Associate Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job overview

The post holder will provide specialist nursing care, advice and support for people with inflammatory arthritis.  This will involve autonomously managing a case load of patients with Inflammatory joint disease in nurse led outpatient clinics with Clinical Supervision from the senior Rheumatology Nurse Specialists and Consultant Rheumatologist. The post holder will, undertake all relevant forms of nursing care and patient management, supported by evidence-based practice, liaising with the multi-disciplinary team, with the objective of providing high quality, safe nursing care. The post holder must always act in an accountable manner, adhering to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and Trust polices.

Main duties of the job

• Develop skills to undertake nurse led clinics for patients with inflammatory joint disease accepting referrals from members of the rheumatology team. Develop skills to provide specialist care (assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation) within defined guidelines and protocols
• Referring to other disciplines and agencies
• Ordering and interpreting relevant tests and investigations
• Support Specialist Nursing team to provide expert advice and guidance to nurses & other disciplines
• Assist specialist nursing team to set and monitor standards of rheumatology care and treatment
• Participating in audit and research activity
• Disseminating good practice
• Develop professional leadership skills

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To receive referrals within the specialty from the health care team and respond to requests for expert advice and guidance.
• To work within an agreed job plan to meet service needs which should be reviewed annually.
• To conduct holistic assessment and develop in skilled history taking, physical examination, observation and ordering, conducting and interpreting relevant tests and investigations.
• To work in collaboration with the multi professional team, contributing expert, evidence based knowledge and skills to relevant aspects of the patients care and treatment.
• To contribute to the nurse-led service in assessing and monitoring patients on disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs according to the national and local guidelines.
• To assist in the outpatient service to administer, assess and monitor NICE approved IV and SC treatment to patients with inflammatory arthritis.
• To maintain boundaries of own practice within agreed guidelines and protocols, use professional judgment in managing complex and unpredictable situations and seek guidance from other relevant experts.
• To address patient’s risk factors and health promotion needs through comprehensive assessment of individuals for risk factors and early signs of illness.
• To builds an environment of trust and rapport, enabling patent empowerment in their healthcare and acting as an advocate for the patient in treatment decisions and choices.