Staff Nurse (Band 5) Ellis Ward

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for surgical nurses to join our friendly and energetic team on Ellis Ward. We are looking for a committed, enthusiastic and self-motivated Band 5 nurse to join our well established team.

Ellis ward is a 14-bed adult female surgical ward, predominantly caring for patients undergoing treatment for breast and gynaecological cancers as well as other specialities including Colorectal, Upper GI, and Urology. We also care for patients having chemotherapy, radiotherapy and patients requiring symptom control as part of their treatment. The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal and clinical skills and enjoy working as part of a team.

We will offer you a supernumerary period designed to explore all that the ward has to offer, time allocated with the mentor and members of the various MDTs with whom we work and provide a tailor-made programme to introduce you to the ward. Although oncology experience is desirable, we provide training in order for you to develop your nursing oncology knowledge as well as developing your leadership. We offer opportunities for further education with the Royal Marsden School including skills such as chemotherapy administration. Our ward commitment is to meet the Trust’s goals of excellence in caring for our patients, their families and friends with professionalism, respect and dignity.

Main duties of the job

To plan, document, deliver and evaluate evidence-based nursing care for patients in a responsible and efficient way, which has been drawn up in conjunction with the co-ordinator of the shift

To develop a greater awareness and understanding of the needs of patients with cancer and the different treatment modalities administered within the unit.

To develop an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of managing a shift with the guidance of the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

(For further information please refer to the job description & person specification)

• To complete the first level assessment of the patient’s needs to gain an understanding of the physiological, psycho-social, spiritual and cultural needs of the patients with cancer and their families and to develop a positive, realistic and supportive attitude to ensure that the needs of the patient and family are met.
• To be aware of the side effects of any treatment in progress, and adopt a problem-solving approach to minimise the potentially adverse reactions.
• To demonstrate an enquiring, critical and research-based approach to nursing practice.
• To assist with any local or Trust initiatives to ensure the continuous improvement of the quality of services and safeguarding of high standards of care.
• To promote a safe clinical environment for all patients, visitors and staff.