Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
This role appears to be based at this CQC-rated location:
- Requires improvement
Rated Jun 2023
Matched from the job description. Source: Care Quality Commission.
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Job description
Job overview
Our organisation
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) provides a full range of general acute, outpatient and diagnostic services at The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, the Herts and Essex Hospital in Bishop’s Stortford, and St Margaret’s Hospital in Epping.
We employ over 4,000 people and serve a local population of around 350,000 people living in west Essex and east Hertfordshire, centred on the M11 corridor and the towns of Harlow, Bishop’s Stortford and Epping. Our extended catchment area incorporates a population of up to 500,000 and includes the areas of Hoddesdon, Cheshunt and Broxbourne in Hertfordshire.
Our values
The Princess Alexandra promise to our patients as identified by our three values which will contribute to improving our patient experiences:
Patient at heart – Always holding the patient and their wellbeing at the centre of our thoughts and efforts
Everyday excellence – Sharing and celebrating our successes, being honest when we get it wrong, giving us the ability to learn from both
Creative collaboration – Knowing strength comes from diversity, we combine our experiences, skills and talents, working together to find new and better ways to care
PAHT believes in investing in all our people and rewarding high standards of care whilst building for excellence and in return we expect our people to uphold our values to the highest level.
Main duties of the job
1. Act as a role model in the clinical area, promoting and demonstrating the standards of care and behaviours expected of a registered professional
2. Recognise the limits and gaps of individual competence and knowledge undertake and complete further training and academic qualifications as relevant to the role and service requirements.
3. Develop a culture of providing and accepting constructive feedback and use this to reflect on your own practice. Always act as role model.
4. Act with personal and professional integrity within professional, ethical and legal frameworks and process to maintain and improve standards of care and practice.
5. Take responsibility and maintain professional records of personal updates (portfolio of practice) to support revalidation. Be actively involved in professional development discussions and personal development plan as part of your annual appraisal.
6. Adhere to all trust policies, procedures, guidelines and standards, ensuring a high standard of personal and professional behaviour and dress is always maintained whilst acting as an ambassador for the trust.
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave—a national programme that’s changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector.
This means we’re working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives.
We’re a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.
Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
standard of personal and professional behaviour and dress is always maintained whilst acting as an ambassador for the trust.
Duties and responsibilities
Clinical Practice
1. Deliver nurse-led clinics for patients with chronic rheumatological conditions, facilitating timely access to care and supporting achievement of waiting time targets.
2. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of specialised treatments, taking appropriate action based on clinical findings.
3. Support the implementation and delivery of NICE-approved therapies, particularly for patients with inflammatory arthritis.
4. Promote and embed evidence-based practice through ongoing education, training, and professional development.
5. Provide ongoing advice and clinical support to patients between appointments via education sessions and dedicated telephone/email services.
6. Work collaboratively with primary care teams, supporting the safe transfer and monitoring of disease-modifying therapies (DMARDs).
7. Enhance awareness and understanding of complex rheumatological conditions among healthcare professionals.
8. Contribute to the delivery of multidisciplinary care, ensuring a holistic approach to patient management.
9. Demonstrate competence in venepuncture, IV cannulation, and administration of cytotoxic medications in line with Trust policies.
10. Safely monitor patients receiving immunosuppressive and biologic therapies, taking appropriate action in response to abnormal results or clinical concerns.
11. Undertake autonomous clinical decision-making regarding patient treatment, including continuation, modification, or cessation of therapy.
12. Identify and appropriately escalate patients with signs of toxicity or clinical deterioration, ensuring timely medical input.
13. Utilise relevant disease activity assessment tools to monitor and guide patient management.
14. Liaise effectively with external providers and suppliers regarding the ordering and delivery of specialist medications.
15. Contribute to and support clinical governance frameworks, ensuring patient safety and quality standards are upheld through audit, incident review, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
16. Maintain accurate and up-to-date electronic records and databases, including tracking patients receiving biologic therapies.
17. Promote and adhere to infection prevention and control standards in all aspects of clinical practice.
18. Actively participate in clinical audit, research, and national benchmarking exercises, including audits related to anti-TNF therapies.
This job description may be subject to change according to the varying needs of the service. Such changes will be made after discussion between the post holder and the manager. All duties must be carried out under supervision or within Trust policy and procedure
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered General Nurse (RGN) with current NMC registration
- Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Desirable
- Substantial post-registration experience in a Rheumatology.
- Leadership course
Experience
Essential
- Up-to-date knowledge of current nursing practice and clinical standards
Desirable
- Clinical audit and research
- Worked as clinical nurse specialist in Specialist Service (Desirable)D