Band 6 - Junior Sister/Charge Nurse, Critical Care (ICU/HDU)

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; Watford; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Watford seeks a Band 6 Junior Sister/Charge Nurse for Critical Care. The role includes leading shifts in a busy ICU, ensuring high-quality patient care, and supporting junior staff development. Candidates must have critical care nursing experience along with a postgraduate qualification. This position offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic healthcare environment focused on innovation and staff wellbeing.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Emphasis on staff wellbeing and development

Qualifications

• Must be a Registered Nurse with NMC Registration.
• Completion of an accredited post graduate Critical Care Course (min. 60 credits) is necessary.
• Ongoing education related to Critical Care is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide high quality safe care to critically ill patients.
• Undertake shift coordination of the Intensive Care Unit.

Skills

Critical care experience

Leadership skills

Excellent communication skills

Education

Completion of an accredited post graduate Critical Care Course (minimum 60 credits)

Registered Nurse

NMC Registration

Job description

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Band 6 - Junior Sister/Charge Nurse, Critical Care (ICU/HDU)

The closing date is 11 December 2025

We are seeking a capable Band 6 Junior Sister/Charge Nurse to join our Critical Care team at West Herts NHS Trust.

Our ICU is a 19 bedded unit based at Watford General Hospital.

This role includes shift leadership of the Intensive Care.

Main duties of the job

This post holder will have completed a nationally accredited, 60 credit post graduate award in Critical Care Nursing.

They will possess extensive critical care experience and be competent in providing organ support and other common ICU interventions.

Experience of supervising junior colleagues is essential and a strong desire to promote staff development and quality care will be required.

They will be required to demonstrate a willingness to develop leadership skills as the post will include shift leadership responsibilities.

Successful candidates will also assist the Band 7's with management of their teams.

About us

With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award‑winning virtual hospital and re‑imagining models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is "Excellent patient care, together" and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance.

If you have a disability or long‑term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact [e-mail]. If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form. We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Job responsibilities

Provide high quality safe care to critically ill patients and their families and loved ones.

Undertake shift coordination of the Intensive Care Unit.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

• Registered Nurse
• NMC Registration
• Completion of an accredited post graduate Critical Care Course (minimum 60 credits) as defined in National Standards for Adult Critical Care Nurse Education (CC3N, 2016).
• Evidence of ongoing development & education related to Critical Care.
• Completion of National Competency Framework for Registered Nurses in Adult Critical Care Step one, two and three competencies (CC3N, 2015).
• Sign off Mentor or willing to undertake the course.

Knowledge

• Evidence of active involvement in developing new ways of working.
• High level clinical skills and knowledge relating to critical care nursing, including organ support.
• Up to date knowledge of relevant political and professional issues in healthcare.
• Evidence of excellent communication skills including verbal, non‑verbal and written.
• Knowledge of change management
• Demonstrate knowledge of complex operational issues such as patient flow, capacity and staffing requirements

Experience

• Experience in mentoring, assessing and supervising junior colleagues
• Substantial experience within the critical care environment.
• Ability to manage critically ill patients with highly complex therapies with minimal support.
• Demonstrate ability to support other members of staff whilst providing direct care to their allocated patients
• Evidence of contribution to department quality improvement projects

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.

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust