Senior Staff Nurse - Acute Surgical Unit

Overview

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Senior Staff Nurse - Acute Surgical Unit

The closing date is 04 February 2026

Are you an experienced nurse with a strong interest in looking after surgical patients including patients with altered airways within a busy Acute Surgical Unit? We are looking for a Senior Staff Nurse to join our busy 24-bed acute surgical ward, supporting a wide range of different specialties that include ENT, urology, Gastroenterology and head and neck. In this role, you will lead and coordinate nursing care, working closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure high standards of treatment, comfort, and support.

You will take charge of patient assessments, care plans, and supervise junior staff, while mentoring and fostering their professional development. We are seeking someone with strong leadership skills, experience in looking after altered airway patients and the ability to manage complex patient needs in a fast-paced environment. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced setting and manage complex patient needs.

You will use your expertise in altered airway management, acute deterioration and post-operative care while supporting and guiding junior staff. In return, we offer a collaborative, supportive team, a competitive salary, continuous professional development, and opportunities for career advancement.

• Lead Patient Care
• Patient Assessments:
  Perform thorough assessments of different surgical specialties, including clinical evaluation, pain management, and monitoring of progress.
• Develop Care Plans:
  Create and implement comprehensive, individualized care plans in collaboration with medical and multidisciplinary teams.
• Supervise and Mentor:
  Oversee junior nursing staff, providing guidance, mentorship, and training to foster professional development and improve patient care.
• Support Multidisciplinary
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Work closely with orthopaedic surgeons, physiotherapists, and other healthcare professionals to deliver holistic care to trauma patients.
• Manage Complex Cases:
  Take the lead in managing complex or emergency trauma cases, making critical clinical decisions and prioritising care needs.
• Ensure Compliance:
  Maintain high standards of practice, adhering to trust policies, clinical guidelines, and legal regulations. Participate in clinical audits and quality assurance initiatives.
• Emergency Response:
  Be prepared to respond to emergencies quickly and effectively in high-pressure situations, ensuring that appropriate care is provided immediately.
• Altered Airway Trained:
  Deliver high-quality, evidence-based nursing care to patients with altered airway. Be prepared to teach junior staff how to look after altered airway patients.

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.

We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

• University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
• National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
• Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
• University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
• Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
• University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
• The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
• University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world-class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net-zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net-zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*

UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! :
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

* In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the second year in a row.

UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Once again, UCLH has received the highest score of all general acute and…