Deputy Sister/Charge Nurse

NHS; Chichester; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare institution in Chichester is seeking a Deputy Sister/Charge Nurse for a 12-month fixed-term position. The role involves providing leadership, supporting patient care in multiple units, and developing staff. Candidates should have at least 3 years of post-registration experience in an acute NHS environment and possess a degree or equivalent experience. This position offers a salary range of £38,682 to £46,580 per annum, with flexible working patterns available.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years post registration experience in an acute NHS hospital setting.
• NMC registration with current PIN required.
• Evidence of post registration development is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide visible leadership while rotating across AAU/SDEC and MDCU.
• Ensure safe standards of care through policies and procedures.
• Participate in service development and pathway improvements.

Skills

Management on non-invasive ventilation and Optiflow

Administration of blood products

Excellent interpersonal and conflict management skills

Education

Educated to degree level or equivalent experience

Mentorship course or equivalent

Job description

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Deputy Sister/Charge Nurse

The closing date is 29 December 2025

12 Month Fixed Term (Maternity Cover)

We are seeking a motivated and dynamic Band 6 Nurse to join our senior nursing team, rotating across the AAU, SDEC and the MDCU. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the leadership and ongoing development of three essential front door services.

Our purpose built SDEC, opened in August 2025, supports patients referred from medical, surgical and orthopaedic pathways, with referrals received from primary care, internal wards and clinics and the Emergency Department.

Alongside this, our 55 bedded AAU and newly developed MDCU provide rapid assessment, treatment and supported early discharge for a diverse medical population.

Please note that if you currently work for another NHS Trust or UHSussex and you are applying to accept this position as a secondment opportunity, before applying you must seek agreement and authorisation from your current Trust/Manager. Secondments can't be agreed without this approval. If you are unable to gain approval you should refrain from applying unless you wish to take this role as a fixed term position.

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25000), and any role-specific criteria.

Main duties of the job

• Provide visible and effective leadership while rotating across AAU/SDEC and MDCU
• support safe, timely and efficient patient flow through all three units
• Deliver high quality clinical assessment and care within fast paced acute environments
• Act as a role model, supporting, supervising and developing junior staff
• Contribute to maintaining staff wellbeing, team morale and a positive working culture
• Ensure safe standards of care through adherence to policies, procedures and governance processes
• Participate in service development, pathway improvement and the ongoing development of the new SDEC and MDCU services
• Work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team to support seamless patient journeys

About us

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Candidate Pack

Job responsibilities

• In conjunction with the unit sisters develop policies, protocols and procedures necessary to support practice.
• In conjunction with the unit sister take an active role in Risk Management in line with the Trusts policy, report risks appropriately and assist in ensuring controls in place.
• Assisting in setting objectives in line with Units and Corporate objectives.
• Report/action any incidents or undue occurrences reported or witnessed. Undertake appropriate investigation of clinical incidents as indicated.
• Undertake Early Learning Reviews of any clinical incidents as required, and working with the sister ensure that any resulting actions are embedded within the clinical area.
• Ensure that patient activity is monitored and that all patient information is entered into the PAS system at a timely point.

This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.

Person Specification

Professional registration

• NMC registration with current PIN

Experience/Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years post registration experience in an acute NHS hospital setting
• Minimum of 2 years post registration experience in an AAU/ED/SDEC
• Mentorship course or equivalent
• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
• Evidence of post registration development
• Extensive knowledge on the management of acutely ill patients
• Leadership qualification or evidence of study
• ALS Provider

Skills

• Management on non-invasive ventilation and Optiflow
• Management of all types of venous access devices
• Administration of blood products
• Venepuncture and cannulation
• Interpretation of diagnostic information, inclusive of ECG and ABG interpretation
• Tracheostomy/laryngectomy care
• Ability to communicate complex and potentially distressing information with all members of the MDT, patients and relatives
• Excellent interpersonal and conflict management skills
• Able to work autonomously
• Able to make decisions in unique situations and circumstances
• Evidence of participation in audit

People Management and Development

• Ability to lead and motivate a team
• Act as a positive role model
• Experience of undertaking appraisals
• Experience of supporting staff with their personal and professional development

Specific Requirements

• Experience with Careflow - inclusive of admissions, discharges and transfers

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)

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.

£38,682 to £46,580 a yearper annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time,Part-time,Job share,Flexible working