Rheumatology Regional Lead Nurse
The closing date is 30 November 2025
An exciting opportunity to lead a Regional Rheumatology Service for Paediatrics and Adolescents within East Midlands. East Midlands have been given funding by NSHE to develop a collaborative service that provides gold‑standard, evidence‑based care to all Children and Adolescents who require the support of a Rheumatology specialist team.
This post will be responsible for education of staff, developing pathways, MDT working, allocation of resources to ensure equitable provision across the region, recruiting and retaining staff and networking with national representatives. The role is ideal for a dynamic and motivated nurse with experience managing children and families with chronic conditions who wants to continue developing and supporting a regional service that meets the needs of Rheumatology children and young people.
Main duties of the job
* Maintain clinical experience and provide expertise in Paediatric Rheumatology care to patients, families and professionals.
* Interface with other health professionals and agencies regarding the care and treatment of patients requiring Paediatric Rheumatology services.
* In collaboration with paediatric education leads, develop dedicated training specific to the region and ensure a development training programme is in place for nurses and other professionals who may care for children requiring Paediatric Rheumatology services.
* Develop dedicated guidance, SOPs and protocols in the Paediatric Rheumatology service as relevant to the development of the Network.
* Work to ensure that transitions in care—e.g. between children’s and adult services—are as seamless as possible and that information to support the experience of the whole transition process is accurate and readily available.
About us
Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023‑2030). We have four primary goals: high‑quality care for all; being a great place to work; partnerships for impact; and research and education excellence. We will embed health equality in all we do—working in partnership with communities to reduce avoidable differences in healthcare.
The strategy is underpinned by new values that we will work to ensure are an everyday reality for all: we are compassionate, proud, inclusive, and one team.
Job responsibilities
The post holder will lead on the implementation and standardisation of the Paediatric and young persons Rheumatology service across Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and surrounding areas. As part of this they will identify, plan, monitor and support areas of work that underpin delivery of this programme.
Alongside the Medical lead, the regional lead nurse will develop tools to audit current standards and provide quality assurance in relation to patients’ Rheumatology care. These tools and audits should be embedded into providing assurance around changes in practice from quality improvement plans.
Maintain professional competence, authority and credibility by being highly visible to patients, carers and staff, actively seeking feedback about the quality of services. Provide expert clinical leadership for the regional rheumatology service at the University Hospitals of Leicester and Nottingham University Hospital Trusts ensuring a standardised approach focusing on improving quality outcomes in how we care and treat our rheumatology patients across the region.
Devising and implementing an education programme for nursing and support staff across the Trusts in conjunction with the Corporate Nurse Education Team and Clinical Leads. This will encompass both in‑house education and competency needs and also accessing formal academic requirements linked to career progression for teams or expanding/advancing nursing practice roles.
Provide strong leadership to undertake quality improvement work related to Paediatric and Young Persons Rheumatology services and embed change as a result. As part of this support the MDT to improve and embed compliance with Rheumatology quality initiatives including driving standardisation of clinical workforce, transitional care, competencies and practice.
Develop and monitor key performance indicators for the Paediatric and Young Persons Rheumatology service, and where needed escalat[e] the associated risks in a timely manner.
Regular travel between Leicester and Nottingham is required; additional travel to regional hospitals will be part of this role.
Person Specification
Training and qualification
* Degree
* Master’s degree or post‑qualification at master’s level in a relevant subject
* Teaching qualification
Experience
* 5 years post‑qualification experience in Paediatric nursing
* Evidence of managing patients with a chronic condition
* Leadership/management of a clinical team
* Reputation for professional excellence with a track record
* Experience of leading complex projects
* Experience of strategic role/working
* Working with national organisations
Communication and relationship
* Collaborative leadership style
* Work as part of a team
* Capacity to work with colleagues across all disciplines and at every level within the organisation
* Approachable, reliable, decisive, tactful, respectful and supportive
Analytical and judgement
* Understand and demonstrates clinical governance
* Understands and demonstrates risk management
Skills
* In‑depth specialist knowledge of Paediatric Nursing care of chronic long‑term conditions
* Understand Networks
* Patient and carer centred approach to care
* Demonstrate personal and professional pride in nursing and the NHS
* Advocate for patient groups
* Experience in clinical research
* Understanding of critical appraisal techniques
EDI
* Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
* All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high quality care and interactions with others
Other
* Independent travel across the network
* Responsible for own learning
* Uses own initiative and self‑motivated
* A team player with a flexible approach
* Open to new learning opportunities
Planning and organisation skills
* Evidence of management development and leadership development
* Track record of delivering high standards of care
* Ongoing personal and professional development
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions is required.
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
£55,690 to £62,682 a year (Per annum / pro rota for part‑time hours)
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