Rheumatology Specialist Nurse

at  Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

BEHAVIOURS & VALUES In order to ensure all actions of the post holder are underpinned by the Trust values of care, safety, dignity, communication and learning, the post holder will: Provide a clean, safe environment for everyone within their area of work Take responsibility for everything they do Challenge and respond to improve quality Actively listen to patients, their relatives, staff and colleagues being open and honest Encourage and welcome feedback for patients, relatives and their colleagues Be caring and compassionate Offer comfort and support and show understanding Involve patients and relatives in their care Respect privacy and confidentiality of patients and staff at all times Treat everyone with dignity and kindness Be polite and professional Promote and encourage learning within their department Motivate, train and develop themselves and others Recognise and celebrate achievements within their department Learn and develop from incidents, complaints and compliments received SECTION 2 - KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS The post holder will be a registered nurse with considerable experience and interest in Rheumatology. Ideally the post holder will be a non-medical prescriber. Have a wide ranging knowledge of Rheumatology conditions, treatment options and interventions working towards being an independent practitioner. Provide specialist assessment and patient management for service users and carers, ensuring comprehensive quality service is developed, arranging appropriate follow up.
Help identify the physical, social and psychological needs of the rheumatology patients. The post holder must provide counselling and educational services to patient/carers within the service. To assist with the long term management and review of patients within the service and to support and empower them to participate in decisions concerning their care. To work closely with the relevant supervising consultant and seek appropriate clinical supervision for planning and delivering the clinical care for individual patients.
To efficiently use relevant clinical patient databases to effectively monitor patient care (e.g. DAWN system to effectively monitor patients on DMARDs and biologics). To develop a positive role in health education and to facilitate learning in relation to identify needs for patients, carers and clients. Liaise with the MDT, GPs, Consultant and other appropriate health professionals on the outcome of assessments, reviews and interventions as appropriate and provide leadership clinically.
Act independently within a MDT context agreed guidelines and protocols. Ability to demonstrate technical skills of cannulation and venepuncture. To assist in the co-ordination of research studies in the department as required. To maintain accurate patient records.
To participate in the Rheumatology department clinical advice line for service for patients and their carers. To refer to other healthcare professionals within the Rheumatology service. To lead and participate in the assessment of patients referred for Biologics therapy. Ensure such treatments are appropriate and effective.
Actively participate in the National Biologics register. To be professional and legally accountable for all aspects of own work, including the management of patients in your care. To contribute to patient self-management programmes. To plan own work load and patient caseload in an efficient and effective manner.
Undertake regular departmental audit and the development and implementation on an action plan. To undertake/assist as requested the collection of data for use in clinical audit and research. To deliver and disseminate information utilising effective presentation skills. Contribute to the regular review and development of evidence based patient and carer information.
To contribute to developmental research portfolio in keeping with Good Clinical practice standards; maintain up to date Good Clinical Practice training. To ensure regular annual review of job and with Matron/Operational Business manager to ensure optimal delivery on clinical service. Previous experience of managing a team and taking responsibility for the care provided to patients. A thorough understanding of clinical audit and communication skills to feedback results to multidisciplinary teams.
Excellent communication skills when liaising with patients and colleagues. Excellent time management and co-ordination skills. To contribute to developmental research portfolio in keeping with Good Clinical practice standards; maintain up to date Good Clinical Practice training. SECTION 3 - EFFORT AND ENVIRONMENT Undertaking the physical review and assessment of patients in a clinical environment.
This includes treatment and diagnosing a variety of Rheumatology conditions. To review and update patient records using both hard copies and electronic inputting. Frequent requirement to concentrate during clinical activity. Occasional requirement to break news to patients regarding diagnosys.
Combination of sitting, walking, standing and manual handling

Please refer the Job description for details