Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialist

Are you looking for the next step in your career? We have the perfect opportunity for a nurse to join our Rheumatology Team. We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated individual that will integrate into our established team of specialist nurses, providing care to patients with a wide variety of Rheumatological conditions.

** Pay banding subject to agenda for change evaluation **

Please note we are unable to support applicants who require OSCE, as the Trust has a separate and limited application process

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker Sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Job seekers should be aware that not all roles will be eligible for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.  For further information visit UK Visas and Immigration - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

We run a Shropshire wide service for patients based on a Hub and Spoke model with Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital as the Hub and various other sites (spokes) within the county from where we offer our service to patients.

We are looking for an experienced nurse who has an interest in Rheumatology or/and has experience in working in a rheumatology service and will be able to integrate into our motivated and hardworking nursing team.

The postholder will hold an integral role in shaping the delivery of our high standard of service.  You will work alongside Consultant Rheumatologists, Specialist Doctors, other Band 7/6 nurses, physiotherapists and other extended scope practitioners who work as part of the team.

To have a supportive role to the Rheumatology Nurse Specialist team of 7 nurses and provide a nursing contribution to the clinical management of patients with Rheumatological Disease.

Perform basic clinical skills and provide support in drug monitoring.

Administer Intravenous Infusions of infliximab, rituximab and other rheumatological medications, alongside bisphosphonates on a day-case basis.

Provide safe, accurate, comprehensive monitoring of a patients and recognise changes in patients’ conditions which require the intervention of others and ensure that timely escalations are enacted as appropriate.

Respond to adverse drug events and abnormal blood results, adjusting the patient’s treatment plan, under supervision.

Ensure patient safety is maintained at all times and record and report adverse events and near misses in line with local policy.

Support the clinical nurse specialists to provide open access to patients through the Rheumatology helpline and e-mails ensuring specialised advice and support is given.

Provide advice and support to patients and their families with regards to the care and management of patients with inflammatory joint disease.

To ensure effective liaison and professional relationships with all members of the multidisciplinary team.

Participate in health promotion and the prevention of ill health. Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that encourage them to live healthily and apply principles of self-care.

Participate in consultant and nurse led clinics at base as and when required.

Record information about patients in a safe, accurate and consistent manner including computerised patient records.

To comply with and fulfil the objectives of the rheumatology service and to be responsible for initiating objectives within the rheumatology team.

Participate in audits and research in Rheumatology services to improve practice as directed by line management.

Attend appropriate meetings and attend courses to gain a more in-depth knowledge and supplement in-house learning.

To adhere to the NMC Guidelines and standards for Professional Practice.

To maintain professional competencies as required under NMC Revalidation

To work within NICE guidance and operational guidance.

To attend mandatory training as identified by the organisation and ensure that quality standards of care are maintained. To participate in an annual appraisal and work to agreed objectives and personal development plan.

To develop and maintain effective communication networks with other health professionals, private, statutory, and voluntary agencies.

To have knowledge of and adhere to organisations Policies and Clinical Guidelines.

To ensure that IT data is submitted promptly and accurately as required by the organisation.

To develop clinical protocols and initiate quality standards of care to meet the identified health needs.

Be committed to resolve the concerns of patients and their families in a timely manner, working collaboratively with PALS, the governance team, and line management.

To undertake any other duties required by the line manager appropriate to the grade and relevant to the post.

To provide and promote evidence-based practice for people with rheumatology conditions and their carers ensuring the main client focus will be on the family unit.

To provide clinical advice, support and training to other professionals, informal and formal carers

Raise any concerns regarding standards and quality of care, patient safety or any lapses in professional conduct to your line manage and/or matron in line with local and NMC guidelines.