Staff Nurse - Surgical Wards

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS hospital is looking for a motivated Staff Nurse to join its surgical wards. You will be responsible for providing high-quality patient-centered care and collaborating effectively with a multidisciplinary team. Candidates must have an active NMC registration and demonstrate competency in handling surgical nursing duties. The role offers a competitive salary range of £37,259 to £45,356, fostering a professional and supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Strong clinical expertise relevant to surgical nursing.
• Commitment to delivering high-quality, evidence-based patient care.

Responsibilities

• Provide evidence-based, holistic care to a group of patients.
• Manage and coordinate care of patients requiring emergency and elective surgeries.

Skills

Effective communication

Collaborative teamwork

Problem-solving

Education

Registered Nurse (RN1) with active NMC registration

Job description

Staff Nurse – Surgical Wards

The closing date is 06 January 2026

Team Surgery is looking for motivated, enthusiastic nurses to join our friendly and supportive ward teams. You should have a passion for surgical nursing and a positive attitude and show professionalism, integrity, determination and dedication in your work. You must promote high quality patient centred care and establish good relationships with staff and patients, communicating effectively at all times.

Wards

Coptcoat Ward: a fast paced, 15 bedded elective general surgical ward specialising in Colorectal, Urology, Maxillo‑Facial and Bariatric Surgery. It has its own in house admissions lounge admitting patients on the day of surgery who will then return to the ward area post operatively.

Lister: 24 bed acute surgical ward specialising in the care of Colorectal, General Surgery and Urology patients. We care for patients, pre‑and post‑op, as well as trauma and ITU step‑downs.

Twining: 22 bed surgical ward caring for patients under a variety of surgical specialities including UGI, Max Fax and Orthopaedics. We aim to have a fast turnover of ambulatory patients and provide holistic care to those with longer expected length of stay.

Main duties of the job

Main duties of the role for the successful candidate include:

• To work within both the nursing and multi‑disciplinary team to provide excellent evidence based, holistic care to a group of patients.
• To take responsibility for managing and co‑ordinating the care of patients with emergency surgery diagnoses and those who require elective or semi‑elective procedures.
• To be motivated and committed to give high quality nursing care and be able to work autonomously as well as part of a team.
• To seek support and elevate any concerns through appropriate channels in a timely manner.
• To participate in supporting and supervision of student nurses and/or junior staff as required.
• To be a safe and effective practitioner able to provide patients and relatives with high quality nursing care.
• To adhere to the NMC Code of Conduct at all times.
• To adhere to Trust guidance, policies and protocols at all times.
• Participate in Trust and Care Group initiatives to develop nursing practice and support change.
• To maintain their knowledge in light of current research and developments to practice.
• Ensure their statutory and mandatory training remains up to date throughout their employment.
• To maintain strict confidentiality of staff and patient records, in line with Trust Policy.
• To adhere to infection prevention and control standards in all their work.

Full details of the role can be found in the attached Job Description.

About us

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust‑wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person‑centred, digitally‑enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

• Delivering a high standard of evidence-based care to patients.
• Ensuring good standards of care for the patient are maintained at all times.
• Take responsibility for the correct administration, safe custody and storage of drugs when appropriate.
• Ensuring own practice is in keeping with the NMC Scope of Professional Practice guidance.
• Adhering to NMC Code of Professional conduct at all times.
• Involving and supporting patients, relatives, carers and friends in the care process.
• Promoting well‑being and involving patients and relatives in health education.
• Ensuring clear and accurate written and verbal information is given at all times.
• Ensuring contemporaneous record keeping at all times.
• Seeking advice from more senior/experienced members of staff where appropriate. Assisting and supporting junior staff to enable them to assess, plan and evaluate care for patients in the department where appropriate.

Effective Team Working

• Liaising effectively with all members of the MDT to ensure patients needs are met. And to liaise with other disciplines and support staff where necessary to ensure optimal patient experience and maintain the smooth operation of the department.
• Exercising leadership and taking the initiative where appropriate.
• Providing support and advice to ward/unit staff (especially junior staff) on clinical and administrative issues.
• Keeping the unit manager / charge nurse informed of significant changes and/or anticipated problems.
• Participate in management of change to improve standard of care and communication from the acute trust to primary care.

Clinical Governance & Quality Control

• Observing a general duty of care for the health, safety and well‑being of yourself, work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital.
• To follow measures to actively manage and reduce risk to patients. Ensure formal reporting and recording of adverse incidents in line with Trust policy.
• Ensuring the rules, policies, procedures and standards of Kings College Hospital NHS Trust Foundation together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations are adhered to at all times.
• Maintaining patient confidentiality, dignity and privacy at all times.
• Adhering to the Trusts policy on valuing equality and diversity and showing due regard for each patients cultural and religious beliefs, gender, ethnicity, age and sexuality.
• Strictly adhering to the National Code of Practice on Infection Control.
• Taking responsibility for your own personal development and ensuring you remain up to date with nursing and medical knowledge and all mandatory training requirements.
• Being aware of current research and the implications for the ward/unit speciality. To participate in relevant/appropriate Trust approved research projects conducted within the department.
• Acting as a role model at all times and for all staff.
• Acting as practice supervisor and/or preceptor/mentor for junior and newly qualified staff.
• Working with appropriate members of the teaching staff to ensure effective staff development (own and others) through formal and informal teaching opportunities.
• To actively participate in your own performance appraisals
• Participating in Trust and Divisional initiatives to develop nursing practice and support change.
• Conform to Trust and department policies regarding reporting of sickness and the booking of annual leave.

General

• The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.
• To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.
• We want to be an organisation where everyone shares a commitment to delivering the very best care and feels like their contribution is valuable and valued.
• At Kings we are a kind, respectful team:
  • Kind. We show compassion and understanding and bring a positive attitude to our work
  • Respectful. We promote equality, are inclusive and honest, speaking up when needed
  • Team. We support each other, communicate openly, and are reassuringly professional
• To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.
• To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
• This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.
• All employees must hold an 'nhs.net' email account which will be the Trust's formal route for email communication.
• Everyone is responsible for promoting inclusion no matter their role or team. At Kings, we want to create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected and welcomed

Safe Guarding

• attending mandatory training on safeguarding children and adults
• familiarising themselves with the Trust's processes for reporting concerns
• reporting any safeguarding child or adult concerns appropriately

Infection Control Statement

• The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene procedures and requirements when in clinical areas.
• The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to make to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene requirements of this role.
• These requirements are set out in the National Code of Practice on Infection Control and in local policies and procedures which will be made clear during your induction and subsequent refresher training. These standards must be strictly complied with at all times.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

• Registered Nurse (RN1) with active NMC registration at time of starting appointment

Knowledge and Experience

• Clinical expertise relevant to the area

Skills and Competencies

• Ability to communicate effectively (written and verbal)
• Ability to work collaboratively with other staff members
• Ability to solve and upscale problems and issues

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.

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

£37,259 to £45,356 a yearPer Annum Including High Cost Area