Job overview
An exciting full time opportunity has arisen within the Rheumatology Department at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital site for an enthusiastic, highly motivated senior nurse/practitioner to join an evolving team.
As a registered senior nurse/practitioner, 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 and the evaluation of current service provision periodically. The successful applicant will demonstrate high clinical 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 post requires the individual to work within the four pillars of advanced practice (clinical excellence, leadership, teaching and research/audit).
The role requires working within the outpatients clinic setting with patients on disease modifying drugs, biologic therapies 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.
The post may require cross site working on both Luton and Bedford sites.
Main duties of the job
1. Independently run nurse/practitioner led clinics initiating and following up patients on rheumatology treatment adjusting there treatment are necessary using validated assessment tools
2. Supporting patients to understand their diagnosis and treatment options and promoting self management using multiple forms of communication to suit patients needs
3. Analysing and interpreting investigation to ensure patient safety on initiation of treatments and on-going management. Reassessing patients condition and making adjustments to treatment as required independently.
4. Supporting medical, pharmacy and nursing rheumatology colleagues to monitor and manage disease, drugs and blood monitoring and provide expert clinical advise to junior colleagues
5. Support ongoing management of patient care via a daily telephone advice line available to patients under the care of the rheumatology department and plan care independently
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
11. Support the rheumatology research team in clinical trial work as required
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
To develop and evaluate rheumatology services throughout the Trust by acting as a role model and demonstrating high standards of care.
Responsible for providing specialist advice to patients and their families attending the nurse or practitioner led rheumatology clinics.
Responsible for assessing patients’ physical, psychological and social needs.
Please see full Job Description attached.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
12. Registered Nurse or other relevant professional registration
13. Degree in nursing or relevant specialty or equivalent experience
14. Evidence of continuing education and professional development relevant to most recent area of work
Desirable criteria
15. Non-medical Prescribers Course or willing to work towards
16. Quality Improvement qualification
17. NHS Leadership Course
Experience
Essential criteria
18. Registered nurse or healthcare professional (NMC/HCPC etc)
19. Experience working with rheumatology patients on biologics, DMARDs and metabolic bone therapies
20. Able to demonstrate achievement in previous role
21. Teaching and supervision of other healthcare professionals
Desirable criteria
22. Experience working with high cost drugs
23. Experience of participating in biosimilar switching process
Knowledge
Essential criteria
24. Post registration experience of working in an acute hospital setting in long term conditions
25. Sound knowledge of current practice and recent advances in Rheumatology Practice
26. Knowledge of current NICE/NHS policy for Rheumatology and implications on services
27. Understanding of the specialist nursing/ practitioner role
28. Up to date research and evidence based knowledge of rheumatology
29. Experience of mentoring others
30. Demonstrates the ability to undertake challenging conversations
Desirable criteria
31. Knowledge of BSR guidance effecting current patients care
32. Awareness of implementing change and willingness to learn new skills in quality improvement
33. Previous experience of developing standard operating procedures
Personal Skills
Essential criteria
34. Ability to prioritise and organise workload
35. Ability to work independently to manage workload
36. Ability to problem solve, anticipate and forward plan
37. Can effectively use computers and software such as Word/Excel
38. An ability to remain positive during service changes
Desirable criteria
39. Innovator
40. Role model
41. Leadership skills
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.