Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Rheumatology Department at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital site for an enthusiastic, highly motivated nurse/practitioner to join an evolving team for a 6 month secondment opportunity.

As a registered nurse/practitioner, the applicant will be responsible for supporting the lead nurse in ensuring that our service users' needs are met through the delivery of high-quality care. The successful applicant will demonstrate high standards of work at all times, be self motivated and efficient, and demonstrate the ability to work independently in all aspects of patient care.

The role requires working within the outpatients clinic setting with patients on disease modifying drugs, biologic therapies and osteoporosis medication under the care of the Rheumatology Department. Individuals should be willing to develop further any specialised skills and knowledge relating to the specialist area.

Please demonstrate in your supporting information your interest in Rheumatology.

Please ensure you speak to your Line Manager before applying for this secondment opportunity and visit the Trust's Secondment Policy.

Main duties of the job

• Independently run nurse led clinics initiating and following up patients on rheumatology treatment
• Supporting patients to understand their diagnosis and treatment options and promoting self management
• Analysing and interpreting investigation to ensure patient safety on initiation of treatments and on-going management
• Supporting medical and nursing rheumatology colleagues to monitor and manage disease, drugs and blood monitoring
• Support ongoing management of patient care via a daily telephone advice line available to patients under the care of the rheumatology department
• Participate in prescription management to enable patients to receive their treatment in a timely manner
• Have excellent communication skills
• Have excellent time management skills
• Team working with doctors, nursing and admin staff is essential to ensure a excellent patient experience of Rheumatology
• Contribute in the delivery of the rheumatology nursing service including being involved in service development and audit

About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Date posted: 01 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 6 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 418-RHEU4174-KA-B
Job locations: Luton & Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust, Zone T - Belper Road (Travelodge), Luton, LU4 8RQ, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities

CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• 01. 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.
• 02. Work with patients and provide follow up in order to support compliance and adherence with prescribed treatment.
• 03. Responsible for assessing patients physical, psychological and social needs.
• 04. Responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating patient care, recommending the most appropriate course of action.
• 05. Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that promote healthy lifestyles, and apply principles of self-care.
• 06. Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment.
• 07. To help develop and work within protocols for the management of patients with rheumatology conditions including osteoporosis.
• 08. For patients on disease modifying drugs, biologic and bone therapies:-i) Use recognised outcome measures, assessment tools and clinical skills to evaluate patient progressii) Request appropriate investigations for monitoring of patients. Analyse and interpret results.
• 09. 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

Job description
Job responsibilities

CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• 01. 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.
• 02. Work with patients and provide follow up in order to support compliance and adherence with prescribed treatment.
• 03. Responsible for assessing patients physical, psychological and social needs.
• 04. Responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating patient care, recommending the most appropriate course of action.
• 05. Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that promote healthy lifestyles, and apply principles of self-care.
• 06. Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment.
• 07. To help develop and work within protocols for the management of patients with rheumatology conditions including osteoporosis.
• 08. For patients on disease modifying drugs, biologic and bone therapies:-i) Use recognised outcome measures, assessment tools and clinical skills to evaluate patient progressii) Request appropriate investigations for monitoring of patients. Analyse and interpret results.
• 09. 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

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS
Essential

• Degree in nursing, relevant speciality or equivalent experience
• Able to evidence recent and continuing professional development relevant to recent area of work
• Current NMC or other relevant professional registration

Desirable

• Experience in working with patients with Rheumatological conditions
• Willing to work towards Prescribing qualification

COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Essential

• Excellent written and verbal
• Evidence of good interpersonal skills
• Demonstrates the ability to undertake challenging conversations

Desirable

• Presentation skills or willingness to learn

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE
Essential

• Post registration experience of working in an acute hospital setting
• Has participated in research and audit
• Experience of mentoring others
• High standards of clinical performance in most recent area of work
• Registered nurse or healthcare professional (NMC/HCPC etc)

Desirable

• Knowledge of Rheumatology Practice
• Understanding of the specialist nursing role
• Evidence of teaching others
• Evidence of management skills

SKILLS
Essential

• Good organisational skills
• Can effectively use computers and software such as Word/Excel
• Ability to work independently to manage workload

Desirable

• Can undertake small project work

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
Essential

• Ability to problem solve, anticipate and forward plan
• Ability to work under pressure and seek help when required
• Works on own initiative
• Flexible

Desirable

• Leadership skills
• Role model
• Innovative

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).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Luton & Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust, Zone T - Belper Road (Travelodge), Luton, LU4 8RQ, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details
Employer name: Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Luton & Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust, Zone T - Belper Road (Travelodge), Luton, LU4 8RQ, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Lead Nurse Rheumatology
Julie Begum
julie.begum@ldh.nhs.uk
01582377868

Date posted: 01 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 6 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 418-RHEU4174-KA-B
Job locations: Luton & Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust, Zone T - Belper Road (Travelodge), Luton, LU4 8RQ, United Kingdom