This fixed-term post has been created to provide expert, specialist clinical care for Rheumatology outpatients during the maternity leave of the current post-holder. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading and managing the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care for patients with rheumatological conditions over a one-year period.
The post-holder will play a pivotal role in supporting patients and their families throughout their care journey, ensuring they are fully informed, supported, and involved in decisions relating to their treatment. They will work collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team across both inpatient and outpatient settings to enhance the quality and consistency of care provided.
A key aspect of the role involves contributing to the development of rheumatology services in line with the latest research and clinical guidelines. The post-holder will also offer advice, support, and education to both patients and healthcare professionals to promote best practices and service improvement.
Demonstrated contribution to achieving the Trust’s vision, strategic objectives, and key work programmes.
Proven and sustained improvements in clinical standards and patient care within the Rheumatology service.
Evidence of staff development initiatives tailored to meet the needs of patients in both the outpatient clinic and inpatient settings.
Clear contribution to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of rheumatology care delivery.
Develop and deliver high standards of specialist care by reporting practice development needs and supporting the team in service development initiatives to ensure that all rheumatology patients and carers have a quality experience, and to reduce risk and increase safety for staff and patients.
Support and manage the development of the rheumatology nursing service and provide appropriate planning for supported continuity of care.
In liaison with Clinical Practitioner Educators and the Practice Development Team, lead and support the professional development of staff caring for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
In liaison with the Clinical Practitioner Educators and Clinical Placement Facilitator lead and support the development of students caring for rheumatology patients.
In liaison with the Head of Nursing and Deputy Director of Nursing and Quality, advise and contribute to clinical governance within the Trust in rheumatology via best practice development initiatives.
Take personal responsibility for ensuring own personal and professional development as outlined in the ‘competency framework for rheumatology nursing’ and contemporary evidence-based management.
Ashford and St. Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of more than 410,000 people living in North-West Surrey, parts of Hounslow and beyond.
Over 3,700 highly trained doctors, nurses, midwives, therapists, healthcare scientists and other support staff make up our workforce, providing a wide range of services across our two hospital sites, Ashford, Ashford, Surrey and St Peter’s, Chertsey, Surrey.
We also run many specialist clinics in the community and local community hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Our vision is to be one of the best healthcare Trusts in the country. There has never been a better time to join us in the NHS at Ashford & St Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with our strong commitment to staff health and wellbeing. We are committed to providing continuous professional development, staff benefits and flexibility to shape our workforce around our patient care.
Please see the supporting links which you can find on the right-hand side of this job advert. There is guidance on how to make an application on NHS Jobs as well as more information about joining the ASPH Team
Although it isn’t the Trusts normal practice, adverts may close early, so applicants are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.
Provide specialist advice and support to multi-professional teams to improve the effectiveness and quality in which services are provided.
Autonomously assess patients’ complex health and well being needs at all stages of their illness and seek support when appropriate.
Run patient clinics where core needs are assessed and provided.
Provide specialist advice to support ward staff when patients are admitted to hospital, ensuring all medical and nursing needs are understood and carried out in accordance with present standards and protocols.
Adhere to biopsychosocial models of rheumatology patient care.
Be responsible for supporting and managing a clinical caseload in an outpatient setting to enable competent supported self-management in patients and their carers.
To undertake the relevant courses to be a registered prescriber for the medicines management of rheumatology patients as determined by service need and in consultation with the Non Medical Prescribing and Patient Group Directions Group and to act as a resource for clinicians in relation to the treatment and care of rheumatology patients.
Identify development/ learning needs to enhance practice, including study for a diploma/MSc and added skills such as joint injections.
Education, Training and Development Function
Act as a professional supervisor and utilise clinical supervision and reflective practice skills to enhance the development of self and colleagues in the interprofessional team to optimise care.
Act as a mentor for students and junior staff, ensuring learning that is commensurate with education needs.
Provide patients and their carers with information and advice associated with rheumatology conditions, ensuring the best level of understanding and self-care as appropriate.
In liaison with the Patient Advice and Liaison Manager and the Consultant Rheumatologist develop written and other health information for rheumatology patients with regard to disease, treatment, management, and ongoing care.
In liaison with the Clinical Practitioner Educators and the Practice Development Team, develop, evaluate, and manage education and training programmes relevant to rheumatology.
In liaison with the Clinical Skills Education Manager, identify, develop, and review competency-based frameworks for advanced skills development for relevant staff.
Manage the development and review of competencies for ward staff to care for the rheumatology patient.
Participate in education programmes in rheumatology with the Trust and local higher education provider as appropriate.
Undertake annual training needs analysis to identify education and training needs of staff in the rheumatology department.
Keep abreast and update staff of developments in rheumatology and advanced/expert practice.
Seek opportunities to develop advanced/expert specialist nurse expertise in order to develop service and others’ skills.
Act as a resource for training for hospital and the community.
Practice and Service Development, Research and Evaluation Function
Have a working knowledge of local and national standards of rheumatology care and be able to contribute to the development of departmental strategies.
Facilitate the development of mechanisms to involve users in practice and service development.
Facilitate the development of specialist guidelines and protocols in collaboration with staff to optimise the care of the rheumatology patient.
In conjunction with the Head of Nursing and Consultants, participate in the planning and implementation of quality and risk management initiatives and targets, including CNST, RPST, Controls Assurance, National Service Frameworks, and purchasers’ requirements.
Manage a regular system of audit and research activities within the specialty and in collaboration with colleagues.
Carry out clinical audits with other members of the clinical teams. Ensure feedback to other interested parties so lessons learned and changes in practice made can be shared.
Function as part of an interprofessional team, assessing and evaluating the development of the rheumatology service as appropriate

Please refer the Job description for details