Junior Sister / Charge Nurse

University Hospital Southampton NHS FT; Southampton; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust in Southampton invites applications for a Junior Sister / Charge Nurse in the Surgical High Dependency Unit (SHDU). This permanent post offers a leadership role within a busy critical care environment.

You will oversee nursing practice, participate in governance, and support education and development of staff. The role involves coordinating shifts, maintaining high standards of infection control, and delivering patient‑centred care with the

Qualifications

• Qualified Nurse (Degree/Diploma).
• Registered nurse on appropriate part of the register.
• Significant post-registration experience in relevant speciality.
• Ward management experience.
• Knowledge of current issues within acute Health Service.
• Experience in an acute hospital setting.
• Evidence of supporting / mentoring learners in practice.
• Ability to demonstrate clinical decision making and judgement.

Responsibilities

• Participate in monitoring and evaluating standards of care using Essence of Care.
• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate individualised care.
• Act as team leader supervising nursing staff at Band 5 and below.
• Take charge of the ward on a regular basis.
• Liaise with patients and relatives and keep them informed of treatment and progress.
• Adopt a pro‑active role in Clinical Governance.
• Promote evidence-based practice and participate in audits/research.
• Discuss clinical developments with Matron and Senior Sister/Charge Nurse and implement beneficial changes.
• Inform Senior Sister / Charge Nurse of complaints or adverse events and actions taken.
• Ensure compliance with Infection Control standards.
• Organise reception of patients and visitors.
• Ensure patients have access to medical staff to discuss treatment.
• Arrange care of patient’s property in line with policies.
• Teach patients and relatives about treatment programmes and self-care.
• Train nurses at Band 5 and below in clinical and management skills.
• Participate in induction / in-service training of staff.
• Inform on training and development needs at appraisal.
• Participate in Continuous Assessment of Practice and competency assessments.
• Act as facilitator for staff development programmes.
• Adhere to NMC Code of Conduct.
• Assist in duty rota planning and 24‑hour nursing cover.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical governance

Infection control

Education training

Patient communication

Quality improvement

Education

Nursing degree

Registered nurse

Ward management

Acute care knowledge

Job description

Job Overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Job Overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Job Title: Junior Sister / Charge Nurse

Contract Type: Permanent

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if we receive a large number of applications.

Main duties of the job

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work in the South Coast’s largest Critical Care Unit for a Sister / Charge Nurse in Surgical High Dependency Unit (SHDU).

Critical care Unit comprises of General ICU, Neurological ICU, Cardiac ICU and Surgical High Dependency: Who are proud of their national status and reputation within Critical Care.

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.

We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 30% lower than London and 17 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

• To participate in the monitoring and evaluation of standards of care, using ‘Essence of Care’ as a framework, ensuring that Corporate and nursing objectives are achieved.
• To assess, plan, implement and evaluate individualised care, providing support to other members of the multidisciplinary team.
• To act as team leader in the supervision of the professional work of nursing staff at Band 5 and below, exercising good leadership and control.
• To take charge of the ward on a regular basis.
• To liaise with all patients and their relatives and ensure that they are kept informed of treatment and progress and to participate in the provision of advice and support.
• To adopt a pro‑active role in meeting the Clinical Governance agenda.
• To promote evidence-based practice and to take an active part in any relevant research / audits being undertaken.
• To participate in the discussion of clinical developments with the Matron and Senior Sister/Charge Nurse and to assist in the implementation of changes benefiting the standards of care to patients.
• To inform the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse of any complaints or adverse events received, reporting on what action has been taken, in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.
• To ensure compliance with Infection Control standards, in line with Trust policy.
• To organise the reception of patients and visitors in accordance with recognised procedures.
• To ensure patients and relatives have access to medical staff to discuss treatment and progress.
• To arrange the care of patient's property, with their permission, in accordance with policies and within the limitations of hospital responsibilities.
• To teach patients and relatives about continuing treatment programmes, limitations of illness or self‑monitoring of disease process and supply information about specialist self‑help agencies and to support patients and their families.
• To train nurses at Band 5 and below in clinical and management skills.
• To participate in the induction / in‑service training of staff who are new to the ward area.
• To train and supervise junior staff in collaboration with the Education and Training Team.
• To inform the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse of any training and development needs at appraisal or as identified.
• To participate in the Continuous Assessment of Practice for pre / post registration course members and the assessment of competencies.
• To act as facilitator for trained members of staff undertaking professional development programmes as necessary.
• To adhere to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code of Conduct at all times.
• To assist in the planning of duty rotas, organising 24‑hour nursing cover and adequate skill mix, acting on shortfalls in staffing levels which will affect the standards and delivery of patient care and informing Senior Sister / Charge Nurse.
• In the absence of the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse, to undertake

For an overview of the position, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification document. This includes a detailed breakdown of the key responsibilities, role expectations, and the qualifications we are looking for.

Person specification

Qualifications, Knowledge And Experience

• Qualified Nurse (Degree/Diploma)
• Registered nurse on appropriate part of the register
• Significant post registration experience / qualification / training, including experience and knowledge within relevant speciality
• Ward management experience
• Knowledge of current issues within acute Health Service
• Experience in an acute hospital setting
• Provide evidence of supporting / managing a range of learners in practice
• Provide evidence of supporting colleagues to promote effective learning in practice
• Ability to demonstrate clinical decision making and judgement

Desirable criteria

• Experience in handling adverse events and complaints
• Appraisal skills
• Act in the role of Practice Assessor or supporting the progression of learners / supporting challenges as needed
• Some insight into budget management

Trust Values and Behaviours

Essential criteria

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together