Job Description

Job Title Lead Nurse / AHP for Rheumatology

Band 8A

Managerial Matron Integrated Medicine: Networked Care Group

Reporting
Responsibility

Professional Matron Integrated Medicine: Networked Care Group

Reporting
Responsibility

Job Purpose  The post-holder works as an expert practitioner and is responsible for the
strategic direction of patient-focused programmes of care, which address
the complex and changing health and well-being needs of the client group in
the Battle Day Unit and the Rheumatology service, including the fracture
liaison service and the wider community.
 The post-holder ensures that the Battle Day Unit and Rheumatology clinical
processes are patient focussed, effective and efficient.
 The post-holder leads Senior Nurses within the Battle Day Unit, the
Rheumatology team and fracture liaison departments to ensure flexible
delivery of a quality service for these patient groups.
 The post-holder works with the lead clinicians, care group managers and
directors, to set and deliver the strategic vision of the services.
 The post-holder implements policy to support the development of the
service
 The post-holder displays excellent communication and leadership skills, and
is responsible for the day-to-day line management of the senior team for
which he/she is responsible.
 The post-holder is a budget holder and authorised signatory for financial and
physical resources with overall financial responsibility for the nursing
budget.

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Lead Nurse Job Description January 2019

PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES
Managerial / Leadership
1. To provide strong leadership and effective consultancy for the rheumatology nursing and wider
multi-disciplinary team.
2. To manage people and financial resources to ensure the effective operation of the teams for
which he/she is responsible. Ensure effective skill-mix and appropriate caseload management
at all times. Work with Care Group Directorate manager and Matron to ensure effective
planning, implementation and monitoring of Battle Day Unit, Rheumatology and fracture liaison
services.
Allocate work and assess performance of the team members objectively against set
criteria/competencies. Be responsible for ensuring that individual Performance Review and
Personal Development Plans are completed for each staff member. Provide clear feedback to
team members in a way that is conducive to maintaining and improving performance. Work
closely with the Human Resources Department as appropriate.
3. Demonstrate excellent personal communication. Establish and maintain effective two-way
communication channels with individuals and groups. Demonstrate appropriate assertiveness
and ability to challenge others when the rights of patients and others may be infringed.
4. Be responsible for the standard of nursing care delivered in work area. Display evidence that
staff provide holistic, evidence-based, patient-centred care. Demonstrate that patients are
involved in both decisions affecting their care and well-being and in service development.
Practice in accordance with the professional, ethical and legal codes of the Nursing and
Midwifery Council, and Trust’s protocols and guidelines. Be accountable for own practice and
for the delegation of care he/she gives to more junior colleagues, support workers and
students.
5. Ensure the infection control policies are upheld and the standards of cleanliness in the clinical
areas are well-maintained
6. Prioritise workload to meet targets. Ensure that Nursing, Medical and Directorate Management
teams are alerted to quality issues.
7. Be responsible for ensuring the clinical area practices within Data
Protection/Confidentiality/Caldicott principles.
8. Actively promote diversity, including race diversity, both in the delivery of the Directorate’s
services and in the recruitment, management and development of staff within the clinical area.
Generate and sustain relationships that promote dignity, rights and responsibilities. Identify
and take action to address discrimination and oppression.
9. Promote interdisciplinary working, with outcomes aimed at the best interest of patients.
10. Leads on the strategic direction of the Battle Day Unit and the wider Rheumatology services
including the fracture liaison service.
11. Experience of the business planning process

Clinical and Technical

1. Demonstrates expert clinical knowledge underpinned with the appropriate theoretical knowledge
and practical experience eg Joint injections, biologics and advanced rheumatology skills.
2. Demonstrate specialist expertise advanced clinical skills and professional knowledge acquired
through post registration academic, clinical, leadership and management development. Works
as a role model for professional practice.

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Lead Nurse Job Description January 2019

3. Work with the Matron and Consultants, utilising the umbrella of Clinical Governance to
maintain/improve and develop high standards of patient care. Place the patient’s experience at
the core of service delivery. Monitor and audit the quality of care through a range of strategies,
including risk management, incident reporting, complaints, research and effectiveness
monitoring, and clinical audit.
4. Works collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team to develop and maintain a standard of
care in relation to specialist patient group.
5. Works both as independent practitioner and as an effective member of the multidisciplinary
team.
6. Is able to run their own clinic and has advanced skills.
7. Leads maintenance of DAWN software and handling of patient blood test monitoring working
with other users and software company in provision of safe, effective service provision. Support
other DAWN users.
8. Leads maintenance of patient advice line in line with agreed service provision.

Teaching, Training and Research

1. Promote/develop and maintain a culture within clinical environment which challenges and
questions practice, and promote the quality of thinking amongst practitioners. Ensure that
students and staff receive effective induction, mentorship, development and support.
2. Contribute to the implementation of initiatives/to develop the service. Be aware of new
evidence and research in both general and specialist fields. Support staff in the analysis of
evidence. Work creatively to develop practice and new ways of working, taking the lead in the
change management process when appropriate.
3. Work with internal and external key stakeholders to implement and consolidate educational
delivery within the departments.
4. Leads clinical audit in own specialist area analysis and implementation of improvements.
5. Lead development of skills in advice provision and intervention to patients in specialist groups.
6. Lead development and advancement of judgement skills to be able to effectively monitor and
respond to blood abnormalities.
7. Support colleagues and participate in the provision of biologic therapies to specialist patient
group in keeping with NICE guidance.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Monitor and maintain the health, safety and security of self and others in work area. Identify
and assess risks in work activities, and develop strategies to manage these effectively. Ensure
team works within risk management/Occupational Health legislation and Trust procedures.
2. Develop own skills, taking responsibility for continuing professional development and
performance, maintaining own portfolio in accordance with post-registration requirements.
Work to achieve competencies appropriate to grade. Identify own development needs in
relation to current practice and future plans, setting personal development objectives.

This job description is not exhaustive and will be subject to periodic review in association
with the post-holder.

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Lead Nurse Job Description January 2019

Person Specification – Lead Nurse

Essential Desirable

Education, qualifications & training

Registered professional ie Nurse /AHP.

Non - Medical prescriber.

Committed to working towards non-medical
prescribing. Advanced History taking.

Post registration qualification in rheumatology

healthcare or relevant clinical experience.
Teaching qualification (ENB 998 /Slice/
mentorship).

Educated to a minimum of 1st degree level, Masters degree or working towards.

Evidence of academic development.

Evidence of Leadership, Management and Leadership module at degree level.

Speciality Development.
Evidence of advanced clinical skills eg
chemotherapy/ biologics , joint injections,
procedures.
Experience

5 years post-qualification, of which 2 years

must be in speciality.

Must have recent clinical experience at Band 7.

Experience in facilitation, teaching, assessing,

coaching.

Experience of budget management.

Experience of successful change management.

Skills, knowledge & abilities

Demonstrates transformational leadership

ability.

Expert clinical skills in speciality.

Demonstrates ability to place patient and family

at centre of care.

Ability to facilitate and support learning.

Demonstrates ability to think laterally, creatively

and innovatively.

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Lead Nurse Job Description January 2019

Demonstrates a desire to explore new ways of

delivering services.

Excellent personal and communication skills.

Good facilitation, presentation, teaching and

assessing skills.

Excellent organisational ability.

Motivated and enthusiastic.

Creative, resourceful and imaginative.

Excellent role model.

Good IT skills.

Ability to critically analyse research and

Evidence Based Practice.

Presentation skills. Ability to present at wider forums.

Other

Cleared by Occupational Health.

Policies and procedures

The post is subject to the policies, practices, procedures and conditions of service determined by
the Trust.

Medical Questionnaire
The appointment is subject to the completion of a satisfactory medical questionnaire which may
involve a medical examination. The Job holder may also be required to undergo medical
examinations in the future and/or at intervals stipulated by the Trust.

Equality of Opportunity and Diversity

The Trust operates an Equality of Opportunity and Diversity Policy and welcomes all persons
without regard to age, ethnic or national origin, gender or sexual orientation, religion, lifestyle,
presenting illness, marital or parental status or disability. It aims to ensure that no job applicant,
employee or former employee suffers direct unlawful or unfair discrimination, or is disadvantaged
by any conditions or requirements which cannot be justified.

Confidentiality
The post holder has a responsibility to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and Code of
Practice on Confidentiality and Data Protection. Any matters of a confidential nature, including
information relating to the diagnosis and treatment of patients, individual staff records and details
of contract prices and terms, must under no circumstances be divulged to any unauthorised person

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Lead Nurse Job Description January 2019

or persons. Breaches of confidence will result in disciplinary action which may result in dismissal.
Regardless of any disciplinary action taken, a breach of confidence may also result in a civil action
for damages.

Information security
The post holder is expected to safeguard the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data, and
ensure that Trust policies and statutory regulations are followed.

Fire
The post holder is required to comply with agreed fire procedures, taking the appropriate action if
the fire alarm sounds, and to attend relevant training programmes as required.

Smoking
The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust has a Smoke Free policy. Smoking is not permitted in
any of the Trust’s properties or in Trust grounds.

The manager drawing up the job description should then choose the appropriate additional
section from the below to add to this list.

Health and Safety Statement

The Trust has designated the prevention and control of Health & Safety as a core component in
the organisation’s clinical governance, managing risk and patient safety programmes. In
consequence, all employees are expected to:
1) Provide leadership on Health & Safety risk issues across the organisation.
2) Be aware of and follow all Trust Health & Safety guidelines and procedures relevant to their
work.
3) Participate in mandatory training updates.
4) Challenge colleagues who are not complying with Trust Health & Safety procedures and report
to line manager.
5) Ensure Health & Safety prevention and control measures that are robust and evidence based
are embedded in their working practice.
6) Understand local Health & Safety data and ensure relevant prevention control policies are
adhered to.

Infection Control Responsibilities

The Trust has designated the prevention and control of infection and the full implementation of the
Health Act (2006) as a core component in the organisation’s clinical governance, managing risk
and patient safety programmes. In consequence, all employees are expected to:-
1) Following consistently high standards of infection control practice, especially with reference
to had decontamination, adherence to dress/uniform code and for clinical staff, aseptic
technique.
2) Being aware of and follow all Trust infection control guidelines and procedures relevant to their
work.

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Lead Nurse Job Description January 2019

3) Participating in annual mandatory training updates.

4) Challenging colleagues who are not complying with Trust Infection Control guides and
procedures and report to line manager.
5) Demonstrate high levels of compliance to infection prevention and control policies, clinical
protocols and environmental cleanliness.

Safeguarding Children and Adults

The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust takes the issues of Safeguarding Children and Adults
very seriously. All employees have a responsibility to support the Trust in its duties by:
1) Attending mandatory training on Safeguarding children and adults.
2) Being familiar with the individual and Trust requirements under relevant legislation.
3) Adhering to all relevant national and local policies, procedures, practice guidelines and
professional codes.
4) Reporting any concerns to the appropriate manager or authority.