Clinical Nurse Specialist - Rheumatology

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire; Coventry; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust is seeking an experienced rheumatology advanced practitioner/nurse. You will manage complex caseloads, lead nurse-led clinics, and work within multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care.

You will promote evidence-based practice, participate in audits, and support staff development while maintaining professional standards and governance.

Qualifications

• Degree in nursing or equivalent professional registration.
• Current CPD evidence and willingness to undertake prescribing qualification.
• Teaching and assessing qualification or willingness to undertake.

Responsibilities

• Lead advanced rheumatology nursing practice for complex caseloads.
• Run nurse-led clinics, provide telephone advice and clinical support.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure timely, high-quality care.
• Promote evidence-based practice and drive service development.
• Provide mentorship and training to junior staff and contribute to MDT discussions.

Skills

IT skills

Time management

People management

Decision making

Leadership

Training delivery

Communication

Education

Nursing degree

Job description

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To demonstrate advanced practice, effectively managing a complex clinical caseload, carrying out pre-treatment assessments as well as 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 therapies are indicated.
• Provide nurse‑led clinical activity to support the rheumatology service across the trust. This will include running nurse‑led clinics, telephone advice and clinical support
• To act as a patient’s advocate and to give advice regarding treatment options in order for the patient to be able to give informed consent
• To work in collaboration with all members of the local and specialist multidisciplinary teams to ensure the provision of high quality, timely service for patients and their families
• To promote and demonstrate evidence based practice, initiate research/audit projects and encourage and support staff who wish to be actively involved in service development
• To provide support and advice in clinical areas for junior colleagues, wards and outpatients, to optimise quality improvement opportunities, and provide expert input into MDT discussions to influence care pathways and service planning
• To provide leadership support to the rheumatology nursing team, ensuring high standards of clinical practice and patient care.
• To act as a role model and mentor, promoting a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Actively engage in the Trust’s policies, guidelines, and statutory responsibilities, ensuring personal compliance and supporting team adherence
• Maintain a professional awareness of developments in research, nursing practice and current trends within the fields of rheumatology nursing
• To use outcome measures, patient feedback and service data to influence and shape clinical practice, quality improvement, and commissioning priorities.
• Promote own professional development by attending appropriate confidence, courses study days, accessing and utilising relevant information
• Provide specialist teaching on rheumatology conditions, treatments, and self‑management strategies to patients, carers, and healthcare professionals

For further details please see the attached job description.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Degree in relevant subject or willingness to undertake Current Professional Registration Evidence of CPD Teaching and assessing qualification Non-medical prescribing qualification or willingness to undertake

Desirable criteria

• Master’s degree or working towards Leadership qualification or completion of leadership programme Counselling course/module Advanced health assessment course

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experienced band 6 level
• Professional clinical experience in rheumatology
• Highly developed communication skills
• Ability to successfully manage people and change
• Experience of conflict management
• A good understanding of HR policy
• Experience in research and audit

Desirable criteria

• Previous experience in senior nurse role within rheumatology specialism
• Experience writing/producing patient information
• Understanding of budget management

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Clinical knowledge of rheumatology with the ability to apply evidence to practice
• An understanding of current issues relating to the NHS
• A knowledge of professional policies and procedures
• Knowledge of rheumatology disorders/conditions and physiology and effect of disease upon these systems.
• Knowledge of clinical governance & a commitment to clinical supervision and staff development

Skills

Essential criteria

• Good understanding of IT and technology
• Able to prioritise and meet deadlines effectively
• Good management of own and others time
• Able to use initiative and make decisions
• Analyses problems and implements effective and appropriate solutionsStrong leadership skills
• Ability to deliver training in the specialist area
• The ability to represent the client group across other agencies.

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

Essential criteria

• Evidence of demonstrating the Trust Values (Compassion, Openness, Pride, Partnership, Improve, Learn and Respect) and the associated Values in Action behaviours in the workplace. For posts with managerial responsibility only Evidence of promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, and ensuring fair and equitable practices throughout your work experience. Evidence of promoting a culture which helps individuals live behaviours aligned to our Trust Values (Compassion, Openness, Pride, Partnership, Improve, Learn and Respect)

To ensure that we provide world‑class patient care, UHCW recruits people that can demonstrate the Trust’s Values and Behaviours in their everyday life. Therefore, if you are invited to interview, you will be undertaking a Values Based Interview/Assessment, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.

Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trust’s Values and Behaviours which can be accessed on the right side of this page under the job description.

The Supporting Information Section in your application should therefore reflect your understanding of the Trust's Values and associated Behaviours. You will be expected to provide us with examples from work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviour.

The Trust is committed to Equal Opportunities within the workplace. All vacancies will be considered for Job Share unless otherwise stated. All applicants who have a disability and who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be interviewed. Where a post has an overwhelming response, this Trust may use random selection in order to reduce numbers to interview, any disabled applicants will automatically be guaranteed an interview and will be exempt from this process.

In submitting an application form, you authorise University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust to confirm from your previous or current NHS employer and other prior employers; previous NHS service details and personal data held about you, including Occupational Health data (inoculations and screening tests). This data will be transferred using NHS Electronic Staff Record and third‑party systems via an automated process and only used for the purposes of obtaining and maintaining accurate employment records, should you be appointed to the post.

UHCW NHS Trust, by virtue of its Green Plan, is committed to ensuring that the way we provide services minimises the impact on the environment and the future health of the public e.g. zero waste to landfill, reducing our carbon footprint and increasing our recycling and reuse percentages.

If you are successful at interview you will receive a conditional offer of employment and we’ll ask you for information so that we can carry out pre‑employment checks. You must successfully complete all pre‑employment checks to progress to a final unconditional offer.

We must confirm the identity of our staff and their right to work in the United Kingdom. We will ask you to submit proof of your identity and right to work documents via a secure digital platform approved by the Home Office, named TrustID. Alternatively, you may be asked to attend our office with original documents.

Depending on your level of exposure with patients you may be required to undertake a Standard or Enhanced DBS. The cost of this check will be charged to you and will be deducted from your salary over the first 3 months of employment at the current rate.

All correspondence will be sent by email; please check your account regularly including your Junk/SPAM folders