Clinical Nurse Specialist - Rheumatology

Clinical Nurse Specialist - Rheumatology

NHS AfC: Band 7

Main area Rheumatology Grade NHS AfC: Band 7 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 218-NM-B7-8392899

Site University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire Town Coventry Salary £49,387 - £56,515 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 10/11/2026 23:59 Interview date 04/12/2026

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Rheumatology CNS within UHCW. This post is based in Coventry hospital but will require cross site working at Rugby St Cross and CCHC as required.

You will play a crucial role in providing excellent clinical leadership and expertise in all aspects of rheumatology nursing by providing high quality specialist care and management throughout the patient pathway. You will co-ordinate complex patient care.

This post requires a forward thinking, highly motivated and enthusiastic individual who can problem solve with the ability to manage your own case load. Working closely with the Rheumatology consultants and the multidisciplinary team you will be responsible for the holistic care of patients.

Interviews are scheduled for 4th December 2026.

Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will demonstrate an enhanced level of professional accountability, autonomy and clinical judgement, undertaking complex decision-making across a broad range of clinical situations and conditions. They will be responsible for managing clinical practice within the Rheumatology Service and will contribute significantly to service development, innovation, and the delivery of evidence-based care.

The Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialist will provide specialist care, advice and support to patients, families, carers and all staff involved in the care and treatment of rheumatology patients with long-term health conditions throughout the diagnostic, treatment, surveillance and follow-up pathway.

Working for our organisation

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.

We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To demonstrate advanced practice, effectively managing a complex clinical caseload, carrying out pre-treatment assessments as well as planning and implementing care and treatment for patients with Rheumatological conditions requiring Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs or in whom anti-TNF or other Biologic therapies are indicated.
• Provide nurse-led clinical activity to support the rheumatology service across the trust. This will include running nurse-led clinics, telephone advice and clinical support
• To act as a patient's advocate and to give advice regarding treatment options in order for the patient to be able to give informed consent
• To work in collaboration with all members of the local and specialist multidisciplinary teams to ensure the provision of high quality, timely service for patients and their families
• To promote and demonstrate evidence based practice, initiate research/audit projects and encourage and support staff who wish to be actively involved in service development
• To provide support and advice in clinical areas for junior colleagues, wards and outpatients, to optimise quality improvement opportunities, and provide expert input into MDT discussions to influence care pathways and service planning
• To provide leadership support to the rheumatology nursing team, ensuring high standards of clinical practice and patient care.
• To act as a role model and mentor, promoting a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Actively engage in the Trust’s policies, guidelines, and statutory responsibilities, ensuring personal compliance and supporting team adherence
• Maintain a professional awareness of developments in research, nursing practice and current trends within the fields of rheumatology nursing
• To use outcome measures, patient feedback and service data to influence and shape clinical practice, quality improvement, and commissioning priorities.
• Promote own professional development by attending appropriate confidence, courses study days, accessing and utilising relevant information
• Provide specialist teaching on rheumatology conditions, treatments, and self-management strategies to patients, carers, and healthcare professionals

For further details please see the attached job description.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Degree in relevant subject or willingness to undertake Current Professional Registration Evidence of CPD Teaching and assessing qualification Non-medical prescribing qualification or willingness to undertake
• Master’s degree or working towards Leadership qualification or completion of leadership programme Counselling course/module Advanced health assessment course

Experience

• Experienced band 6 level Professional clinical experience in rheumatology Highly developed communication skills Ability to successfully manage people and change Experience of conflict management A good understanding of HR policy Experience in research and audit
• Previous experience in senior nurse role within rheumatology specialism Experience writing/producing patient information Understanding of budget management

Knowledge

• Clinical knowledge of rheumatology with the ability to apply evidence to practice An understanding of current issues relating to the NHS A knowledge of professional policies and procedures Knowledge of rheumatology disorders/conditions and physiology and effect of disease upon these systems. Knowledge of clinical governance & a commitment to clinical supervision and staff development

Skills

• Good understanding of IT and technology Able to prioritise and meet deadlines effectively Good management of own and others time Able to use initiative and make decisions Analyses problems and implements effective and appropriate solutions Strong leadership skills Ability to deliver training in the specialist area The ability to represent the client group across other agencies.

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

• Evidence of demonstrating the Trust Values (Compassion, Openness, Pride, Partnership, Improve, Learn and Respect) and the associated Values in Action behaviours in the workplace. For posts with managerial responsibility only Evidence of promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, and ensuring fair and equitable practices throughout your work experience. Evidence of promoting a culture which helps individuals live behaviours aligned to our Trust Values (Compassion, Openness, Pride, Partnership, Improve, Learn and Respect)

To ensure that we provide world-class patient care, UHCW recruits people that can demonstrate the Trust’s Values and Behaviours in their everyday life. Therefore, if you are invited to interview, you will be undertaking a Values Based Interview/Assessment, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trust’s Values and Behaviours which can be accessed on the right side of this page under the job description.
The Supporting Information Section in your application should therefore reflect your understanding of the Trust’s Values and associated Behaviours. You will be expected to provide us with examples from work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviour.

The Trust is committed to Equal Opportunities within the workplace. All vacancies will be considered for Job Share unless otherwise stated. All applicants who have a disability and who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be interviewed. Where a post has an overwhelming response, this Trust may use random selection in order to reduce numbers to interview, any disabled applicants will automatically be guaranteed an interview and will be exempt from this process.

In submitting an application form, you authorise University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust to confirm from your previous or current NHS employer and other prior employers; previous NHS service details and personal data held about you, including Occupational Health data (inoculations and screening tests). This data will be transferred using NHS Electronic Staff Record and third-party systems via an automated process and only used for the purposes of obtaining and maintaining accurate employment records, should you be appointed to the post.

UHCW NHS Trust, by virtue of its Green Plan, is committed to ensuring that the way we provide services minimises the impact on the environment and the future health of the public e.g. zero waste to landfill, reducing our carbon footprint and increasing our recycling and reuse percentages.

If you are successful at interview you will receive a conditional offer of employment and we’ll ask you for information so that we can carry out pre-employment checks. You must successfully complete all pre-employment checks to progress to a final unconditional offer.

We must confirm the identity of our staff and their right to work in the United Kingdom. We will ask you to submit proof of your identity and right to work documents via a secure digital platform approved by the Home Office, named TrustID. Alternatively, you may be asked to attend our office with original documents.

Depending on you level of exposure with patients you may be required to undertake a Standard or Enhanced DBS. The cost of this check will be charged to you and will be deducted from your salary over the first 3 months of employment at the current rate.

All correspondence will be sent by email; please check your account regularly including your Junk/SPAM folders

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

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.

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