Charge Nurse

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS healthcare provider is looking for a Charge Nurse to lead the Surgical Assessment Unit in Manchester. This senior role involves overseeing clinical operations, managing patient care, and supporting junior staff. The ideal candidate will have extensive nursing experience, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to high-quality patient care. The position offers a salary range of £38,682 to £46,580 per year, with opportunities for professional development and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Collaborative work environment

Inclusive employer policies

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years experience as Band 5 nurse.
• Understanding of clinical audits and quality improvement.
• Ability to support and mentor junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide visible clinical leadership and support staff.
• Lead clinical decision-making and manage patient care pathways.
• Participate in audits and promote a positive learning culture.

Skills

Leadership

Advanced clinical assessment

Patient-centered care

Triage

Teamwork

Education

Registered Nurse qualification

Job description

Charge Nurse

The closing date is 29 December 2025

The Band 6 Charge Nurse is a senior clinical leader within the Surgical Assessment Unit (SAU), responsible for ensuring the safe and effective delivery of high‑quality care to patients with acute and urgent surgical needs. They provide advanced clinical assessment, prioritisation, and management of a varied caseload, supporting rapid diagnostics, timely decision‑making, and smooth patient flow through the unit.

As shift leader, the Charge Nurse oversees daily operations, coordinating staffing, resources, and patient pathways to maintain a safe and organised environment. They act as a key point of contact for the multidisciplinary team—including surgeons, anaesthetists, radiology, advanced practitioners, and bed management—to facilitate seamless, patient‑centred care and minimise delays in treatment, admission, or discharge.

The role demands strong leadership, advanced clinical competence, and the ability to respond effectively to rapidly changing situations. The Charge Nurse supports and develops junior staff, promotes teamwork, and upholds professional standards. They contribute to clinical governance, quality improvement, and service development, ensuring practice aligns with Trust policies, safety priorities, and national guidelines. Ultimately, the Band 6 Charge Nurse plays a vital role in maintaining clinical safety, improving patient experience, and supporting the efficient running of the Surgical Assessment Unit.

Main duties of the job

The Band 6 Charge Nurse provides visible clinical leadership within the Surgical Assessment Unit, acting as a role model and supporting staff in caring for acutely unwell surgical patients. They lead clinical decision‑making, undertake advanced assessments, initiate care pathways, and ensure safe triage and early recognition of deterioration using NEWS2 and sepsis protocols. The role includes delivering high‑quality care such as surgical pre‑assessment, wound care, IV therapies, catheterisation, pain management, and pre‑operative preparation. They support timely investigations, communicate effectively with patients and families, and advocate for safe discharge or admission.

As shift leader, the Charge Nurse oversees daily operations, coordinating staffing, resources, documentation, and patient flow to maintain a safe and efficient unit. They manage equipment and stock, contribute to rota planning, and support the Matron or Unit Manager in service delivery. The role involves supervising and mentoring junior staff, supporting appraisals, competencies, and training, and promoting a positive learning culture. They participate in audits, incidents, and quality improvement, ensuring compliance with infection control, NMC standards, and Trust policies.

About us

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward‑thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement. Whether you’re beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working – empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.

You’ll be part of a collaborative, multi‑disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives. At MFT, you’ll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.

Your journey at MFT is more than a job – it’s an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We’ll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Job responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that you’re even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, you’ll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guide that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information you’ll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU for our patients, our communities, and each other.

As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application – especially personal statements and responses to role‑specific questions – is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Diversity Matters

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Person Specification

Application form and interview

• Band 5 for at least 2 years
• Has understanding and knowledge of the role of a band 6 supporting a ward manager
• Contributed to improvement work
• Contributed/shows understanding of the importance of clinical audits

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.

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

£38,682 to £46,580 a year (pro rata)