Job summary
We are excited to offer an opportunity for a Band 6 Rheumatology Specialist Nurse to join our established Rheumatology team at Gloucester Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The successful candidate can look forward to ongoing training and professional development to further enhance their skills and competencies.
Additionally, we encourage Band 5 nurses who are passionate about pursuing a career as a rheumatology specialist to apply. If a suitable Band 6 candidate is not identified, we are open to considering a Band 5 nurse for a training role. This would involve an accelerated development program over 12 months, designed to equip the right candidate with the necessary skills and competencies to transition into the B6 Rheumatology Specialist Nurse role.
Applicants are encouraged to contact the manager for additional information and an informal visit
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be an integral part of the Rheumatology multidisciplinary team. they will be responsible for providing high quality care, seeing patients in an outpatient setting and also providing telephone advice and support. They will provide ongoing monitoring and review of patients with varying Rheumatological conditions, ensuring safe and effective disease control. Interpreting and acting on blood results in particular for drug monitoring purposes. They will support the team in service development
About us
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust operates hospitals on our two main sites in Cheltenham and Gloucester, and we're one of the largest NHS trusts in the country. We also provide outpatient services in the peripheral hospitals around the county..
Our workforce of almost 8,000 staff provides high quality emergency, elective and specialist care across a range of clinical areas. We offer a generous annual leave allowance, access to the excellent NHS pension scheme, discounts for local shops, restaurants and services ,access to our health and well-being hub, access to our two onsite nurseries, flexible working patterns, discounted public transport, reward and recognition schemes, exercise and activity classes and membership to our popular choir.
We have recently been graded as 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which is testament to our dedication and drive to improve clinical excellence, innovation and quality care.
The Rheumatology team consists of 7 consultants, Junior doctors, 5 specialist nurses, a specialist physiotherapist, ACP and a clinical Pharmacist all supported by a dedicated admin/secretarial team.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To Provide high quality patient care, assessing and treating patients in an outpatient setting whilst maintaining standards in accordance with the professional boundaries.
To work autonomously and within a multidisciplinary team developing and implementing treatment plans for patients
To provide a highly specialist service to patients with chronic rheumatological conditions requiring higher level of judgement and decision making
To act as a resource to patient's, carers and other healthcare professionals providing leadership, standard setting guidelines and policies
To manage a defined caseload
To respond to our advice line queries, referring patients onto other members of the multidisciplinary team as required
Interpret and act upon blood results relating to rheumatological diseases in particular for drug monitoring purposes
Manage a caseload of countywide outpatients through clinic attendances, including the administrative activities including dictating letters, and requesting follow up appointments
To see and treat patients ensuring the protocols, policies and procedures are adhered to in accordance with organisational and national targets.
Undertake specialist rheumatology assessment such as joint examination and baseline//ongoing assessments of patients on biologic treatments and other DMARDs
Please see attached Job description for further details
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
1. Appropriate post registration
Desirable
2. Experience in a relevant clinical area
Qualifications
Essential
3. Registered Nurse with NMC
Desirable
4. Non medical prescriber
5. Recognised teaching and assessing qualification
Knowledge, skills and atributes
Essential
6. ability to prioritise workload
7. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
8. willingness to develop advanced skills in Rheumatology
9. Advanced IT skills
Desirable
10. Ability to supervise staff with less experience
11. Knowledge of BSR and NICE guidelines for Rheumatology