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 Addiction Care Team provides integrated 24/7 clinically effective, efficient and high quality care to patients at Guys and St Thomas’ who are affected by substance misuse.

This is an exciting time to join the team as we have expanded to include a new innovative 24hrs/7 days inpatients GSTT Addiction Clinical Care Suite (ACCS). We are looking for passionate, caring and enthusiastic nurses who are interested in or have previous experience in addictions and/or general medical nursing. 

As a staff nurse on the ward you will care for patients who are undergoing medically assisted withdrawal / stabilisation from drugs and / or alcohol. 

We are motivated to promote the development of our staff and you will be supported to build on your skills through training and development opportunities. 

Advert closing: 22nd January 2023

Interview date: 3rd February 2023

Main duties of the job

Responsible for carrying out clinical practice within designated clinical
areas, ensuring that high quality, current evidence-based nursing
assessments, care planning, interventions and evaluations
for patients are provided from admission through to discharge.

At times 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 service users, and always working in a manner that promotes dignity and human rights through the adoption of person centered care principles

The role will involve working a shift pattern of days and nights.

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

  • Clinical Duties
  • Responsible for carrying out clinical practice within designated clinical areas, ensuring that high quality, current evidence-based nursing assessment, care planning, implementation, interventions and evaluations for patients is provided from admission through to discharge.
  • Will be responsible for the application of knowledge across the range of work procedures and practices, underpinned by theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
  • To act as advocate for patients within the area, to ensure a patient orientated approach to the delivery of care and to meet standards within the NHS Plan and other relevant guidelines.
  • 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.
  • Will advise on the promotion of health and the prevention of illness.
  • Recognise the significance of observations made, and use them to develop and initiate nursing assessments and devise a plan of care.
  • Will ensure that all patients will have a discharge plan that is safe and appropriate for their needs.
  • Carry out nursing procedures and treatments, checking on and maintaining the highest possible standards.
  • Work alongside the multi-disciplinary team to ascertain treatments and advise on nursing priorities.
  • Take a clear and concise history from patients by assessing their health and well being and complete documentation ensuring that all entries are accurate and legible and that all information systems are maintained.
  • Undertake prescribed physical observations as follows: blood pressure, temperature, respirations, blood sugars, urinalysis, weight and height, and report exceptions appropriates.
  • Responsible for the correct administration of prescribed medication including transfusion of blood and blood product
  • 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.
  • Will act in accordance with Local, Hospital and Statutory Guidelines & Policies including Health and Safety initiatives.
  • Will be familiar with the Health and Safety at Works Act, and be aware of its implications and ensure that local unit and departmental policies are followed.
  • Will work in accordance with Corporate Objectives
  • Will maintain a high standard of care and give courteous reception to all patients and visitors.
  • Will adopt a patient orientated approach to work
  • Will practice in a cost effective and cost aware manner
  • Will ensure that the Hospitals policy is understood and carried out with regard to the care and custody of drugs/medications, especially with regard to those covered by the Control of Drugs Act.

    • Please see attached job description for full details

    Person specification

    Knowledge

    Essential criteria

  • RN1/ RN2/ RN12 or RN Child Registered Nurse on the NMC register.
  • To hold the appropriate level of post-registration experience
  • Evidence of continuing professional development

    • Desirable criteria

  • SSSAP
  • Specialist course

    • Skills

    Essential criteria

  • Able to assess, plan, implement & evaluate programmes of care

    • Desirable criteria

  • Link role/personal contribution to an area

    • Experience

    Essential criteria

  • At least 6months post-registration experience

    • Desirable criteria

  • Experience in Acute medicine or one of the specialities

    • Values and Behaviours

    Essential criteria

  • Patient experience
  • Patient safety

    • 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.