Junior Sister / Charge Nurse

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Milton Keynes is seeking a Junior Sister / Charge Nurse to join their cardiac team. The role includes managing a team, assisting with cardiac procedures, and ensuring high standards of care. Applicants should have a strong clinical background with post-registration experience eligible for band 6. Flexible working hours available.

Qualifications

• Post-registration experience at band 5 is required.
• Knowledge of acute coronary syndromes is essential.
• Experience in teaching students and healthcare assistants is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage the ward and deputise for the unit manager.
• Support learning and development of all staff.
• Assist cardiologists with procedures in the catheter lab.

Skills

Communication skills

IV drug administration

Ability to work flexibly

Leadership ability

Conflict resolution

Computer literacy

Education

Evidence of further continued professional development

ALS course

First line management course

Job description

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Junior Sister / Charge Nurse

The closing date is 20 November 2025

Band 6 pro rata if part-time

Hours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

We are seeking an experienced cardiac nurse with a strong clinical background in cardiac catheter labs who is enthusiastic to further develop not only their clinical skills but have input in working alongside the Band 7 to manage a team and help progress the future development of the team and service.

You must enjoy working in a busy environment and be a true team player. The job can be physically demanding and you must be able to stand for long periods in the lab wearing lead protection. Excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills are essential. Experience within an acute setting post-registration is preferred. Training will be provided to support your Cath Lab/Cardiology career with specific competencies to support ongoing professional development.

Our Cardiac Suite comprises a catheter lab and a purpose-built recovery for up to 6 patients. We undertake Percutaneous Coronary angioplasty (PCI), diagnostic angiograms, implant loop recorders, pacemakers and defibrillators, and perform TOE and stress echoes within the lab environment.

This role is a full-time position, the Unit's core hours are Monday - Friday 8am-6.30pm and the successful candidate will work their 37.5hrs/week within those hours.

Main duties of the job

NHS Survey 2024 'Nursing and Midwifery are always learning in their job roles, rated 6.31 out of 10'.

The Cardiology department in Milton Keynes is supported by 7 Consultant Cardiologists, with a variety of specialist interests. The department is also made up of a 26 bedded cardiology ward including CCU, a cardiac investigations unit, cardiac rehabilitation service, a specialist nurse team and admin staff. The whole team are passionate about cardiology and committed to delivering an outstanding individualised experience for every patient.

The post holder is a designated deputy with continuing responsibility; he/she is designated to regularly take charge of the unit and provide effective professional and managerial leadership to all staff in the absence of the unit manager, acting as an effective role model.

He/she is expected to carry out all relevant forms of care, maintaining a high standard of nursing care within the framework of trust policies.

He/she will teach and supervise qualified and unqualified staff including basic and/or post basic students, back to nursing students, health care assistants and assistant technical officers.

To assist the cardiologists with a wide range of cardiac procedures carried out within the cardiac catheter laboratory and to co‑ordinate the services provided within the laboratory and associated day case.

About us

Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting‑edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.

As a medium‑sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.

We also offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state‑of‑the‑art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.

Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards – a new ward block featuring two 24‑bed wards – and the recently approved Women and Children’s Centre, set to open by 2030.

Job responsibilities

Clinical

• Acts always in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery (NMC) code of Conduct (ensuring colleagues also act in accordance with the code), and within the principles of the scope of professional practice and ensure other members of the team also work within these.
• Establish and maintain professional working relationships with all members of the cardiac catheterisation team and effectively contribute to the team’s continual development.

Management

• Regularly takes charge of the ward and deputises for the unit manager.
• Assists the unit manager in the effective organisation of the unit.
• Organises own time and that of junior staff and learners within the framework of clinical requirements.
• Co‑ordinates the maintenance and safe use of all equipment used on the day ward and ensures that effective systems are in place to achieve safe use of equipment in the cardiac catheterisation lab.

Systems and equipment

Must be aware of the responsibilities placed upon them under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, to ensure that the agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe working environment for patients, visitors and employees. The post holder is responsible for inputting information into electronic patient records where applicable and also into patients written records. They will comply with the Data Protection Act, Caldicott Guidelines and local policies regarding confidentiality and access to medical records, use of medical devices and all other equipment used in their clinical environment, and be able to maximise the use of Information Technology to benefit personal development and patient care.

Education

In conjunction with the unit manager, support the learning and development of all staff, creating a learning environment that ensures effective learning opportunities for all staff and students, and facilitating a range of clinical support strategies such as mentoring and clinical supervision according to university and trust guidelines.

Ensure qualified staff understand the educational objectives of all grades of staff. Participate in the education of all grades of staff, liaising with the training department.

Please refer to the job description for further details.

Person Specification

Qualifications and knowledge

• Evidence of further continued professional development.
• ALS course.
• Knowledge of up-to-date nursing and NHS issues.
• Sound knowledge of acute coronary syndromes.
• Sound knowledge of procedural techniques.
• ECG interpretation.
• Proven demonstration of informal/formal cardiology patient assessment(s).
• First line management course.

Experience

• Post‑registration experience at band 5.
• Previous experience as shift/team leader.
• Specialist requirements.
• Experience of teaching students, HCA’s and qualified staff.
• Previous cardiology/angiography/PCI experience.
• Experience in change management.
• Evidence of staff development.

Skills

• Ability to communicate clearly with patients, relatives and the multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to document clearly.
• Competency in IV drug administration.
• Keyboard skills, computer literate.
• Ability to work flexibly.
• Ability to plan a rota.

Personal and people development

• High motivation and ability to motivate others.
• Ability to work within a team and independently.
• Willingness to embark on further professional development.
• Clearly demonstrates a commitment to the development of the service.
• Managerial and leadership ability.
• Ability to resolve conflict/dispute in a non‑confrontational manner.

Communication

• Advanced communication skills.

Specific requirements

• Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.

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.