Job summary An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Rheumatology Department at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital site for two enthusiastic, highly motivated nurses to join an evolving team. This post is a 12-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, 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. Please demonstrate in your Supporting Information your interest in Rheumatology. Previous applicants need not apply. 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 a 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. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available. Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job. Date posted 24 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 6 Salary £37,338 to £44,962 a year pa Contract Fixed term Duration 12 months Working pattern Full-time Reference number 418-MED1131-JB-B Job locations Luton & Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust Zone T - Belper Road (Travelodge) Luton LU4 8RQ Job description Job responsibilities CLINICAL 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 in order 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. To 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:-i) Use recognised outcome measures, assessment tools and clinical skills to evaluate patient progressii) 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 Managerial Responsibilities To manage systems and maintain accurate records to ensure patients care is appropriate and audit can be undertaken. To maintain appropriate databases for patients on disease-modifying drugs, biologic and bone therapies To organise own work and practice, taking a flexible approach to ensure support for patients and colleagues. To provide support to nursing staff working within clinic and ward areas. Participate in the development of Trust policies, protocols and guidance for patients on disease-modifying drugs, biologic and bone therapies Discuss, highlight and work with the team to create opportunities to improve patient care. Education. Training & Development Provide support and specialist advice to colleagues in the Trust and in the Community. Attend and actively contribute to relevant meetings within and outside the Trust. Provide patients and relatives with information about their condition and treatment. Take responsibility for ones own development, undertaking appropriate activities to update clinical knowledge and skills. Attend regular mandatory and statutory training as specified by the Trust. Promote awareness and compliance amongst colleagues regarding Trust policies, procedures, guidelines and standards. Professional/Personal Development: Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by the NMC. Adhere to nurse revalidation requirements as set out by the NMC Take responsibility for ones own development, undertaking appropriate activities to update clinical knowledge and skills. Attend regular mandatory and statutory training as specified by the Trust. Promote awareness and compliance amongst colleagues regarding Trust policies, procedures, guidelines and standards. Job description Job responsibilities CLINICAL 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 in order 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. To 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:-i) Use recognised outcome measures, assessment tools and clinical skills to evaluate patient progressii) 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 Managerial Responsibilities To manage systems and maintain accurate records to ensure patients care is appropriate and audit can be undertaken. To maintain appropriate databases for patients on disease-modifying drugs, biologic and bone therapies To organise own work and practice, taking a flexible approach to ensure support for patients and colleagues. To provide support to nursing staff working within clinic and ward areas. Participate in the development of Trust policies, protocols and guidance for patients on disease-modifying drugs, biologic and bone therapies Discuss, highlight and work with the team to create opportunities to improve patient care. Education. Training & Development Provide support and specialist advice to colleagues in the Trust and in the Community. Attend and actively contribute to relevant meetings within and outside the Trust. Provide patients and relatives with information about their condition and treatment. Take responsibility for ones own development, undertaking appropriate activities to update clinical knowledge and skills. Attend regular mandatory and statutory training as specified by the Trust. Promote awareness and compliance amongst colleagues regarding Trust policies, procedures, guidelines and standards. Professional/Personal Development: Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by the NMC. Adhere to nurse revalidation requirements as set out by the NMC Take responsibility for ones own development, undertaking appropriate activities to update clinical knowledge and skills. Attend regular mandatory and statutory training as specified by the Trust. Promote awareness and compliance amongst colleagues regarding Trust policies, procedures, guidelines and standards. Person Specification QUALIFICATIONS Essential Degree in Nursing Able to evidence recent and continuing professional development relevant to recent area of work Desirable Experience in working with patients with Rheumatological conditions Willing to work towards Prescribing qualification COMMUNICATION SKILLS Essential Excellent written and verbal Evidence of good interpersonal skills Demonstrates the ability to undertake challenging conversations Desirable Presentation skills or willingness to learn KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE Essential 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 Desirable Knowledge of Rheumatology Practice Understanding of the specialist nursing role Evidence of teaching others Evidence of management skills SKILLS Essential Good organisational skills Can effectively use computers and software such as Word/Excel Ability to work independently to manage workload Desirable Can undertake small project work PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES Essential Ability to problem solve, anticipate and forward plan Ability to work under pressure and seek help when required Works on own initiative Flexible Desirable Leadership skills Role model Innovative Person Specification QUALIFICATIONS Essential Degree in Nursing Able to evidence recent and continuing professional development relevant to recent area of work Desirable Experience in working with patients with Rheumatological conditions Willing to work towards Prescribing qualification COMMUNICATION SKILLS Essential Excellent written and verbal Evidence of good interpersonal skills Demonstrates the ability to undertake challenging conversations Desirable Presentation skills or willingness to learn KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE Essential 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 Desirable Knowledge of Rheumatology Practice Understanding of the specialist nursing role Evidence of teaching others Evidence of management skills SKILLS Essential Good organisational skills Can effectively use computers and software such as Word/Excel Ability to work independently to manage workload Desirable Can undertake small project work PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES Essential Ability to problem solve, anticipate and forward plan Ability to work under pressure and seek help when required Works on own initiative Flexible Desirable Leadership skills Role model Innovative 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 (Opens in a new tab). 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 (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information 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 (Opens in a new tab). 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 (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Address Luton & Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust Zone T - Belper Road (Travelodge) Luton LU4 8RQ Employer's website https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)