An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Rheumatology Department at Bedfordshire Hospital (Luton Site) for an enthusiastic, highly motivated experienced senior rheumatology nurse to join an exemplar nursing team focused on delivering excellent patient care.

This post is a substantive post for 37.5 hours a week.

The successful applicant will demonstrate high standards of work at all times acting as a role model to others, be self motivated and efficient, and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

The role requires the candidate to initiate, manage and co-ordinate care of often complex rheumatology patients on DMARDs, Biologic and osteoporosis treatments. Experience in rheumatology patient care is therefore essential for the role.

Individuals should be willing to develop further any specialised skills and knowledge required relating to the specialist area and develop their leadership and workforce skills as required to assist the lead nurse in managing an expanding nursing workforce.

For further information or to organise a visit of the department please contact Julie Begum on 01582 377868 (9-12noon) or by e-mail julie.begum@ldh.nhs.uk

Main duties of the job

To deliver and continue to develop a specialised nursing service for patients with rheumatologic conditions including those on biologic, DMARD and osteoporosis therapies attending nurse led clinics.

To work autonomously demonstrating a high level of assessment, judgement and decision making in the specialist area and to develop specialised management plans for patients with rheumatologic conditions

Plan and deliver teaching programmes for nursing staff and other professionals involved in rheumatology care

Provide clinical supervision and support junior nursing staff to develop professionally in the rheumatology department.

Support the lead nurse with nursing workforce management

To be involved with nursing research and audit requirements within the department

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 familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Job description

Job responsibilities

• To develop and evaluate rheumatology nursing services
• Act as a role model within the Trust and demonstrating high standards of care.
• Responsible for providing specialist advice to rheumatology patients and their families attending the nurse led rheumatology clinics.
• Responsible for assessing patients physical, psychological and social needs.
• Responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating patient care, and recommending the most appropriate course of action autonomously (within scope of practice).
• For patients on disease modifying drugs/biologic therapies/biosimilars and bone therapies:

i) Use recognised outcome measures, assessment tools and clinical skills to evaluate patient progress. Re-assess and alter interventions autonomously as necessary and within scope of practice .

ii) Request appropriate investigations for monitoring of patients. Analyse, interpret and compare and action results.

• Work closely with the multi-disciplinary team, making appropriate referrals when required.
• Responsible for the care of patients receiving intravenous therapies, working closely with and supporting the day care unit team who administer the treatments.
• Provide high quality written, verbal and telephone advice for other health care professionals, patients, their families and carers.
• Ensure that written information for health professionals in primary and secondary care is clear, concise and of a high standard, therefore providing seamless care.
• Responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of patient group directives.
• Responsible for modifying patient treatment according to patient group directives.
• Utilise department databases to update and maintain accurate patient information. Competent with relevant IT applications used in the Trust that are required for this role.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

The rheumatology specialist nurse is responsible for the provision of specialist education in the following areas:

• To patients, their families and carers either on a one to one basis or in a group setting in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team or via digitally enabled pathways.
• To enable patients to self-administer their medication at home as a subcutaneous injection.
• Act as resource for pre and post registration students.
• Provide shadowing opportunities for pre and post registration nursing students, those from other disciplines and visitors to the Trust.
• Plan, implement and evaluate teaching programmes for nursing staff and other professionals.
• Educate, supervise and support junior staff in the department.

MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participate in the development of Trust policies, protocols and guidance for Rheumatology care and adjustments to the scope of professional practice.
• 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 which include business and finance meetings.
• Assist with nursing workforce management.

PROFESSIONAL/PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT:

• Take responsibility for ones own development, undertaking appropriate activities to update clinical knowledge and skills.
• Undertake research and audit projects.
• Attend regular mandatory and statutory training as specified by the Trust.
• Promote awareness and compliance amongst colleagues regarding Trust policies, procedures, guidelines and standards.
• Participate in yearly performance review and ensure that procedures for extending ones role are implemented and regularly reviewed.

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

• Registered Nurse
• Degree in nursing or equivalent experience
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• ENB998/MSPP

Desirable

• Non-medical Prescribers Course or willing to work towards

EXPERIENCE

Essential

• The relevant registration experience within Rheumatology with experience in working with patients on biologics, DMARDs and osteoporosis treatments
• Able to demonstrate achievement in previous role
• Teaching and supervision of other healthcare professionals
• Experience in conducting nurse-led clinics

Desirable

• Experience working with biosimilars and switching process

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Essential

• Evidence of good interpersonal skills
• Excellent written skills
• Ability to teach
• Excellent counselling skills
• Excellent presentation skills

Desirable

• Writing guidance documents and patient literature
• Experience of conducting virtual clinic (phone and/or video)

KNOWLEDGE

Essential

• Sound knowledge of current practice and recent advances in Rheumatology Practice
• Knowledge of current NICE/NHS policy for Rheumatology and implications on services
• Understanding of the specialist nursing role
• Up to date research and evidence based knowledge
• Understanding of the need of confidentiality awareness at all times.
• Audit

Desirable

• Knowledge of BSR guidance effecting current patients care

SKILLS

Essential

• High standards of clinical performance
• Evidence of good managerial skills and ability to lead a team
• Computer skills including databases
• Good organisational, leadership and motivation skills
• Ability to problem solve, prioritise and work to deadlines
• Ability to be self-directed but also work effectively as a team member

Desirable

• Awareness of implementing change and willingness to learn new skills
• Able to develop new process in Rheumatology as needed and amend exsisting ones when required

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS & RELATIONSHIP SKILLS

Essential

• Proactive
• Self-confident
• Motivated
• Enthusiastic
• Flexible
• Organised

Desirable

• Innovater

Employer details

Employer name

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Zone T - (Bariatric & Rheumatology Outpatients)

641 Dunstable Road

Luton

LU4 8RQ

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

418-MED0831-JB