Overview
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Rheumatology Nurse Specialist / Rheumatology Specialist Practitioner to join the Rheumatology Department at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital site. The closing date is 23 October 2025. The role involves supporting the lead nurse to ensure high-quality care for service users and to work independently in all aspects of patient care within the outpatients clinic setting for patients on disease-modifying drugs, biologic therapies and osteoporosis medication. The successful candidate should be willing to develop further specialised skills and knowledge in rheumatology. Please demonstrate in your supporting information your interest in rheumatology.
Main duties of the job
* Independently run nurse-led clinics initiating and following up patients on rheumatology treatment
* Support patients to understand their diagnosis and treatment options and promote self-management
* Analyse and interpret investigations to ensure patient safety on initiation of treatments and ongoing management
* Support medical and nursing rheumatology colleagues to monitor and manage disease, drugs and blood monitoring
* Support ongoing management of patient care via a daily telephone advice line available to patients under the care of the rheumatology department
* Participate in prescription management to enable patients to receive their treatment in a timely manner
* Demonstrate excellent communication skills
* Teamwork with doctors, nursing and admin staff to ensure an excellent patient experience of Rheumatology
* Contribute to the delivery of the rheumatology nursing service including service development and audit
About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people across Bedfordshire and surrounding areas, across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both sites offer A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will join a friendly, high-performing Trust committed to the health and wellbeing of staff, with access to high-quality training and development. The Trust is committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.
Our Values
We recruit based on qualifications and experience and on behaviours that underpin our Trust’s core values. We use values-based recruitment and are committed to equality, 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 the first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.
Job responsibilities
CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
* Provide specialist advice, education and support to patients and their relatives attending the nurse-led rheumatology clinics, including counselling patients for new therapies and review of patients on existing therapies
* Work with patients and provide follow-up to support compliance and adherence with prescribed treatment
* Assess patients' physical, psychological and social needs
* Plan, implement and evaluate patient care, recommending the most appropriate course of action
* Promote health and self-care and support health promotion strategies
* Utilise sensitive communication to ensure patients are fully informed and able to consent to treatment
* Develop and work within protocols for management of rheumatology conditions including osteoporosis
* For patients on disease-modifying drugs, biologics and bone therapies: use outcome measures and clinical skills to evaluate progress; request investigations and analyse results
* Care for patients receiving intravenous biologic or bone therapies, collaborating with the Day Unit
* Provide high-quality written, verbal and telephone advice for patients and families
* Produce accurate documentation electronically and in writing, compliant with legislation, policies and procedures
* Ensure clear, concise information for health professionals in primary and secondary care
* Liaise with GPs to maintain continuity of care and medication compliance
* Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to ensure streamlined patient pathways
* Assist with research and audit projects and data collection as required
Management and Development
* Manage systems and maintain accurate records to support patient care and audits
* Maintain databases for patients on disease-modifying drugs, biologics and bone therapies
* Organise own work and provide flexible support for patients and colleagues
* Support nursing staff in clinic and ward areas
* Contribute to Trust policies, protocols and guidance for patients on disease-modifying drugs, biologics and bone therapies
* Identify opportunities to improve patient care with the team
Education, Training & Development
* Provide specialist advice to colleagues within the Trust and in the community
* Attend and contribute to relevant meetings
* Provide patients and relatives with information about their condition and treatment
* Take responsibility for personal development and undertake activities to update clinical knowledge and skills
* Attend mandatory and statutory training as required by the Trust
* Promote awareness and compliance with Trust policies, procedures, guidelines and standards
Professional/Personal Development
* Operate within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by the NMC
* Adhere to NMC revalidation requirements
* Continue personal development and mandatory training
* Promote awareness and compliance with Trust policies, procedures, guidelines and standards
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS
* Degree in nursing, relevant specialty or equivalent experience
* Evidence of recent and continuing professional development relevant to the area of work
* Current NMC or other relevant professional registration
* Experience in working with patients with Rheumatological conditions
* Willing to work towards Prescribing qualification
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
* Evidence of good interpersonal skills
* Ability to undertake challenging conversations
* Presentation skills or willingness to learn
KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE
* Post-registration experience in an acute hospital setting
* Participation in research and audit
* Experience in mentoring others
* High standards of clinical performance
* Registered nurse or healthcare professional (NMC/HCPC)
* Knowledge of rheumatology practice
* Understanding of the specialist nursing role
* Experience teaching others
* Evidence of management skills
SKILLS
* Good organisational skills
* Proficient with computers and software (Word/Excel)
* Ability to work independently to manage workload
* Ability to undertake small project work
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
* Problem solving, forward planning
* Ability to work under pressure and seek help when required
* Works on own initiative
* Flexible
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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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