Rheumatology Specialist Nurse

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a band 7 specialist Rheumatology nurse to join the team based at Southport DGH working across the MWL sites. You will require to have the non-medical prescribing course and have knowledge /experience of Rheumatology conditions/treatments.

To provide a high standard of care to rheumatology patients, by using the appropriate skills and knowledge in order to deliver the prescribed treatment and care for patients in an individual and sensitive manner. This will involve the planning, co-ordinating, delivering and evaluating nurse-led services for rheumatology patients and carers. This includes the nursing assessment and treatment of patients within the rheumatology speciality, who may have difficult acute and/or chronic presentations, to meet their physical, psychological and social needs throughout their illness within the hospital and community.

To participate in all aspects of the care of rheumatology patients requiring treatment with rheumatological therapies, including patient education, data collection and drug administration.

Main duties of the job

• To take responsibility for education of patients and carers with rheumatological conditions.
• To ensure safe prescribing and monitoring of Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs).
• To work collaboratively with nurse specialists, other members of MDT team and consultant rheumatologists to optimise patient care.
• To work with the Day unit Team in providing holistic care for patients who attend the department to receive treatments.
• To assist with the education of these patients and carers, including the administration and monitoring of Rheumatological treatments.
• The post holder will be required to demonstrate good IT skills to input data and maintain the departmental databases.
• To be part of the training programme for Rheumatology nurses.
• The Rheumatology department is based at Southport DGH and offers outpatient services to patients who attend with rheumatological conditions.
• The nurses are based at Southport, working across MWL outpatient departments

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

KEY DUTIES

• Develop and extend scope of professional practice to include venepuncture, cannulation and the administration of rheumatological therapies in line with NMC, National and Trust policies.
• To undertake the day to day running of the day unit clinics including logistics, admissions and discharge, arranging appointments for treatments, infusions or education.
• To collect data required for the British Society of Rheumatology Register for these therapies.
• To co-ordinate the prescribing of these therapies, including requests for repeat prescriptions.

EDUCATION OF PATIENTS AND CARERS

• To assist with the planning, implementation and evaluation of health education MDT programmes for patients and carers with rheumatological conditions.
• To empower patients with rheumatological conditions to realise and maintain their potential in relation to health and wellbeing through one-to-one contacts and MDT education programmes by facilitating improved knowledge on disease management, medication and its effects on daily living

DMARD THERAPY

• To be a point of referral for patients commencing on disease modifying drug therapy, including education, consent, monitoring requirements.
• To prevent adverse effects on health and wellbeing through education and monitoring of patients on DMARD therapy.

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Service Development & Delivery
• Administration of intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous treatments.
• To be involved in planning, development, implementation and evaluation of rheumatology service.
• To ensure all treatments are within national guidelines or evidence-based practice where available aiming to improve standards and minimise clinical risk.
• To participate in working parties developing policy change within department which impacts on all service users.
• Adhere to departmental policies in use of equipment including ensuring competence of others through training and supervision of practice.
• Assist in the development of policies and procedures within the rheumatology service.
• To act as a catalyst for change, reviewing service and clinical provision through audit/research, identifying areas for development, and implementing change.

Professional Development

• To maintain own clinical professional development by keeping abreast of any new trends and developments, incorporating them as necessary into service delivery.
• To support junior staff with their professional development.
• To participate in the staff appraisal scheme and personal development plan (PDP).
• To participate in the supervision scheme.
• To attend and contribute to local or national conferences in own field of expertise.
• To be an active participant in enabling the department to maintain Customer Service ‘Excellence’ status.
• To attend and take part in in-service training within the Rheumatology unit.
• To participate in the organisation and delivery of internal/external/national courses.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• To ensure that all patient information is confidential and is not disclosed to a third party except with permission of the Nurse in charge.
• To keep patient records up to date on a day-to-day basis following any interaction with patients or relatives.
• To ensure all unit documentation is completed.
• To assist with and carry out any input of data that is required for the departmental databases.

TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES

• To assist with induction programmes, preceptorship and mentorship of new staff as appropriate.
• Completion of the trust’s intravenous administration course.
• To appropriately assist in the promotion of the learning environment. Participating in the supervision and assessment of Health Care Assistants, Student nurses and Cadets as appropriate.
• To participate in the in-service training programme, delivering presentations and training sessions at staff meetings, tutorials, training sessions in-house and externally, attending external courses and undertaking reflective practice.
• To be an active participant in enabling the department to maintain Customer Service Excellence status.

LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate in meetings pertinent to the unit.
• Establish and maintain good communication within the Unit, Division, Trust and agencies outside the Trust.
• To consistently use resources efficiently.
• To be actively involved in risk management and clinical audit programmes.
• To ensure safe custody of patient’s property.
• To report all accidents, hazards, incidents and complaints in accordance with Trust policies and assist in investigation of them as required.
• Comply with Health and Safety Policies.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain efficiency and minimise any waste.

RESEARCH & AUDIT

• To participate in local audit/research projects relating to the use of Rheumatological therapies.
• To collect data required for the British Society of Rheumatology Register for these therapies.