Job overview

The Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) at Basildon Hospital plays a pivotal role in the multidisciplinary team, providing expert nursing care and support to patients with a wide range of rheumatological conditions. The CNS is responsible for delivering specialised clinical assessment, treatment, and management of patients with autoimmune and inflammatory musculoskeletal diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and other connective tissue disorders.

Key responsibilities include conducting detailed patient assessments, managing complex treatment regimens including immunosuppressive therapies and biologics, providing patient education, and coordinating care pathways to improve patient outcomes. The CNS also supports patients in self-management, offering guidance on medication adherence, lifestyle modifications, and symptom control.

This role requires close collaboration with rheumatologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure holistic patient care. Additionally, the CNS contributes to service development, clinical audit, and research initiatives to advance rheumatology nursing practice within the hospital.

The ideal candidate will be a registered nurse with substantial experience in rheumatology or related specialties, demonstrating advanced clinical skills, excellent communication abilities, and a patient-centered approach to care.

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will independently assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care, using clinical tools to monitor disease progression and treatment effectiveness. A key part of the role involves managing medication regimes, including disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologic therapies, while ensuring that all safety and monitoring protocols are strictly followed.

The CNS provides expert education, support, and guidance to patients and their families, helping them to understand their diagnosis, treatment plans, and the importance of self-management. They play a central role in delivering treatments, which may include the administration or supervision of subcutaneous and intravenous therapies, and must ensure all prescribing and treatment practices are in line with national and local guidelines.

In addition to clinical duties, the CNS contributes to service development through the creation and implementation of clinical guidelines, patient pathways, and quality improvement initiatives. Participation in audit, research, and governance activities ensures the delivery of evidence-based care and continual service enhancement. The post-holder is also expected to provide training and support to junior staff, students, and new team members, as well as facilitate educational sessions for both patients and professionals.

Working for our organisation

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.