Rheumatology Nurse Specialist / Specialist Practitioner (Secondment) in Luton

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. 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 outpatient 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.

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 investigations to ensure patient safety on initiation of treatments and ongoing 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.
• Team working with doctors, nursing and admin staff is essential to ensure an excellent patient experience of Rheumatology.
• Contribute to 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.

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 familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.

Job 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 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.
• 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: Use recognised outcome measures, assessment tools and clinical skills to evaluate patient progress.
• 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.

Please see detailed Job Description attached.

Person Specification:

QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree in nursing, relevant speciality or equivalent experience.
• Able to evidence recent and continuing professional development relevant to recent area of work.
• Current NMC or other relevant professional registration.
• Experience in working with patients with rheumatological conditions.
• Willing to work towards Prescribing qualification.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

• Evidence of good interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrates the ability to undertake challenging conversations.
• Presentation skills or willingness to learn.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

• Post‑registration experience of working in an acute hospital setting.
• Has participated in research and audit.
• Experience of mentoring others.
• High standards of clinical performance in most recent area of work.
• Registered nurse or healthcare professional (NMC/HCPC etc).
• Knowledge of rheumatology practice.
• Understanding of the specialist nursing role.
• Evidence of teaching others.
• Evidence of management skills.

SKILLS

• Good organisational skills.
• Can effectively use computers and software such as Word/Excel.
• Ability to work independently to manage workload.
• Can undertake small project work.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Ability to problem‑solve, anticipate and forward plan.
• Ability to work under pressure and seek help when required.
• Works on own initiative.
• Flexible.

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.