Clinical Nurse Specialist - Rheumatology

The Methodist Church in Britain; Coventry; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Access to a wide range of learning and

Job summary

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust is seeking a Clinical Nurse Specialist in rheumatology to manage high‑level clinical care from diagnosis through follow‑up. The role combines nurse‑led clinics, telephone advice, and leadership of the rheumatology nursing team, with cross‑site work across Rugby St Cross and CCHC.

Candidates must have current NMC registration and a non‑medical prescribing qualification or be willing to undertake one; experience at Band 6 level and

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant subject.
• Teaching and assessing qualification.
• Non-medical prescribing qualification or willingness to undertake.
• Current NMC registration.

Responsibilities

• Manage a complex clinical caseload with advanced practice including pre-treatment assessment and care planning.
• Provide specialist care, advice and support to patients, families, carers and staff.
• Coordinate complex patient care with rheumatology consultants and the MDT.
• Run nurse-led clinics and provide telephone advice and clinical support.
• Advise on treatment options to enable informed consent.
• Provide leadership, support and mentoring to the rheumatology nursing team.
• Advise junior colleagues and contribute to MDT discussions to shape care pathways.
• Promote evidence-based practice, initiate research and audits.
• Use outcomes and service data to shape practice and commissioning priorities.
• Provide specialist teaching on rheumatology to patients, carers and professionals.
• Ensure compliance with Trust policies and pursue professional development.

Education

Degree in a relevant subject

Teaching and assessing qualification

Non-medical prescribing qualification or willingness to undertake

NMC registration

Master's degree or working towards one

Job description

This Clinical Nurse Specialist post sits in the rheumatology service at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust. The role centres on specialist care for patients with long-term rheumatology conditions, from diagnosis through treatment and follow-up, including pre-treatment assessment for DMARD and biologic therapy. The post combines nurse-led clinics and telephone advice with leadership of the rheumatology nursing team, and involves cross-site working at Rugby St Cross and CCHC. Candidates need current NMC registration and a non-medical prescribing qualification or willingness to undertake one.

What the job involves

• Manage a complex clinical caseload with advanced practice, including pre-treatment assessment and care planning for patients needing DMARDs or anti-TNF or other biologic therapy
• Provide specialist care, advice and support to patients, families, carers and staff across the diagnostic, treatment, surveillance and follow-up pathway
• Co-ordinate complex patient care and provide holistic care alongside rheumatology consultants and the multidisciplinary team
• Run nurse-led clinics and provide telephone advice and clinical support across the trust
• Act as patient advocate and advise on treatment options so patients can give informed consent
• Provide leadership, support and mentoring to the rheumatology nursing team to maintain high standards of practice
• Advise junior colleagues, wards and outpatients, and give expert input to MDT discussions to shape care pathways and service planning
• Promote evidence-based practice, initiate research and audit projects, and support staff involved in service development
• Use outcome measures, patient feedback and service data to shape clinical practice, quality improvement and commissioning priorities
• Provide specialist teaching on rheumatology conditions, treatments and self-management to patients, carers and healthcare professionals
• Ensure personal compliance with Trust policies, guidelines and statutory responsibilities, and support team adherence
• Keep up with developments in research, nursing practice and rheumatology, and pursue own professional development

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant subject or willingness to undertake one
• Teaching and assessing qualification
• Non-medical prescribing qualification or willingness to undertake

Registration & licences

• Current NMC registration

Experience

• Band 6-level experience
• Clinical experience in rheumatology
• Experience managing people, change and conflict, with a good understanding of HR policy
• Experience in research and audit

Skills & knowledge

• Clinical rheumatology knowledge applied to evidence-based practice
• Understanding of current NHS issues, professional policies and clinical governance
• Strong leadership and highly developed communication skills
• Ability to prioritise, manage time and meet deadlines
• Ability to use initiative, make decisions and solve problems
• Ability to deliver specialist training and represent the client group across agencies

Other

• Evidence of demonstrating the Trust values and behaviours in the workplace
• Evidence of promoting equality, diversity and inclusion (managerial responsibility)

Nice to have

• Master's degree or working towards one
• Leadership qualification or completion of a leadership programme
• Counselling course or module
• Advanced health assessment course
• Previous senior nurse experience in rheumatology
• Experience writing or producing patient information
• Understanding of budget management

What’s offered

• Access to a wide range of learning and development opportunities