Overview
Surrey Downs Health & Care is seeking a skilled and motivated Senior Staff Nurse to join the team at Dorking Hospital. This leadership role oversees and supports the daily operations of the ward, provides expert care to patients with frailty and rehabilitation needs, and fosters a positive, collaborative environment. The Senior Staff Nurse will manage and supervise ward staff, deputise for the Ward Manager, mentor team members, and contribute to service improvement initiatives. The post requires the post holder to work shifts aligned with the ward pattern, including long shifts and short days over a 7-day week, to provide experienced clinical leadership and support for junior staff and students, especially at night when senior management is unavailable.
Surrey Downs Health and Care delivers care closer to people’s communities through Primary Care Networks, Community Hospitals, Specialist Services and partnerships with local NHS organisations. Our aim is to provide person-centered care and improve access to the right support, care and treatment for local residents.
Historically, boundary lines between organisations have existed, but the Surrey Downs Health and Care partnership unites efforts to deliver high-quality care. The post holder will work within this framework and uphold the shared values that translate into better care for residents.
Responsibilities
* Work as a role model within the team, undertaking lead responsibilities and providing skilled nursing care to patients; assess immediate and long-term needs and inform, prepare and review care plans for patients and their families.
* Participate in and promote nursing research and project work to deliver skilled, high-quality care and encourage skill diversification; maintain professional and clinical integrity in line with NMC guidelines.
* Treat all patients with privacy and dignity, supporting, informing and educating family and carers where appropriate.
* Promote the health and wellbeing of patients and, in the absence of the senior team member, plan cover, appropriate staffing and skill mix to ensure adequate cover; deputise as appropriate.
* Ensure continuity of care across clinical settings through timely planning and effective communication.
* Be responsible for individual data entry and support wider team data entry; maintain clear, comprehensive, signed and contemporaneous records according to procedures.
* Maintain up-to-date knowledge in clinical practice and act as a resource and guidance for other staff.
* Ensure policies, procedures and standards of care are adhered to at all times.
* Support clinical supervision processes, conduct monthly one-to-one meetings and appraisals with team members where applicable.
* Support the team lead and assist with delegated duties to meet service needs.
* Plan, participate in and evaluate teaching programmes for all levels of staff in liaison with the Learning and Development Team to ensure competencies are maintained.
* Identify staff training and development needs and facilitate a positive clinical learning environment for all nursing team members.
* Act as an assessor and mentor to qualified and unqualified staff; provide main support for new staff within the team.
* Work within budget and ensure economical use of resources; monitor consumables and approve off-formulary requests where appropriate.
* Participate in recruitment and selection when appropriate.
* Facilitate a multidisciplinary approach; hold team meetings in the absence of the team lead and forward minutes to ensure briefing for absent members.
* Be aware of safeguarding procedures; liaise with safeguarding teams and social services as needed to support vulnerable individuals.
* Participate in clinical governance, clinical audit and monitoring of care; support Datix investigations and Rapid Response Reviews (RRRs).
* Participate in risk management processes, reporting identified risks to the team lead or operational manager.
* Undertake other duties as required consistent with the post, and be prepared to move base temporarily or more permanently as service needs require.
This advert closes on Sunday 14 Sep 2025
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