Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join one of our medical wards here at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital as a Band 6 junior sister/charge nurse. Edgar Horne is a 28 bedded ward with a focus on Gastroenterology and Care of the Elderly.

We are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic nurse with an interest in developing their leadership skills to join our existing team to continue to provide the highest quality patient care. We welcome applications from nurses that have at least 18 months of acute hospital experience at a band 5 level, and with a keen interest in our specialities and the development of their professional nursing career. Our team is motivated, committed and creative and want to develop in order to provide the best care we can.

Main duties of the job
Anticipate patients' care needs and coordinate their journey through the unit to ensure safe, effective and timely care.Support the Ward Manager with the day-to-day management of staffing, resources and high-quality patient care.Assess, plan, implement and evaluate individualised care in partnership with the multidisciplinary team from admission to discharge.Deliver care in accordance with the NMC Code, professional standards and Trust policies.Advocate for patients and families, ensuring their needs, preferences and concerns are appropriately addressed.Promote patient safety, safeguarding and effective escalation of clinical or operational concerns.Participate in clinical audits and implement learning to improve practice and patient outcomes.Support timely discharge planning, patient flow and reduction of avoidable length of stay.Mentor, supervise and assess students, new staff and colleagues undertaking probation.In the Ward Manager's absence, support staff performance and sickness management, including return-to-work processes.Coordinate the safe running of the unit and deputise for the Ward Manager when required.Ensure accurate and timely completion of patient records and electronic tracking systems.

About us
Our Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites--Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital--along with award-winning clinics across North West London.

Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5m, providing full clinical services including maternity, A&E and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health care. The CQC rates us Good in safety, effectiveness, care and responsiveness, and Outstanding in leadership and resource use.

We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Mid.

We are delivering sustainable healthcare through our Green Plan. In line with Greener NHS ambitions, we aim for net zero carbon emissions by 2045. Achieving this requires collective effort. We encourage staff to reduce their impact on carbon, waste and pollution wherever possible. Every action counts to create a healthier, more sustainable future.

We are committed to equal opportunities and believe diversity drives innovation and excellence. We welcome applications from the global majority, veterans and underrepresented communities, valuing the perspectives they bring

Job responsibilities
Clinical Practice

• Minimum 18 months experience as a Registered Nurse in an acute ward.
• Lead assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of safe, individualised, high-quality patient care.
• Provide clinical leadership for patients with complex needs and escalate deterioration appropriately.
• Ensure safe administration, storage and management of medicines in accordance with Trust policy.
• Maintain a safe clinical environment, adhering to infection prevention, health and safety and Trust requirements.
• Coordinate admissions, transfers and discharges to support safe patient flow and effective bed management.
• Promote compassionate, holistic end-of-life and palliative care for patients and families.
• Provide evidence-based clinical advice and guidance to staff and patients.
• Promote safeguarding, clinical governance, risk management and patient safety, ensuring concerns are documented and escalated.
• Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team and external services to provide coordinated care.
• Monitor quality of care against CQC, Trust and Divisional standards.
• Promote dignity, privacy, respect and a positive patient experience.
• Participate in audits, quality monitoring and improvement initiatives.
• Maintain a safe environment and ensure clinical equipment is used appropriately.
• Undertake risk assessments and implement safety measures, including falls prevention.
• Maintain awareness of current clinical and professional developments and promote evidence-based practice.

Leadership and Management

• Coordinate shifts, staffing levels and skill mix to maintain safe patient care.
• Act as shift coordinator and deputise for the Ward Manager when required.
• Ensure staff comply with Trust policies, clinical standards and infection prevention requirements.
• Lead, supervise and provide clinical guidance to registered nurses, healthcare support workers, students and learners.
• Act as a professional role model and clinical resource for the team.
• Maintain effective communication and working relationships across the multidisciplinary team and wider Trust.
• Support induction, orientation, preceptorship, probation and staff development.
• Support investigation and management of incidents, concerns and complaints, ensuring actions and learning are shared.
• Participate in recruitment, appraisal, performance management and staff development.
• Contribute to team meetings and lead agreed audits, projects and quality improvement initiatives.
• Support roster planning and effective use of staffing and ward resources.
• Promote cost-effective use of resources without compromising patient safety or quality.
• Support service development and implementation of changes in practice.
• Undertake senior nurse, on-call or bleep-holder responsibilities where applicable.

Education and Research

• Support education, supervision, assessment and development of staff and learners.
• Support preceptorship, pre-registration students and newly appointed staff.
• Identify learning needs and contribute to relevant training and development.
• Deliver or facilitate training based on clinical and service needs.
• Encourage development of clinical, teaching, supervisory and leadership skills.
• Contribute to training needs analysis.
• Participate in research, audit, clinical trials and service evaluation where appropriate.
• Promote evidence-based practice and application of research findings.
• Participate in clinical supervision and reflective practice.

Clinical Governance and Professional Development

• Identify clinical and operational concerns and take appropriate action or escalate when required.
• Identify opportunities to improve patient care, safety and service delivery.
• Maintain safe clinical practice and appropriately supervise junior staff.
• Contribute to risk management, incident reporting and patient safety reviews, including PSIRF where applicable.
• Respond to concerns and complaints and contribute to investigation, resolution and shared learning.
• Participate in annual appraisal and maintain an appropriate professional development plan.
• Maintain mandatory and statutory training.
• Maintain professional competence and accountability in accordance with the NMC Code.
• Undertake delegated ward management responsibilities as required.
• Use Trust electronic systems effectively and maintain accurate and timely documentation.

Communication

• Communicate effectively and professionally with patients, families, carers, colleagues and external services.
• Deliver compassionate and individualised care, respecting dignity, preferences, culture, beliefs and spiritual needs.
• Maintain effective communication between patients, families and the multidisciplinary team.
• Work with internal and external services to support patient flow and safe discharge.
• Recognise ethical issues and contribute appropriately to multidisciplinary decision-making.
• Adapt communication to individual language, cultural, cognitive, physical and mental health needs.
• Communicate complex or sensitive information compassionately and professionally.
• Support investigation and resolution of concerns and complaints, including communication with patients and relatives.

Financial and Resource Management

• Use staffing, equipment and supplies responsibly and cost-effectively, minimising waste while maintaining patient safety.
• Assess patients requiring enhanced observation or 1:1 care and escalate appropriately to the Ward Manager and Matron.
• Support effective management of ward resources and maintain awareness of budgetary responsibilities.

General Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate, timely patient records in accordance with Trust and professional standards.
• Participate in quality assurance, audit, performance monitoring and service improvement.
• Effectively balance clinical, leadership and administrative responsibilities.
• Contribute to clinical governance and review of clinical guidelines where appropriate.
• Maintain mandatory training and continuing professional development.
• Maintain a professional portfolio and participate in reflective practice.
• Keep up to date with NMC, Trust and relevant professional guidance.
• Work within own scope of competence, recognising limitations and escalating concerns appropriately.
• Demonstrate flexibility to meet service needs, including long days, nights and other required shift patterns.

Person Specification
Trust Values
Essential

• Putting patients first
• Responsive to, and supportive of, patients and staff
• Open, welcoming and honest
• Unfailingly kind, treating everyone with respect, compassion and dignity
• Unfailingly kind, treating everyone with respect, compassion and dignity Determined to develop our skills and continuously improve the quality of care

Education and Qualifications
Essential

• NMC Registered Nurse (adult)
• A Degree in Nursing or equivalent
• Post-registration teaching/mentorship qualification
• Evidence of recent professional development (within the last 12 months)

Desirable

• ILS
• Deteriorating patient course or equivalent

Experience
Essential

• A minimum of 18 months band 5 experience working on an acute ward
• Previous experience as shift leader
• Multi-disciplinary Team working
• Experience caring for patients who are end of life
• Experience caring for patients with Dementia
• Experience caring for patients with Gastroenterology or Liver Conditions

Desirable

• Previous experience in auditing
• People management experience

Skills and Knowledge
Essential

• Have the skills and knowledge to manage an emergency situation
• Demonstrates evidence of developing innovative practice and of being proactive in managing change
• Ability to utilise evidence-based practice.
• Basic IT and computer & presentation skills
• Demonstrates an understanding of the NMC Code of Professional Conduct.
• Able to undertake moving and handling duties
• Proven knowledge of safety issues through clinical governance and risk management
• Have a good knowledge in discharge planning for patients with complex needs
• Proven clinical knowledge linked to area of specialty, and excellence in care delivery

Desirable

• Ability / experience of managing change personally and as a facilitator
• Knowledge of budgets
• Experience of data collection for quality monitoring / audit
• Experience of risk management / assessment

Personal Qualities
Essential

• Effective role model, demonstrating values.
• Able to work clinically and undertake a full range of duties with regards to patient care
• Good communication and organisational skills
• Flexible to work LDs, Nights and weekends

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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).