Job overview
Supporting and deputising for the Senior Sister in the clinical management of the clinical area. This will involve dealing with complex situations and having to take appropriate action in conjunction with the ward sister/charge nurse in emergency or unforeseen situation.
To be responsible for the continuing professional development and overall performance of a group of staff delegated by the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse. Maintain a high standard of excellent nursing care.
To act as a role model and a leader to all staff dealing with complex situations involved in patients’ level 0-3 in the critical care score, initiating treatment, and taking emergency action where appropriate.
Act as a clinical team leader, clinical role model, clinical facilitator and educator for all members of staff providing daily unit management, clinical competence, continuity of care and a high standard of excellent nursing care.
To provide ‘on the floor’ excellent day to day nursing practice to support and facilitate high quality, individualised care to patients/clients and relatives/carers without supervision in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team.
Closing Date: 7th April 2026
Interview Date: 14th April 2026
Main duties of the job
To regularly take charge of the clinical area, utilising resources effectively and to ensure that safe staffing levels are maintained for their shifts.
In the absence or as delegated by the sister/charge nurse initiate investigations of untoward incidents, accidents, complaints and other relevant information.
To comply with and participate in the Trust’s framework for Clinical Governance within the Ward or Department area, incorporating the trust core behaviours and the 6C’s and to work with the trust nursing strategy.
People management
Assist in the management of staff attendance, poor performance, disciplinary and grievance issues in the clinical area.
The post holder will work alongside the Senior Sister, Modern Matron and Management team to provide a high standard of clinical leadership to staff within the trust. You will ensure that all staff provide high quality services, patient centred care maintaining patient confidentiality at all times.
To work closely with the Practice Educator and/or Facilitator to educate staff and undertake both formal and informal staff training as required.
Assist in the recruitment, retention and selection of staff.
Participate in the Trust Appraisal and Personal Development Plan schemes by: meeting with the manager at least annually which includes feedback from a selection of internal staff and team members; and undertaking staff appraisals.
Working for our organisation
Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals joined Guy’s and St Thomas’ in February 2021 and is the largest specialist heart and lung centre in the UK and among the largest in Europe. We provide treatment for people with heart and lung disease, including rare and complex conditions, offering some of the most sophisticated treatment that is available anywhere in the world.
Our integrated approach to caring for patients from before birth, through childhood, adolescence and into adulthood and old age has been replicated around the world and has gained Royal Brompton and Harefield an international reputation as a leader in heart and lung diagnosis, treatment and research.
We strive to recruit and retain the best staff as the dedication and skills of our employees lie at the heart of our organisation and ensure that our services are of the highest quality, safe and focused on our patients.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Patient/customer care (both direct & indirect)
1. To lead the provision of care in accordance with the Trust Policies reflecting current trends and developments in nursing and the NHS.
2. In conjunction with the staff team, to assist in developing and maintaining of the Ward/Department ethos and to the delivery of a standard approach to excellent nursing care.
3. To assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care, actively seeking evidence-based practice which will improve the quality of care and meet the needs of the patient. A holistic approach to caring should be planned that will include the appropriate level of physiological; pathological; spiritual, socio-economical and cultural aspects which influence the care of clients within your specific speciality
4. Implement a nursing plan for an assigned group of patients indicating assessment and re-assessment formulated for individual care pathways. Planning for care pathways for discharge.
5. To act as patient advocate in line with the NHS plan and to actively apply knowledge of holistic/socio-economic and cultural aspects of the care to clients within your specific speciality
6. Contribute to setting goals and benchmarking standards of care. Develop tools to improve the quality of the service and co-ordinate clinical services across the Ward/Department
7. To comply with and participate in the Trust’s framework for Clinical Governance within the Ward or Department area, incorporating the trust core behaviours and the 6C’s and to work with the trust nursing strategy
8. To regularly take charge of the clinical area, utilising resources effectively and to ensure that safe staffing levels are maintained for their shifts.
9. In conjunction with the Ward / Department Manager provide a suitable and safe environment for the physical and psychological wellbeing of staff, patients/clients and their relatives/carers.
10. Identify clinical risks and ensure that appropriate action is implemented in accordance with the Trust risk management policy
11. Record and report all incidents/complaints involving staff, patients and visitors in accordance with the Trust policies and lead in any investigations where required to do so by the sister/charge nurse
12. Take charge of the clinical area in the absence of the sister/charge nurse
13. In the absence or as delegated by the sister/charge nurse initiate investigations of untoward incidents, accidents, complaints and other relevant information
14. Monitor the quality of nursing care and action audit information to achieve agreed standards under the direction of the Ward / Department Manager
15. Ensure that nursing documentation is maintained to the Trust standard (including electronic records
16. Ensure through good practice that customer care initiatives are improved and sustained. Act as a resource for advice to patients, relatives/carers and staff
17. To actively promote a healthy lifestyle for patients & staff in line with national strategy requirements
Person specification
Qualifications/Education
Essential criteria
18. Registered Nurse
19. Relevant post-registration course
20. Management/leadership course or equivalent experience
21. Previous mentoring/teaching experience
22. Willing to take responsibility for their own continual personal development
Desirable criteria
23. Diploma/degree or equivalent experience
Previous Experience
Essential criteria
24. Significant post-registration experience as a Senior staff nurse within the HDU/ITU setting
25. Knowledge of research and audit
26. Experience in the supervision of junior staff/others
Desirable criteria
27. Experience in change management
28. Experience in budget management
29. Experience in recruitment and development
30. Experience in people (HR) management
31. Experience in cardiothoracic surgical nursing
Skills/Knowledge/Ability
Essential criteria
32. Leadership skills
33. Evidence of continuing professional development
34. Proven communication skills both in literacy and numeracy
35. Proven teaching and assessing skills
36. Flexible to change
37. Able to prioritise and meet deadlines
38. Able to manage difficult situations effectively
39. Able to use initiative
40. Skills relevant to area
41. Demonstrates an awareness of the wider NHS organisation and its service developments
42. Demonstrates evidence of applying current research to practice
43. Good organisational skills with good time management
44. Experience of audit and research
45. Experience of using computer packages
Desirable criteria
46. Involvement in research/project management
Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or study’s at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.