Junior Clinical Nurse Specialist External Bank; Band 6

Working As & When on the Bank

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Rheumatology team. We are currently looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic, flexible, forward thinking and experienced Specialist Nurse. Experience of working within Rheumatology, medicine and/or orthopedics who would like to join our highly professional, small friendly and committed multi‑disciplinary team. You will be working within a senior nurse team alongside consultants, specialist registrars and the Multi‑disciplinary Team.

Candidates are strongly advised to contact the department to learn more about the job role and meet the team - please contact Emma Gilgeours on to arrange a meeting or phone call.

Rheumatology is an advancing specialty; there have been major developments in treating rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis in recent years. This has led to an increase in service demand.

The role will support the current Rheumatology Nurse Specialist team to provide patient education and support, drug monitoring, advice line support and patient assessment. You will be supported in utilising your existing skills whilst developing the skills and competencies which are required for you to work within rheumatology to offer safe, quality experiences to patients. In addition we actively promote the Compassion in practice core elements (6

Cs). Rheumatology is a research active department and is involved in undertaking research in order to improve patient care.

• The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 473 general and acute beds.
• Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 60 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.
• Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs 5,964 staff to provide care and treatment to a population of over 400,000 people living in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire. The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. Due to its location on the border with North Wales, the Trust also works closely with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

The Trust treats patients from England and some parts of Wales. During 2024/2025, there were approximately 643,000 patient attendances (inpatient, A&E, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery.

Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the essential criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer YES to the question:
Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme? Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.

The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post. If a DBS is required for your role, you are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee applies which is payable to the DBS Service. Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check.

Costs will be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above. Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the  website -  The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules. Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Good luck with your application.