Northampton General Hospital

Rheumatology Specialist Nurse

The closing date is 04 March 2026

Job summary

The post holder will contribute to nursing leadership and provision of a high quality, equitable, accessible nursing service for patients under the care of the rheumatology team.

The post holder will work in an advanced clinical and autonomous role to develop nursing practice within the speciality of rheumatology.

The post holder will demonstrate a sound clinical knowledge of autoimmune diseases and deliver care at a high standard to patients attending rheumatology. The jobholder will ensure cost effective use of resources.

The post holder will maintain professional registration through the revalidation process.

Provide effective input into the work of the Trust, to support the achievement of our vision and values.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will:

Work as part of the multi-disciplinary team, undertaking advanced clinical assessments and examination of rheumatology patients with Autoimmune diseases.

Provide a specialist nurse led service working autonomously in providing care for Rheumatology patients and their families according to agreed guidelines or as specified by the Consultant Rheumatologists.

Work alongside the medical day case team to support and manage patients attending the unit.

Contribute to the development of a high-quality local service for people with Autoimmune diseases.

Clinically assess patients attending for routine follow-ups with Autoimmune diseases, to monitor and evaluate disease activity, ordering and interpreting specific haematology and microbiological investigations or imaging as indicated.

Recommend treatment, alter drug dosages according to management guidelines.

Check and prepare patients for biological therapy according to NICE guidelines and take consent for patients.

Counsel Rheumatology patients pre immunosuppressant/ biological therapy and perform pre-screening checks in accordance with NICE and BSR Guidelines.

Co-ordinate requests for biological therapy with consultants, the high-cost therapy pharmacist, and the Medical Day Case Unit team.

Follow-up and monitor patients on immunosuppressant and biological therapy.

About us

Please submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close adverts once we have received sufficient applications

Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust is on an exciting journey with all of our divisions committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN). As part of this collaborative approach, there may be a requirement for you to work across both the Kettering and Northampton hospital sites, depending on the needs of the service.

Our Excellence Values

  • Compassion
  • Accountability
  • Respect
  • Integrity
  • Courage

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across UHN and help to unleash everyone's full potential.

UHN encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups. We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.

We recognise the valuable contribution that the Armed Forces community make to our organisation. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and achieved Silver Award under the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme.

We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for UHN.

Details

Date posted

24 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

265-7794991-MED

Job locations

Northampton General Hospital

Cliftonville

Northampton

NN1 5BD


Job description

Job responsibilities

To uphold the principles of the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and to be always accountable for own clinical practice and professional actions.

To maintain own skills and knowledge and demonstrate clinical excellence and high standards of practice to other staff

To be responsible for your own professional development, maintain a professional portfolio and keep up to date on current nursing and health service issues, including keeping up to date with revalidation.

Maintain own knowledge and clinical skills demonstrating competence in delivering a high standard of care.

To demonstrate professional development in the field of Rheumatology

Uphold high standards of Communication skills and provide highly complex information on medication and challenge poor practice with all grades of doctors, prescribers, nursing, and midwifery staff.

Promote a better understanding of Autoimmune diseases for patients and their carers through education, providing support and counselling where necessary to empower patients to take a greater part in self- managing their disease.

Educate patients on the importance of adherence with recommended management plans.

Be willing to undertake Intra-articular/soft tissue injections.

Be willing to undertake the non-medical prescribing course.

Request and act on abnormal blood results to avoid complications and improve safety.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To uphold the principles of the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and to be always accountable for own clinical practice and professional actions.

To maintain own skills and knowledge and demonstrate clinical excellence and high standards of practice to other staff

To be responsible for your own professional development, maintain a professional portfolio and keep up to date on current nursing and health service issues, including keeping up to date with revalidation.

Maintain own knowledge and clinical skills demonstrating competence in delivering a high standard of care.

To demonstrate professional development in the field of Rheumatology

Uphold high standards of Communication skills and provide highly complex information on medication and challenge poor practice with all grades of doctors, prescribers, nursing, and midwifery staff.

Promote a better understanding of Autoimmune diseases for patients and their carers through education, providing support and counselling where necessary to empower patients to take a greater part in self- managing their disease.

Educate patients on the importance of adherence with recommended management plans.

Be willing to undertake Intra-articular/soft tissue injections.

Be willing to undertake the non-medical prescribing course.

Request and act on abnormal blood results to avoid complications and improve safety.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to Degree level or equivalent level of education, training, or experience
  • Degree/academic study Qualification in Rheumatology
  • X-Ray Requestor
  • Intra-articular/soft tissue injection administration Or Non-Medical Prescribing Qualification (At least one)
  • Evidence of continuous professional practice/development at master's level or equivalent level of education , training or experience

Desirable

  • Mentorship Qualification
  • Leadership/Managerial Qualification

Knowledge

Essential

  • Significant post registration experience, including substantial experience in Rheumatology. Evidence of continued professional development including formal study
  • Clinical experience as an Associated Rheumatology Specialist Nurse band 6
  • Experience of research and audit
  • Evidence of management/leadership skills and autonomous practice
  • Independently manage your own caseload of patients

Skills

Essential

  • Specialist knowledge of Autoimmune Diseases
  • Effective communicator
  • Leadership & motivation skills
  • Excellent email communication skills
  • Patient Advocate
Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to Degree level or equivalent level of education, training, or experience
  • Degree/academic study Qualification in Rheumatology
  • X-Ray Requestor
  • Intra-articular/soft tissue injection administration Or Non-Medical Prescribing Qualification (At least one)
  • Evidence of continuous professional practice/development at master's level or equivalent level of education , training or experience

Desirable

  • Mentorship Qualification
  • Leadership/Managerial Qualification

Knowledge

Essential

  • Significant post registration experience, including substantial experience in Rheumatology. Evidence of continued professional development including formal study
  • Clinical experience as an Associated Rheumatology Specialist Nurse band 6
  • Experience of research and audit
  • Evidence of management/leadership skills and autonomous practice
  • Independently manage your own caseload of patients

Skills

Essential

  • Specialist knowledge of Autoimmune Diseases
  • Effective communicator
  • Leadership & motivation skills
  • Excellent email communication skills
  • Patient Advocate

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

Northampton General Hospital

Address

Northampton General Hospital

Cliftonville

Northampton

NN1 5BD


Employer's website

https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Northampton General Hospital

Address

Northampton General Hospital

Cliftonville

Northampton

NN1 5BD


Employer's website

https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Matron for Rheumatology

Sharron Matthews

sharron.matthews1@nhs.net

01604544577

Details

Date posted

24 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

265-7794991-MED

Job locations

Northampton General Hospital

Cliftonville

Northampton

NN1 5BD


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Northampton General Hospital's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)