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Job summary

Main area
Nursing and Midwifery
Grade
Band 6
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Part time - 35 hours per week
Job ref
188-SNM020826
Employer
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
SME Rheum Outpatients
Town
Southampton
Salary
£39,959 to £48,117 per annum, pro rata
Closing
24/08/2026 23:59
Interview date
04/09/2026

Employer heading

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust logo

Rheumatology Specialist nurse

Band 6

Job overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

This is a  Rheumatology Nurse Specialist role within our existing rheumatology team based at Southampton General Hospital.

The Nurse Specialist role provides expert care and support for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory rheumatic diseases as part of the multidisciplinary rheumatology team. It is for 35 hours a week.
About the team.

This is an excellent opportunity for a registered nurse who is highly motivated and interested in working as part of an innovative and friendly rheumatology team.

You will be predominantly based at University Hospital Southampton and will be expected to work in outreach clinics as part of your service development.

The majority of the time you will work Monday to Friday 8-4pm; however we expect that you will also work a variety of flexible hours on an adhoc basis as service needs demand. Compressed hours may also be considered if this fits in the service demand.  

You will report to the lead Rheumatology nurse in the department and work with the other nurse specialists in the team. We also have oversight of the outpatient department. 

Working for our organisation

University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast. 

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

At UHS, we’re committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients. 

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognising that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We’re committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You will be responsible for the assessment and supervision of patients with different types of rheumatology conditions in dedicated nurse led clinics and have an interest in developing your skills in this area.  
 
General duties include;
 
1. Holistically assess and identify health and psychosocial needs of individual patients and plan a Personalised Care programme to meet these needs, in partnership with patients/carers and colleagues. 
 
2. Establish contact with patients/carers from the time of initial referral or identification to provide specialist nursing advice and practical and psychosocial support.
 
3. Manage a patient caseload to agreed referral/discharge criteria. Act as a ‘key worker’, effectively working in partnership with other professionals and referring patients to other practitioners as required.  
 
4. Deliver knowledgeable nursing care to patients   in agreed practice settings, working as part of nursing teams and in partnership with ward and departmental clinical leaders.
 
5. Communicate with patients in ways that empower  them through shared decision making to make informed choices about their health and health care. Act as advocate for individual patients and the client group.
 
6. Provide appropriate education to patients and their families to promote health and encourage self-care and participation in the planned programme of treatment and care. 
 

For an overview of the position, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification document. This includes a detailed breakdown of the key responsibilities, role expectations, and the qualifications we are looking for.

What we’re looking for:
 
Enthusiastic and confident in using own initiative and supporting the rheumatology department aims, you will have the skills to balance effective service delivery with clinical commitments while being able to contribute to a team approach.
Applicants must possess excellent communication and organisational skills.  Ideally you will possess experience working in a rheumatology role, this would be an advantage although not essential.
 
If you are a nurse who takes pride and ownership in giving a high standard of patient/participant centred care with great attention to detail and who is interested in an exciting role, this is a fantastic opportunity for you.

Person specification

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

Essential criteria
  • Registered nurse on relevant part of the NMC register
  • Degree qualification or equivalent 120 credits at L6
  • Post registration qualification within area of speciality or equivalent experience
  • Completion of all Band 5 (preceptorship) competencies
  • Provide evidence of supporting/ managing a range of learners in practice
  • Provide evidence of supporting colleagues to promote effective learning in practice
  • Extensive post registration experience within specialist area.
  • Knowledge of current issues within the acute health service.
Desirable criteria
  • Registered on MSc Pathway – completion of HTPA Competencies
  • Act in the role of Practice Assessor or supporting the progression of learners / supporting challenges as needed
  • Counselling qualification
  • Palliative care course
  • IT training
  • Change Management, clinical practice development
  • Multidisciplinary team working.
  • Interest in nurse –led care
  • Organisational/strategic awareness

Trust Values and Behaviours

Essential criteria
  • Patients First
  • Always Improving
  • Working Together

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Care quality commission - GoodDisability confident employerInclusion UK

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Catherine Trevithick
Job title
rheumatology specialist nurse
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
02381203756
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