Lead Nurse - Rheumatology

Job overview

The post-holder will provide expert leadership and management within a multi-disciplinary team and provide highly advanced specialist / clinical nursing expertise for Rheumatology patients.

The post holder will be expected to advise primary and secondary care clinicians as appropriate about the setting up, implementation, delivery and evaluation of patient care utilising evidence based practice. In addition, the post holder will be expected to provide a service in accordance with national, regional and local guidance, standards and protocols and polices to ensure the most positive outcome for the patients are achieved.

The post-holder will contribute to senior management and governance frameworks within the care group, and be line manager to band 7 and band 6 nurse specialists, the rheumatology day unit nursing team, rheumatology clerical support, co coordinators and the rheumatology metrology team.

The post holder will be responsible for the service budget in conjunction with Clinical director, Directorate Manager and ADM. They will ensure that KPI (Key performance Indicators) data is collected and submitted to commissioners and will be the first point of contact for commissioners’ queries.

The post holder will abide by legal requirements and statutory rules relating to practice and promote and maintain standards of professional practice in accordance with The Nursing and Midwifery Councils (NMC) Code and Professional Conduct and Scope of Professional Practice.

Main duties of the job

• To work autonomously, managing a caseload of patients within the specialty whilst working as part of the multidisciplinary team, delivering individualised and personalised direct patient care.
• To take responsibility for the advanced nursing assessment and treatment of patients who may have complex acute and/or chronic presentation to determine the clinical diagnosis of the presenting complaint, extended treatment options and MDT intervention required which involves crossing professional boundaries whilst maintaining records as an autonomous practitioner.
• To undertake full medical assessment of patients within the rheumatology speciality, who may have complex acute and/or chronic presentations, in order to meet their physical, psychological and social needs throughout their illness within the hospital and community.
• To plan, co-ordinate, deliver and evaluate a management plan for such patients, where necessary in consultation with their Consultant Rheumatologist.
• Be responsible for assessing and recognising emergencies in the specialty.
• To interpret information and take appropriate action and to lead other to do the same.
• Act as an advocate for patients within the department, to ensure a patient orientated approach to delivery of care and to meet standards within the NHS plan, NHFD and Best Practice.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see Job Description and Person Specification attached.

Advertising Date: 15th October 2026

Closing Date: 30th October 2026

Shortlisting Date: w/c 2nd November 2026

Proposed Interview date: 12th November 2026

Please note this vacancy may close early if a high number of applications is reached.

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.