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

The Outpatient Village at Guy’s Cancer Centre is a unit providing specialist treatment to oncology and hematology patients at every stage of their journey. The nursing team provides an essential support to the patient experience and to the clinicians involved.

 The nursing team prides itself on a cohesive multidisciplinary approach to patient care, striving to provide high clinical standards in a supportive environment. The unit is fast paced, challenging and we are looking for a dynamic band 3 senior nursing assistant to join us on a 12 month secondment to contribute to maintaining high standards of care the nursing team provides. We are looking for someone to lead a team of nursing assistants and take pride in doing so. The nursing assistant role is an integral part of our nursing team and they contribute significantly to the day to day care of the patients. 

The successful applicant will be expected to work in partnership within the Oncology Outpatient team. This will provide the opportunity to develop leadership skills, experience working with clinicians and supporting Oncology patients. As a Senior Nursing assistant you will be expected to promote and demonstrate the Trust values and behaviors within your role.

 If you want to be part of a team that values teamwork, development, expertise, passion and innovation then Oncology Outpatient Village is the place for you!

Shift Pattern:

4x 9.5hr/week

Closing Date: 19 December 2022

Interview Date: 06 January 2022

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for

Carrying out assigned tasks as part of clinical team in support of registered nurses and to undertake some aspects of care provision without direct supervision.

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. The post hold is also expected to carry out general oncology nursing activities such as; PICC line dressing, PICC line removal, PICC blood tests, taking and documenting patients Height and weight and vital signs accurately, wound dressings, venipuncture and cannulation for treatment/scans.

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

  • Provide excellent customer care skills to ensure patients come first.
  • Undertakes a range of delegated clinical care duties to deliver agreed plans of care, acting on own initiative.
  • To ensure that patients receive high quality clinical care and a good patient experience, having regard for their customs, religious beliefs and doctrines.
  • Recognise and avoid situations that may be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the individuals.
  • To 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.
  • Provides support and assistance to professionals in the implementation of plans of care for individual patients.
  • As directed to collect specimens from patients and to record routine observations of weight, blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respiratory rate. Report any abnormalities and concerns to a Registered Nurse
  • Recognise when patients are in pain and discomfort and report to nurse in charge
  • To undertake venepuncture/cannulation when requested by Healthcare professionals
  • Under the direction of trained staff maintain and develop own skills including:
  • Monitoring and recording of vital signs to include blood pressure
  • Recording of ECG
  • Simple, aseptic dressings including removal of sutures, clips and venflons.
  • To respond appropriately to clinical emergencies to ensure the patient receives appropriate care
  • To assist the Registered Nurse with the safe handling and mobilisation of patients and when necessary to assist in the transportation of patients.
  • To chaperone patients to other clinical departments, following assessment by a registered nurse, to maintain patient safety
  • Understand and adhere to all Trust polices, guidelines and procedures in particular, Health and Safety, Fire Safety, Waste Management and Resuscitation policies to maintain a safe working environment for patients and staff.

    • Please see attached job description for full details

    Person specification

    Qualifications/Education

    Essential criteria

  • Evidence of general education e.g. GCSEs or equivalent.
  • NVQ III in Health care or equivalent qualification in the area of speciality (e.g. Operating Dept. Practice for posts in Theatre)

    • Previous Experience

    Essential criteria

  • Previous experience of working as a healthcare assistant in a hospital or registered care setting
  • Experience of taking clinical observations

    • Skills/Knowledge/Ability

    Essential criteria

  • Knowledge of care and related procedures to area
  • Clear and accurate written and verbal communication
  • Proven ability to work within a team as well as on own initiative
  • Able to listen effectively and demonstrate a sympathetic GN0011 /sensitive approach, and be able to speak effectively to colleagues, staff and patients.
  • Understanding of the requirements of patient confidentiality
  • Demonstrate ability to manage priorities under pressure.

    • Values and Behaviours

    Essential criteria

  • Evidence of adherence to Trust values and behaviours

    • Additional information

    Essential criteria

  • Able and willing to work flexible shift patterns, internal rotation to day and night duty and unsocial hours, according to service needs

    • 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.