Job overview
St Thomas’ Emergency Department is situated on the south bank of the Thames in central London. It serves a large and diverse population, average yearly attendances being 140,000. The department is a level 2 trauma unit and incorporates an Urgent Care Centre. The emergency departments form’s part of a large emergency floor that also includes, an Acute Admission Ward, a 18 bedded Multi Speciality assessment unit, a separate Paediatric ED, medical SDEC, Surgical assessment unit working closely with the Psychiatric Liaison Team and has a dedicated practice Development Team.
The department maintained an Outstanding Rating by the CQC in 2021.
We are inviting applications from experienced Emergency Nurses to join our team as a Band 6 Senior Staff Nurse.
You should be ready for a challenge and be passionate about Emergency Nursing!
We have an excellent development programme with protected teaching time including support to develop management skills.
You will be required to have or be currently studying on an Emergency Nursing course or equivalent to apply for this post.
Please note this is a position to work in the Adult Emergency Department and does not include paediatrics.
Closing Date: 29th March 2026
Interview Date: 10th April 2026
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be responsible for the assessment, planning and provision of specialist nursing advice and carries out specialist nursing procedures. The post holder will provide clinical supervision to other staff, students and may undertake research, lead clinical audits in own specialist area.
Ensuring the safety and well being of services users, and always working in a manner that promotes dignity and human rights through the adoption of person centered care principles.
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 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.
We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and – as part of King’s Health Partners – we are one of England’s eight academic health sciences centres, bringing together world-class clinical services, teaching and research. We have one of the National Institute for Health Research’s biomedical research centres, established with King’s College London in 2007, as well as dedicated clinical research facilities.
We have around 22,700 staff, making us one of the largest NHS Trusts in the country and one of the biggest employers locally. We aim to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and continue to develop new and existing partnerships with local people, patients, neighbouring NHS organisations, local authorities and charitable bodies and GPs.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. Clinical and Patient Care
2. Independently manage a group of patients within the specialty whilst working as part of the multidisciplinary team, delivering individualised and personalised direct patient care
3. Demonstrate appropriate practice and specialist advice in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care. This includes history taking, physical examination and the requesting of agreed diagnostic procedures/clinical investigations.
4. Responsible for the correct administration of prescribed medication including transfusion of blood and blood products
5. Be responsible for assessing and recognising emergencies in the speciality. To interpret information and take appropriate action and to lead others to do the same.
6. Act as an advocate for patients within the department, to ensure a patient orientated approach to the delivery of care and to meet standards within the NHS Plan and other relevant guidelines.
7. Ensure that patients’ receive high quality clinical care and a good patient experience, having regard for their customs, religious beliefs and doctrines.
8. Recognise and avoid situations that may be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the individuals.
9. To provide leadership, support and guidance to staff in monitoring the planning delivery and evaluation of individualised care.
10. Is 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.
11. Ensure safe and effective care for complex patients requiring advance clinical skills and responsible for carrying out specialist nursing procedures to area.
12. To be responsible, for maintaining a safe environment for patients, visitors and other staff within the clinical environment.
13. Ensure that sensitive patient records are stored appropriately.
14. Ensures the cultural and spiritual needs of patients are recognised and accommodated within resources available.
15. Support and enable patients and carers to make informed decisions relating to their treatment and management.
16. Participate in case conferences in relation to the management of patients, ensuring the coordination of ongoing care.
17. Ensure staff take precautions to minimise the risk of cross infection in relation to the safe disposal of body fluids (including blood).
18. A key member of the multidisciplinary team in supporting patients and their carers during the delivery of bad news such as caring for the terminally ill patients and the event of death.
19. Assess educational and information needs for patients and families, and devise plans to ensure need are met.
20. To be an effective communicator with patients/carers/families regarding disease treatment and management.
21. Promote high quality clinical care, and assist in the development of the specialist service, through the use of evidence based practice and clinical standards
22. Provide a seamless, high quality service from referral through to assessment, diagnosis, treatment and review.
23. Quality
24. Facilitate a high quality, cost effective specialist service through monitoring and audit and other quality initiatives agreed by the Trust
25. Lead on and participate in key developments relating to the specialty so that high quality patient focused services are promoted.
26. Enhance the interface between staff, patients, community staff and visitors
27. Develop and utilise information systems to aid regular audit of the clinical role and to provide a quarterly incidence report for the Health Authority and an annual activity analysis and speciality report.
28. Attend and participate in multi-professional team meetings.
29. Set, monitor and review standards of care on a regular basis and initiate corrective action plans
30. Identify and intervene where circumstances contribute to an unsafe environment for patients and staff. To bring instances to the attention of the Sister/Charge Nurse for the area.
31. Education and Leadership
32. Ensure that the learning environment and specialist training is appropriate for both pre and post registration learners and participate in the development of appropriate programmes
33. Contribute in the Trust’s clinical supervision programme for staff
34. Identify and raise awareness of the educational needs of patients and carers and implement appropriate education programmes
35. Support and participate in education and training programmes and develop training packages as required.
36. To assist the Sister/Charge Nurse in developing a culture that is challenging, stimulating, rewarding and supportive.
37. Actively participating in the selection, training, and supervision of the NVQ Clinical Support Workers and ensure that all staff are aware of the assessment process.
38. Assess the need for, plan and implement suitable staff development programmes for nursing staff within clinical area to ensure the effective care of all patients.
39. Assist the Sister/Charge nurse to ensure that all students and newly appointed staff have identified mentors/preceptors.
40. To act as mentor/assessor to unqualified staff and to provide education, advice and support to a team of nurses.
41. Ensuring within mentorship that student nurses and post-registration students allocated to the area are given appropriate teaching, support and guidance, in accordance with clinical area/personal objectives and that all documentation is complete.
42. Contribute and assist the Sister/Charge Nurse to foster a learning environment within the clinical area.
43. To participate in education on a national and international level by attending, presenting at, and/or assisting in the coordination of study days/seminars/conferences etc.
44. Be aware of the local equipment training programme for staff in relation to the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts and maintain training records.
45. Research and Development
46. Promote and undertake nursing research updating own knowledge to promote excellence in clinical practice.
47. Utilise research findings in the delivery of specialist patient care, developing new ways of working and to disseminate relevant information to staff.
48. Participate in and be aware of other clinical research trials for patients
49. Participate and contribute to audit and research within the specialty in collaboration with colleagues.
50. Management and Leadership
51. Provide a leadership role model and demonstrate specialist knowledge and high standards of clinical practice and provide support or advice when necessary.
52. Develop the role according to patients changing needs and research findings, within the resources available.
53. Maintain accurate records of the clinical service and ensuring that confidentiality of information is adhered to.
54. Organise own work and manage own caseload and practice, identifying and maintaining supportive networks for self and other staff members.
55. To be fully aware of the targets set out in the NHS Plan and Corporate & Directorates objectives and in conjunction with the multi-professional team use the available resources to meet these targets.
56. Provide specialist education to members of the clinical team, which facilitates learning and individual personal development.
57. In co-ordinating the day-to-day management of the clinical area, delegates duties and care appropriately whilst maintaining overall responsibility.Ensures that staffing and skill mix is maintained, at all times, to a level that does not compromise patient safety.
58. Responsible for the assessment and subsequent ordering of bank and agency staff within the clinical area including being an authorised signatory for temporary staff
59. To be involved in the development, assessment and implementation of guidelines, protocols and pathways.
60. To deputise for the Sister/Charge Nurse in their absence
61. Compliance and Governance
62. Take an active role in risk assessment, supporting implementation of strategies to minimise risk. Ensuring incidents and near misses are reported, through promoting a no blame culture.
63. Ensure all staff act in accordance with Local, Hospital and Statutory Guidelines & Policies including Health and Safety initiatives.
64. 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.
65. Will work in accordance with Corporate Objectives and ensure that all staff are aware.
66. Will ensure that the Hospital’s policy is understood and carried out with regard to the care and custody of drugs/medications, especially with regard to those covered by the Control of Drugs Act.
67. 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 to minimise risks to patients and staff.
68. Will be fully conversant with the trust major incident plan, and ensure that all nurses on the ward understand the procedure.
69. Take all possible precautions to safeguard the welfare and safety of staff, service users, visitors and the public, by implementing all policies related to health, safety, security and risk.
70. Communication
71. To create an environment that fosters good communication between patient and health care professionals, that meets individual’s needs.
72. Be an effective communicator and be a role model in liaising with the community and other members of the health care team.
73. Provide support mechanisms for sharing good practice within the Ward/Department and Trust wide.
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential criteria
74. Mentorship course or equivalent
75. Post registration qualification in emergency medicine or demonstrate relevant experience and competence (appropriate area of speciality)
Desirable criteria
76. Leadership qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
77. Previous post registration experience within the relevant specialty
78. Experienced and competent in the management of patients within the speciality
79. Experience of teaching/assessing/supervising others in a clinical setting
80. Experiencing of co-ordinating an area within ED
Skills
Essential criteria
81. Demonstrates specialist expertise underpinned by theory acquired through CPD
82. Up to date knowledge of current clinical and professional issues. Knowledge of evidence based practice.
83. An understanding of audit and research based nursing practice
84. Good communication skills and ability to deal with sensitive information
85. Demonstrate an awareness of clinical governance and risk management
86. essential ED skills POP, Xray, PGD
Desirable criteria
87. Microsoft Word / Excel skills
Professional/ Statutory Registration
Essential criteria
88. RN1/ RN2/ RN12 or RN Child Registered Nurse on the NMC register. To hold the appropriate level for the area of speciality.
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.