Detailed job description and main responsibilities

CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provide specialist advice, education and support to patients and their relatives attending the nurse-led rheumatology clinics. This includes counselling patients for new therapies and review of patients on existing therapies.
2. Work with patients and provide follow up in order to support compliance and adherence with prescribed treatment.
3. Responsible for assessing patients physical, psychological and social needs.
4. Responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating patient care, recommending the most appropriate course of action.
5. Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that promote healthy lifestyles, and apply principles of self-care.
6. Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment.
7. To help develop and work within protocols for the management of patients with rheumatology conditions including osteoporosis.
8. For patients on disease modifying drugs, biologic and bone therapies:-
   i) Use recognised outcome measures, assessment tools and clinical skills to evaluate patient progress
   ii) Request appropriate investigations for monitoring of patients. Analyse and interpret results.
9. Responsible for the care of patients receiving intravenous biologic or bone therapies, supporting and working closely with the Day Unit who administer the infusions.
10. Provide high quality written, verbal and telephone advice for patients and their families.
11. Produce accurate and complete documentation both electronically and written correspondence consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.
12. Ensure that written information for health professionals in primary and secondary care is clear, concise and of a high standard.
13. Liaise with GPs to maintain continuity of care and patient compliance with medications/supplements prescribed.
14. Work closely with the multi-disciplinary team making appropriate referrals when necessary.
15. Work closely with pathway co-ordinators to assist with triaging into appropriate nurse-led clinics and awareness of nurse clinic waiting lists.
16. Work with MDT to ensure streamlined patient pathway.
17. Assist with research and audit projects and data collection as required

Managerial Responsibilities

1. To manage systems and maintain accurate records to ensure patients care is appropriate and audit can be undertaken.
2. To maintain appropriate databases for patients on disease-modifying drugs, biologic and bone therapies
3. To organise own work and practice, taking a flexible approach to ensure support for patients and colleagues.
4. To provide support to nursing staff working within clinic and ward areas.
5. Participate in the development of Trust policies, protocols and guidance for patients on disease-modifying drugs, biologic and bone therapies
6. Discuss, highlight and work with the team to create opportunities to improve patient care.

Education. Training & Development

1. Provide support and specialist advice to colleagues in the Trust and in the Community.
2. Attend and actively contribute to relevant meetings within and outside the Trust.
3. Provide patients and relatives with information about their condition and treatment.
4. Take responsibility for one’s own development, undertaking appropriate activities to update clinical knowledge and skills.
5. Attend regular mandatory and statutory training as specified by the Trust.
6. Promote awareness and compliance amongst colleagues regarding Trust policies, procedures, guidelines and standards.

Professional/Personal Development:

1. Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by the NMC.
2. Adhere to nurse revalidation requirements as set out by the NMC
3. Take responsibility for one’s own development, undertaking appropriate activities to update clinical knowledge and skills.
4. Attend regular mandatory and statutory training as specified by the Trust.
5. Promote awareness and compliance amongst colleagues regarding Trust policies, procedures, guidelines and standards.