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. We have retained our Outstanding rating following a CQC inspection in 2026.
We are looking for experienced Adult Emergency Nurses to join our dynamic and supportive team. As a Band 6 Deputy Sister/Charge Nurse. This post requires you to work, days, nights and weekends. You would be given development opportunities to support you in this role.
We have an established Deputy sister/Charge nurse development programme and are closely affiliated with King’s College London University. We also have an established Practice Development team that provide high quality emergency care related training and development.
Please note the following before applying;
• Please read the job description and personal specification carefully.
• You are required to have significant credible senior ED experience for this post.
Informal visits welcome.
Please contact Gemma Hartman or Kim Stark, ED Matrons for further information or to arrange an informal visit -
Closing Date: Midnight 28th June 2026
Interview Date: 15th July 2026
Main duties of the job
The applicant must be competent in the assessment & management of patients from admission through to discharge. The candidate will have good experience of coordinating the many different areas within the department. The applicant will have experience of teaching, assessing and supervising junior staff and students.
The post holder will be responsible for the effective and efficient operational management of the Emergency Department;
The post holder will be expected to provide professional leadership within the clinical area and provide direction and inspirational leadership to all members of the multi disciplinary team within the area for which they are accountable .
Good communication and interpersonal skills is essential and the ability to organise and plan own time and that of nursing staff, students and support workers.
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
Clinical Leadership and Managerial
Lead the ward/Department team and build successful links between key
professionals to support and promote effective multi-disciplinary team
working.
Manage the department nursing staff, ensuring the patients receive high quality clinical care and a good patient experience, having regard for their customs, religious beliefs and doctrines.
Communicate effectively and efficiently and liaise with other members of the multi-disciplinary team to ensure that patients receive seamless care within the trust.
Act as a professional nurse leader and role model to the staff. To apply
clinical skills of the highest standard and to take a proactive approach to the development of clinical competence in self and others.
Maximise use of clinical resources, implementing best practice in patient flow, admission and discharge arrangements.
Ensure that the departments have adequate resources / equipment to
provide an effective service.
Develop and maintain effective channels of communication between all members of the multi disciplinary team.
To ensure the Sister/Charge nurse and or Matron is informed when changes to circumstances may affect safe competent practice.
Participate in nursing and multi professional research and audit and to implement actions identified from quality initiatives.
Identify and intervene where circumstances contribute to an unsafe
environment for patients and staff. To bring instances to the attention of the Matron / Head of Nursing for the area.
Responsible for the correct administration of prescribed medication
including transfusion of blood
Responsible for the correct administration of blood products.
Be responsible for assessing and recognising emergencies in the
speciality.
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.
Recognise and avoid situations that may be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the individuals.
Staff Management, Education and Training
Motivate, develop, support and identify training needs for department staff. Implement and work within the Trust’s HR policies on all staffing matters, including sickness, capability and disciplinary issues.
Take corrective measures if indicated in liaison with Human Resources and the Matron.
Participate in appraisals and the setting of objectives for junior staff in the department to enable them to achieve optimal effectiveness and to understand their contribution to the directorate.
Actively participate in teaching of junior staff and students.
Ensure that nursing staff receive appropriate training and professional education in accordance with the NMC’s PREP Recommendations.
Ensure optimised skill mix within the department/ward and reviewing the skill mix as required and monitoring the use of bank and agency staff.
Organise team meetings at an appropriate frequency, recording and
circulating minutes of these.
Undertake clinical and associated audits as appropriate for the given area.
Record and report all incidents, accidents and complaints involving staff, patients and visitors in accordance with the trust policies and initiate investigations as required.
Lead on the implementation of the clinical and organisational model for the area. To undertake audit and monitoring of the department/ward.
Please see attached job description for full details
Person specification
Education
Essential criteria
1. RN1/ RN2/ RN12 or RN Child Registered Nurse on the NMC register. To hold the appropriate level for the area of speciality.
2. Evidence of ongoing professional development in relevant area of speciality
3. Mentorship/Teaching Qualification
4. Management qualification or equivalent experience
5. Post registration course relevant to the speciality. Emergency nursing qualification in specialism (ED course)
Desirable criteria
6. Sign off Mentorship
7. Leadership qualification ( LEO)
8. Recruitment and selection course
Experience
Essential criteria
9. Relevant emergency department experience Proven experience of taking charge of the different areas within ED
10. Experience of teaching/assessing/ supervising others in a clinical setting
Desirable criteria
11. Experience of clinical supervision
12. Experience of supporting recruitment campaigns and undertaking interviews.
Skills
Essential criteria
13. Has completed all relevant ED competencies including (streaming, Plastering, X-ray)
14. Knowledge of evidence based practice
15. Ability to administer prescribed medication including transfusion of blood
16. Good communication skills and ability to deal with sensitive information. To include dealing with distressed relatives, care of terminally ill & other challenging situations
17. An understanding of audit and research based nursing practice.
18. Up to date knowledge of current clinical and professional issues.
19. Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate specialist care delivered to patients/clients and give relevant advice/information to patients and relatives.
20. You will be able decide how best to achieve expected results, whilst acting within clearly defined policies/ procedures and codes of conduct.
21. Ability to organise and plan own time and that of junior staff and learners.
22. Ability to administer prescribed medication including blood products
23. Demonstrates ability to influence and negotiate with others.
24. An understanding of resource management
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.