Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialist; CNS

Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

The closing date is 13 July 2026.

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) provides a full range of general acute, outpatient and diagnostic services at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, the Hertfordshire and Essex Hospital in Bishop’s Stortford, and St Margaret’s Hospital in Epping. PAHT employs over 4,000 people and serves a local population of approximately 350,000 people in west Essex and east Hertfordshire, with an extended catchment area of up to 500,000 residents.

• Act as a role model in the clinical area, promoting and demonstrating the standards of care and behaviours expected of a registered professional.
• Recognise the limits and gaps of individual competence and knowledge, and undertake and complete further training and academic qualifications as relevant to the role and service requirements.
• Develop a culture of providing and accepting constructive feedback and use this to reflect on your own practice.
• Act with personal and professional integrity within professional, ethical and legal frameworks and processes to maintain and improve standards of care and practice.
• Take responsibility for and maintain professional records of personal updates (portfolio of practice) to support revalidation, and be actively involved in professional development discussions and personal development plan as part of your annual appraisal.
• Adhere to all trust policies, procedures, guidelines and standards, ensuring a high standard of personal and professional behaviour and dress is always maintained whilst acting as an ambassador for the trust.

• Deliver nurse‑led clinics for patients with chronic rheumatological conditions, facilitating timely access to care and supporting achievement of waiting time targets.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of specialised treatments, taking appropriate action based on clinical findings.
• Support the implementation and delivery of NICE‑approved therapies, particularly for patients with inflammatory arthritis.
• Promote and embed evidence‑based practice through ongoing education, training, and professional development.
• Provide ongoing advice and clinical support to patients between appointments via education sessions and dedicated telephone/email services.
• Work collaboratively with primary care teams, supporting the safe transfer and monitoring of disease‑modifying therapies (DMARDs).
• Enhance awareness and understanding of complex rheumatological conditions among healthcare professionals.
• Contribute to the delivery of multidisciplinary care, ensuring a holistic approach to patient management.
• Demonstrate competence in venepuncture, IV cannulation, and administration of cytotoxic medications in line with Trust policies.
• Safely monitor patients receiving immunosuppressive and biologic therapies, taking appropriate action in response to abnormal results or clinical concerns.
• Undertake autonomous clinical decision‑making regarding patient treatment, including continuation, modification, or cessation of therapy.
• Identify and appropriately escalate patients with signs of toxicity or clinical deterioration, ensuring timely medical input.
• Utilise relevant disease activity assessment tools to monitor and guide patient management.
• Liaise effectively with external providers and suppliers regarding the ordering and delivery of specialist medications.
• Contribute to and support clinical governance frameworks, ensuring patient safety and quality standards are upheld through audit, incident review, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date electronic records and databases, including tracking patients receiving biologic therapies.
• Promote and adhere to infection prevention and control standards in all aspects of clinical practice.
• Actively participate in clinical audit, research, and national benchmarking exercises, including audits related to anti‑TNF therapies.

• Registered General Nurse (RGN) with current NMC registration.
• Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
• Substantial post‐registration experience in rheumatology.
• Leadership course completion.

• Up‑to‑date knowledge of current nursing practice and clinical standards.
• Experience supervising and assessing in a clinical setting.
• Ability to work independently using initiative and sound clinical judgement.
• Experience in clinical audit and research.
• Experience as a clinical nurse specialist in a specialist service (desirable).

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.

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust