Job Description

PRUH Main Theatre is seeking a dedicated Staff Nurse to join our 12-bay recovery unit, delivering outstanding care to patients across various specialties, including general surgery, laparoscopic procedures, gynaecology, bariatrics, urology and orthopaedics and trauma, CEPOD (emergency cases), and maternity elective and emergency care. You will play a vital role in two critical phases of post-operative care:

1st Stage Recovery:

This is where patients receive immediate care as they emerge from anaesthesia. You will provide intensive one-to-one support, focusing on airway management, stabilizing observations, and addressing urgent needs such as pain control, nausea, or bleeding. You will work in close coordination with anaesthetists, surgeons and other members of the healthcare team, using advanced monitoring equipment to ensure each patient's safe transition through their per-operative journey. Patients in this stage often require rapid interventions, making this a challenging but rewarding aspect of the role.

2nd Stage Recovery:

Once patients are stable, they are moved to second stage, where your focus shifts to preparing them for discharge or transfer. Here, you will manage ongoing pain relief, wound care, hydration, mobility support, and patient education. You will liaise with families, providing clear instructions and reassurance to help patients feel confident about their recovery at home. This is very essential.

As a band 5 Recovery Nurse:

Provide expert, holistic care of a high standard to both perioperative patients and their relatives within the King's College Hospital. To take direct managerial responsibility for the clinical area in the absence of or as delegated by the senior Nurse/ Coordinator of the day. To assist in the leadership and development of an identified group of practitioners within the Department Act as a clinical resource within the Department and across the Care Group as necessary. Act as appositive role model to junior members of staff

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c1.8 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.



We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.



King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.



Main Duties & Responsibilities



Clinical Practice

To adhere to the NMC / HPC Code of Professional Conduct at all times. To demonstrate expert knowledge in recovery practice and the various recovery equipment and devices. To demonstrate clinical expertise in the care of postoperative patients, monitoring them throughout their post-operative surgical interventions and Post-Operative recovery care using the latest evidence based practice. To assess, plan, implement and evaluate the needs of patients on an ongoing basis, co-ordinating the care given by all members of the clinical team. To accurately assimilate and interpret clinical information about the patients' condition, instigate appropriate remedial action and promptly report changes. To act as a resource person to others, providing accurate information, advice and support to the multidisciplinary team, patients and their relatives. To ensure that accurate records are maintained, reflecting both, the changes in the patient's condition and the treatment delivered. To ensure that patients and their relatives are updated regularly with accurate information, and ensure that this is presented in a sensitive way and one that they understand. To ensure that Clinical Guidelines are properly implemented. To be actively involved in auditing practice in conjunction with Line Manager and practice development staff. To ensure that practice is evidence based and with support assist in the development of policies and protocols within the clinical area. To uphold high standards of perioperative care, according to existing policies and standards. To support the process of continuous quality improvement, assisting in audits, to formally evaluate standards of care and assist in the implementation of changes in the light of such findings. To organise patient transfers both within and outside the department, escorting ill patients as requested. To contribute to the health education of patients and their families, ensuring that all patients receive appropriate advice and support to maintain a healthy lifestyle. * To actively support the implementation of the Trust nursing / local perioperative strategy and uphold the ethos of the local philosophy