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 2021.
We are looking for experienced Adult Emergency Nurses to join our dynamic and supportive team. As a Band 7 Sister/Charge Nurse you will have the opportunity to rotate into a management secondment. 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 Band 7 development programme. 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.
Closing date: 17th November at Midnight
Interview date: 25th November 2025
Please contact Gemma Hartman or John ONeill, ED Matrons for further information or to arrange an informal visit - k k
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be responsible for the effective and efficient operational management of the Emergency Department; including budget control, clinical governance, staff development and training.
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 .
The post holder will be involved in the development of protocols / guidelines and patient information.
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 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.
Deputise for the Matron as appropriate
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.
Work with the Matron and Human Resources Department in the
recruitment, selection, appointment and retention of staff.
Monitor recruitment and retention and use all available strategies to retain
and motivate staff flexible working policy.
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.
Assist in the investigation and timely resolution of complaints, incidents
and comments within the emergency department
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
Knowledge
Essential criteria
1. Registered Nurse
2. Evidence of ongoing professional development in Emergency Care/ Completed emergency nurse course or equivalent
3. Mentorship Course or equivalent
4. Management qualification or equivalent experience
5. relevant emergency department experience
Desirable criteria
6. Masters Degree
7. LEO / Equivalent Leadership Training
Strengths of Clinical Leadership
Essential criteria
8. Integrity: Has the courage to do the right thing, is very honest and makes a difference.
9. Ownership: has taken charge of an emeregency department, has a lot of drive, and has very high standards.
10. Delivery: has excellent time management skills, able to work under pressure, excellent communication skills likes to be ‘hands on’,
11. experience of managing a team (undertaking appraisals monitoring and reviewing sickness)
Desirable criteria
12. Ability to actively participate in and develop initiatives from the NHS Plan
Competencies
Essential criteria
13. Is able to analyse data and identify data trends Is able to use basic Microsoft packages such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint
14. Is able to effectively present information to groups professional teams
Values and behaviour
Essential criteria
15. Values and behaviour
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.