Band 7 - Clinical Nurse Specialist, Rheumatology

Job overview

The Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialist is an integral member of and has a key role in the Rheumatology Department. The post holder will be responsible and accountable for the management, development and co-ordination of the treatment pathway, for a caseload of patients with rheumatological conditions. To provide specialist nursing advice, support, education to patients, carers, nurses and other members of the multi-disciplinary team from the time of their rheumatological diagnosis and throughout treatment and follow-up phases of treatment and care.  To demonstrate advanced nursing practice, effectively managing a complex clinical caseload, carrying out pre-treatment assessments as well as planning and implementing care and treatment for patients with rheumatological conditions requiring disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or in whom anti-TNF or other biologic/JAK/biosimilar therapies are indicated.  Support the Lead CNS as required in the development, supervision and support of the rheumatology CNS team, ensuring high standards of professional practice. Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of rheumatology services, working in line with local and national guidance to enhance patient outcomes, reduce unnecessary admissions, and improve service efficiency.

Main duties of the job

• To organise and run the service in a safe and efficient manner, maintaining and improving standards and at all times using available evidence. To initiate develop and implement effective methods of care delivery which include new ways of working and new roles.  •    To work closely with primary and secondary care and other agencies to develop and extend services for patients within the speciality, and implementation of quality initiatives and targets in conjunction with the Consultant Rheumatologists, Rheumatology Biologic Pharmacists and Lead Rheumatology CNS. •    To monitor, manage and report clinical workload to ensure the effective delivery or care and deployment of manpower, taking all possible actions to minimise risk when optimum staffing levels are not available, in accordance with local and national guidelines. •    To support Lead rheumatology CNS in clinic scheduling, monitoring capacity and demand, where necessary.  •    To support the Lead rheumatology CNS in the implementation of his/her role. To provide professional, clinical and managerial leadership within the department in the absence of the Lead rheumatology CNS. •    To undertake any other duties required by the line manager appropriate to the grade and relevant to the post. •    To minimise hazards in the working area and report any identifiable hazards to the line manager. To adhere to all safe systems of work applicable to the work area.

Detailed job description and main 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 Trust’s 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.