered nurse, the applicant will be responsible for supporting the lead nurse in ensuring that our service users’ needs are met through the delivery of high-quality care. The successful applicant will demonstrate high standards of work at all times, be self motivated and efficient, and demonstrate the ability to work independently in all aspects of patient care.
The role requires working within the outpatients clinic setting with patients on disease modifying drugs and osteoporosis medication under the care of the Rheumatology Department. Individuals should be willing to develop further any specialised skills and knowledge relating to the specialist area.
Please demonstrate in your Supporting Information your interest in Rheumatology.
Main duties of the job
1. Independently run nurse led clinics initiating and following up patients on rheumatology treatment
2. Supporting patients to understand their diagnosis and treatment options and promoting self management
3. Analysing and interpreting investigation to ensure patient safety on initiation of treatments and on-going management
4. Supporting medical and nursing rheumatology colleagues to monitor and manage disease, drugs and blood monitoring
5. Support ongoing management of patient care via a daily telephone advice line available to patients under the care of the rheumatology department
6. Participate in prescription management to enable patients to receive their treatment in a timely manner
7. Have excellent communication skills
8. Have excellent time management skills
9. Team working with doctors, nursing and admin staff is essential to ensure a excellent patient experience of Rheumatology
10. Contribute in the delivery of the rheumatology nursing service including being involved in service development and audit
Working for our organisation
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. 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. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities
1. Provide specialist advice, education and support to patients and their relatives attending the nurse-led rheumatology/Fracture Liaison clinics. This includes in depth counselling patients for new drug therapies and review of patients on existing therapies.
2. Works clinically to optimise health and wellbeing, demonstrate autonomous decision making in relation to comprehensive history taking and physical assessment of patients, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests or advance health needs assessments.
3. Responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating patient care, recommending the most appropriate course of action by carrying out disease activity scoring and other outcome measures for all patients especially those on disease modifying drugs and biologic therapies
4. The post-holder is able to exercise clinical judgement and decision making about patient needs in terms of long term goals and plans.
5. To help develop and work within protocols for the management of patients with rheumatology conditions including osteoporosis.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
11. Current Registered Nurse with the NMC
12. Degree in nursing or equivalent experience
13. Evidence of continuing education and professional development relevant to most recent area of work
Desirable criteria
14. History taking, Assessment and Diagnostics module
15. Nurse prescriber or willing to work towards qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
16. Post registration experience of working in an acute hospital setting
17. Experience of mentoring others
Desirable criteria
18. Experience of coordinating care for a caseload of patients
19. Understanding of the specialist nursing role
20. Experience in working with patients with rheumatological conditions
Knowledge
Essential criteria
21. Excellent written and verbal communication skills
22. Demonstrates the ability to undertake challenging conversations
23. Understanding of maintain confidentiality at all times and changes to data protection act
24. High standards of clinical performance in most recent area of work
Desirable criteria
25. Knowledge of rheumatology practice
26. Evidence of management skills
27. Evidence of teaching others
Personal Skills
Essential criteria
28. Ability to prioritise and organise workload
29. Good organisational skills
30. Can effectively use computers and software such as Word/Excel
31. An ability to remain positive during service changes
32. Ability to work independently to manage workload
33. Ability to problem solve, anticipate and forward plan
34. Proven ability to communicate effectively with staff, patients and their carers from a diverse background
35. Ability to work under pressure and seek help when required
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.