University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Staff Nurse - Acute Surgical Unit

The closing date is 04 February 2026

Job summary

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're looking for a Senior Staff Nurse to join our busy 24 bed acute surgical ward, supporting a wide range of different specialitys that include ENT , urology , Gastroenterology and head and neck. In this role, you'll lead and coordinate nursing care, working closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure high standards of treatment, comfort, and support. You'll also take charge of patient assessments, care plans, and supervise junior staff, while mentoring and fostering their professional development. We're 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 a exciting opportunity to work in a fast paced setting and manging complex patient's 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.

Main duties of the job

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

About us

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

Details

Date posted

21 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£46,419 to £55,046 a year Per annum inclusive of HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

309-UCLH-NAT-7347

Job locations

University College London Hospital

235 Euston Road

London

NW1 2BU


Job description

Job responsibilities

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 acute/community NHS trusts in England for staff that would recommend us as a place to work.

Job description

Job responsibilities

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 acute/community NHS trusts in England for staff that would recommend us as a place to work.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Nurse Part 1,2 or relevant
  • Relevant Clinical Skills
  • BSc or working towards

Desirable

  • Teaching course

Communication

Essential

  • Communicates effectively verbally, in writing and in electronic format

Personal and People Development

Essential

  • Demonstrates evidence of professional development in line with KSF, maintains updated Portfolio
  • Demonstrates and awareness of the role or preceptor/facilitator
  • Reflective in Practice
  • Demonstrates evidence of ability to educate others

Ensure the risk of infection to self, colleagues, patients, relatives and visitors is minimised by:

Essential

  • Being familiar with, and adhering to Trust policies and guidance on infection prevention and control.
  • Completing all required training and education (both via e-learning and face to face) on infection prevention and control.
  • Including infection prevention and control as an integral part of your continuous personal/professional development and included in your annual appraisal
  • Taking personal responsibility so far as is reasonably practicable, in helping ensure that effective prevention and control of health care associated infections is embedded into everyday practice and applied consistently.

Provision of care to meet health and wellbeing needs

Essential

  • a.Articulates reasons for desire to work in these clinical areas

Experience

Essential

  • Minimum 2 years relevant clinical experience at Band 5
Person Specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Nurse Part 1,2 or relevant
  • Relevant Clinical Skills
  • BSc or working towards

Desirable

  • Teaching course

Communication

Essential

  • Communicates effectively verbally, in writing and in electronic format

Personal and People Development

Essential

  • Demonstrates evidence of professional development in line with KSF, maintains updated Portfolio
  • Demonstrates and awareness of the role or preceptor/facilitator
  • Reflective in Practice
  • Demonstrates evidence of ability to educate others

Ensure the risk of infection to self, colleagues, patients, relatives and visitors is minimised by:

Essential

  • Being familiar with, and adhering to Trust policies and guidance on infection prevention and control.
  • Completing all required training and education (both via e-learning and face to face) on infection prevention and control.
  • Including infection prevention and control as an integral part of your continuous personal/professional development and included in your annual appraisal
  • Taking personal responsibility so far as is reasonably practicable, in helping ensure that effective prevention and control of health care associated infections is embedded into everyday practice and applied consistently.

Provision of care to meet health and wellbeing needs

Essential

  • a.Articulates reasons for desire to work in these clinical areas

Experience

Essential

  • Minimum 2 years relevant clinical experience at Band 5

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).

Additional information

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 College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

University College London Hospital

235 Euston Road

London

NW1 2BU


Employer's website

https://www.uclh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

University College London Hospital

235 Euston Road

London

NW1 2BU


Employer's website

https://www.uclh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Ward Sister

Fiona Peters

Fiona.peters3@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

21 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£46,419 to £55,046 a year Per annum inclusive of HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

309-UCLH-NAT-7347

Job locations

University College London Hospital

235 Euston Road

London

NW1 2BU


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)