Rheumatology Specialist Nurse

Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Gobowen; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading orthopaedic healthcare provider is seeking a Rheumatology Specialist Nurse, responsible for providing specialist nursing care and support for patients with rheumatological conditions. The role includes managing a clinical caseload, delivering outreach clinics, and supporting the development of Rheumatology services. Candidates must be a registered nurse with an active NMC pin and leadership experience. Competitive salary offered in a rewarding work environment.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Access to state-of-the-art facilities

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with active NMC pin is essential.
• Leadership experience at band 6 or above is required.
• Significant experience within Rheumatology Services is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior leadership in the Rheumatology team.
• Deliver clinics and outreach services autonomously.
• Lead clinical audits and continuous quality improvement initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Patient care

Communication

Clinical judgement

Health promotion

Education

Registered Nurse with active NMC pin

Degree in nursing or equivalent experience

Masters level qualification (achieved or working towards)

Tools

DMARD administration

Job description

Rheumatology Specialist Nurse

The closing date is 09 January 2026.

The post holder will act as a clinical Nurse Specialist within the Rheumatology multidisciplinary team (MDT) which provides a specialist diagnostic and management service for adult patients with a wide range of Rheumatological conditions.

The post holder will provide and co-ordinate specialist care and support for patients, have specialist knowledge of a wide range of Rheumatological conditions and will provide specialist professional advice and education to patients, carers and their families.

They will demonstrate advanced nursing practice, managing a complex caseload and carrying out pre-treatment assessments as well as planning and implementing care and treatment for patients requiring disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or anti-TNF or other biologic/biosimilar therapies.

The post holder will undertake clinics at RJAH and will deliver outreach clinics at other sites working autonomously and independently. They will contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of Rheumatology services, working in line with local and national guidance to enhance patient outcomes.

Please note that we have no access to OSCE support courses, and nurses pending registration are welcome to apply but must be able to evidence that they have satisfied the NMC Objective Structured Clinical Examination Test of Competence.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be a clinical specialist in Rheumatology conditions providing specialist nursing care to Rheumatology patients in line with NICE guidance, and nationally agreed standards of care.

Non-Medical Prescribing

The post holder will be expected to prescribe medicines for identified patient groups in accordance with current legislation, local and national policy, following completion of the non-medical prescribing course, registration with the relevant Professional body and where identified as part of their job role. The post holder must submit a clear formulary with evidence of competence for approval by the Trust's Drug and Therapeutic Committee before prescribing any medicines at RJAH.

Applicants who do not possess the required non-medical prescribing qualification, but are willing undertake the course, are welcome to apply but will be appointed on the terms contained in Annex 21 of NHS terms and conditions of employment (Agenda for Change) until successful completion of the course or for applicants already at NHS Band 6 pay preservation will be considered.

About us

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic NHS Trust (RJAH) is one of the leading orthopaedic hospitals in the country, with some of the highest levels of staff and patient satisfaction, as well as a strong reputation for research and innovation.

In the National Staff Survey, 74% of our staff would recommend the Trust as a place to work and 92% would recommend the hospital to a friend or relative for treatment.

Joining RJAH is more than just a job - we want our people to have the best opportunities to thrive in their role. We have a range of fantastic staff benefits on offer to everyone who joins RJAH and you'll have access to outstanding professional development opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities - including our recently-opened £6 million Headley Court Veterans' Orthopaedic Centre (the first unit of its kind in the UK). RJAH has strong links with a range of universities including Staffordshire, Keele, Glyndwr, Chester and Birmingham. The hospital is located on a site outside Oswestry in Oswestry, just off the A5. The nearest train station is in Gobowen, approximately two miles from the hospital. The station is part of the Chester to Birmingham line. We are based in North Shropshire, close to the border with North and Mid Wales. It is one of the most attractive parts of the country, with a rich historic culture and excellent transport links. It offers outstanding opportunities for anyone who enjoys an outdoor lifestyle or is looking to raise a family.

Job responsibilities

The post holder will provide senior leadership and act as a role model demonstrating excellent knowledge and high standards of clinical practice. They will lead, manage and develop the team to deliver safe, effective and patient centred care.

• Deliver clinics both at RJAH and outreach clinics at other sites
• Work autonomously and collaboratively with other members of the Rheumatology MDT
• Formulate individual management plans and evaluate and modify those plans according to patient needs
• Communicates complex and sensitive information effectively using advanced skills to overcome any barriers to understanding
• Provide infusion therapy oversight, ensuring safe administration of Intravenous Infusions and participate in administration as and when required
• Exercises independent clinical judgement in complex situations
• Actively encourage health promotion and support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that encourage them to live healthily and apply principles of self‑care. This will involve the use of tact and persuasive skills.
• Provide quality leadership and act as a visible role model for junior staff and colleagues.
• Lead and support clinical audits to improve patient outcomes
• Attend and participate in the monthly Rheumatology meetings
• Lead on continuous quality improvement initiatives
• Active participation in local and national conferences in order to share knowledge to others and learn from others
• Leads on the development of policies and procedures for the management of patients with Rheumatology conditions
• Ensure appropriate prioritisation, organisation and time management of tasks on a weekly basis
• Have knowledge and adhere to the Trusts People Services Policies (such as sickness policy) and act upon these policies
• Lead on staff development ensuring staff are up to date with training, achieving competencies and have received an annual appraisal
• Be responsible for the professional/clinical supervision of junior team members

Person Specification

Personal

• Full UK driving licence with access to own car for work and the ability to drive to different locations

Qualifications & Training

• Registered Nurse with active NMC pin
• Degree in nursing or significant equivalent experience within Rheumatology
• Evidence of further continued professional development
• Independent non-medical prescribing or be willing to undertake this (If the post holder does not hold this qualification, but is willing to work towards, the successful candidate will be employed with an Agenda for Change Annex 21 provisions until this qualification is received)
• Achieved or working towards masters level qualification

Experience

• Proven significant experience of working within Rheumatology Services
• Leadership and management experience at band 6 or above
• Demonstrated experience of working as an autonomous practitioner
• Experience in service development, clinical audit and quality improvement initiatives.

Competency and knowledge

• Competent in the administration of DMARD, biologic and biosimilar medications
• Knowledge of issues affecting Rheumatology Services
• Ability to initiative and implement change to carry out projects
• Participation in policy and research

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.

Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

£47,810 to £54,710 a year or Annex 21 training contract per annum