Rheumatology Specialist Nurse

NHS; Bedford; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job description

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Rheumatology Department at the Bedford Hospital site for an enthusiastic, highly motivated nurse.

This post is a 11-month fixed-term maternity cover, working 37.5 hours per week.

As a registered nurse, 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 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.

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 an excellent patient experience of Rheumatology
• Contribute in the delivery of the rheumatology nursing service including being involved in service development and audit

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Date posted: 10 April 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 6

Salary: £37,338 to £44,962 a year pa

Contract: Fixed term

Duration: 11 months

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 418-NUR7111-SJ-A

Job locations: Bedford Hospital, Kempston Road, Bedford, MK42 9DJ

Job description Job responsibilities

The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities

1. Provide specialist advice, education and support to patients and their relatives attending the nurse-led rheumatology/Fracture Liaison clinics. This includes in depth counselling patients for new drug therapies and review of patients on existing therapies.
2. Works clinically to optimise health and wellbeing, demonstrate autonomous decision making in relation to comprehensive history taking and physical assessment of patients, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests or advance health needs assessments.
3. Responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating patient care, recommending the most appropriate course of action by carrying out disease activity scoring and other outcome measures for all patients especially those on disease modifying drugs and biologic therapies.
4. The post-holder is able to exercise clinical judgement and decision making about patient needs in terms of long term goals and plans.
5. To help develop and work within protocols for the management of patients with rheumatology conditions including osteoporosis.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Current Registered Nurse with the NMC
• Degree in nursing or equivalent experience
• Evidence of continuing education and professional development relevant to most recent area of work

Desirable

• History taking, Assessment and Diagnostics module
• Nurse prescriber or willing to work towards qualification

Experience Essential

• Post registration experience of working in an acute hospital setting
• Experience of mentoring others

Desirable

• Experience of coordinating care for a caseload of patients
• Understanding of the specialist nursing role
• Experience in working with patients with rheumatological conditions

Knowledge Essential

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrates the ability to undertake challenging conversations
• Understanding of maintain confidentiality at all times and changes to data protection act
• High standards of clinical performance in most recent area of work

Desirable

• Knowledge of rheumatology practice
• Evidence of management skills
• Evidence of teaching others

Personal Skills Essential

• Ability to prioritise and organise workload
• Good organisational skills
• Can effectively use computers and software such as Word/Excel
• An ability to remain positive during service changes
• Ability to work independently to manage workload
• Ability to problem solve, anticipate and forward plan
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with staff, patients and their carers from a diverse background
• Ability to work under pressure and seek help when required

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name: Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Bedford Hospital, Kempston Road, Bedford, MK42 9DJ

Employer's website: https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/