Job overview
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust is one of the leading NHS Trusts in the UK. We have exceptional leadership at all levels and are recognised by the CQC as being outstanding. We pride ourselves on giving excellent patient care in both our hospitals and within our Community services.
As a trust we continually invest in growing and developing our staff to support them in providing the best possible care to our patients. As a nurse within the hand trauma unit You will be supported by experienced nurses, consultants, specialist registrars, physiotherapists and hand therapists to complete competencies and develop skills in wound dressings, application of back-slabs and the running of autonomous nurse led clinics across our Plastics Dressing Clinic and Hand Trauma Unit. Within the procedure room where we repair tendons and nerves, close lacerations and explore wounds you will have the opportunity to develop scrub nurse skills.
Closing date: 30th April 2026
Main duties of the job
Within the hand trauma unit your main duties will be running a nurse led dressing clinic, planning and assessing their care and transitioning their care into the community where required
Within the open injury clinic you will assist the doctor to treat acute traumatic wounds to the hand, assisting with minor procedures such as washout of wounds and nail bed repairs under local anaesthetic .
In the procedure room you will support with the safety of the patient having a procedure by completing WHO checklists, complete safety checks such as surgical counts, holding a team brief, documenting care, monitoring patient throughout.
As a nurse within the unit you will be expected to :
Be wholly accountable for his / her practice in line with the NMC code of professional conduct and takes every reasonable opportunity to sustain and improve his / her knowledge and professional competence.
Will act in accordance with Local, Hospital and Statutory Guidelines & Policies including Health and Safety initiatives.
Will be familiar with the Health and Safety at Works Act, and be aware of its implications and ensure that local unit and departmental policies are followed.
Will maintain a high standard of care and give courteous reception to all patients and visitors.
Will adopt a patient orientated approach to work
Will be familiar with the ward’s fire, manual handling and policies and ensure that all nurses in the ward are aware of the policies.
Working for our organisation
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK’s best known hospitals – Guy’s, St Thomas’, Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield – as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation.
We are among the UK’s busiest, most successful foundation trusts. We
provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Responsible for carrying out clinical practice within designated clinical areas, ensuring that high quality, current evidence-based nursing assessment, care planning, implementation, interventions and evaluations for patients is provided from admission through to discharge.
Will be responsible for the application of knowledge across the range of work procedures and practices, underpinned by theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
To act as advocate for patients within the area, to ensure a patient orientated approach to the delivery of care and to meet standards within the NHS Plan and other relevant guidelines.
To ensure that patients’ receive high quality clinical care and a good patient experience, having regard for their customs, religious beliefs and doctrines.
Recognise and avoid situations that may be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the individuals.
Will advise on the promotion of health and the prevention of illness.
Recognise the significance of observations made, and use them to develop and initiate nursing assessments and devise a plan of care.
Carry out those activities necessary to conduct a comprehensive assessment of a person’s nursing requirements.
Will ensure that all patients will have a discharge plan that is safe and appropriate for their needs.
Carry out nursing procedures and treatments, checking on and maintaining the highest possible standards.
Work alongside the multi-disciplinary team to ascertain treatments and advise on nursing priorities.
Take a clear and concise history from patients by assessing their health and well being and complete documentation ensuring that all entries are accurate and legible and that all information systems are maintained.
Undertake prescribed physical observations as follows: blood pressure, temperature, respirations, blood sugars, urinalysis, weight and height, and report exceptions appropriates.
To be responsible for the correct administration of prescribed medication
Person specification
Skills
Essential criteria
1. Able to assess, plan, implement & evaluate programmes of care
2. Able to work as an effective team member
3. Able to maintain clear and legible documentation
Desirable criteria
4. IT skills
5. Awareness of the structure and organisation of the NHS
Experience
Essential criteria
6. Experience of working on own and in a team
7. experience in wound care
Desirable criteria
8. Previous experience in other nursing fields
9. experience in an outpatient environment
Education/ Qualifications
Essential criteria
10. RN1/ RN2/ RN12 or RN Child Registered Nurse on the NMC register. To hold the appropriate level for the area of speciality.
Desirable criteria
11. Teaching & assessing qualification
12. Relevant qualifications required or course to area
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.