Band 7 - Clinical Nurse Specialist, Rheumatology

Job description

Job responsibilities

Administrative Responsibilities Be committed to resolve the concerns of patients and their families in a timely manner, working collaboratively with PALS and Complaints Manager to achieve this. To ensure clinical incidents/near misses within the sphere of responsibility are managed in a timely manner and actions taken to minimise risks, ensuring robust use of incident reporting systems (e.g. DATIX), monitoring trends and contributing to risk reduction strategies. Ensure that all patient records, correspondence, and documentation are completed to a high standard, in line with NMC guidelines and Trust policies, promoting accuracy, timeliness, and quality of clinical documentation within the rheumatology CNS team. Adopt systems used within the department to aid administrative tasks (e.g. AI Heidi or other relevant software implemented by the team). Collect, analyse and report data relating to high-cost drugs, and commissioning requirements, ensuring compliance with local and national standards. Support the maintenance and development of the rheumatology clinical database (eg. DAWN), ensuring it is used effectively for patient care, audit, and reporting. Participate in the implementation and monitoring of clinical governance and quality assurance frameworks, ensuring lessons learned are embedded into practice. Contribute to the preparation of service reports, business cases, and performance data as required by senior management, commissioners, or national bodies. Actively engage in the Trusts policies, guidelines, and statutory responsibilities, ensuring personal compliance and supporting team adherence.

Research & Audit: To carry out audit and evaluation to monitor the effectiveness therapeutic regimes and to improve health outcomes, and to lead and participate in wider clinical audit, evaluation, and research to monitor and improve the effectiveness of rheumatology services. To ensure that practice is evidence based, critically appraising and applying evidence-based practice so that service delivery reflects current best practice and national guidance. Where appropriate, to identify areas for nursing research, sources of funding and initiate research projects (following GCP training and support from Trust Research Department). To promote and disseminate research and audit findings, including presenting and sharing outcomes at local, regional, and national meetings, and contributing to publications where appropriate. To use outcome measures, patient feedback and service data to influence and shape clinical practice, quality improvement, and commissioning priorities. To maintain knowledge of emerging research, innovation, and best practice in rheumatology care, incorporating developments into local practice. To support and mentor colleagues in developing research awareness and audit skills within the rheumatology team.

Training & Development: Implement educational programmes both formal and informal within the acute Trust, primary care trusts and other agencies, ensuring delivery is evidence-based and aligned with national guidance and service priorities. To identify personal development needs to work effectively at an advanced level within the speciality and take appropriate action to ensure that those needs are met, to ensure scope of practice remains current, evidence-based, and aligned with service needs. To maintain a personal professional profile and portfolio, including mandatory training and NMC revalidation. To demonstrate effectiveness as a role model and clinical supervisor, supporting workforce development through supervision, mentoring, and appraisal of junior staff, colleagues, students, and MDT members. Provide specialist teaching on rheumatology conditions, treatments, and self-management strategies to patients, carers, and healthcare professionals. Encourage and support reflective practice, continuous learning, and professional revalidation within the team. Contribute to training at local, regional, and national levels, and collaborate with universities and professional bodies to strengthen links between practice, education, and research. To work within the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Conduct and applicable legislation.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• Registered nurse with active NMC registration
• Degree in Adult Nursing
• Post-registration qualification in rheumatology (or equivalent) with consolidated specialist experience
• Non-medical prescribing qualification or willingness to undertake

Desirable

• Adult Health Assessment Module or willingness to complete.
• Masters in Rheumatology or equivalent

Knowledge

Essential

• 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.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including delivering education to patients, carers, rheumatology CNS, medical students, and other supporting staff.
• Effective planning, organisational, and time management abilities
• Analytical, problem-solving, and judgement skills applied to clinical practice, service development, and audit.
• Proficient use of computer systems and clinical software.
• Knowledge of issues affecting rheumatology nursing and ability to contribute to audit, and quality improvement initiatives.

Experience

Essential

• Proven post-registration experience working within rheumatology services.
• Be able to demonstrate ability to work autonomously and make independent clinical decisions with rheumatology patients.
• Experience in service development, clinical audit, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Competent in the administration of DMARD and biologic/biosimilar/JAK medications.
• Skilled in assessing patients both face-toface and remotely, providing advice and guidance via telephone or electronic means

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

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Cross Site

Watford

WD18 0HB

Employer's website

http://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)