Job summary
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Job Title: Staff Nurse - Day Surgery Unit/Recovery
Contract Type: Permanent and 12 months Fixed Term
Purpose for Fixed Term: Sickness Absence

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if we receive a large number of applications.

Main duties of the job
This is an exciting opportunity to join our small, friendly, and supportive team, delivering high-quality care to patients undergoing day surgery procedures. The role offers a varied and dynamic working environment where you will be supported to develop your clinical and recovery nursing skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide safe, high-quality care to patients in the immediate post-operative recovery phase
• Monitor and assess patients following anaesthesia, ensuring early recognition of deterioration
• Work collaboratively with anaesthetists, surgeons, and the wider multidisciplinary team
• Support patients through their surgical journey, ensuring a positive experience
• Participate in maintaining high standards of infection prevention, patient safety, and documentation

About us
As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated 'Good' by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.

We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 30% lower than London and 17 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

Details
Date posted: 22 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: Depending on experience
£32,073 - £39,043 per annum pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
Reference number: 188-NM090926
Job locations: Princess Anne Hospital, Coxford Road, Southampton, SO16 5YA, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
In this role, your key responsibilities will include delivering high-quality patient care within the Day Surgery Unit and Recovery service, supporting patients throughout their perioperative journey, and contributing to a positive and collaborative team environment. You will benefit from:

• A welcoming and supportive team environment
• Opportunities to develop and enhance your recovery and perioperative skills
• Exposure to a wide range of surgical specialties
• Ongoing support for professional development

This post is ideal for a nurse looking to expand their experience in recovery nursing while contributing to a team that values collaboration, learning, and high standards of care.

Essential Requirements

• Registered Nurse (NMC registered)
• Previous Recovery experience is desirable
• Ability to work effectively within a team in a fast-paced environment
• Strong communication and organisational skills
• Commitment to delivering compassionate, patient-centred care

Person Specification
Trust Values
Essential

• Patients First
• Working Together
• Always Improving

Qualifications, knowledge and experience
Essential

• Qualified Nurse (Degree/Diploma)
• Registered nurse on appropriate part of the register
• Knowledge of current issues within acute Health Service
• Understanding of personal accountability
• Knowledge of own role within the team
• Provide evidence of teaching and supporting learners in practice in the role of practice supervisor
• Awareness of evidence-based practice
• Awareness of responsibilities for management of infection control
• Evidence of on-going personal development
• Able to use initiative

Desirable

• Evidence of recent study
• Previous experience/qualification in relevant specialty
• Teaching experience

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
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).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust
Address: Princess Anne Hospital, Coxford Road, Southampton, SO16 5YA, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Recovery Manager
Valentina Burnett
valentina.burnett@uhs.nhs.uk
02381206311

Supporting documents
Privacy notice
University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)

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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.