About this role
Job summary
The post-holder will provide expert leadership and management within a multi-disciplinary team and provide highly advanced specialist / clinical nursing expertise for Rheumatology patients.
The post holder will be expected to advise primary and secondary care clinicians as appropriate about the setting up, implementation, delivery and evaluation of patient care utilising evidence based practice. In addition, the post holder will be expected to provide a service in accordance with national, regional and local guidance, standards and protocols and polices to ensure the most positive outcome for the patients are achieved.
The post-holder will contribute to senior management and governance frameworks within the care group, and be line manager to band 7 and band 6 nurse specialists, the rheumatology day unit nursing team, rheumatology clerical support, co coordinators and the rheumatology metrology team.
The post holder will be responsible for the service budget in conjunction with Clinical director, Directorate Manager and ADM. They will ensure that KPI (Key performance Indicators) data is collected and submitted to commissioners and will be the first point of contact for commissioners' queries.
The post holder will abide by legal requirements and statutory rules relating to practice and promote and maintain standards of professional practice in accordance with The Nursing and Midwifery Councils (NMC) Code and Professional Conduct and Scope of Professional Practice.
Main duties of the job
To work autonomously, managing a caseload of patients within the specialty whilst working as part of the multidisciplinary team, delivering individualised and personalised direct patient care. To take responsibility for the advanced nursing assessment and treatment of patients who may have complex acute and/or chronic presentation to determine the clinical diagnosis of the presenting complaint, extended treatment options and MDT intervention required which involves crossing professional boundaries whilst maintaining records as an autonomous practitioner. To undertake full medical assessment of patients within the rheumatology speciality, who may have complex acute and/or chronic presentations, in order to meet their physical, psychological and social needs throughout their illness within the hospital and community. To plan, co-ordinate, deliver and evaluate a management plan for such patients, where necessary in consultation with their Consultant Rheumatologist. Be responsible for assessing and recognising emergencies in the specialty. To interpret information and take appropriate action and to lead other to do the same. Act as an advocate for patients within the department, to ensure a patient orientated approach to delivery of care and to meet standards within the NHS plan, NHFD and Best Practice.
About us
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.
We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.
Our services:
Acute Care
Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.
Primary Care
Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.
Community Services
Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation, freeing up space for more unwell patients. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.
Specialist Regional Services
We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.
Achievements:
Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018 Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal) National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme
Job description Job responsibilities
Please see Job Description and Person Specification attached.
Advertising Date: 15th October 2026
Closing Date: 30th October 2026
Shortlisting Date: w/c 2nd November 2026
Proposed Interview date: 12th November 2026
Please note this vacancy may close early if a high number of applications is reached.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Registered Nurse Teaching qualification Evidence of relevant CPD activity and relevant post graduate courses Evidence of study at Masters level Non medical prescribing qualification Member of specialist interest group
Values Essential
We are kind We are open We are inclusive
Knowledge & Experience Essential
Substantial years post Qualification experience Substantial years' experience as Nurse Specialist in Rheumatology Evidence of leadership/ management experience Evidence of Training/Teaching and supervising others within clinical area - including medical, therapy, nursing colleagues and students. MDT members, patients and carers. Evidence of continuous professional development and high level specialist training
Skills Essential
Evidence of an advanced standard of performance in specialist clinical area. Evidence of playing a key role in the planning, development and improvement of rheumatology services Evidence of presentation at local, National and International conferences Change management expertise Leadership skills Ability to effectively co-ordinate and prioritise Problem solving skills Ability to work undue pressure Good communication and interpersonal skills Ability to interact with an MDT Planning and organisational skills Time management IT Literate
Other Essential
Diplomatic Tactful Flexible approach to work Commitment to quality Willingness to undergo further training according to needs of the post Able to travel cross site
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Address St Helens Hospital
Marshalls Cross Road
St Helens
WA9 3DA
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.merseywestlancs.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)