Job overview
Critical Care at Guy’s and St Thomas’ is one of the largest, most specialised and comprehensive critical care services in the NHS and is located in the centre of London. With over 100 critical care beds within the division we can offer an innovative, challenging and inspirational career experience. It is also one of five ECMO centres in the UK, with a 24/7 consultant-led retrieval service and engage closely with referring centres to inform of best clinical practice. The critical care service is recognised internationally for supporting patients beyond the walls of intensive care and taking a holistic view of their recovery back to health. The department runs a well-established recovery clinic and peer support group, led by a multi-disciplinary team of critical care professionals.
The secondment role will work closely alongside the Critical Care Governance team and will give you hands-on experience in the core functions of clinical governance.
Please note to be considered for this vacancy you must have completed a critical care course and have Band 6 experience.
Closing date: Midnight 22/12/25
Main duties of the job
Whilst working alongside with the Clinical Governance team you will be expected to:
·Support quality improvement initiatives across clinical areas
·Review incidents, complaints and patient feedback to promote learning and safer practice
·Contribute to policy development and assurance processes
·Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to drive excellence in patient care
·Lead or support audits, risk assessments and governance projects
You will gain valuable insight into how organisational decisions are made, and how evidence, data and teamwork are used to build a culture of safety and high-quality care.
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.
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
The high volume of incidents in our critical care setting necessitates a dedicated role to effectively manage and learn from these events. The workload involves:
·Data analysis and trend Identification: Collating and analysing large volumes of data from incidents to identify systemic issues both within the critical care unit and across wider services (HLCC).
·PSIRF Compliance: PSIRF requires a systems-based approach to learning, which involves dedicated oversight. This role provides assurance that the correct learning response is being facilitated during the investigation process and learning is being shared to the wider critical care.
·Quality Improvement (QI): Leading and supporting QI projects in critical care which are identified through governance activities, ensuring that learning translates into measurable improvements in practice.
·Education and Training: Developing and delivering training on governance, risk management, quality improvement and PSIRF principles at forums such as team days, band meetings, governance half days and RADAR incident review meetings.
·Cross-System Collaboration: Working with other governance teams within our clinical group and trust wide to manage risks and share learning from cross-system incidents.
This role is essential because:
·Specialist Expertise: Clinical governance requires a deep understanding of regulations, risk management, and investigation methodologies that general clinical staff may not possess or have the time to implement.
·Dedicated Focus: A dedicated post holder ensures that vital governance activities are continue during operational pressures, guaranteeing continuous monitoring and improvement at all times.
·Ensuring Compliance: This role is crucial for monitoring the implementation CQC standards, providing assurance that the service is meeting its legal and regulatory duties.
This role serves as a development opportunity within a pipeline for future Band 7 ward manager positions, offering essential experience in safety, quality assurance, and management.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. BSC/1st degree (health related) or equivalent qualification/training and experience
2. Mentorship/ SSSA&P/ DLS
3. Post registration qualification/ specialist ICU or HDU course (appropriate area of speciality)
4. Evidence of professional/clinical knowledge in area supplemented by specialist clinical, managerial training and CPD
Desirable criteria
5. Leadership qualification
6. People Management Programme
7. Advanced communication course
Professional/ Statutory Registration
Essential criteria
8. RN1 Registered Nurse on the NMC register. To hold the appropriate level for the area of speciality
Experience
Essential criteria
9. Experience and competence in the management of patients within the speciality
10. Experience of teaching/assessing/ supervising others in a clinical setting
11. Demonstrates independent working and decision making
12. Previous post registration experience within the relevant speciality
Skills/Knowledge/Ability
Essential criteria
13. Up to date knowledge of current clinical and professional issues. Knowledge of evidence based practice
14. Ability to promote a no blame culture and shows an understanding of the importance of incident reporting
15. Good communication skills and ability to work well with the MDT
16. Demonstrate an awareness of clinical governance and risk management and how this effects their role and the department
17. Demonstrate ability to manage own time effectively
Desirable criteria
18. IT skills
19. Understanding of PICs
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.