Specialist Practitioner / Specialist Nurse

NHS; Truro; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Part time

Job summary

A reputable NHS Trust is seeking a Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialist to deliver expert nursing care to patients with rheumatologic conditions. The role includes assessing patient needs, providing education on disease management, and coordinating care across teams. Ideal candidates should have a registered nursing background with experience or qualifications in rheumatology. This position offers part-time hours within a collaborative healthcare environment.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with current registration.
• Experience in rheumatology is preferred.
• Commitment to professional development required.

Responsibilities

• Assess and implement individualised nursing care plans.
• Provide disease management education to patients.
• Coordinate care with multidisciplinary teams.
• Lead patient education sessions.

Skills

Strong knowledge of rheumatologic diseases

Excellent communication skills

Organisational skills

Ability to work independently

Education

Registered Nurse

Additional qualification in rheumatology preferred

Job description

Job summary

The Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) provides expert nursing care, education, and support to patients with rheumatologic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriatic arthritis, and other autoimmune or connective tissue disorders. The CNS works closely with multidisciplinary teams to optimise patient outcomes, enhance quality of life, and promote self-management.

The post holder will be based in the specialty of Rheumatology.

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities:

Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate individualised nursing care plans for patients with rheumatologic conditions.

Provide specialist advice, education, and support to patients and their families regarding disease management, medication adherence, and lifestyle modifications.

Monitor disease progression and response to treatment, including managing side effects and adverse reactions.

Coordinate care across various healthcare professionals and services to ensure seamless patient management.

Lead patient education sessions and promote self-care strategies.

Keep up-to-date with current clinical guidelines and research to inform practice.

Contribute to clinical audits, service development, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Act as a point of contact for complex cases, providing expert clinical advice to colleagues and other healthcare providers.

Qualifications and Skills:

Registered Nurse with current registration.

Additional qualification or experience in rheumatology or advanced nursing practice preferred.

Strong knowledge of rheumatologic diseases and their management.

Excellent communication, assessment, and organisational skills.

Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

About us

The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) is the main provider of acute and specialist care services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We serve a population of around 500,000 people - a figure that can increase significantly with visitors during the busiest times of the year. We employ approximately 6,700 staff and have a budget of approximately £580 million.

We are a teaching hospital in partnership with the University of Exeter Medical School, University of Plymouth School of Nursing and Midwifery, and Peninsula Dental School.

The Knowledge Spa on the Royal Cornwall Hospital site is the base for medical and nursing as well as ongoing education for health professions in clinical and non-clinical roles.

Keeping at the forefront of medical advances, we are continually developing our clinical services as well as our facilities and are committed to maximising the range of specialist care that can be offered locally. Allied to this is a growing reputation for research and innovation.

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust is a research active organisation.

It's established South West Clinical School in Cornwall exists to promote clinical academic career opportunities for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals interested in research and evidence-based activities. Read their research paper to find out more.

Website: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/clinical-schools/royal-cornwall-hospitals-nhs-trust-clinical-school

https://doi.org/10.1177/17449871231209037

Details Date posted

28 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

156-7313674

Job locations

Royal Cornwall Hospital/Truro Health Park

Truro

TR1 3LJ

Job description Job responsibilities

PLEASE NOTE: To view the full Job Description and Person Specification, please click the supporting document on the right-hand side.

To be an employee of the NHS you need to successfully complete the following:

• Identity Checks
• Professional registration and qualification checks
• Employment history and reference checks
• Occupational Health clearance
• Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check
• Right to work in the UK

For further information please visit:

https://www.nhsemployers.org/topics-networks/employment-standards-and-regulation

We reserve the right to close this advert early.

We may be able to offer flexible working. Please discuss at interview.

We may be able to offer sponsorship but this is not guaranteed.

Job description Job responsibilities

PLEASE NOTE: To view the full Job Description and Person Specification, please click the supporting document on the right-hand side.

To be an employee of the NHS you need to successfully complete the following:

• Identity Checks
• Professional registration and qualification checks
• Employment history and reference checks
• Occupational Health clearance
• Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check
• Right to work in the UK

For further information please visit:

https://www.nhsemployers.org/topics-networks/employment-standards-and-regulation

We reserve the right to close this advert early.

We may be able to offer flexible working. Please discuss at interview.

We may be able to offer sponsorship but this is not guaranteed.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Registered Nurse
• Relevant nursing experience within speciality
• Non-medical prescribing qualification or commitment to undertake
• Completion of relevant extended role scope competencies or commitment to undertake

Desirable

• University qualification in speciality
• Teaching/assessment/mentoring qualification

Experience Essential

• Relevant nursing experience within speciality
• Audit or research experience
• Teaching and education experience

Practical & Intellectual Skills (including any special knowledge) Essential

• Ability to prioritise and manage own workload
• Able to identify learning opportunities
• Able to organise own learning and development
• Ability to manage change

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Registered Nurse
• Relevant nursing experience within speciality
• Non-medical prescribing qualification or commitment to undertake
• Completion of relevant extended role scope competencies or commitment to undertake

Desirable

• University qualification in speciality
• Teaching/assessment/mentoring qualification

Experience Essential

• Relevant nursing experience within speciality
• Audit or research experience
• Teaching and education experience

Practical & Intellectual Skills (including any special knowledge) Essential

• Ability to prioritise and manage own workload
• Able to identify learning opportunities
• Able to organise own learning and development
• Ability to manage change

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust

Address

Royal Cornwall Hospital/Truro Health Park

Truro

TR1 3LJ

Employer's website

https://www.royalcornwall.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust

Address

Royal Cornwall Hospital/Truro Health Park

Truro

TR1 3LJ

Employer's website

https://www.royalcornwall.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)