Job summary
- Main area
- Rheumatology
- Grade
- Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 344-4277WHH
- Employer
- East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Kent and Canterbury Hospital
- Town
- Canterbury
- Salary
- £47,810 - £54,710 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 05/02/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Clinical Rheumatology Specialist Nurse
Band 7
Job overview
The Rheumatology Service care for patients across East Kent with inflammatory auto immune conditions. There are approximately 200 conditions in our speciality and are often long term, complex and challenging to diagnose and treat.
We are on an exciting journey to develop and grow our team offering a Band 7 clinical rheumatology specialist nurse position. The experienced practitioner will work competently at an enhanced practice level including independent nurse prescribing and intra-articular joint injections, providing care aligned to the four pillars of practice. It is envisaged that 80% of this role will be spent in the clinical area, as part of an agreed job plan. You will have the opportunity to advance, in line with your personal development plans
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work at an enhanced level of practice utilising highly developed post graduate experience, knowledge and skills in Rheumatology specialty. They will manage discrete aspects of a patient’s care in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, within their current level of practice and patient group, aligned to the four pillars of practice and aligned to Trust policy, ‘Enhanced, Advanced and Consultant Level Practice- Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals (AHPs).’
The postholder will contribute to nursing practice to improve the quality of care to patients.
Working for our organisation
We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five
hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference’. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please scroll down to access the full Job Description and Person Specification located in ‘Documents to download’.
If you have further queries please don’t hesitate to contact the line manager using the contact details below.
Person specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential criteria
- Current NMC registration.
- Formal teaching or mentoring qualification including ENB 998/997, or equivalent.
- Degree relevant to professional registration and area of clinical practice.
- Evidence of continuing professional development within Rheumatology specialty
- Independent Nurse Prescriber
Desirable criteria
- Master’s Degree in a health related subject relevant to area of clinical specialty and advanced practice or Masters/L7 programme commenced.
- NHS Leadership Academy qualification e.g. ‘Edward Jenner’, ‘Mary Seacole’.
Knowledge, skills and Experience
Essential criteria
- Significant postgraduate healthcare experience demonstrating professional development across the four pillars of practice.
- Significant experience of care of the Rheumatology patient
- Experience of working with patients/service users to resolve concerns and improve their experience.
- Evidence of effective networking or matrix working
- Experience of supervising staff and delivering training
Desirable criteria
- Experience of assessing patients and developing specialised programmes of care •
- Experience of presenting to groups of staff/public
Personal and Professional Attributes
Essential criteria
- Ability to work within a team to achieving goals for a shared vision.
- Evidence of service development and delivery in practice.
- Knowledge of health policy and application to practice.
- Ability to problem solve, anticipate and plan, individually and within a team
- Demonstrate self-awareness and critical reflection
- Flexibility in working patterns to meet the needs of the service
- Commitment to equity and diversity
- Self-motivated, positive, adaptable and flexible approach
- Upholds and role models the Trust values
- Clean full UK driving licence to enable travel to community clinics and all Trust sites
Desirable criteria
- Experience of assessing patients and developing specialised programmes of care
- Experience of presenting to groups of staff/public
Governance
Essential criteria
- Understanding of quality governance, patient safety and patient experience tools to support clinical practice and service improvement. • • • • •
- Sound knowledge and understanding of national policy and guidance
- Utilisation of clinical effectiveness tools to deliver quality improvement e.g. risk management and clinical audit.
- Evidence of innovative practice utilising research and audit.
- Experience of contributing to quality improvement in safety/quality improvement projects.
- Experience of writing reports and presenting to teams or small groups
Desirable criteria
- Experience of implementing and evaluating improvements in care
Other Requirements
Essential criteria
- Flexibility in working patterns to meet the needs of the service
- Commitment to equity and diversity
- Self-motivated, positive, adaptable and flexible approach
- Upholds and role models the Trust values
- Clean full UK driving licence to enable travel to community clinics and all Trust sites
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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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
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Jacqueline Smith
- Job title
- Lead Nurse
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Additional information
Hazel Malley, Lead Nurse - h.malley @nhs.net
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