Band 7 - Clinical Nurse Specialist, Rheumatology

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; Watford; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in Watford is seeking a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Rheumatology. The role involves managing treatment pathways, providing specialist advice, and supporting a multidisciplinary team to optimize patient outcomes. Candidates should have a degree in Adult Nursing, rheumatology experience, and strong leadership skills. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to the development of rheumatology services in a dynamic healthcare environment.

Qualifications

• Registered nurse with active NMC registration.
• Proven post-registration experience working within rheumatology services.
• Skilled in assessing patients both face-to-face and remotely.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate the treatment pathway for rheumatological patients.
• Develop and implement effective care delivery methods.
• Lead and support the rheumatology team to maintain high standards.

Skills

Advanced clinical assessment skills

Excellent communication skills

Leadership and mentoring

Problem-solving skills

Effective planning and organizational skills

Education

Degree in Adult Nursing

Post-registration qualification in rheumatology

Non-medical prescribing qualification

Masters in Rheumatology or equivalent

Job description

Band 7 - Clinical Nurse Specialist, Rheumatology

The closing date is 08 December 2025

The Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialist is an integral member of the Rheumatology Department. The post holder will be responsible and accountable for the management, development and co‑ordination of the treatment pathway for a caseload of patients with rheumatological conditions. They will provide specialist nursing advice, support, education to patients, carers, nurses and other multidisciplinary team members from the time of diagnosis and throughout treatment and follow‑up phases. They will demonstrate advanced nursing practice, effectively managing a complex clinical caseload, carrying out pre‑treatment assessments and planning and implementing care and treatment for patients with rheumatological conditions requiring disease‑modifying anti‑rheumatic drugs or in whom anti‑TNF or other biologic/JAK/biosimilar therapies are indicated.

They will support the Lead CNS as required in the development, supervision and support of the rheumatology CNS team, ensuring high standards of professional practice. They will contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of rheumatology services, working in line with local and national guidance to enhance patient outcomes, reduce unnecessary admissions and improve service efficiency.

Main duties of the job

• To organise and run the service in a safe and efficient manner, maintaining and improving standards and at all times using available evidence.
• To initiate, develop and implement effective methods of care delivery which include new ways of working and new roles.
• To work closely with primary and secondary care and other agencies to develop and extend services for patients within the speciality, and implementation of quality initiatives and targets in conjunction with the Consultant Rheumatologists, Rheumatology Biologic Pharmacists and Lead Rheumatology CNS.
To monitor, manage and report clinical workload to ensure the effective delivery or care and deployment of manpower, taking all possible actions to minimise risk when optimum staffing levels are not available, in accordance with local and national guidelines.
• To support Lead rheumatology CNS in clinic scheduling, monitoring capacity and demand, where necessary.
• To support the Lead rheumatology CNS in the implementation of his/her role. To provide professional, clinical and managerial leadership within the department in the absence of the Lead rheumatology CNS.
• To undertake any other duties required by the line manager appropriate to the grade and relevant to the post.
• To minimise hazards in the working area and report any identifiable hazards to the line manager.
• To adhere to all safe systems of work applicable to the work area.

About us

With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award‑winning virtual hospital and re‑imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking

If you have a disability or long‑term health condition and require support or guidance please contact [e-mail]. If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.

We reserve right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Job responsibilities

Administrative Responsibilities

Be committed to resolve the concerns of patients and their families in a timely manner, working collaboratively with PALS and Complaints Manager to achieve this. To ensure clinical incidents/near misses within the sphere of responsibility are managed in a timely manner and actions taken to minimise risks, ensuring robust use of incident reporting systems (e.g. DATIX), monitoring trends and contributing to risk reduction strategies. Ensure that all patient records, correspondence, and documentation are completed to a high standard, in line with NMC guidelines and Trust policies, promoting accuracy, timeliness and quality of clinical documentation within the rheumatology CNS team.

Adopt systems used within the department to aid administrative tasks (e.g. AI Heidi or other relevant software implemented by the team). Collect, analyse and report data relating to high-cost drugs, and commissioning requirements, ensuring compliance with local and national standards. Support the maintenance and development of the rheumatology clinical database (eg. DAWN), ensuring it is used effectively for patient care, audit, and reporting. Participate in the implementation and monitoring of clinical governance and quality assurance frameworks, ensuring lessons learned are embedded into practice. Contribute to the preparation of service reports, business cases, and performance data as required by senior management, commissioners, or national bodies. Actively engage in the Trusts policies, guidelines, and statutory responsibilities, ensuring personal compliance and supporting team adherence.

Research & Audit

To carry out audit and evaluation to monitor the effectiveness therapeutic regimes and to improve health outcomes, and to lead and participate in wider clinical audit, evaluation, and research to monitor and improve the effectiveness of rheumatology services. To ensure that practice is evidence based, critically appraising and applying evidence-based practice so that service delivery reflects current best practice and national guidance. Where appropriate, to identify areas for nursing research, sources of funding and initiate research projects (following GCP training and support from Trust Research Department). To promote and disseminate research and audit findings, including presenting and sharing outcomes at local, regional, and national meetings, and contributing to publications where appropriate. To use outcome measures, patient feedback and service data to influence and shape clinical practice, quality improvement, and commissioning priorities. To maintain knowledge of emerging research, innovation, and best practice in rheumatology care, incorporating developments into local practice. To support and mentor colleagues in developing research awareness and audit skills within the rheumatology team.

Training & Development

Implement educational programmes both formal and informal within the acute Trust, primary care trusts and other agencies, ensuring delivery is evidence-based and aligned with national guidance and service priorities. To identify personal development needs to work effectively at an advanced level within the speciality and take appropriate action to ensure that those needs are met, to ensure scope of practice remains current, evidence-based, and aligned with service needs. To maintain a personal professional profile and portfolio, including mandatory training and NMC revalidation. To demonstrate effectiveness as a role model and clinical supervisor, supporting workforce development through supervision, mentoring, and appraisal of junior staff, colleagues, students, and MDT members. Provide specialist teaching on rheumatology conditions, treatments, and self‑management strategies to patients, carers, and healthcare professionals. Encourage and support reflective practice, continuous learning, and professional revalidation within the team. Contribute to training at local, regional, and national levels, and collaborate with universities and professional bodies to strengthen links between practice, education, and research. To work within the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Conduct and applicable legislation.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

• Registered nurse with active NMC registration
• Degree in Adult Nursing
• Post-registration qualification in rheumatology (or equivalent) with consolidated specialist experience
• Non-medical prescribing qualification or willingness to undertake
• Adult Health Assessment Module or willingness to complete
• Masters in Rheumatology or equivalent

Knowledge

• Advanced clinical assessment, reasoning, and decision-making skills, with the ability to work autonomously.
• Strong understanding and ability to implement national and local guidelines relevant to rheumatology.
• Leadership and management skills, including the ability to supervise, develop, and mentor colleagues and students.
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills, including delivering education to patients, carers, rheumatology CNS, medical students and other supporting staff.
• Effective planning, organisational and time management abilities.
• Analytical, problem-solving and judgement skills applied to clinical practice, service development and audit.
• Proficient use of computer systems and clinical software.
• Knowledge of issues affecting rheumatology nursing and ability to contribute to audit, and quality improvement initiatives.

Experience

• Proven post-registration experience working within rheumatology services.
• Be able to demonstrate ability to work autonomously and make independent clinical decisions with rheumatology patients.
• Experience in service development, clinical audit, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Competent in the administration of DMARD and biologic/biosimilar/JAK medications.
• Skilled in assessing patients both face-to-face and remotely, providing advice and guidance via telephone or electronic means.

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