Job Description

Are you an enthusiastic Staff Nurse looking for a new challenge?



Applications are invited for the post of Rheumatology Staff Nurse within the award winning Rheumatology department at St Helens Hospital.



We are looking for an innovative nurse who would fit into this highly motivated team. You will be an experienced Band 5 nurse who wishes to develop as a Rheumatology Staff Nurse through a fully supported and structured training programme. No prior experience in Rheumatology is necessary.



The Rheumatology specialist nursing service works within a multi-disciplinary team providing holistic care for patients including Day Unit treatments, nurse-led clinics, disease and drug education sessions, advice via a telephone Advice line service, provision of a safe and effective blood monitoring service, and assisting in delivery of consultant led outpatient clinics.



This is an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to work in a genuinely multi-disciplinary team environment. The post is based within the Rheumatology Day Unit at St Helens Hospital and will include the day to day running of the day unit to include logistics, appointments, education and the administration of rheumatological therapies in line with NMC, National and Trust policies.



An Enhanced DBS Certificate, with the checking of both the Children's and Adults' Barred Lists is required for this post.



Develop and extend scope of professional practice to include venepuncture, cannulation and the administration of rheumatological therapies in line with NMC, National and Trust policies.

To undertake the day to day running of the day unit clinics including logistics, admissions and discharge, arranging appointments for treatments, infusions or education.

To collect data required for the British Society of Rheumatology Register for these therapies.

To co-ordinate the prescribing of these therapies, including requests for repeat prescriptions.

Education of patients and carers

To assist with the planning, implementation, and evaluation of health education MDT programmes for patients and carers with rheumatological conditions.

To empower patients with rheumatological conditions to realise and maintain their potential in relation to health and wellbeing through one-to-one contacts and MDT education programmes by facilitating improved knowledge on disease management, medication and its effects on daily living.



DMARD therapy



To be a point of referral for patients commencing on disease modifying drug therapy, including education, consent, monitoring requirements.



To prevent adverse effects on health and wellbeing through education and monitoring of patients on DMARD therapy.



Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 10,500 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. 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



KEY DUTIES



Develop and extend scope of professional practice to include venepuncture, cannulation and the administration of rheumatological therapies in line with NMC, National and Trust policies.

To undertake the day to day running of the day unit clinics including logistics, admissions and discharge, arranging appointments for treatments, infusions or education.

To collect data required for the British Society of Rheumatology Register for these therapies.

To co-ordinate the prescribing of these therapies, including requests for repeat prescriptions.

Education of patients and carers

To assist with the planning, implementation, and evaluation of health education MDT programmes for patients and carers with rheumatological conditions.

To empower patients with rheumatological conditions to realise and maintain their potential in relation to health and wellbeing through one-to-one contacts and MDT education programmes by facilitating improved knowledge on disease management, medication and its effects on daily living.



DMARD therapy



To be a point of referral for patients commencing on disease modifying drug therapy, including education, consent, monitoring requirements.

To prevent adverse effects on health and wellbeing through education and monitoring of patients on DMARD therapy.



CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES



Service Development & delivery



Administration of intravenous, Intramuscular and subcutaneous treatments

To be involved in planning, development, implementation and evaluation of rheumatology service.

To ensure all treatments are within national guidelines or evidence-based practice where available aiming to improve standards and minimise clinical risk

To participate in working parties developing policy change within department which impacts on all service users

Adhere to departmental policies in use of equipment including ensuring competence of others through training and supervision of practice

Assist in the development of policies and procedures within the rheumatology service

To act as a catalyst for change, reviewing service and clinical provision through audit/research, identifying areas for development and implementing change



Professional Development



To maintain own clinical professional development by keeping abreast of any new trends and developments and incorporating them as necessary into service delivery.

To support junior staff with their professional development

To participate in the staff appraisal scheme and personal development plan (PDP).

To participate in the supervision scheme.

To attend and contribute to local or national conferences in own field of expertise

To be an active participant in enabling the department to maintain Customer Service Excellence status.

To attend and take part in in-service training within the Rheumatology unit.

To participate in the organisation and delivery of internal/external/national courses.



ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES



To ensure that all patient information is confidential and is not disclosed to a third party except with permission of the Nurse in charge.

To keep patient records up to date on a day-to-day basis following any interaction with patients or relatives

To ensure all unit documentation is completed.

To assist with and carry out any input of data that is required for the departmental databases.



TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSBILITIES



To assist with induction programmes, preceptorship and mentorship of new staff as appropriate.

Completion of the trust's intravenous administration course

To appropriately assist in the promotion of the learning environment. Participating in the supervision and assessment of Health Care Assistants, Student nurses and Cadets as appropriate.

To participate in the in-service training programme, delivering presentations and training sessions at staff meetings, tutorials, training sessions in-house and externally, attending external courses and undertaking reflective practice.

To be an active participant in enabling the department to maintain Customer Service Excellence status.



LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES



Participate in meetings pertinent to the unit

Establish and maintain good communication within the unit, Division, Trust and agencies outside the trust.

To consistently use resources efficiently

To be actively involved in risk management and clinical audit programmes.

To ensure safe custody of patients property.

To report all accidents, hazards, incidents and complaints in accordance with Trust policies and assist in investigation of them as required.

Comply with Health and Safety Policies.



FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY



Maintain efficiency and minimise any waste.



RESEARCH & AUDIT



To participate in local audit/research projects relating to the use of Rheumatological therapies

To collect data required for the British Society of Rheumatology Register for these therapies.