Overview
Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Fixed Term - TO MAY 2026
This fixed-term post has been created to provide expert, specialist clinical care for Rheumatology outpatients during the maternity leave of the current post-holder. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading and managing the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care for patients with rheumatological conditions over a one-year period.
Responsibilities
* The post-holder will play a pivotal role in supporting patients and their families throughout their care journey, ensuring they are fully informed, supported, and involved in decisions relating to their treatment. They will work collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team across both inpatient and outpatient settings to enhance the quality and consistency of care provided.
* Contribute to the development of rheumatology services in line with the latest research and clinical guidelines. Offer advice, support, and education to both patients and healthcare professionals to promote best practices and service improvement.
* Demonstrate contribution to achieving the Trust's vision, strategic objectives, and key work programmes. Contribute to improvements in clinical standards and patient care within the Rheumatology service.
* Evidence of staff development initiatives tailored to meet the needs of patients in both the outpatient clinic and inpatient settings. Contribute to overall efficiency and effectiveness of rheumatology care delivery.
* Develop and deliver high standards of specialist care by reporting practice development needs and supporting the team in service development initiatives to ensure all rheumatology patients and carers have a quality experience, and to reduce risk and increase safety for staff and patients.
* Support and manage the development of the rheumatology nursing service and provide appropriate planning for continuity of care.
* In liaison with Clinical Practitioner Educators and the Practice Development Team, lead and support the professional development of staff caring for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
* In liaison with Clinical Practitioner Educators and Clinical Placement Facilitator, lead and support the development of students caring for rheumatology patients.
* Advise and contribute to clinical governance within the Trust in rheumatology via best practice development initiatives in collaboration with senior nursing leadership.
* Take personal responsibility for ensuring own personal and professional development as outlined in the competency framework for rheumatology nursing and contemporary evidence-based management.
* Provide specialist advice and support to multi-professional teams to improve the effectiveness and quality of services provided. Autonomously assess patients’ complex health and well-being needs at all stages of their illness and seek support when appropriate.
* Run patient clinics where core needs are assessed and provided. Provide specialist advice to support ward staff when patients are admitted to hospital, ensuring all medical and nursing needs are understood and carried out in accordance with present standards and protocols.
* Adhere to biopsychosocial models of rheumatology patient care and manage a clinical caseload in an outpatient setting to enable competent supported self-management in patients and their carers.
* Undertake the relevant courses to be a registered prescriber for medicines management of rheumatology patients as determined by service need and in consultation with the Non Medical Prescribing and Patient Group Directions Group, acting as a resource for clinicians in relation to treatment and care.
* Identify development/learning needs to enhance practice, including study for a diploma/MSc and added skills such as joint injections.
* Act as a professional supervisor and utilise clinical supervision and reflective practice skills to optimise care, mentor students and junior staff, and provide information and advice to patients and their carers.
* Develop, evaluate, and manage education and training programmes relevant to rheumatology in collaboration with education leads; identify, develop, and review competency-based frameworks for advanced skills development for relevant staff.
* Manage the development and review of competencies for ward staff to care for the rheumatology patient and participate in education programmes with the Trust and local higher education providers as appropriate.
* Undertake annual training needs analysis to identify education and training needs of staff in the rheumatology department and keep staff updated on developments in rheumatology and practice.
* Seek opportunities to develop advanced/expert nurse expertise to develop the service and others’ skills, acting as a resource for training for hospital and the community.
* Contribute to the planning and implementation of quality and risk management initiatives, audits, and research within the specialty, and help develop specialist guidelines and protocols to optimise care.
* Function as part of an interprofessional team, assessing and evaluating the development of the rheumatology service as appropriate.
Seniority level
* Mid-Senior level
Employment type
* Contract
Job function
* Health Care Provider
* Hospitals
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