Junior Sister / Charge Nurse

NHS; Houghton-le-Spring; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare provider in Houghton-le-Spring seeks a passionate Junior Sister/Charge Nurse for their ICAR unit. The role involves leading a multidisciplinary team, ensuring high-quality patient care, and effective communication. Candidates should possess a nursing degree, leadership training, and excellent communication skills. Join a trusted team where patient-centered care is a priority.

Benefits

Flexible working

Access to a Fitness Centre

Career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Must have a degree in nursing or related field.
• Experience as a Band 5 and leading a team is required.
• Must possess effective communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safe and effective nursing care for all patients.
• Supervise and support junior team members.
• Responsible for clinical and cleanliness standards in the ward.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership skills

Teamwork

Clinical teaching

Education

Degree in nursing studies or healthcare related subject

Mentorship certificate

Management and leadership training

Tools

IT packages

Job description

Go back South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Junior Sister / Charge Nurse

The closing date is 08 December 2025

An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit a motivated and enthusiastic full‑time Junior Sister/Charge Nurse for ICAR (Intermediate Care and Rehabilitation unit) based in Houghton Primary Care Centre.

ICAR is a 24‑bedded, nurse‑led rehabilitation unit, offering medical, nursing and therapy assessment and providing patient‑centred care to optimise independence, recovery and patient wellbeing.

The team includes Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Health Care Assistants, Visiting Consultant Geriatrician, Pharmacist, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Social Workers and Volunteers.

We are looking for a passionate, dynamic, and motivated individual to support the Clinical Team Manager in developing the service. You will ensure a seamless, integrated inter‑agency approach for patients that can be complex/frail and/or recovering from an acute episode of care.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for an individual who has excellent communication skills and can demonstrate effective leadership skills, someone with the desire to bring about innovation in practice.

We want you to have a passion for teamwork and developing the services offered within ICAR, and will be able to work with all members of the multidisciplinary team both across health and social care.

You will be expected to ensure safe care and day‑to‑day running of the unit in the absence of the CTM whilst supporting and developing team members to provide a high‑level quality of care to patients with complex care and rehabilitation needs.

You will be working within a service that provides in‑patient care, so will be working to a team‑based roster which covers 24 hours seven days per week, including bank holidays.

About us

Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust – There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award‑winning teams, we have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture and working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under‑represented groups. Looking after our workforce’s health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits – Fitness Centre, libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Coordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements. If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Job responsibilities

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

• To be responsible and accountable for the safe, effective and compassionate nursing care for all patients in a ward/department area.
• To exercise accountability as set out in the NMC Code.
• To supervise, support and educate junior members of the team, acting as a role model.
• Support ward/department manager to ensure organisational goals/objectives are met within ward/department.
• When taking charge of the ward/department or in the absence of the ward/department manager, be directly responsible for ensuring that clinical, professional and cleanliness standards are maintained in the entire ward/department.
• To ensure effective communication internally and externally, regarding patient care and resources.
• To comply with the trust’s vision, values and behavioural compact.

Person Specification

Physical Skills

• Ability to assist patients to move as per Trust Moving and Handling Policy.

Qualifications

• Degree in nursing studies or healthcare related subject or evidence of currently working towards this (UK equivalent).
• Mentorship certificate, Practice Assessor training or demonstrable equivalent experience.
• Management and leadership training.

Skills and Knowledge

• Awareness of national health and social care policy.
• Knowledge of best practice in area of specialism.
• Thorough understanding of expanded roles/professional practice issues.
• Clinical teaching experience.
• Ability to provide and receive complex, sensitive or contentious information, where persuasive, motivational, negotiating, training, empathic or reassurance skills are required.
• Able to work without supervision.
• Competent in the use of IT packages.
• Evidence of competency in relation to nursing practices appropriate to the post.
• Understanding of budget and financial control systems.

Experience

• Experience as a Band 5.
• Experience of leading a team.
• Evidence of innovation in practice.
• Experience of coordinating a team in caring for patients from admission to discharge.
• Expertise within the speciality.
• Experience of line management of staff.

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.

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust