Rheumatology Regional Lead Nurse

Haringey GP Federation; Leicester; On-site; GBP 55,000 - GBP 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the East Midlands is seeking a Rheumatology Regional Lead Nurse to spearhead the Paediatric Rheumatology Service. The ideal candidate will possess a degree in Nursing and have a minimum of 5 years experience in Paediatric nursing, alongside a passion for managing chronic conditions in children. This role offers a salary of £55,690 to £62,682 per annum based on experience and includes responsibilities in service implementation and staff education. Additional travel across the network is required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years post experience in Paediatric nursing.
• Experience managing patients with chronic conditions.
• Proven track record in clinical leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of the Paediatric Rheumatology service across regions.
• Ensure quality assurance and audit standards.
• Develop and implement education programs for nursing staff.

Skills

Collaboration

Leadership

Patient-centered care

Evidence-based practice

Education

Degree in Nursing

Masters degree or post-qualification at master's level

Teaching qualification

Job description

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

Rheumatology Regional Lead Nurse

The closing date is 17 February 2026

An exciting opportunity to lead a Regional Rheumatology Service for Paediatrics and Adolescents within East Midlands.

East Midlands have been given funding by NSHE to develop a collaborative service that provides gold-standard, evidence-based care to all Children and Adolescents within East Midlands who require the support of a Rheumatology specialist team.

This post will be responsible for education of staff, developing pathways, MDT working, allocation of resources to ensure equitable provision across the region, recruiting and retaining staff and networking with national representatives.

This opportunity will suit a dynamic and motivated nurse, with experience in managing children and families with chronic conditions, continue to develop and support a regional service that is designed to meet the needs of Rheumatology children and young people.

Main duties of the job

• Maintain clinical experience and provide expertise in the specialist area of Paediatric Rheumatology care to patients, families and professionals.
• Interface with other health professionals and agencies regarding the care and treatment of patients requiring Paediatric Rheumatology services.
• In collaboration with paediatric education leads, develop dedicated training specific to the region and ensure a development training programme is in place for nurses and other professionals who may care for children requiring Paediatric Rheumatology services.
• Develop dedicated guidance, SOPs and protocols in the Paediatric Rheumatology service as relevant to the development of the Network.
• Work to ensure that transitions in care; for example, between children's and adult services are as seamless as possible and that information to support the experience of the whole transition process is accurate and readily available.

About us

Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023‑2030).

We have four primary goals:

• high-quality care for all
• being a great place to work
• partnerships for impact
• research and education excellence

And we will embed health equality in all we do – taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.

Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:

• we are compassionate
• we are proud
• we are inclusive
• we are one team

This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.

About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:

Job responsibilities

The post holder will lead on the implementation and standardisation of the Paediatric and young persons Rheumatology service across Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and surrounding areas. As part of this identify, plan, monitor and support areas of work that underpin delivery of this programme.

Alongside the Medical lead, the regional lead nurse will develop tools to audit current standards and provide quality assurance in relation to patients Rheumatology care. These tools and audits should be embedded into providing assurance around changes in practice from quality improvement plans.

Maintain professional competence, authority and credibility by being highly visible to patients, carers and staff, actively seeking feedback about the quality of services. Provide expert clinical leadership for the regional rheumatology service at the University Hospitals of Leicester and Nottingham University Hospital Trusts ensuring a standardised approach focusing on improving quality outcomes in how we care and treat our rheumatology patients across the region.

Devising and implementing an education programme for nursing and support staff across the Trusts in conjunction with the Corporate Nurse Education Team and Clinical Leads. This will encompass both in‑house education and competency needs and also accessing formal academic requirements linked to career progression for teams or expanding/advancing nursing practice roles.

Provide strong leadership to undertake Quality Improvement work related to Paediatric and Young Persons Rheumatology services and embed change as a result. As part of this support the MDT to improve and embed compliance with Rheumatology quality initiatives including driving standardisation of clinical workforce, transitional care, competencies and practice.

Develop and monitor key performance indicators for the Paediatric and Young Persons Rheumatology service, and where needed escalation of associated risks in in timely manner.

Regular travel between Leicester and Nottingham is required and additional travel to regional hospitals will be part of this role.

Person Specification

Training and qualification

• Degree
• Masters degree or post‑qualification at masters level in relevant subject
• Teaching qualification

Experience

• 5 years post experience in Paediatric nursing
• Evidence of managing patients with a chronic condition
• Leadership/management of a clinical team
• Reputation for professional excellence with a track record
• Experience of leading complex projects
• Experience of strategic role/working
• Working with national organisations

Communication and relationship

• Collaborative leadership style
• Work as part of a team
• Capacity to work with colleagues across all disciplines and at every level within the organisation
• Approachable, reliable, decisive, tactful, respectful and supportive

Analytical and Judegement

• Understand and demonstrates clinical governance
• Understands and demonstrates risk management

Skills

• n-depth specialist knowledge of Paediatric Nursing Care of chronic long‑term conditions
• Understand Networks
• Patient and carer centred approach to care
• Demonstrate personal and professional pride in nursing and the NHS
• Advocate for patient groups
• Experience in Clinical research
• Understanding of critical appraisal techniques

EDI

• Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
• All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high quality care and interactions with others

Other

• Independent travel across the network
• Responsible for own learning
• Uses own initiative and self motivated.
• A team player with a flexible approach.
• Open to new learning opportunities.

Planning and organisation skills

• Evidence of management development and leadership development
• Track record of delivering high standards of care
• Ongoing personal and professional development

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.

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

£55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum/pro rota for part time hours