Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialist

NHS; Hereford; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in England is looking for a Clinical Nurse Specialist to join their Rheumatology Team. This full-time, permanent position offers opportunities for development at various band levels depending on skills and experience. Responsibilities include providing expert advice to patients and contributing to service improvements. Ideal candidates will have nursing qualifications and experience in rheumatology.

Qualifications

• Registered nurse with active NMC registration.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Willingness to complete a recognised rheumatology course.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist advice and support to patients regarding rheumatological conditions.
• Work as part of the multidisciplinary team.
• Contribute to service development and quality improvement.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Ability to manage own workload

Advanced clinical assessment skills

Leadership and management skills

Education

Degree in Nursing

Post-registration qualification in Rheumatology

Job description

We are looking for one enthusiastic and motivated nurse to join our Rheumatology Team as aClinical Nurse Specialist. This is a development role with flexibility to appoint at Band 5, Band 6, or Band 7, depending on skills and experience.

For those without prior rheumatology experience, we offer a structured development programme, including shadowing, supervision, and completion of the RCN Rheumatology Competency Framework. Band 5 entrants will be supported to progress to Band 6 and onward progression to Band 7 is available with experience and competencies.

We also welcome applications from experienced Band 7 Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialists who are seeking a new opportunity within a supportive, forward-thinking team.

As part of our multidisciplinary service, you will:

Provide specialist advice, education, and support to patients, carers, and colleagues.

Develop skills in advanced assessment, treatment monitoring, and patient education.

Play a key role in service development and quality improvement.

This is a full-time permanent post (37.5 hours per week).

If you are passionate about delivering high-quality, patient-centred care and are eager to develop a specialist career in rheumatology, we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

Provide specialist advice, support and education to patients and carers regarding diagnosis, treatment, and self-management of a wide range of rheumatological conditions, both face to face and via telephone/email.

Work collaboratively as part of the multidisciplinary team, liaising closely with consultants, specialist nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists.

Support patients receiving disease-modifying therapies and biologics, including education, training in self-management, and monitoring.

Undertake rheumatology-specific training and complete the RCN Rheumatology Competency Framework to progress through bands.

Contribute to the safe delivery of intravenous and subcutaneous therapies, including patient education and monitoring.

Participate in service development, quality improvement, audit, and research activities.

Act as a role model, supporting the training and development of colleagues and students.

• For Band 5/6 applicants: follow a structured development programme with supervision and training to achieve Band 6/7 competencies.
• For Band 7 applicants: work autonomously as an established Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialist and contribute to service leadership.

About us

Wye Valley NHS Trust is part of an NHS Foundation Group with South Warwickshire University NHS FT, George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust, and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

Located on the border with Wales in the shadow of the Black Mountains, we provide acute and community services across Herefordshire and into parts of Powys. We run Hereford County Hospital as well as community hospitals in Bromyard, Leominster and Ross-on-Wye.

We are a progressive and forward looking trust with ambitious plans to improve quality and integrate patient pathways through close collaborative working with our partners to deliver the quality of care wed want for our family and friends.

More than 3,000 people work for the Trust they tell us its a great place to work, blending the busyness of a DGH with the benefits of working in a beautiful rural and unspoilt county like Herefordshire.

We can offer a great work-life balance and have a fine tradition of working with staff to help them achieve their full potential.

Russell Hardy, Trust Chairman: "The strength of the Trust is its amazing staff; a great place to work, a great place to develop your career and a great place to reach your potential."

Our values - Care, Accountability, Respect and Excellence - are at the heart of all we do. We believe in providing the right care in the right place at the right time.

Job responsibilities

This post offers an exciting opportunity to join the Rheumatology Team as a Clinical Nurse Specialist. It is advertised as a development role (Band 57), with appointment at the most appropriate band depending on skills and experience.

- Band 5 applicants will be supported through a structured development programme, including supervision, shadowing, and rheumatology-specific training, with the expectation of achieving Band 6 competencies and then Band 7 competencies.

- Band 6 applicants will build on their existing knowledge and skills, taking on greater responsibility for independent practice, patient management, and service delivery, with expectations of achieving Band 7 competencies.

- Band 7 applicants will be experienced Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialists who are able to work autonomously, lead elements of the service, and contribute to the education and development of colleagues.

Provide specialist advice, support and education to patients and carers regarding diagnosis, treatment and self-management of rheumatological conditions.

Work as part of the multidisciplinary team, supporting patients on disease-modifying therapies and biologics, including education, monitoring and treatment delivery.

Undertake training and development, including completion of the RCN Rheumatology Competency Framework, with a structured pathway for progression through the bands.

Contribute to service development, audit, research and quality improvement.

Act as a role model, supporting the education and development of colleagues and students.

Please see theJob Description and Person Specificationfor full details.

Person Specification

Education & Qualifications

• Registered nurse with active NMC registration
• Evidence of ongoing professional development
• Willingness to complete a recognised rheumatology course and the RCN Rheumatology Competency Framework
• Non-medical prescribing qualification, or willingness to undertake
• Degree in Nursing; post-registration qualification in Rheumatology (or equivalent) with consolidated specialist experience
• Completion of, or willingness to undertake, an Adult Health Assessment module
• IR(ME)R training and certification, or willingness to complete
• Post-registration modules in musculoskeletal care, long-term conditions, or related specialties

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to organise, prioritise and manage own workload.
• Knowledge of the principles of patient assessment and disease monitoring
• 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.
• Understanding of the issues affecting Rheumatology Nursing
• Ability to plan education programmes for patient/ carers and staff
• Research and Audit development and implementation skills

Experience

• Proven post-registration experience working within rheumatology services, including management of patients with rheumatology conditions.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and make independent clinical decisions.
• Skilled in assessing patients both face-to-face and remotely, providing advice and guidance via telephone or electronic means
• Experience in service development, clinical audit, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Involvement of service development
• Administration of cytotoxin treatment
• Previous experience in rheumatology or musculoskeletal nursing.
• Experience in managing patients with long-term conditions

Personal Attributes

• Ability to act independently (high level of autonomy) and delegate appropriately
• Flexible, adaptable and resilient to the changing working environment and demands
• Motivated to learn and develop specialist expertise
• Approachable, supportive, and professional in interactions with patients, peers, and the multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to work both independently (within scope of practice) and as part of a team
• Able to remain calm and work effectively under pressure, handling sensitive or difficult situations with tact.
• Demonstrates strong teamwork and collaborative skills.
• Commitment to service development and patient-centred care
• Ability to use own initiative

Other Factors

• Ability to fulfil the travel requirements of post

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.

Lead Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialist

Depending on experienceDependant on Experience (can consider Band 5, Band 6 or Band 7)