Senior Staff Nurse - Elective Surgical Ward

NHS; Greater London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare provider in Greater London seeks a Senior Staff Nurse for the Vernon Ward, specializing in elective surgery. This role requires strong leadership and communication skills as the candidate will oversee patient care, manage junior staff, and ensure compliance with trust policies. Applicants should have a general nursing qualification and a minimum of two years of post-registration experience. Comprehensive clinical development opportunities are provided, along with a commitment to maintaining high standards in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Ongoing professional development

Training opportunities relevant to clinical area

Qualifications

• Experience supporting and leading a team in a nursing environment.
• Understanding of current nursing issues and evidence based practice.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality nursing care in elective surgical settings.
• Supervise and mentor junior staff.
• Maintain accurate and timely nursing records.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Patient care

Adaptability

Education

RN (general)

Minimum of two years post registration experience

Job description

Senior Staff Nurse – Vernon Ward (Elective Surgical Ward)

The closing date is 11 February 2026

Vernon Ward (Elective Surgery Ward) is looking for an enthusiastic, dynamic & caring senior staff nurse, who wants to develop their acute nursing & leadership skills in order to deliver good quality care to patients. Successful candidates will be joining a supportive, friendly team who are committed to ensuring excellent patient care. This Ward caters to multispeciality patients under elective pathway. The successful candidates must be enthusiastic, hardworking, dynamic & highly motivated to work in this fast‑paced environment. Have excellent communication skills & be able to work as part of the multidisciplinary team.

We can offer ongoing professional development on the ward & training opportunities relevant to the clinical area.

Job responsibilities

Professional / Clinical

1. To ensure that nursing care is assessed, planned, implemented and evaluated using research evidence as appropriate.
2. To provide leadership, motivating the ward/department team to ensure excellent nursing care, providing support and the supervision of more junior staff.
3. To ensure that all nursing procedures are carried out in accordance with St Georges Healthcare NHS Trust policies taking appropriate action in emergency situations.
4. In conjunction with the multidisciplinary team, be responsible for setting, monitoring and maintaining excellent standards of care particularly for patients with multiple needs who require complex packages of care.
5. Maintaining personal contact with patients, relatives and carers, being sensitive to their needs for courtesy, dignity and privacy and ensuring a friendly environment at all times.
6. Managing the ward/department in the absence of the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse. Co‑ordinating the clinical team and delegating duties as appropriate, maintaining safe staffing levels and informing the Senior Nurse of any problems or incidents that might arise.
7. Ensuring that accurate and timely nursing records are maintained, monitoring standards and taking appropriate corrective action as necessary.
8. Storing, checking and administering drugs in accordance with Trust policy.
9. To work in an unsupervised capacity throughout all areas of the speciality including wards and outpatients.
10. To prioritise own work and that of others to ensure the ward/department is managed effectively.
11. To contribute to the local resolution, investigation and follow‑up action of any informal or formal complaints, taking the lead in the absence of the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse.
12. To provide specialist knowledge and expertise in a specified clinical area or speciality.

Organisational

1. Co‑ordinating the admission/reception of new patients in conjunction with the Bed Management Team.
2. Arranging in consultation with the multidisciplinary team and the Bed Manager the discharge/transfer of patients and initiating appropriate community care services.
3. Communicating and co‑operating with other wards and departments giving accurate information as required, particularly with regard to notification of incidents and accidents to staff, patients and visitors.
4. Maintaining and monitoring a safe and clean environment within the clinical area in accordance with the Trust Health and Safety, Clinical Risk and Infection Control Policies.
5. Representing the ward/department at meetings participating in audit, research, projects and co‑ordinating the appointment of link nurses for areas of clinical expertise.
6. Maintaining and monitoring levels of stock and ensuring that there are adequate supplies and that resources are used effectively.
7. Handling, checking and storing patients' cash and valuables in accordance with Trust policies.
8. Undertake the completion of the ward/department staffing rota as a delegated duty, ensuring that there are appropriate staffing levels and skill mix to meet patient care needs.
9. To take appropriate action to address unexpected changes and situations, informing the on‑call Senior Nurse or Manager as necessary.
10. To be familiar with and use the PAS system and any other computerised system integral to the running of the service.
11. To actively contribute to Clinical Governance and achieving the goals of the Service Delivery Unit and the Nursing Strategy.
12. To demonstrate a willingness to lead and motivate a team, providing clear direction and consistent leadership at all times.
13. In conjunction with the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse assist in the recruitment, selection and retention of nursing staff.

Education and Research

1. In consultation with the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse take a lead role in the education and assessment of all pre and post registration students in accordance with the University and Trust requirements.
2. Undertake the regular performance review of staff, setting clear and achievable objectives appropriate to the grade and role.
3. Ensure that all nursing staff attend mandatory training and that attendance is accurately recorded at ward/department level.
4. To be responsible for personal and professional development and practice, recognising own limitations and the need for continuing education.
5. To take a lead in initiating, implementing and evaluating new ideas and changes in clinical practice.
6. In conjunction with the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse plan and participate in the orientation of new staff and the development of junior staff.
7. Promote health education and provide appropriate information and advice to patients and their carers.
8. Participate in and lead quality initiatives to promote and ensure that nursing care is evidence and research based.

General

1. To act in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors and to be accountable for own clinical practice and professional actions at all times.
2. Ensure continued and effective registration with the NMC.
3. To have responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of self and others and to comply at all times with the requirements of the Health and Safety Policy.
4. To ensure confidentiality at all times, only releasing confidential information obtained during the course of employment to those acting in an official capacity.
5. To promote equal opportunities for staff and patients in accordance with St Georges Healthcare and University policies to ensure that no person receives less favourable treatment than another on grounds of sex, race, marital status, religion, colour, creed, nationality, ethnic or national origin or sexual orientation.
6. Be aware of and work within the policies of St Georges Healthcare NHS Trust carrying out such duties as may be required and are consistent with the responsibility of the grade.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• RN (general)
• Minimum of two years post registration experience, of which 18 months within the speciality
• Awareness of professional responsibilities
• Knowledge of current nursing issues

Organisational Management

• Ability to prioritise work and to co‑ordinate the ward or department
• Ability to assess, plan and evaluate patient care according to individual needs.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the application of leadership skills
• Has good verbal and written communication abilities

Education and Research

• Demonstrates knowledge of the application of evidence based practice
• Demonstrates an understanding of the assessment process for student nurses
• Has knowledge of performance review
• Evidence of audit or research project

General

• Motivates and demonstrates enthusiasm for the clinical speciality
• Demonstrates a caring and sensitive approach to patient care
• Adaptable and responsive to changing needs
• Able to use own initiative
• Ability to identify stress in self and others and to take effective action to manage the situation
• Clinical Leadership Programme

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Address

St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust