Rheumatology Nurse Specialist/Rheumatology Specialist Practitioner

Job overview

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 for a 6 month secondment opportunity.

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.

Please ensure you speak to your Line Manager before applying for this secondment opportunity and visit the Trust's Secondment Policy.

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

Detailed job description and main 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