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Clinical Nurse Specialist- Rheumatology and Lupus
The closing date is 27 April 2026
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. Applicants must have completed an Advanced Physical Assessment course and be working towards, or willing to undertake, the Non-Medical/Nurse Prescriber qualification. You will work collaboratively with consultants, multidisciplinary teams, and wider specialist services to optimise patient pathways and improve health outcomes.
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, helping shape the future of rheumatology and lupus care while ensuring services remain responsive, innovative, and aligned with Trust values and national standards.
Main duties of the job
Provide specialist nursing care for patients with rheumatological and lupus conditions across inpatient, outpatient, virtual, and community settings. Lead autonomous nurse-led clinics, undertaking advanced assessment, clinical decision-making, interpreting investigations, and developing individualised care plans. Prescribe and manage biologic and other immunosuppressive therapies in line with national guidance and Trust protocols.
Act as a key worker for complex patients, ensuring coordinated care, timely escalation, and effective multidisciplinary team communication. Deliver specialist education and self-management support to patients and carers. Support and monitor immunosuppressive and biologic therapy pathways, including counselling, safety checks, prescribing where appropriate, and adherence to protocols. Provide expert advice to nursing staff, junior doctors, and allied health professionals.
Contribute to service development through audit, research, patient experience initiatives, and quality improvement projects. Develop and deliver education to support staff across rheumatology and lupus services. Maintain accurate documentation in line with Trust and NMC standards, promote holistic patient-centred care, and support leadership through mentorship and development of junior staff.
About us
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.
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
Provide expert specialist nursing assessment, care, and advice for patients with rheumatological and lupus conditions across inpatient, outpatient, and virtual platforms.
Lead and manage autonomous nurse-led clinics, undertaking comprehensive assessment, formulating differential diagnoses, interpreting diagnostic tests, and implementing evidence-based management plans.
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.
Act as a key worker for patients with complex, fluctuating conditions, ensuring continuity, coordination, and timely escalation of care.
Participate in multidisciplinary case discussions, ward reviews, and rapid-access clinics to support early detection and management of disease flares.
Provide holistic care, addressing physical, psychosocial, and social factors affecting chronic disease management.
Facilitate safe transition between services, including referrals to specialist teams, community services, and other hospital departments.
Education and Support
Deliver specialist education to patients, families, and carers regarding disease processes, medications, flare management, lifestyle strategies, and self-management skills.
Provide expert advice, teaching, and clinical supervision to nurses, junior doctors, AHPs, and learners within the service.
Develop and update patient information materials and contribute to educational programs across the Trust.
Leadership & Service Development
Lead or participate in quality improvement projects, patient experience initiatives, and service redesign to optimise pathways and enhance efficiency.
Contribute proactively to the development of protocols, guidelines, and clinical standards for rheumatology and lupus care.
Support clinical governance activities, including risk management, incident reviews, and policy development.
Work closely with senior nursing leadership and consultants to identify service gaps, analyse data, and implement sustainable improvements.
Provide mentorship and professional support to junior staff, contributing to workforce development and succession planning.
Research, Audit, and Innovation
Participate in and support clinical audits, research studies, and data collection to inform improvements in clinical practice.
Use evidence-based practice and emerging research to guide clinical decision-making and enhance patient outcomes.
Contribute to the dissemination of learning through presentations, publications, and professional networks where appropriate.
Professional Responsibilities
Ensure documentation is accurate, timely, and compliant with Trust policies and NMC standards.
Maintain up-to-date specialist knowledge through continuous professional development, study days, and advanced training.
Uphold the Trusts values, champion patient safety, and promote equality, diversity, and inclusion within the service.
Adhere to infection prevention and control measures and contribute to the maintenance of a safe clinical environment.
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
* BSC/1st degree (health related) or equivalent qualification/training and experience
* Evidence of post-registration professional development relevant to the specialty.
* Evidence of Completed Advanced Physical Assessment Course
* To have or working towards a masters degree
* To have or working towards a Nurse prescriber course
Skills and Knowledge
* Advanced clinical assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and decision-making skills.
* Strong understanding of chronic disease management, immunology, and pharmacology related to autoimmune disease.
* Ability to interpret complex investigations (e.g., immunology panels, radiology, pathology results).
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including supporting patients with complex psychosocial needs.
* Ability to prioritise a specialist caseload and work autonomously.
* Proficiency in developing and delivering patient and staff education.
* Competence in maintaining accurate documentation and ensuring governance compliance.
* Knowledge of national guidelines relevant to rheumatology and lupus (e.g., BSR, NICE).
* Ability to analyse clinical data and contribute to outcome measurement.
* Skills in leading quality improvement projects and service innovation.
* Experience presenting at conferences, teaching sessions, or professional forums.
Experience
* Significant post-registration experience within a relevant specialty (e.g., rheumatology, lupus, immunology, ambulatory care, acute medicine).
* Experience assessing and managing patients with complex long-term conditions.
* Experience providing patient education and supporting self-management.
* Experience working within an MDT and across different clinical settings.
* Previous experience in a Clinical Nurse Specialist or highly autonomous role.
* Experience managing patients with lupus, vasculitis, and other connective tissue diseases.
* Experience running or contributing to nurse-led clinics.
* Experience managing patients receiving biologics and immunosuppressive therapies.
* Involvement in pathway development, service redesign, or transformation initiatives.
Values and Behaviour
* Demonstrates compassion, respect, and commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care
* Upholds Trust values and promotes a positive, inclusive culture.
* Demonstrates leadership behaviours that inspire, motivate, and support colleagues.
* Evidence of innovation and ability to challenge practice constructively to improve services.
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.
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
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