Charge Nurse | Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking an experienced Band 6 Charge Nurse for the Surgical Assessment Unit. The ideal candidate is a strong clinical leader responsible for delivering high-quality care to patients with acute surgical needs. Key responsibilities include overseeing daily operations, mentoring junior staff, and ensuring compliance with clinical standards. This role offers an opportunity to significantly contribute to patient care and safety in a dynamic environment. Join a supportive team that values personal growth and professional development.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Supportive team environment

Diverse and inclusive workplace

Qualifications

• Experience in a senior nursing role within acute care settings.
• Ability to provide advanced clinical assessments and manage varied caseloads.
• Strong understanding of infection control, NMC standards, and Trust policies.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations and coordinate staffing in the Surgical Assessment Unit.
• Oversee and mentor junior staff while promoting teamwork.
• Contribute to quality improvement audits and compliance activities.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical assessment

Patient care

Teamwork

Communication

Education

NMC Registered Nurse Qualification

Job description

Band 6 Charge Nurse – Overview

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.

Key Responsibilities

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.

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.

Development & Training

The Charge Nurse participates in audits, incidents, and quality improvement, ensuring compliance with infection control, NMC standards, and Trust policies. They support the professional growth of junior staff through mentoring, appraisals, competencies and training, fostering a positive learning culture.

About Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

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.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

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.

This advert closes on Monday 29 Dec 2025