Job overview
We currently have an exciting opportunity for someone to join Somerset Ward (Plastics) within our Surgery Directorate as a Band 6 registered nurse. The successful candidate will have an amazing opportunity to work alongside some of the most experienced and innovative clinicians in the field of plastics surgery.
We specialise in:
1. Breast Reconstruction which includes (DIEP flaps, LD flaps, Tram flaps)
2. Other reconstruction procedures including: ALT flaps, nasal reconstruction and various local flaps.
3. Skin grafts to various parts of the body.
4. Simple and complex wound dressings, which includes: total negative pressure (eg. VAC therapy)
5. We also specialise in looking after patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) post-surgery.
The post requires applicant to be able to work under pressure, demonstrate excellent clinical nursing and communication skills, willingness to learn and develop new skills and strive to provide the optimum care for patients and their relatives. Along with the ability to lead and teach junior staff, the applicant must have the ability to coordinate a shift, have good problem solving skills and ability to identify how to improve the service.
Closing Date: 28th December 2025 at Midnight
Interview Date: week commencing 5th January
Main duties of the job
Somerset Ward is a 16-bedded ward based at St Thomas' Hospital, caring for a variety of patients and specialising in plastic surgery. We are a friendly and supportive team who are resourceful and strive to always deliver a high standard of patient care. We are proud of the excellent feedback we have from our patients.
We are looking for a team leader to assist in leading the team in ensuring a high standard of care is delivered consistently. You will have opportunities to enhance existing skills in shift co-ordination, mentoring junior staff and colleagues, and to help develop protocols in this specialty, whist learning managerial duties for the next step in your career. You will be expected to carry out audits, quality rounds and teaching on the ward.
Developing staff is very important to us and encouraging staff to reach their career goals is a priority within our directorate. We provide support in continuous learning and professional development by offering Level 6 & 7 specialised plastics modules.
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 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
Independently manage a group of patients within the specialty whilst
working as part of the multidisciplinary team, delivering individualised and
personalised direct patient care.
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.
Responsible for the correct administration of prescribed medication
including transfusion of blood and blood products
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.
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.
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.
To provide leadership, support and guidance to staff in monitoring the
planning delivery and evaluation of individualised care.
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.
Ensure safe and effective care for complex patients requiring advance
clinical skills and responsible for carrying out specialist nursing procedures
to area.
To be responsible, for maintaining a safe environment for patients, visitors
and other staff within the clinical environment.
Ensure that sensitive patient records are stored appropriately.
Ensures the cultural and spiritual needs of patients are recognised and
accommodated within resources available.
Please see detailed Job Description attached.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
6. Experiencing of co-ordinating a shift
7. Experienced and competent in the management of patients within the speciality
8. Experience of teaching/assessing others in a clinical setting
9. Supervision of junior staff
Skills
Essential criteria
10. Good communication skills and ability to deal with sensitive information. To include dealing with distressed relatives, care of terminally ill & other challenging situations
11. Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate specialist care delivered to patients/clients and give relevant advice/information to patients and relatives.
12. Understanding of resource management
13. An understanding of audit and research based nursing practice
Desirable criteria
14. Demonstrates understanding of Clinical Governance
Knowledge
Essential criteria
15. Mentorship/Teaching Qualification
16. BSC/1st degree (health related) or equivalent qualification/training and experience
17. Evidence of Clinical/managerial CPD relevant to speciality
Desirable criteria
18. Leadership Qualification
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.