Deputy Senior Staff Nurse

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is seeking an experienced Deputy Senior Staff Nurse to support the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse in the Neurosurgery Ward. The role focuses on delivering high-quality, safe, patient-centred care for neurosurgical patients and those with complex neurological and spinal conditions.

The post holder will coordinate day-to-day ward operations, provide clinical leadership to the multidisciplinary team, and supervise registered nurses,

Qualifications

• Must be a registered nurse with current NMC registration.
• Demonstrates expert clinical leadership and mentorship.
• Able to coordinate ward operations and ensure safe patient care.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate clinical shifts and patient flow on the Neurosurgery Ward.
• Lead and mentor the multidisciplinary team.
• Oversee discharge planning and workforce management.
• Uphold national standards and professional conduct.

Skills

Registered Nurse

Clinical leadership

Mentorship

Supervision

Patient care

Team coordination

Job description

The Deputy Senior Staff Nurse is a senior clinical leadership role responsible for supporting the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse in the operational management and clinical leadership of the Neurosurgery Ward. The post holder will ensure the delivery of high-quality, safe, effective, and patient-centred care for patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures and those with complex neurological and spinal conditions.

Working as an experienced registered nurse, the Deputy Senior Staff Nurse will coordinate the day-to-day running of the ward, providing expert clinical support and leadership to the multidisciplinary team. The post holder will be accountable for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating care for patients with complex neurosurgical needs, ensuring care is delivered in accordance with evidence-based practice, national standards, Trust policies, and the NMC Code of Professional Conduct.

The role includes responsibility for clinical shift coordination, patient flow, discharge planning, workforce management, and maintaining high standards of patient safety and quality of care. The Deputy Senior Staff Nurse will regularly take charge of the ward in the absence of the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse, ensuring effective management of staffing, resources, patient acuity, and operational pressures.

The post holder will act as a visible clinical leader and professional role model, promoting a positive ward culture that supports excellence in patient care, staff wellbeing, and continuous professional development. They will provide supervision, mentorship, and support to registered nurses, nursing associates, healthcare support workers, and students, fostering a learning environment that encourages professional growth and clinical excellence.

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.

We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

• University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
• National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
• Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
• University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
• Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
• University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
• The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
• University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women’s health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.