CNS Rheumatology

Overview
Post Title:
Clinical Nurse Specialist - Rheumatology
Post Status:
Permanent
Department
Medical 2 Directorate
Location:
Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9
Reports to:
CNM III & Directorate Nurse Manager Medical 2
Salary:
Appointment will be made on CNM 2 Payscale (€62,078 - €78,443) at a point in line with Government pay policy
Hours of work:
Full Time, 37.5 Hours per week
Closing Date:
Friday 20th February 2026 @12Noon
Please note the hospital reserves the right to close the competition early should a substantial number of applications be received.
Position SummaryThe Rheumatology Department in Beaumont Hospital provides specialist services from Monday to Friday to patients with Rheumatic Musculoskeletal Diseases (RMDs). These are patients with chronic rheumatology conditions who require expert medical management, and expert/specialist nursing and multidisciplinary team (MDT) collaboration. The MDT provides outpatient and inpatient services in the diagnosis, treatment and management of acute and chronic rheumatology conditions.
Responsibilities
Key Duties
Principal Duties and Responsibilities: The five core concepts are:1. Clinical Focus2. Patient/Client Advocate3. Education and Training4. Audit and Research5. Consultant
Clinical Focus – The Rheumatology Nurse Specialist Nurse Specialist will - Help meet the psychological, emotional and informational needs of patients at the time of diagnosis and throughout treatment. The support should be provided for patients in the following areas-1) Outpatient Clinics2) Throughout the hospital3) Telephone Service

• Provide support to the family/ significant other, though listening, problem solving and education.
• Provide outreach support and monitoring for the patient at home
• Attend Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic and co-ordinate visits for each patient.
• Assess patients for suitability to participate in home therapy programmes
• Liaise with external services to support the expansion of homecare programme or treatments as near to the patient’s home as possible.
• Assess patients regarding their need for referral to specialist services.
• Report such patients promptly to the consultant/ clinical leader and discuss referral.
• Co-ordinate relevant services in preparation for treatment
• Attend multidisciplinary team meeting
• Educate patients re: diagnoses and treatments
• Foster good working relationships with all members of the clinical team, which are both professional and supportive
• Maintain accurate clinical records complying with legislation and best practice.
• Demonstrate specialist knowledge of and clinical expertise in the delivery of patient care.
• Be aware of all hospital policies and procedures and collaborate with other health care professionals to ensure that these are observed
• Be actively involved in the preparation and implementation of policies and nursing guidelines in relation to the management of care to Rheumatology patients.
• Demonstrate leadership ability and good communication skills.
• Provide and efficient, effective and high quality service, respecting the needs of each patient.
• Act as a resource/ contact person for Rheumatology patients attending other departments within the hospital or outside the hospital for treatment.
• Provide patients and family/ significant others with contact details for Rheumatology nurse specialist and advise for out of hours contact.
• Be aware of existing resources/ services, which help patients and their family/ significant others, eg social services, support groups, entitlements.
• Acts as an advocate for patients undergoing clinical trials, providing information as appropriate and communicating with research staff.
• Participate in team discussions regarding treatment for Rheumatology patients.
• Facilitate development of information leaflets for patients and families.
• Provide support to nursing staff by means of regular group meetings to discuss particular patient cases, which have been found to be stressful
• Assist in the development and delivery of training programmes for nursing staff
• Play an active role in teaching all grades of nursing staff and other disciplines as required.
• Use relevant educational opportunities to maintain the highest standards and up to date care offered to the patients.
• Ensure that his/her own practice is compliant and up to date with “best practice”, which is reflected in research and development.
• Participates in the regular audit of his/her own clinical practice
• Ensure the development and maintenance of a quality assurance programme which is patient centered utilising up to date research findings
• Use such research findings to influence care within the specialty.
• Set objectives and develop policies, procedures and standards for the Rheumatology nursing services based on current nursing research and relevant research from other disciplines.
• Identify areas within the specialty relevant to nursing practice, which would benefit from research.
• Promote an awareness of research-based practice amongst staff.
• Participate in departmental research related to the specialty.
• Provide leadership in clinical practice and act as a resource and role model for Rheumatology practice
• Generate and contribute to the development of clinical standards and guidelines, having regard to national and international advancements in Rheumatology nursing.
• Establish collegial partnerships and in the context of Rheumatology, contribute to the professional development of students, peers, colleagues and others through consultation, education, leadership, mentorship and coaching
• Work with, support, advise and help build up knowledge of expertise of the primary care team in providing an appropriate system of care to meet the needs of the patient and their family/carers
• Develop and maintain good collaborative working relationships and communication with all members of the speciality’s MDT and other health care professionals within and outside the service.
• Participate in the implementation of the national clinical care programmes and their agreed models of care for patients and their families as they relate to the role
• Use specialist knowledge to support and enhance general nursing practice

## Note 1 below).(vii) Be required to demonstrate that they have continuing professional development(CPD) relevant to the specialist area.
(viii) Have the ability to practice safely and effectively fulfilling his/her professionalresponsibility within his/her scope of practice

Note 1: For Nurses/Midwives who express an interest in CNS/CMS roles and whocurrently hold a level 8 educational qualification in the specialist area(equivalent to 60 ECTS or above), this qualification will be recognised up toSeptember 2026.(b) Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability, including a high standard ofsuitability and clinical, leadership, managerial and administrative capacity for the properdischarge of the duties of the office.
2. Annual registration(i) Practitioners must maintain live annual registration on the appropriate/relevant Divisionof the register of Nurses and Midwives maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Boardof Ireland (Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) for the role.(ii) Practitioners must confirm annual registration with NMBI to the HSE by way of theannual Service user Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC).3. HealthCandidates for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable ofundertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate areasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
4. CharacterCandidates for and any person holding the office must be of good character.
Desirable

• To have a minimum of five years post registration experience
• A management course