Job overview
We currently have a vacancy for a band 6 - senior staff nurse in Sarah Ward. Sarah Ward is a 23 bedded unit caring for a multi speciality of patients, including adult elective orthopaedic ward and a cohort of haematology and oncology patients. The ward has a fast turn-over of patients so we are looking for an applicant that is able to work under pressure, demonstrate excellent clinical nursing and communication skills.
The successful candidate must have a 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.
If you are hardworking, keen to develop your skills and have a positive attitude towards patient care and team working then we look forward to hearing from you soon.
Closing date: 22 February 2026 @ Midnight
Interview Date: 2rd March 2026
Main duties of the job
Sarah ward is a 25-bedded ward based in Guy's Hospital, caring for a multi speciality of patients including patients following elective orthopaedic surgical procedures, breast surgery, and a cohort of haematology and oncology patients. 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 team leaders 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 continuous professional development 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 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.
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
Qualification/Knowledge
Essential criteria
1. BSC/1st degree (health related) or equivalent qualification/training and experience
2. Evidence of professional/clinical knowledge in area supplemented by specialist clinical, managerial training and CPD
3. Post registration qualification in or demonstrate relevant experience and competence (appropriate area of speciality)
4. RN1/ RN2/ RN12 or RN Child Registered Nurse on the NMC register. To hold the appropriate level for the area of speciality.
Desirable criteria
5. Leadership qualification
6. Mentorship/SSSA&P or equivalent
Skills
Essential criteria
7. Up to date knowledge of current clinical and professional issues. Knowledge of evidence based practice.
8. Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate specialist care delivered to patients/clients and give relevant advice/information to patients and relatives.
9. An understanding of audit and research based nursing practice.
10. Demonstrate specialist expertise underpinned by theory acquired through CPD
Experience
Essential criteria
11. Previous post registration experience within the relevant specialty( orthopaedics, Haematology, Oncology)
12. Experienced and competent in the management of patients within the speciality
13. Experience of teaching/assessing/ supervising others in a clinical setting.
14. Experienced of co-ordinating a shift
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.