About this role
Job summary
The Senior Nurse role focuses on providing confident leadership in the care and management of complex head and neck (H&N) patients, both pre- and post-operatively, supporting them throughout their cancer journey. Florence Nightingale Ward is the specialist unit dedicated to patients with complex care needs, particularly those with tracheostomies and laryngectomies. The team delivers holistic, compassionate care, including support for patients experiencing post-treatment complications from radiotherapy and chemotherapy. and complex discharges to community.
Main duties of the job
Assess and plan care for patients with head & neck cancers, tracheostomies, and laryngectomies. Excellent & Confident to Perform and supervise tracheostomy care, suctioning, and stoma management Monitor and manage post-operative complications (bleeding, infection, airway issues). Respond to airway emergencies and participate in resuscitation. Administer medications and manage complex wound/feeding needs Lead on complex discharges Supervise Band 5 nurses and healthcare assistants; allocate workloads. Coordinate care with multidisciplinary teams (ENT, oncology, speech therapy, dietetics). Lead audits and quality improvement initiatives. Regularly take charge of the shift and manage the flow Train junior staff and students in specialist care procedures. Educate patients and families on stoma care, voice rehab, and safe discharge. Maintain accurate documentation and compliance with policies. Contribute to ward meetings, audits , Team lead , service development, and policy updates.
About us
St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey.Our sites include St George's Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).
After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.
At gesh we are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements. Applicants are encouraged to discuss any flexibility they may need during the recruitment process.
Job description Job responsibilities
Please see the attached supporting document which contains more and person specification information about the role.
Person Specification
essential Essential
NMC Registration with H&N Course
Desirable
H&N , Tracheostomy , Laryngectomy management experience minimum 1 year
Essential to role Essential
Minimum 1 year NHS Experience In H&N Surgery
Desirable
Leadership & Management minimum 1 year 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.
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 St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address St Georges NHS Trust
Black show road
Tooting
SW17 0QT
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.stgeorges.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)