Guy's and St Thomas' is among the UK's busiest and most successful NHS foundation trusts. We provide a full range of hospital and community services for people in south London and as well as specialist care for patients from further afield including cancer, renal, orthopaedic, respiratory and cardiovascular services.
Guy's is home to the largest dental school in Europe and a £160 million Cancer Centre opened in 2016. As part of our commitment to provide care closer to home, in 2017 we also opened a cancer centre and a kidney treatment centre at Queen Mary's Hospital in Sidcup. St Thomas' has one of the largest critical care units in the UK and one of the busiest emergency departments in London. It is also home to Evelina London Children's Hospital.
Evelina London cares for local children in Lambeth and Southwark and provides specialist services across south east England including cardiac, renal and critical care services. We lead a number of specialist service networks aiming to ensure children are treated locally where possible, but have access to specialist expertise when they need it. Our community services include health visiting, school nursing and support for families of children with long-term conditions.
Our adult community services teams deliver care at the heart of the local communities we serve, working in partnership with GPs, local authorities and other healthcare and voluntary sector organisations. Working with our partners in Lambeth and Southwark, we are focusing on new ways of working to improve care for local patients.
In February 2021 the Royal Brompton and Harefield joined Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, bringing together world-leading expertise in the care and research of heart and lung disease. Our merger provides a once in a generation opportunity to build a lasting, world-renowned heart and lung centre, providing the highest quality care for patients and conducting world-leading research.
We have a reputation for clinical excellence and high quality teaching and research. We are part of King's Health Partners, one of eight accredited UK academic health sciences centres. In partnership with King's College London we have dedicated clinical research facilities including an MHRA accredited Phase I clinical trials unit.
Patients are at the heart of everything we do and we pride ourselves on ensuring the best possible patient experience as well as safe, high quality care. We are proud to have one of the lowest mortality rates in the NHS. Following a comprehensive Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in 2019 we maintained our overall rating of 'good'. Our adult community services achieved a rating of 'outstanding'.
The commitment of our 23,500 staff is key to our success. We are one of the largest local employers and we aim to develop and support all our staff so they are able to deliver high quality, safe and efficient care. The 2019 NHS staff survey results show that we have one of the most engaged and motivated workforces in the NHS. We know this has a positive impact on the care provided to our patients.
We have one of the most ambitious capital investment programmes anywhere in the NHS.
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 7 Charge Nurse / Senior Sister post to work across the Harrison Wing Outpatients and Neurology Outpatients Departments. The Charge Nurse / Senior Sister post would suit an enthusiastic, motivated and experienced senior nurse with at least 2 years experience in a leadership role. We are looking for someone someone who has excellent communication skills, as well as managerial and leadership skills. You will be expected to manage and lead the nursing teams, set and maintain clinical and professional standards.
Participation in the management structure of the unit is key with responsibilities for Quality Improvement projects and service development initiatives.
Over 4000 patients are registered for their care at the Harrison Wing making us one of the biggest and busiest HIV outpatient departments in the capital. We are a supportive, working collaboratively to provide a wide range of services to our patients including: Nurse-Led and Pharmacy-Led Clinics
Metabolic Clinic
Young Adults Clinic
HIV and Hepatitis Coinfection Clinic
Womens Health
Health Advisor, Health Navigator and Peer Mentor support
Psychology Support
You will oversee the Neurology Outpatients Department, which include both Neurofibromatosis and Neurology clinics. You will work closely with the Multi-Disciplinary team, including Clinical Nurse Specialists, Social Workers, Physiotherapists, administrative teams and doctors.
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We are seeking an experienced, highly motivated nurse to lead a team dedicated to delivering holistic care with compassion and commitment to meeting the varied needs of our patients.
We require individuals who are passionate about HIV and Neurology nursing with strong leadership skills and a positive attitude towards change. You must demonstrate dedication to maintaining the high clinical standards we aspire to and ensuring our exceptional service continues to develop.
The successful candidate will be responsible for the effective and efficient operational management of the unit, providing professional leadership within the clinical area and direction and inspirational leadership to all members of the team.
The Harrison wing is committed to audit and research. We have close links with local, nationally renowned educational providers which enables us to provide a wide range of educational programmes.
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.
We strive to recruit and retain the best staff as the dedication and skills of our employees lie at the heart of our organisation and ensure that our services are of the highest quality, safe and focused on our patients.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Applicants are expected to clearly demonstrate experience of and interest in HIV at both the application form and interview stages of the recruitment process.
Clinical Leadership and Managerial
- Lead the 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.
- Be 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.
- Communicate effectively and efficiently and liaise with other members of
the multi-disciplinary team to ensure that patients receive seamless care
within the trust and in the community.
- 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.
- Monitor monthly budget statements, identifying trends, understanding
spending patterns in order to stay in budget and to take action as required.
- Comply with the Trust's standing financial instructions.
- 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.
- Lead and support the ward team through the process of change,
demonstrating tenacity, drive, professional integrity, balance and
perspective.
- Deputise for the Matron as appropriate
- Responsible for the correct administration of prescribed medication
including and injectables.
- 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.
- 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 e.g. 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.
- Ensure that appropriate written induction programmes are available and
utilised for all new staff within the department
- The post holder will ensure that relevant clinical based teaching programmes are in place and maintain accurate training records.
- 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 that staff attend and assist in training where appropriate on
mandatory training sessions and maintain accurate records of these.
- Liaise with affiliated Institutes of Higher Education to ensure that the
learning environment is appropriate for both pre and post registration
learners and undertaking any action identified through audit.
- Participate in the education and assessment of staff undertaking a
specialist course or further education programmes.
- Keep abreast of developments and research in Nursing Practice.
- Adhere to trust and departmental policies and procedures, ensuring that all staff do the same.
- 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. To ensure a good method of communication
within the department at all times and to encourage the exchange and
implementation of new ideas and evidence based practice.
Clinical Governance, Audit And Research
- Ensure that the delivery of care to all patients meet the standards set by
yourself and the Trust.
- Take responsibility for ensuring the highest standards of infection
prevention and control are practiced at all times.
- Demonstrate a high level of commitment to and enthusiasm for research,
evidence based practice, audit and education in the clinical area.
- Actively contribute to reconfiguration projects, service redesign
developments and Directorate business planning as required.
- Be proactive in the risk assessment, management, clinical incident
reporting and management of complaints..
- 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.
- Participate in, and comply with, the trusts framework for clinical
governance within the department area.
- Assist in the investigation and timely resolution of complaints, incidents
and comments
Service Development
- Lead on the implementation of the clinical and organisational model for the area.
- Lead on ensuring that the area continues to be based upon sound
business projections, good financial planning and delivered according to
appropriate standards within financial resources.
- Contribute to and to be aware of the business plan and its implication for
service delivery and nursing.
- Lead on monitoring the overall activity for the area.
- Identify opportunities to develop new ways of working and challenge,
change and expand roles, working in conjunction with the Education and
Practice Development Team/s, Matrons and Head of Nursing.
- Proactively seek feedback on patient and public experience in order to
address concerns in a timely manner and build on success.
- Assist with the development, implementation and evaluation of
departmental protocols ensuring coherence and consistency across both
sites.
- To undertake audit and monitoring of the department and participate in the implementation of changes to improve service delivery
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.
Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. Equality of opportunity is our policy.
As an organisation we are committed to developing our services in ways that best suit the needs of our patients. This means that some staff groups will increasingly be asked to work a more flexible shift pattern so that we can offer services in the evenings or at weekends.
Flexible working
We are committed to supporting all employees to achieve a healthy work life balance and to work in a way that is best for them and our patients. We will consider all requests to work flexibly, taking in to account the individual's personal circumstances as well the needs of the service. We encourage all prospective applicants to discuss their individual circumstances with the recruiting manager as part of the on-boarding process.
Due to recent changes in the UK immigration rules which affect Skilled Worker Visas, Global Business Mobility, Higher Skill Level and Increased Salary Thresholds, please ensure that you are able to meet the requirements to live and work in the UK before applying. Further information about eligibility is available on the UK Government website.
Your e-mail address is important to us - We communicate to all job applicants via the e-mail address which has been provided on the application form. Please ensure that you check your e-mail on a regular basis.
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