Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Rheumatology Nurse Specialist/Rheumatology Specialist Practitioner

The closing date is 23 October 2025

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Rheumatology Department at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital site for an enthusiastic, highly motivated nurse/practitioner to join an evolving team.

As a registered nurse/practitioner, the applicant will be responsible for supporting the lead nurse in ensuring that our service users' needs are met through the delivery of high-quality care. The successful applicant will demonstrate high standards of work at all times, be self motivated and efficient, and demonstrate the ability to work independently in all aspects of patient care.

The role requires working within the outpatients clinic setting with patients on disease modifying drugs, biologic therapies and osteoporosis medication under the care of the Rheumatology Department. Individuals should be willing to develop further any specialised skills and knowledge relating to the specialist area.

Please demonstrate in your supporting information your interest in Rheumatology.

Main duties of the job

Independently run nurse led clinics initiating and following up patients on rheumatology treatment

Supporting patients to understand their diagnosis and treatment options and promoting self management

Analysing and interpreting investigation to ensure patient safety on initiation of treatments and on-going management

Supporting medical and nursing rheumatology colleagues to monitor and manage disease, drugs and blood monitoring

Support ongoing management of patient care via a daily telephone advice line available to patients under the care of the rheumatology department

Participate in prescription management to enable patients to receive their treatment in a timely manner

Have excellent communication skills

Have excellent time management skills

Team working with doctors, nursing and admin staff is essential to ensure a excellent patient experience of Rheumatology

Contribute in the delivery of the rheumatology nursing service including being involved in service development and audit

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.

Our Values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Date posted

10 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year pa

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

418-MED1379-JB

Job locations

Luton & Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust

Zone T - Belper Road (Travelodge)

Luton

LU4 8RQ

Job description

Job responsibilities

CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide specialist advice, education and support to patients and their relatives attending the nurse-led rheumatology clinics. This includes counselling patients for new therapies and review of patients on existing therapies.

Work with patients and provide follow up in order to support compliance and adherence with prescribed treatment.

Responsible for assessing patients physical, psychological and social needs.

Responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating patient care, recommending the most appropriate course of action.

Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that promote healthy lifestyles, and apply principles of self-care.

Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment.

To help develop and work within protocols for the management of patients with rheumatology conditions including osteoporosis.

For patients on disease modifying drugs, biologic and bone therapies:-i) Use recognised outcome measures, assessment tools and clinical skills to evaluate patient progressii) Request appropriate investigations for monitoring of patients. Analyse and interpret results.

Responsible for the care of patients receiving intravenous biologic or bone therapies, supporting and working closely with the Day Unit who administer the infusions.

Provide high quality written, verbal and telephone advice for patients and their families.

Produce accurate and complete documentation both electronically and written correspondence consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.

Ensure that written information for health professionals in primary and secondary care is clear, concise and of a high standard.

Liaise with GPs to maintain continuity of care and patient compliance with medications/supplements prescribed.

Work closely with the multi-disciplinary team making appropriate referrals when necessary.

Work closely with pathway co-ordinators to assist with triaging into appropriate nurse-led clinics and awareness of nurse clinic waiting lists.

Work with MDT to ensure streamlined patient pathway.

Assist with research and audit projects and data collection as required

Managerial Responsibilities

To manage systems and maintain accurate records to ensure patients care is appropriate and audit can be undertaken.

To maintain appropriate databases for patients on disease-modifying drugs, biologic and bone therapies

To organise own work and practice, taking a flexible approach to ensure support for patients and colleagues.

To provide support to nursing staff working within clinic and ward areas.

Participate in the development of Trust policies, protocols and guidance for patients on disease-modifying drugs, biologic and bone therapies

Discuss, highlight and work with the team to create opportunities to improve patient care.

Education. Training & Development

Provide support and specialist advice to colleagues in the Trust and in the Community.

Attend and actively contribute to relevant meetings within and outside the Trust.

Provide patients and relatives with information about their condition and treatment.

Take responsibility for ones own development, undertaking appropriate activities to update clinical knowledge and skills.

Attend regular mandatory and statutory training as specified by the Trust.

Promote awareness and compliance amongst colleagues regarding Trust policies, procedures, guidelines and standards.

Professional/Personal Development:

Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by the NMC.

Adhere to nurse revalidation requirements as set out by the NMC