Charge Nurse

NHS Scotland; Ayr; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

NHS Ayrshire and Arran invites applications for an Unscheduled Care Charge Nurse based at Ailsa Hospital. This permanent post is 36 hours per week, with shift patterns including evenings, weekends and nights.

From 1 April 2026, full-time hours reduce from 37 to 36 hours pro rata for part-time staff, without loss of earnings. UK driving licence is essential for this role and you will deliver compassionate, recovery-focused care to adults experiencing mental health crises within a rotational

Qualifications

• RNMH essential with post registration experience at staff nurse level or above.
• Post Graduate Diploma or equivalent relevant experience.
• Community experience.
• Able to work flexible hours, including availability for overnight service provision.
• Leadership skills.
• Knowledge of Mental Health Legislation.
• Organisation skills.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Time management skills.
• Able to demonstrate an ability to work with minimum supervision.

Responsibilities

• You will assess, plan, implement and evaluate evidence-based interventions for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
• Working within a rotational service that includes evenings, weekends and nights, you will provide compassionate, recovery-focused care to adults and, out of hours, support a wider range of service users which also include older adults, learning disability and CAMHS patients.
• You will work both within the Mental Health Assessment Hub and across community settings, ensuring service users receive timely and effective support in the most appropriate environment.

Skills

RNMH

Leadership

Time management

Communication skills

Organisation skills

Flexibility

Education

Post Graduate Diploma or equivalent

Job description

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

NHS Scotland

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

Who We Are

NHS Ayrshire and Arran are one of 14 territorial NHS Boards within NHS Scotland.

In support of our core purpose of Working together to achieve the healthiest life possible for everyone in Ayrshire and Arran, we are committed to a culture that is Caring, Safe, and Respectful. You will be required to work collaboratively in a safe, caring and respectful way.

To find out more about NHS Ayrshire and Arran please visit our website -

Position

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Unscheduled Care Charge Nurse based at Ailsa Hospital. This post is offered on a permanent basis.

Hours

36 hours per week.

From 1 April 2026, the working week for NHS Agenda for Change staff in Scotland will be reduced. Full-time hours will reduce from 37 to 36 hours (pro rata for part-time staff) without loss of earnings.

UK Driving Licence

A UK driving licence is essential for this role.

What You Will Do

You will assess, plan, implement and evaluate evidence-based interventions for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Working within a rotational service that includes evenings, weekends and nights, you will provide compassionate, recovery-focused care to adults and, out of hours, support a wider range of service users which also include older adults, learning disability and CAMHS patients.

You will work both within the Mental Health Assessment Hub and across community settings, ensuring service users receive timely and effective support in the most appropriate environment.

For further information on the role

Essential

Knowledge, training and/or experience required for this post:

• RNMH essential with post registration experience at staff nurse level or above.
• Post Graduate Diploma or equivalent relevant experience.
• Community experience.
• Able to work flexible hours, including availability for overnight service provision.
• Leadership skills.
• Knowledge of Mental Health Legislation.
• Organisation skills.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Time management skills.
• Able to demonstrate an ability to work with minimum supervision.

DESIRABLE

• Able to lead, manage and supervise junior staff.
• Ability to influence practice development and innovation.
• Presentation skills.
• Clinical skills at a specialist practice level.
• Knowledge of policies and procedures.