Band 6 Registered Nurse

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Luton; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in the UK is seeking a Band 6 Registered Nurse. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing high-quality care in a surgical setting, supervising nursing staff, and ensuring effective patient flow. Applicants should have current NMC registration and experience in a surgical unit. The role requires excellent communication skills and the ability to manage clinical situations effectively. This position offers opportunities for professional development and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Access to high-quality training and development

Qualifications

• Post registration experience of working in a surgical setting.
• Experience of managing challenging situations to a positive outcome.
• Experience of conducting appraisals and mentoring others.

Responsibilities

• Admit day surgery and inpatients completing a comprehensive assessment.
• Act as nurse in charge and liaise with theatres to ensure appropriate patient flow.
• Provide safe, quality care to post-operative patients.

Skills

Competent in all aspects of medicine management

Venepuncture and cannulation

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Ability to prioritize and organize workload

Ability to work under pressure

Education

Current Registered Nurse with the NMC

Mentorship / Practice Supervisor & Practice Assessor Preparation or teaching qualification

Job description

Band 6 Registered Nurse

The closing date is 05 January 2026

The Surgical Short Stay Unit (SSSU) covers same day operations for patients undergoing Urology and Gynaecology procedures, as well as providing overnight care for patients undergoing General Surgery, Breast Surgery, Colorectal surgery, Trauma & Orthopaedic surgery, Maxillo- Facial surgery, ENT, Plastics and Vascular surgery.

To support and work with the Ward Manager and Theatre managers to provide effective unit management and to take regular charge of the clinical area in the absence of the ward manager.

To take responsibility for the assessments of the care needs; the development, implementation and evaluation of care to ensure the highest possible standards of care are received by patients.

To supervise and teach other nursing and non‑nursing staff, acting as an excellent clinical role model and team leader to ensure quality care is delivered to the patients.

Act as nurse in charge and liaise with theatres, recovery and other relevant services to ensure appropriate patient flow.

Support the ward managers in terms of staff performance, sickness, appraisals, training and audits.

Main duties of the job

• Admit day surgery and inpatients completing a comprehensive assessment.
• Assist in leading the department team by an appropriate management style that maintains good morale and team approach to work.
• Act as nurse in charge and liaise with theatres, recovery and other relevant services to ensure appropriate patient flow.
• Support the ward managers in terms of staff performance, sickness, appraisals, training and audits.
• Demonstrate the ability to provide safe, quality care to post‑operative patients undergoing various surgical procedures.
• Safely discharge patients ensuring they meet all day surgery criteria – nurse led. Ensuring patients have a clear understanding.
• Demonstrate and apply clinical decision‑making skills to all clinical specialties; liaise with specialist teams to create and organise post‑operative care and provide continuing care to patients post‑surgery.
• Be IV competent, venepuncture and cannulation competent.
• Perform a bladder scan, ECGs and vital observations.
• Act as a mentor to junior staff and create a positive learning culture by supporting skill acquisition and competency development.
• Provide teaching to all students and new staff as part of an ongoing development programme.
• Act up as the daily coordinator in the absence of the Ward Manager if required.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics‑led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high‑performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience – we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trust’s core values. We achieve this by using values‑based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.

Job responsibilities

See Job description for full list.

• Admit day surgery and inpatients completing a comprehensive assessment.
• Act as nurse in charge and liaise with theatres, recovery and other relevant services to ensure appropriate patient flow.
• Support the ward managers in terms of staff performance, sickness, appraisals, training and audits.
• Demonstrate the ability to provide safe, quality care to post‑operative patients undergoing various surgical procedures.
• Safely discharge patients ensuring they meet all day surgery criteria – nurse led. Ensuring patients have a clear understanding.
• Be able to manage post‑operative pain and nausea.
• Demonstrate and apply clinical decision‑making skills to all clinical specialties; liaise with specialist teams to create and organise post‑operative care and provide continuing care to patients post‑surgery.
• Be IV competent, venepuncture and cannulation competent.
• Be able to monitor catheters and when to raise concerns regarding fluid input and output.
• Perform a bladder scan, ECGs and vital observations.
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills to ensure that all information is disseminated accurately to patients, relatives, members of the multi‑disciplinary team and other departments.
• Maintain patient dignity and respect, and equality and diversity as per Trust Policies.
• Act as a mentor to junior staff and create a positive learning culture by supporting skill acquisition and competency development.
• Provide teaching to all students and new staff as part of an ongoing development programme.
• Participate in local audits.
• Act up as the daily coordinator in the absence of the Ward Manager if required.
• Carry out all relevant forms of care under supervision and, when proficient, demonstrate procedures of care; supervise junior qualified and/or unqualified staff including student nurses whilst maintaining a safe working environment.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Current Registered Nurse with the NMC
• Mentorship / Practice Supervisor & Practice Assessor Preparation or teaching qualification or working towards

Experience

• Post registration experience of working in a surgical setting
• Experience of managing challenging situations to a positive outcome
• Experience of conducting appraisals and mentoring others
• Experience of managing a team and staff performance
• Experience of managing staff capability, conduct and sickness absence at the early stages

Skills

• Competent in all aspects of medicine management
• Venepuncture and cannulation
• Ability to prioritise and organise workload
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to problem‑solve, anticipate and forward‑plan
• Ability to work under pressure and seek help when required

Personal

• Team player
• A strong desire and ability to lead the department
• Flexible

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.