Agenda for Change
Author: Claire Ackerman
Version 8
Date: June 2015
Job Description
Job Group (Delete as
applicable):
Job Title:
Existing Grade:
Care Group:
Service Line:
Department:
Location:
Appraiser:
Accountable to:
Position Number:
Date:
Nursing & Midwifery
Rheumatology Nurse
New Post – Band 5
Surgery Care Group
Trauma & Orthopaedics and Rheumatology Summary
Rheumatology
Derriford Hospital
Nikki Day
Nikki Day
July 2016
Job Purpose:

Deliver a high standard of care to patients with muscular skeletal diseases.

Acting as a role model to all members of the nursing team, creating a positive learning
environment for both patients/carers and health care professionals.

Under Supervision works towards autonomous practice and carries a caseload of patients
with complex needs and is able to undertake advanced nursing assessment, address
complex needs and provide support within the sphere of Rheumatology both within the
hospital setting and in the community.

The post holder, with support from the Modern Matron will ensure that high standards are
developed, implemented, evaluated and maintained, with required change planned in
accordance with the framework of Clinical Governance.

Contributes to service development, audit and research projects ensuring these contribute
to the education and training of other health care professionals.

Create, maintain, implement and enhance an effective specialist clinical learning
environment through role modelling, leadership and excellence in practice and lead inservice training and education.
Key Dimensions:

Assess, Plan, Implement, Develop and Evaluate clinical care of Rheumatology patients

Work towards Provision giving advice on all aspects of Rheumatology and associated
disease to patients, carers and health care professionals.

Develop a positive dynamic learning environment to promote teaching and learning in the
clinical setting.

Work towards delivering education to Rheumatology patients under supervision with a
case load for the Rheumatology department of over 4000 patients.

Under Supervision monitor the effectiveness of all aspects of patient treatment.
Agenda for Change
Author: Claire Ackerman
Version 8
Date: June 2015

Ensure effective communication between department, directorate and division

Contribute to educational resource management – Skills, Equipment.
Organisational Chart
Matron TOR
Lead Rheumatologist
Service Line
Cluster
Manager TOR
Lead Clinical
Nurse
Specialist
Rheumatology
Senior
Rheumatology
Specialist
Nurses
Junior
Rheumatology
Specialist
Nurse
Rheumatology
HCAs
Agenda for Change
Author: Claire Ackerman
Version 8
Date: June 2015
PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
1.
Under direct supervision contribute to the specialist rheumatology nurse caseload of patients both
within the rheumatology department and peripheral areas.
2.
Work towards with supervision to assessment, psychological, physiological, emotional, spiritual and
cultural needs in relation to their disease and proposed treatment, providing a pathway of nursing care
for the patient
3.
To support the patient in making informed choices alongside the specialist rheumatology nurse.
4.
Provide continuity of care throughout the patient journey and liaising across organisations
5.
Undertake procedures such as injections within agreed protocols.
clinical procedures
6.
Work towards the screening, planning and monitoring of patients receiving biologic therapies and
submission of appropriate data to the national database
7.
Work towards the on-going supervision and tuition of the self-administration of sub-cutaneous
Methotrexate scheme and the responsibility ensuring Health and Safety issues are addressed
8.
Provide clinical advice and support to healthcare professionals within and across organisational
boundaries
9.
Act as a role model for excellence
Agrees changes proposed to
10. Maintains a safe working environment, utilising Trust documentation to ensure that Health and Safety /
Clinical risk issues are identified and actioned within the working environment.
COMMUNICATIONS & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
1)
Work towards and develop communication skills to ensure that highly sensitive and emotive condition
related information to patients and relatives throughout the disease progression are delivered

Patients and their support network

Lead nurse in Rheumatology

Rheumatology consultants

Modern Matron

Rheumatology Nursing Team

Ward Sisters/ Charge Nurses within the Trust

Educational Staff

Outpatient Staff

Director of Nursing and membres of the Strategic Nursing team

Divisinoal General Manager

Directorage Manager

Divisional Director

Clinical Director

General Practitioners

District / Practice Nurses

Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Consultants, Nurse Practitioners

All other Departments and Units concerned with supporting patient care and staff
management

External Agencies
Agenda for Change
Author: Claire Ackerman
Version 8
Date: June 2015
OTHER
1.
Assists in developing in-house specialist educational and training programs
2.
Work towards developing patient focus groups
3.
Maintain own professional development
4.
Maintain and update evidence based knowledge and skills
5.
Work in close collaboration with Lead Nurse / Consultants across boundaries to ensure service meets
patients needs
6.
Adapts national policies, guidance and research findings for implementation at a local level
7.
Work with patients and users to develop services
8.
Is aware of the financial implications of the Rheumatology treatments
9.
Coordinates patient journey across divisions and organisational boundaries
10. Undertakes complex assessments and review/follow up of patients and careers
11. Be a member of relevant professional associations and attend regional / national meetings and
conferences
12. Train and administer cytotoxic therapies and dispose of cytotoxic waste according to Trust Policies
RESEARCH AND AUDIT
1)
2)
3)
Will participate in clinical audit and development of knowledge within specialist fields of practice.
Undertake evidence based practice and ensure dissemination of relevant research and best practice
Participate in unit based and multi-centre research studies
All Job Holders are required to…

Work to the Trust values - Put patients first, Take ownership, Respect others, Be positive, Listen, learn
and improve.

Adhere to Trust policies and procedures, e.g. Health and Safety at Work, Equal Opportunities etc.

Maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participate
in appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff development and training.

Attend statutory, essential and mandatory training.

Respect the confidentiality of all matters relating to their employment and other members of staff. All
members of staff are required to comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.

Comply with the Corporate Governance structure in keeping with the principles and standards set out
by the Trust.

Comply with the codes of professional conduct set out by the professional body of which registration is
required for the post.

Ensure they are familiar with the Risk Management Framework, follow policies, procedures and safe
systems of work, make known any hazards or risks that they identify and take all necessary actions to
reduce risk.
Agenda for Change
Author: Claire Ackerman
Version 8
Date: June 2015

Ensure the welfare and safety of children within their care. This includes staff who come into contact
with children and families in the course of their work as well as those staff who have a specific role
with children and families.

Ensure they attend Child Protection training at the appropriate level within the specified time frame.

Staff must comply with Safeguarding Policies and Procedures in order to promote
safeguarding and prevent abuse to vulnerable people using Trust services.

Maintain the prevention and control of infection and fully comply with all current Trust Infection Control
policies and procedures.

Take responsibility for any records that they create or use in the course of their duties, in line with the
Public Records Act and be aware that any records created by an employee of the NHS are public
records and may be subject to both legal and professional obligations.
All Managers are responsible for…

Assessing risks and implementing the necessary actions to minimise these risks within their sphere of
responsibility. They must also enable staff to attend the relevant statutory and essential training.

Managing attendance in accordance with the Trusts Attendance Management Policy.
All Heads of Departments are responsible for…

Ensuring all necessary risk assessments are carried out within their division, Service Line or
department in liaison with relevant sources of specialist support and expertise within the Trust. They
must also ensure that the risk management process is completed appropriately.
Note
This job description is neither definitive nor exhaustive and is not intended to be totally comprehensive. It may
be reviewed in the light of changing circumstances following consultation with the post holder. This job
description is to be read in conjunction with all current Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust policies, procedures &
guidelines.
Agenda for Change
Author: Claire Ackerman
Version 8
Date: June 2015
PERSON SPECIFICATION
ATTRIBUTES
ESSENTIAL

Continuous personal and professional
development
Proven knowledge of local and national policy
issues
KNOWLEDGE &
EXPERIENCE

QUALIFICATIONS


NMC Registration
Degree or relevant proven knowledge and
demonstrable experience at that level






Good communication skills, written and verbal,
with the ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity
and effectiveness at all levels.
Analytical skills and judgemental skills
Effective influencing skills: in general and with
senior health care professionals
Attention to detail
Accuracy and dexterity
Time management skills
Organisational skills
Ability to undertake audits as necessary



Team worker
Able to cope under pressure
Proactive, takes own initiative

Leadership and facilitation of the multidisciplinary team
Plans and prioritise workload
To have an understanding of clinical risk
management
Skills of negotiation
Able to handle conflict constructively
Able to work flexibly according to patient need
I.T skills development and ongoing
management of the rheumatology database
APTITUDE &
ABILITIES


DISPOSITION /
ATTITUDE /
MOTIVATION
OTHER FACTORS






DESIRABLE