Band 6 - Clinical Nurse Specialist, Rheumatology

NHS; St Albans; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking an enthusiastic and qualified Clinical Nurse Specialist in Rheumatology. The role involves managing patients, developing new pathways in rheumatology care, and participating in quality improvement initiatives. This full-time, permanent position promises professional development opportunities within a supportive environment across multiple hospital sites.

Qualifications

• NMC Registered Practitioner required.
• Experience in Rheumatology and evidence of professional development necessary.
• Post registration development in Rheumatology is crucial.

Responsibilities

• Manage rheumatology patients within out-patient and rheumatology departments.
• Counsel patients on DMARDs, biologics, and JAK medications.
• Act as an expert resource for colleagues within NHS Trust.

Skills

Counseling

Patient Care

Clinical Management

Empathy

Professional Development

Education

Certificate, diploma, degree or masters qualification in Rheumatology

V300 NMP prescribing course

Recognised teaching qualification

Job description

Go back West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Band 6 - Clinical Nurse Specialist, Rheumatology

The closing date is 29 June 2025

We are seeking a qualified Rheumatology Specialist Nurse, who is enthusiastic and highly motivated to join the Rheumatology Department at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

This role would suit anyone with medical nursing experience who has a passion and interest to develop their rheumatology specialist nursing skills.

We are an aspirational team, which is preparing to expand over the next couple of years.

We provide high quality care to patients within the out-patient setting with support, information and counselling on the auto-immune and inflammatory conditions.

The closing date for applications are Sunday 29th June 2025.

Interview for the post will be in person at St Albans City Hospital afternoon Friday, 11th July 2025.

Main duties of the job

As part of the service's strategy, we are aiming to develop new innovative pathways within rheumatology.

This will be a great opportunity for someone who is keen to take part in quality improvement initiatives to improve patient experience within elective pathway.

In addition, you will receive structured time bound competency development through training and senior supervision to enable you to work autonomously.

You will be supported to develop as an independent practitioner who can make decisions relating to patient treatment and care.

The individual will be expected to prioritise tasks and manage their own time whilst supporting the organisation to meet the elective performance targets.

About us

We have three hospitals - Watford General Hospital, Hemel Hempstead Hospital and St Albans City Hospital, with the post holder being required to work across the three sites, however we would work committedly with you to suit your personal choices whilst balancing the service requirements.

The post holder will work closely with the Rheumatology Consultants, Specialist Nurse colleagues and Administrators, to support advancing the care of patients with Rheumatology Diagnoses. This is a full-time (37.5 hours), permanent role.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients and colleagues. Our core Trust values are: Empowerment, Professional, Compassion, Inclusion.

At West Hertfordshire we are a flexible working employer, recognising the importance of a good work life balance and the ability to work flexibly. We are delighted to offer a variety of flexible working options to all staff. Please check out our web page for more information.http://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking/. We encourage and welcome people with disabilities, and are an equal opportunities employer.

There has never been a more exciting time to join both West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, as major re-development works are planned as part of the New Hospital Programme. This will be most dramatic at Watford General Hospital where up to 90% of buildings will be new.

Job responsibilities

The successful applicant, will manage rheumatology patients within the out-patient and rheumatology departments:

- Following NICE guidance pathways, counsel patients to start DMARDs, biologics, biosimilars and JAK medications.

- Reviewing patients holistically with a patient centred approach to care, and empathy, which encourages participation of patients and their carers/families.

- Monitor patient medication bloods using the DAWN data platform.

- Support patients via the telephone Advice Line

- Develop and maintain rheumatology knowledge to support patients (and their carers and family), in line with service delivery, as agreed with Lead, Rheumatology Specialist Nurse.

- Act as an expert resource for colleagues both within and outside the West Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust.

- Support Lead, Rheumatology Specialist Nurse and Clinical Nurse Specialist colleagues with department service development

- Adhere to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and Scope of Professional Practice at all times.

The post will involve working within a multi-disciplinary team, patients, patient carers and their families and primary care mainly. It will include providing cross cover for Clinical Nurse Specialists on leave. Require the ability and confidence for autonomous working.

Training and support will be provided for the successful candidate to assist with development. West Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust has opportunities and support for continuing professional development.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Appropriate NMC Registered Practitioner
• Recognised teaching qualification
• V300 NMP prescribing course.
• RCN Rheumatology competency framework Band 5 sign off.
• Certificate, diploma, degree or masters qualification in Rheumatology.

Experience

• Evidence of post registration development in Rheumatology
• Evidence to support a programme of personal professional development.
• Evidence of diverse experience in the rheumatology speciality
• Evidence of independent clinical management.
• Generic experience and knowledge of clinical practice in medical setting
• Experience across the scope of the Rheumatology CNS practice.

Knowledge

• Knowledge and counselling experience of DMARD, biologic, biosimilar, JAK medications.
• Knowledge of RA/AS/PsA diagnosis and experience of discussing with newly diagnosed rheumatology patients.

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.

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust