Job overview
Mercer Ward is currently looking for a staff nurse to join the team on a permanent basis.
We would be delighted to welcome someone who is passionate about elderly care and enjoys being part of a team.
On Mercer Ward you will gain an understanding of how to assess and support elderly patients that are affected by confusion, delirium and even different stages of dementia, amongst other issues. The ideal candidate will be expected to deliver the highest standards of care to patients and demonstrate an interest in falls prevention, dementia care, nutrition and hydration and tissue viability.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will be a professional and promote the highest possible standard of care to their patients. You will provide physical, emotional and psychological support to enable patients to achieve their goals, optimise levels of independence and ensure a safe discharge from hospital.
The role requires you to accept professional accountability for patients when assessing, planning and implementing their care plans ensuring person-centred care is delivered. Alongside the nursing team, you will work alongside doctors, therapists and other multidisciplinary members in developing and maintaining patient safety and ensuring a positive hospital experience.
The successful candidate will be supported and encouraged with training and development.
Working for our organisation
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.
We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.
Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.
Looking for flexible working?
We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.
to hear what our staff say.
Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:
1. At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
2. Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
3. Blue Light card eligibility
4. And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We’ve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children). If a role involves regulated activity and requires a DBS check with a barred list check, you cannot apply if you are on the barred list.
All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.
Following your corporate induction you will be expected to attend the Trust’s 2-week Induction Programme for RNs, NAs, RMs, ODPs and Paramedics. The programme is full-time (please email if this is problematic) and will involve travel to both Trust sites. The programme includes supernumerary shifts in the clinical area, classroom-based sessions and e-learning.
Person specification
Experience/ Knowledge
Essential criteria
5. Evidence of insight and understanding of current issues in nursing and NHS
6. Thorough and up-to-date knowledge of nursing theory and best practice at the level of a newly qualified nurse.
7. Understanding of NMC Code and requirements of it for own practice and behaviour.
8. Understanding of equality and diversity and how to apply it to self
Desirable criteria
9. Experience at Band 5 in an acute setting
10. Proficient clinician and clinical role model
11. Understanding of audit and benchmarking processes
Qualifications
Essential criteria
12. Registered Nurse with Nursing & Midwifery Council
Desirable criteria
13. Evidence of further education since qualification
14. Mentorship/Preceptorship course (or equivalent)
15. Advance Life Support provider
Skills
Essential criteria
16. Good interpersonal skills and good communication skills
17. Evident commitment to high standards of patient-centred care
18. Adaptable and flexible
19. Effective organisational skills
20. Ability to reflect on practice, accept criticism and act constructively
21. Understanding of own accountability
22. Utilises a problem-solving approach to work
23. Demonstrates effective nursing practice in all basic registered nurse procedures.
24. Able to prioritise own workload and that of others as appropriate.
25. Able to work under own initiative within boundaries of role.
26. Demonstrates awareness of importance of working as part of a team.
27. Demonstrates awareness of research-based practice.
28. Able to communicate effectively verbally and written to staff, patients and relatives ensuring that communication is tailored to the person being addressed.
29. Able to document observations, results, decisions and actions
Desirable criteria
30. IT/Keyboard skills
31. Commitment to teaching others