Contact information
Sarah Priestley-Lead Clinical nurse specialist-Rheumatology
sarah.priestley5@nhs.net
About the role
The post holder will organise and manage a caseload for a defined group of patients / service users, providing specialist nursing support, advice and education and care to that specific group. They will carry continuing responsibility for the assessment of needs, development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care and the setting of standards within the Rheumatology service group.
The post holder will be involved in every aspect of managing a caseload of patients within the Rheumatology speciality whilst delivering individualised and personal patient care, including nurse-led clinics, working as an independent practitioner and with members of the Multi-disciplinary team.
You will provide advice and support to patients, carers and health care professionals across secondary and primary care.
You will be required to work across all three hospital sites.
Main duties
* Will have continuous delegated responsibility for a caseload of patients and will provide an effective and patient focused service which is considerate on needs of users and providers.
* Organises, prioritises and evaluates workload based on accepted referral criteria and discharge criteria in line with operational protocols.
* Will provide clinical, social and psychological support to their patients using excellent communication skills, education and health promotion to enable them to reach their optimum level of independence and health.
* To provide specialist advice, supervision and support to their defined caseload and peers.
* Responsible for providing evidence based practice.
* Will have responsibility for supporting the Band 7 CNS / team leader in leading identified and agreed aspects of the service, in the development of care systems, protocols and guidelines working as part of a multi-disciplinary team and developing excellent interdepartmental relationships with excellent communication with a focus on quality improvement.
* Will ensure cost effective use of all resources and appropriate governance management.
* Promote programmes of health education and health promotion relevant to service.
* Work within national policy frameworks relevant to the service and trust local guidance.
* Review, interpret and act upon diagnostic investigations and point of care testing which may effect, change to individual care plans, liaising with appropriate medical staff where necessary.
* Deal effectively and professionally with patient / service user issues collaborating with PALS as appropriate and take a proactive approach to resolving issues and learning from complaints and escalate when unable to resolve.
* To maintain accurate appropriate and concise patient records within agreed databases and electronic systems.
* Contribute to the multi-professional approach in the management of patients / carers within the specialist area in relation to ongoing care needs.
* Act as a resource for specialist knowledge for clinical staff on wards / departments.
* Ensure effective multi- disciplinary communication.
* Support the management function of the department by provision of reports and information as required.
* Provide mentorship and preceptorship as required to junior staff in the team or students on placement.
* Ensure you work within an agreed divisional work plan.
Essential person specification requirements
Qualifications
* Registered Nurse
* First level degree or willing to undertake
* Post registration qualification in relevant subject
* Evidence of continued professional development
* Recognised teaching qualification
Experience
* Post registration experience of Band 5 or above in a relevant area
* Multi-professional working
* Teaching/ training
* Working autonomously
Skills and Abilities
* IT literate
* Teaching, assessment and presentation skills
* Organisation and negotiation skills
* Flexible attitude to working
* Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team
* Excellent communication skills
Be part of MY team
We are an acute trust caring for over one million people in Wakefield and Kirklees. Our 10,000 staff work in patients’ homes, the community, and our three hospitals in Pontefract, Dewsbury, and Pinderfields (Wakefield). We prioritise our people and values so we can deliver the best possible care to patients. Our team is friendly, passionate, and innovative, always seeking better ways to work.
We support work-life balance and foster a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone belongs. Our staff networks offer safe spaces to share ideas and concerns so we can increase awareness and appreciation of equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and especially encourage members of the LGBTQ+ community, ethnic minority groups, and people with disabilities or neurodivergence to apply, as they are currently underrepresented in the Trust.
If you value caring, high standards, improvement, and respect, join the MY team to make a difference every day.
Application guidance:
We understand that more applicants are using AI technology to help with their applications. While these tools can be useful, they cannot fully capture your skills, knowledge, and experience. It’s important that you personalise your application. Relying solely on AI is not recommended, as it may reduce your chances of success. Our screening process is thorough, so if you have used AI, please make sure to disclose this on your application form.
Our benefits
* Access to the NHS pension plan
* Generous holiday allowance of 27 days plus bank holidays, increasing with 5 and 10 years of service
* Exceptional employee health and wellbeing services
* Extensive benefits and support, including:
* Onsite nurseries and childcare salary sacrifice scheme
* Cycle to work scheme
* Home electronics scheme
* Car lease salary sacrifice scheme
* Working carers support and advice, carers network and carers passport
* Flexible working options and family and carer-friendly policies
* Established staff networks, including LGBTQ+ and Race Equality
* Career progression, training and support
Skilled worker sponsorship
You can find out more about skilled worker and health and care visas on our careers site .