Senior Rheumatology Nurse - Day Unit

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

This job is now closed

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity to join a multi-disciplinary team, specialising in the care of Rheumatological patients, with varied Rheumatological conditions conditions, and treatment needs.

The successful applicants will be providing care during treatments in our day unit, treatments are given by various routes, including intravenous, subcutaneous and intramuscular. Patients can to be planned ward attenders and day cases, dependant on treatment being received. the day unit team also support the clinics, conducting blood tests, providing treatment if required, and if needed arranging a future admission date.

Main duties of the job

Develop and extend scope of professional practice to include venepuncture, cannulation and the administration of rheumatological therapies in line with NMC, National and Trust policies.
To undertake the day to day running of the day unit clinics including logistics, admissions and discharge, arranging appointments for treatments, infusions or education.
To collect data required for the British Society of Rheumatology Register for these therapies.
To co-ordinate the prescribing of these therapies, including requests for repeat prescriptions.
Education of patients and carers
To assist with the planning, implementation and evaluation of health education MDT programmes for patients and carers with rheumatological conditions
To empower patients with rheumatological conditions to realise and maintain their potential in relation to health and wellbeing through one-to-one contacts and MDT education programmes by facilitating improved knowledge on disease management, medication and its effects on daily living.

DMARD therapy

To be a point of referral for patients commencing on disease modifying drug therapy, including education, consent, monitoring requirements.
To prevent adverse effects on health and wellbeing through education and monitoring of patients on DMARD therapy.

About us

The Secretary of State has approved the partnership between St Helens & Knowsley and Southport & Ormskirk Hospitals.

From 1st July we have come together as a single organisation under the name Mersey & West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

The Trust delivers acute hospital care, intermediate care, community, and primary care services to a population of over 600,000 people with a combined workforce of around 9000 dedicated and skilled staff from 17 locations including Whiston, Southport & Formby, St Helens, Ormskirk and Newton hospitals.

The Trust provides regional services for burns, plastic surgery and spinal injuries to more than 4 million people across Mersey and West Lancashire, Cheshire, the Isle of Man and North Wales.

Our Vision is to deliver 5 Star Patient Care:

CAREthat is evidence based, high quality and compassionate
SAFETY that is of the highest standards
COMMUNICATION that is open, inclusive and respectful
SYSTEMS that are efficient, patient centred and reliable
PATHWAYS that are best practice and embedded, but also respect the individual needs of patients

Our achievements include:

Trust rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
Awarded National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for our Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme

Date posted

11 February 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year Per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

409-6945587

Job locations

St Helens Hospital

Marshalls Cross Road

St Helens

WA9 3DA

Job description

Job responsibilities

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Service Development & delivery

Administration of intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous treatments
To be involved in planning, development, implementation and evaluation of rheumatology service.
To ensure all treatments are within national guidelines or evidence based practice where available aiming to improve standards and minimise clinical risk
To participate in working parties developing policy change within department which impacts on all service users
Adhere to departmental policies in use of equipment including ensuring competence of others through training and supervision of practice
Assist in the development of policies and procedures within the rheumatology service
To act as a catalyst for change, reviewing service and clinical provision through audit/research, identifying areas for development, and implementing change

Professional Development

To maintain own clinical professional development by keeping abreast of any new trends and developments, incorporating them as necessary into service delivery.
To support junior staff with their professional development
To participate in the staff appraisal scheme and personal development plan (PDP).
To participate in the supervision scheme.
To attend and contribute to local or national conferences in own field of expertise
To be an active participant in enabling the department to maintain Customer Service Excellence status
To attend and take part in in-service training within the Rheumatology unit.
To participate in the organisation and delivery of internal/external/national courses

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

To ensure that all patient information is confidential and is not disclosed to a third party except with permission of the Nurse in charge.
To keep patient records up to date on a day-to-day basis following any interaction with patients or relatives
To ensure all unit documentation is completed.
To assist with and carry out any input of data that is required for the departmental databases.

TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES

To assist with induction programmes, preceptorship and mentorship of new staff as appropriate.
Completion of the trusts intravenous administration course
To appropriately assist in the promotion of the learning environment. Participating in the supervision and assessment of Health Care Assistants, Student nurses and Cadets as appropriate.
To participate in the in-service training programme, delivering presentations and training sessions at staff meetings, tutorials, training sessions in-house and externally, attending external courses and undertaking reflective practice.
To be an active participant in enabling the department to maintain Customer Service Excellence status.

LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Participate in meetings pertinent to the unit
Establish and maintain good communication within the Unit, Division, Trust and agencies outside the Trust.
To consistently use resources efficiently
To be actively involved in risk management and clinical audit programmes.
To ensure safe custody of patients property.
To report all accidents, hazards, incidents and complaints in accordance with Trust policies and assist in investigation of them as required.
Comply with Health and Safety Policies.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Maintain efficiency and minimise any waste

RESEARCH & AUDIT

To participate in local audit/research projects relating to the use of Rheumatological therapies.
To collect data required for the British Society of Rheumatology Register for these therapies

Job description

Job responsibilities

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Service Development & delivery

Administration of intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous treatments
To be involved in planning, development, implementation and evaluation of rheumatology service.
To ensure all treatments are within national guidelines or evidence based practice where available aiming to improve standards and minimise clinical risk
To participate in working parties developing policy change within department which impacts on all service users
Adhere to departmental policies in use of equipment including ensuring competence of others through training and supervision of practice
Assist in the development of policies and procedures within the rheumatology service
To act as a catalyst for change, reviewing service and clinical provision through audit/research, identifying areas for development, and implementing change

Professional Development

To maintain own clinical professional development by keeping abreast of any new trends and developments, incorporating them as necessary into service delivery.
To support junior staff with their professional development
To participate in the staff appraisal scheme and personal development plan (PDP).
To participate in the supervision scheme.
To attend and contribute to local or national conferences in own field of expertise
To be an active participant in enabling the department to maintain Customer Service Excellence status
To attend and take part in in-service training within the Rheumatology unit.
To participate in the organisation and delivery of internal/external/national courses

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

To ensure that all patient information is confidential and is not disclosed to a third party except with permission of the Nurse in charge.
To keep patient records up to date on a day-to-day basis following any interaction with patients or relatives
To ensure all unit documentation is completed.
To assist with and carry out any input of data that is required for the departmental databases.

TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES

To assist with induction programmes, preceptorship and mentorship of new staff as appropriate.
Completion of the trusts intravenous administration course
To appropriately assist in the promotion of the learning environment. Participating in the supervision and assessment of Health Care Assistants, Student nurses and Cadets as appropriate.
To participate in the in-service training programme, delivering presentations and training sessions at staff meetings, tutorials, training sessions in-house and externally, attending external courses and undertaking reflective practice.
To be an active participant in enabling the department to maintain Customer Service Excellence status.

LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Participate in meetings pertinent to the unit
Establish and maintain good communication within the Unit, Division, Trust and agencies outside the Trust.
To consistently use resources efficiently
To be actively involved in risk management and clinical audit programmes.
To ensure safe custody of patients property.
To report all accidents, hazards, incidents and complaints in accordance with Trust policies and assist in investigation of them as required.
Comply with Health and Safety Policies.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Maintain efficiency and minimise any waste

RESEARCH & AUDIT

To participate in local audit/research projects relating to the use of Rheumatological therapies.
To collect data required for the British Society of Rheumatology Register for these therapies

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Registered nurse - General
Evidence of high level post-qualification training and appropriate implementation of new learning
Willing to undertake internal and external training to develop the knowledge and skills required for further development of the role

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

Knowledge & Rheumatology Conditions
Experience in Rheumatology
IV drug administration course and completed competencies
Competent with venepuncture and cannulation
Evidence of Teaching within clinical area
Evidence of continuous professional development

Desirable

Experience in Rheumatology

Skills

Essential

Able to apply high level of knowledge and skills in clinical settings
Excellent record of experience in training/teaching and supervising others (including therapy colleagues, medical/therapy/ nursing students, MDT members, patients/ carers)
Evidence of self-initiated learning and its application within the workplace
Evidence of continually updating knowledge through reflective practice and comprehensive CPD file
Has grounded understanding of the psychological factors involved in illness
Shows genuine empathy and understanding for patients, their families and carers (balanced with objectivity)
Has a consistently high standard of written communication (treatment records, reports, letters etc)
Has a high standard of electronic communication skills
Able to negotiate using appropriate levels of assertiveness

Other

Essential

Has a mature professional manner at all times
Has proven ability to act as a role model for other nurses and other professionals, with leadership experience
Shows loyalty and commitment to Hospital Trust and speciality team
Takes responsibility for own actions
Seeks guidance when appropriate
Is self-aware, able to initiate and manage self-change when necessary. Is flexible and adaptable
Has proven stability, remains calm under pressure. Able to cope in an emergency oHas excellent time management skills
Able to prioritise and facilitate this in others. Has evidence of an ability to maintain a positive outlook and encourage this in others
Able to delegate appropriately and monitor progress
Able to use initiative balanced with consultative approach
Able to co-ordinate using a rational, logical approach
Willing to work flexible hours
Awareness of general professional issues
Awareness of current NHS and Trust issues

Desirable

Is creative, using lateral thinking and initiative. Experience of project work

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Registered nurse - General
Evidence of high level post-qualification training and appropriate implementation of new learning
Willing to undertake internal and external training to develop the knowledge and skills required for further development of the role

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

Knowledge & Rheumatology Conditions
Experience in Rheumatology
IV drug administration course and completed competencies
Competent with venepuncture and cannulation
Evidence of Teaching within clinical area
Evidence of continuous professional development

Desirable

Experience in Rheumatology

Skills

Essential

Able to apply high level of knowledge and skills in clinical settings
Excellent record of experience in training/teaching and supervising others (including therapy colleagues, medical/therapy/ nursing students, MDT members, patients/ carers)
Evidence of self-initiated learning and its application within the workplace
Evidence of continually updating knowledge through reflective practice and comprehensive CPD file
Has grounded understanding of the psychological factors involved in illness
Shows genuine empathy and understanding for patients, their families and carers (balanced with objectivity)
Has a consistently high standard of written communication (treatment records, reports, letters etc)
Has a high standard of electronic communication skills
Able to negotiate using appropriate levels of assertiveness

Other

Essential

Has a mature professional manner at all times
Has proven ability to act as a role model for other nurses and other professionals, with leadership experience
Shows loyalty and commitment to Hospital Trust and speciality team
Takes responsibility for own actions
Seeks guidance when appropriate
Is self-aware, able to initiate and manage self-change when necessary. Is flexible and adaptable
Has proven stability, remains calm under pressure. Able to cope in an emergency oHas excellent time management skills
Able to prioritise and facilitate this in others. Has evidence of an ability to maintain a positive outlook and encourage this in others
Able to delegate appropriately and monitor progress
Able to use initiative balanced with consultative approach
Able to co-ordinate using a rational, logical approach
Willing to work flexible hours
Awareness of general professional issues
Awareness of current NHS and Trust issues

Desirable

Is creative, using lateral thinking and initiative. Experience of project work

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).