Senior Staff Nurse Chemotherapy Day Unit
Guy’s and St Thomas’ is among the UK’s busiest and most successful NHS foundation trusts. We provide a full range of hospital and community services for people in south London and as well as specialist care for patients from further afield including cancer, renal, orthopaedic, respiratory and cardiovascular services.
Guy’s is home to the largest dental school in Europe and a £160 million Cancer Centre opened in 2016. As part of our commitment to provide care closer to home, in 2017 we also opened a cancer centre and a kidney treatment centre at Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup.St Thomas’ has one of the largest critical care units in the UK and one of the busiest emergency departments in London. It is also home to Evelina London Children’s Hospital.
Evelina London cares for local children in Lambeth and Southwark and provides specialist services across south east England including cardiac, renal and critical care services. We lead a number of specialist service networks aiming to ensure children are treated locally where possible, but have access to specialist expertise when they need it.Our community services include health visiting, school nursing and support for families of children with long-term conditions.
Our adult community services teams deliver care at the heart of the local communities we serve, working in partnership with GPs, local authorities and other healthcare and voluntary sector organisations. Working with our partners in Lambeth and Southwark, we are focusing on new ways of working to improve care for local patients.
In February 2021 the Royal Brompton and Harefield joined Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, bringing together world-leading expertise in the care and research of heart and lung disease. Our merger provides a once in a generation opportunity to build a lasting, world-renowned heart and lung centre, providing the highest quality care for patients and conducting world-leading research.
We have a reputation for clinical excellence and high quality teaching and research. We are part of King’s Health Partners, one of eight accredited UK academic health sciences centres. In partnership with King’s College London we have dedicated clinical research facilities including an MHRA accredited Phase I clinical trials unit.
Patients are at the heart of everything we do and we pride ourselves on ensuring the best possible patient experience as well as safe, high quality care. We are proud to have one of the lowest mortality rates in the NHS. Following a comprehensive Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in 2019 we maintained our overall rating of ‘good’.Our adult community services achieved a rating of ‘outstanding’.
The commitment of our 23,500 staff is key to our success. We are one of the largest local employers and we aim to develop and support all our staff so they are able to deliver high quality, safe and efficient care. The 2019 NHS staff survey results show that we have one of the most engaged and motivated workforces in the NHS.We know this has a positive impact on the care provided to our patients.
We have one of the most ambitious capital investment programmes anywhere in the NHS.
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, motivated, experienced nurse to join our Chemotherapy team as a Senior Staff Nurse, Band 6. We are looking for committed individuals with excellent organisational and interpersonal skills, who have a genuine interest in working with oncology and haematology to join our team.We are dedicated to training and developing our staff in their chosen field.
The successful applicant needs to be experienced in the administration of SACT (systemic anti-cancer therapy) and supporting patients and their families with a cancer diagnosis. This is a great opportunity to build confidence with chemo administration and gain further insight into the working of a day unit.
The successful candidate will be expected to work four 9.5 hour shifts per week, current working hours are Monday to Friday 08:00-18:00 Guy's site and 08:30-18:30 Queen Mary's Hospital site. The candidate would be also be rostered for several late shifts per month.We are currently closed weekends though do cover bank holidays.
Please contact us to discuss the job role. Informal visits are highly encouraged and can be facilitated at both sites.
Closing Date : 27th April MidnightInterview Date: Thursday 1st May 2025
Main duties of the job
Main duties of the job involves day to day administration of SACT and supportive therapies including intravenous, sub-cutaneous and oral handouts. A senior staff nurse would also be rostered to take charge of the unit, conduct pre-treatment consultations and assist with the scheduling of appointments.The role includes working with junior members of staff, as well as supervising the completion of other areas SACT competencies.
Working for our organisation
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK’s best known hospitals – Guy’s, St Thomas’, Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield – as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation.
We are among the UK’s busiest, most successful foundation trusts. We provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark.
We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and – as part of King’s Health Partners – we are one of England’s eight academic health sciences centres, bringing together world-class clinical services, teaching and research.We have one of the National Institute for Health Research’s biomedical research centres, established with King’s College London in 2007, as well as dedicated clinical research facilities.
We have around 23,500 staff, making us one of the largest NHS Trusts in the country and one of the biggest employers locally. We aim to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and continue to develop new and existing partnerships with local people, patients, neighbouring NHS organisations, local authorities and charitable bodies and GPs.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Duties and Responsibilities
Clinical and Patient Care
Independently manage a group of patients within the specialty whilst working as part of the multidisciplinary team, delivering individualised and personalised direct patient care
Demonstrate appropriate practice and specialist advice in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care. This includes history taking, physical examination and the requesting of agreed diagnostic procedures/clinical investigations.
Responsible for the correct administration of prescribed medication including transfusion of blood and blood products
Be responsible for assessing and recognising emergencies in the speciality. To interpret information and take appropriate action and to lead others to do the same.
Act as an advocate for patients within the department, to ensure a patient orientated approach to the delivery of care and to meet standards within the NHS Plan and other relevant guidelines.
Ensure that patients’ receive high quality clinical care and a good patient experience, having regard for their customs, religious beliefs and doctrines.
Recognise and avoid situations that may be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the individuals.
To provide leadership, support and guidance to staff in monitoring the planning delivery and evaluation of individualised care.
Is wholly accountable for his / her practice in line with the NMC code of professional conduct and takes every reasonable opportunity to sustain and improve his / her knowledge and professional competence.
Ensure safe and effective care for complex patients requiring advance clinical skills and responsible for carrying out specialist nursing procedures to area.
To be responsible, for maintaining a safe environment for patients, visitors and other staff within the clinical environment.
Ensure that sensitive patient records are stored appropriately.
Ensures the cultural and spiritual needs of patients are recognised and accommodated within resources available.
Support and enable patients and carers to make informed decisions relating to their treatment and management.
Participate in case conferences in relation to the management of patients, ensuring the coordination of ongoing care.
Ensure staff take precautions to minimise the risk of cross infection in relation to the safe disposal of body fluids (including blood).
A key member of the multidisciplinary team in supporting patients and their carers during the delivery of bad news such as caring for the terminally ill patients and the event of death.
Assess educational and information needs for patients and families, and devise plans to ensure need are met.
To be an effective communicator with patients/carers/families regarding disease treatment and management.
Promote high quality clinical care, and assist in the development of the specialist service, through the use of evidence based practice and clinical standards
Provide a seamless, high quality service from referral through to assessment, diagnosis, treatment and review.
Quality
Facilitate a high quality, cost effective specialist service through monitoring and audit and other quality initiatives agreed by the Trust
Lead on and participate in key developments relating to the specialty so that high quality patient focused services are promoted.
Enhance the interface between staff, patients, community staff and visitors
Develop and utilise information systems to aid regular audit of the clinical role and to provide a quarterly incidence report for the Health Authority and an annual activity analysis and speciality report.
Attend and participate in multi-professional team meetings.
Set, monitor and review standards of care on a regular basis and initiate corrective action plans
Identify and intervene where circumstances contribute to an unsafe environment for patients and staff. To bring instances to the attention of the Sister/Charge Nurse for the area.
Education and Leadership
Ensure that the learning environment and specialist training is appropriate for both pre and post registration learners and participate in the development of appropriate programmes
Contribute in the Trust’s clinical supervision programme for staff
Identify and raise awareness of the educational needs of patients and carers and implement appropriate education programmes
Support and participate in education and training programmes and develop training packages as required.
To assist the Sister/Charge Nurse in developing a culture that is challenging, stimulating, rewarding and supportive.
Actively participating in the selection, training, and supervision of the NVQ Clinical Support Workers and ensure that all staff are aware of the assessment process.
Assess the need for, plan and implement suitable staff development programmes for nursing staff within clinical area to ensure the effective care of all patients.
Assist the Sister/Charge nurse to ensure that all students and newly appointed staff have identified mentors/preceptors.
To act as mentor/assessor to unqualified staff and to provide education, advice and support to a team of nurses.
Ensuring within mentorship that student nurses and post-registration students allocated to the area are given appropriate teaching, support and guidance, in accordance with clinical area/personal objectives and that all documentation is complete.
Contribute and assist the Sister/Charge Nurse to foster a learning environment within the clinical area.
To participate in education on a national and international level by attending, presenting at, and/or assisting in the coordination of study days/seminars/conferences etc.
Be aware of the local equipment training programme for staff in relation to the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts and maintain training records.
Management and Leadership
Provide a leadership role model and demonstrate specialist knowledge and high standards of clinical practice and provide support or advice when necessary.
Develop the role according to patients changing needs and research findings, within the resources available.
Maintain accurate records of the clinical service and ensuring that confidentiality of information is adhered to.
Organise own work and manage own caseload and practice, identifying and maintaining supportive networks for self and other staff members.
To be fully aware of the targets set out in the NHS Plan and Corporate & Directorates objectives and in conjunction with the multi-professional team use the available resources to meet these targets.
Provide specialist education to members of the clinical team, which facilitates learning and individual personal development.
In co-ordinating the day-to-day management of the clinical area, delegates duties and care appropriately whilst maintaining overall responsibility.
Ensures that staffing and skill mix is maintained, at all times, to a level that does not compromise patient safety.
Responsible for the assessment and subsequent ordering of bank and agency staff within the clinical area including being an authorised signatory for temporary staff
To be involved in the development, assessment and implementation of guidelines, protocols and pathways.
Person specification
Values and Behaviour
Essential criteria- Values and Behaviour
Skills
Essential criteria- Ability to assess, plan, implement and review care for cancer patients and providing advice
- In depth drugs knowledge
- Up to date knowledge of current clinical and professional issues. Knowledge of evidence based practice.
- Demonstrates specialist expertise underpinned by theory acquired through CPD
Qualifications/ Education
Essential criteria- Post registration qualification in oncology/haematology - SACT competent
- Mentorship/Teaching Qualification
- RN1/ RN2/ RN12 or RN Child Registered Nurse on the NMC register. To hold the appropriate level for the area of speciality
- Leadership qualification
Experience
Essential criteria- Experience of teaching/assessing/ supervising others in a clinical setting.
- Previous post registration experience within the oncology directorate
Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or study’s at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity , gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.
Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. Equality of opportunity is our policy.
As an organisation we are committed to developing our services in ways that best suit the needs of our patients. This means that some staff groups will increasingly be asked to work a more flexible shift pattern so that we can offer services in the evenings or at weekends.
Flexible working
We are committed to supporting all employees to achieve a healthy work life balance and to work in a way that is best for them and our patients. We will consider all requests to work flexibly, taking in to account the individual’s personal circumstances as well the needs of the service.We encourage all prospective applicants to discuss their individual circumstances with the recruiting manager as part of the on-boarding process.
Your e-mail address is important to us - We communicate to all job applicants via the e-mail address which has been provided on the application form. Please ensure that you check your e-mail on a regular basis.
Please apply for this post by clicking "Apply Online Now."