Registered Nurse – Surgical Wards & High Dependency Unit (HDU)

Location: KIMS Hospital, Maidstone

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Shift Times: 07:00 – 20:30 or 20:00 – 07:30

Salary: £35,000–£39,000 per annum

Are you a passionate Registered Nurse who thrives in a fast-paced acute clinical environment? Do you have the skills and confidence to care for patients requiring enhanced monitoring and specialist interventions? Would you like to develop your expertise across both a High Dependency Unit and surgical inpatient wards within a hospital committed to exceptional patient care?

At KIMS Hospital, we are looking for a motivated and compassionate Registered Nurse to join our Surgical Wards and High Dependency Unit team. This is an exciting opportunity to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care across two complementary clinical settings, supporting patients through their surgical journey, from enhanced monitoring and stabilisation to recovery and discharge.

Working closely with a multidisciplinary team of consultants, anaesthetists, physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals, you will play a vital role in ensuring safe, effective care and excellent patient outcomes.

About the role

This varied role will give you the opportunity to use and develop your clinical skills across our HDU and surgical wards, adapting to service needs while maintaining consistently high standards of care.

Within HDU, you will care for patients requiring enhanced monitoring and interventions, including non-invasive ventilation (NIV), arterial line monitoring, central line management and vasoactive medication infusions. When HDU activity is reduced, you will work within our surgical wards, providing perioperative and postoperative nursing care, including pain management, wound care, mobilisation and discharge planning.

We are looking for a nurse who is clinically confident, adaptable and committed to continuous learning, with the ability to recognise deterioration, respond promptly and provide reassurance to patients and their families during what can be an anxious time.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver exceptional patient care: Undertake comprehensive assessments, develop individualised care plans and evaluate outcomes to ensure safe, compassionate and evidence-based nursing practice.
• Provide specialist HDU care: Monitor patients requiring enhanced clinical support, including NIV, arterial line monitoring, central venous access and vasopressor or titrated medication infusions.
• Deliver high-quality surgical nursing: Provide postoperative care, including pain management, wound and drain care, intravenous therapy, prevention of venous thromboembolism, mobilisation and discharge preparation.
• Recognise and respond to clinical deterioration: Interpret monitoring data, identify changes in patient condition and escalate concerns promptly using established clinical pathways.
• Work collaboratively to achieve excellent outcomes: Communicate effectively with the multidisciplinary team, patients and relatives, maintain accurate clinical records, and contribute to patient safety, quality improvement and ongoing professional development.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking a dedicated Registered Nurse who combines strong clinical knowledge with compassion, sound judgement and a flexible approach to working across different clinical environments.

Essential criteria

• Registered Nurse (Adult) with current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), and a nursing degree or equivalent.
• Relevant post-registration experience in an acute clinical setting, with the ability to deliver evidence-based care, recognise deterioration and manage changing clinical priorities.
• Demonstrable competence in HDU-related clinical skills, including non-invasive ventilation, arterial line management and central line care, with Step 2 or above CC3N competencies or an Intensive Care Course.

Desirable criteria

• Experience in HDU, ICU, recovery or acute surgical nursing, with experience of caring for patients requiring enhanced monitoring.
• Additional relevant skills or qualifications, such as cannulation and venepuncture, Advanced Life Support (ALS), or postgraduate study in critical care, acute care or surgical nursing.

Above all, you will share our commitment to patient-centred care, demonstrate excellent communication and teamwork, and be willing to adapt to the changing needs of both clinical areas.

Why KIMS?

At KIMS Hospital, our people are our biggest asset. We want our colleagues to feel happy, valued and supported, both in and out of the workplace. We are committed to providing a benefits package that supports emotional, financial and physical wellbeing.

As part of our team, you will benefit from:

• Competitive salary reflecting your skills and experience.
• 33 days' annual leave, plus additional time off for your birthday.
• Free secure staff parking at the hospital.
• Pension scheme to help you plan for the future.
• Private health insurance.
• Life assurance.
• Up to 40% off selected KIMS services.
• Employee Assistance Platform to support your wellbeing.

Joining KIMS means becoming part of a team that is passionate about delivering exceptional healthcare, where your contribution matters and your professional development is valued.

Ready to make a difference?

If you are a Registered Nurse looking for a rewarding opportunity to broaden your clinical experience, deliver outstanding care and make a real difference to patients across our Surgical Wards and HDU, we would love to hear from you.

Apply online today to take the next step in your nursing career with KIMS Hospital.

For an informal discussion or if you have any questions about the role, please contact Diane, Email recruitment@kims.org.uk or Telephone: 01622 237634

KIMS Hospital is a Disability Confident employer and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment where everyone is treated fairly and with respect. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to ensuring that applicants with disabilities are supported throughout the recruitment process. If you require any adjustments to support you during the application or interview process, please let us know.

Please note: All offers of employment are conditional upon the return of a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Posted 21st October 2026