Guys and St Thomas is among the UKs 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.

Guys 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 Marys 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 Childrens 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 Guys 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 Kings Health Partners, one of eight accredited UK academic health sciences centres. In partnership with Kings College London we have dedicated clinical research facilities and a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre.

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

Bank Staff Registered Nurses (band 5)

Are you passionate about nursing and committed to providing first rate patient care?

Do you need flexibility for your working hours?

Would you like the opportunity to gain experience in a wide variety of clinical settings?

We have exciting opportunities for you to come and join us here at Guys and St Thomas on our dedicated Nurse Bank and be part of our incredible Nursing workforce. 

The staff bank allows you to have flexibility in your working hours and the opportunity to work across many varied and diverse clinical settings,

We are able to offer specific shift patterns, work opportunities in specialities, extended clinical placements, short notice availability and provide you with a wide range of experiences supporting you in developing your career.

Whether you have a full time job elsewhere, work with an agency or are looking for a flexible option as your main income and are eligible to work staff bank shifts, we would like to welcome you to come and join our amazing teams!

Requirements

  • Experience of working in an acute trust/appropriate area within the last 6 months
  • Current registration with the NMC
  • You will be asked to complete the trust corporate and nursing induction. You will then be back paid for this time once you have completed 150 hours clinical time with the bank.
  • Main duties of the job

    The post holder is responsible for assessment of care needs of patients,
    planning programmes of care, implementation and evaluation of these
    programmes without direct supervision. At times they will have management
    responsibility for being in-charge of the ward and supervising junior members
    of staff. The post holder will be a key member in relation to the development
    of practice on the ward. They will be working independently/autonomously
    and at times without direct supervision, accountable for their own professional
    actions. Ensuring the safety and well being of services users, and always
    working in a manner that promotes dignity and human rights through the
    adoption of person centered care principles.

    Working for our organisation

    Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UKs best known hospitals Guys, St Thomas, Evelina London Childrens 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 UKs 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 Kings Health Partners we are one of Englands eight academic health sciences centres, bringing together world-class clinical services, teaching and research. We have one of the National Institute for Health Researchs biomedical research centres, established with Kings College London in 2007, as well as dedicated clinical research facilities.

    Detailed job description and main responsibilities

    a) Clinical Duties

  • Manages a delegated caseload, working as a member of a team, responsible for interacting constructively with team members and organising, prioritising and planning their work.

  • Uses a range of assessment tools to assist in the implementation of appropriate action to meet the specific physical, emotional and psychological, social, cultural and spiritual needs of individuals and carers.

  • Provides advice and support to patients to enable them to make informed choices in all areas of health promotion.

  • Understands when to seek appropriate advice to manage a risk and avoid compromising quality of care and health outcomes acting in line with local and national organisational frameworks, legislation and regulations to report risks, and implement actions as instructed.

  • Demonstrates the ability to effectively and responsibly access, input, and apply information and data using a range of methods including digital technologies, and share appropriately within interdisciplinary teams.

  • Demonstrates an ability to prioritise and manage their own workload, and recognise where elements of care can safely be delegated to other colleagues, carers and family members

  • Contributes to the provision of evidenced based care for people, including those with complex needs.

  • To work as a member of the multi-professional team providing clinical care to patients in settings as supported by the Registered Nurse or Allied Healthcare Professional.

  • Provide sensitive, compassionate, safe and effective care to support people in a range of care settings, applying the principles and processes for making reasonable adjustments.

  • Develop understanding of all elements of the nursing process and be able to assist the Registered Nurse in the on-going assessment (excluding initial assessment), planning, management and evaluation of care.

  • Perform and record clinical observations, undertake clinical tasks and assist in bedside procedures. Additional competency based skills relevant to clinical area can be attained following completion of appropriate training.

  • Accurately record patients nutritional and fluid intake as per plan of care.

  • Ensure the privacy, dignity and safety of individuals is maintained at all times.

  • Demonstrate the ability to recognise changing priorities seeking advice and guidance from the Registered Nurse or other Allied Healthcare Professionals as appropriate.

  • To ensure that high standards of nursing care are given and maintained. To act and raise concerns when standards are not being maintained following local policy and procedures.

  • Demonstrate good understanding of principles of consent and ensure valid consent is obtained prior to undertaking nursing and care procedures.

  • Have demonstrated the proficiency to administer medications within Trust policy and procedure and in line with the NMC Standards of Proficiency.

  • If required by the clinical area can administer selected intravenous and controlled medicines after the successful completion of relevant training and meeting the required competencies in line with Trust policy.

  • If required by the clinical area, to undertake the training and competency requirements to administer prescribed blood and blood products (once competent in administering medications via an intravenous route) and in line with Trust policy.

  • To recognise changes in a patients condition, including any safety, safeguarding risks which require the intervention of others and understand when to refer to the supervising Registered Nurse and other senior colleagues for reassessment of patient care.

  • To work in collaboration with others to ensure the safe and timely admission, transfer and discharge of patients.

  • Improve the quality of care by contributing to the continuous monitoring of patients and carers/relatives experience of care.

  • Responsible for the prevention and control of infections within the Trust. Ensuring both personal and team compliance with all relevant policies, especially hand washing, the Trust uniform policy.

  • To act as an advocate for the patient and the family, including promoting and protecting their interests, privacy, rights and inclusion.

  • Be aware of the Trusts safeguarding policy and escalate concerns to the appropriate individual or team.

  • Understand the roles of a range of professionals and carers from other organisations and settings who may be participating in the care of a person and their family.

  • Understand responsibilities in relation to communication and collaboration across all healthcare settings.

  • b) Professional Responsibilities 

  • 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.

  • Understands and acts in line with NMC professional standards for practice contained within The Standards of Proficiency for Nursing Associates.

  • Will engage in reflective practice and compile a personal & professional portfolio in line with NMC Revalidation.

  • To actively participate in the annual individual performance review ensuring individual training needs are identified and completed.

  • Will be expected to undertake a full variety of shifts including night and weekend work.

  • To be flexible to work within areas or departments to meet the demands of changing service needs.

  • Contribute to team success and challenge others constructively.

  • To communicate effectively with members of the multidisciplinary team at all levels in order to promote an effective service and optimum patient care

  • To communicate effectively where the information may be complex or sensitive in nature and the post holder may be required to overcome barriers to understanding such as language.

  • Communicate effectively with colleagues, providing clear verbal, digital or written information and instructions when sharing information, delegating or handing over responsibility for care.

  • Record all care delivered appropriately and in accordance to NMC standards.

  • Ensure clear, concise, accurate and legible records and all communication is maintained in relation to care delivered adhering to local and national guidance.

  • Ensure all patient related information is treated sensitively and adhere to the principles of confidentiality at all times.

  • Report any accidents or incidents and raise any concerns as per organisational policy.

  • Act in the best interests of the people they care for. 

  • Act professionally at all times and be responsible and accountable for their actions in accordance with Trust Values & Behaviours.

  • To act as a role model by upholding and demonstrating good practice in the workplace always maintaining high standards of care.

  • Use knowledge and experience to make evidence based decisions and solve problems.

  • Recognise and work within the limits of their competence.

  • c) Leadership and Management

  • To delegate care appropriately to other members of the team.

  • To provide induction and supervision to new staff, Nursing Assistants and students, and Trainee Nursing Associates encouraging an effective learning environment.

  • To provide support and supervision to Healthcare/Nursing Assistants to promote their learning and development within their role.

  • Provide clinical leadership to a team of Healthcare/ Nursing Assistants providing direction, support and challenge where necessary.

  • To participate in clinical teaching.

  • d) Service Development and Governance 

  • Participate in audits and review of patients care.

  • To be involved in Trust quality improvement initiatives to improve patient safety and care.

  • To develop an understanding of local governance arrangements

  • To participate in clinical investigations and patient complaints as appropriate

  • Ensure they keep up to date with Trust and Departmental policies, protocols and procedures to enable safe and effective practice.

  • Person specification

    Knowledge

    Essential criteria

  • RGN on the NMC register
  • Evidence of continuing professional development
  • Competent in basic life support
  • Skills

    Essential criteria

  • Self motivated
  • Knowledge of current clinical & professional developments relating to nursing & research based practice
  • Good communication skills
  • Able to supervise and teach junior staff/students
  • Experience

    Essential criteria

  • Recent acute post registration experience
  • Supervision of junior staff
  • Experience of working on own and in a team
  • Guys 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 studys 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.