Junior Sister

NHS; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable National Health Service organization in Sunderland is searching for a skilled Junior Sister/Charge Nurse to join their ophthalmology team. The successful candidate will manage patient care, oversee junior staff, and ensure adherence to safety protocols. This role offers a competitive salary range of £38,682 to £46,580 per annum (pro-rata for 18.75 hours per week) and represents an exciting opportunity to contribute to a dedicated eye hospital launching in Spring 2026.

Benefits

Access to fitness centre

Career progression opportunities

Support for childcare arrangements

Qualifications

• NMC registered adult nurse with Band 6 level qualifications.
• Experience leading a team and coordinating patient care.
• Competent in nursing practices relevant to ophthalmology.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safe and compassionate nursing care for all patients.
• Supervise and mentor junior staff and students.
• Oversee patient flow and ensure safety compliance.

Skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Clinical assessment

Team coordination

Education

Degree in nursing

Mentorship certificate

Management and leadership training

Tools

IT skills

Job description

Junior Sister/Charge Nurse

Go back South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 02 February 2026

There are so many reasons to join our Ophthalmology team at STSFT. Aside from our fantastic staff, we have lots of exciting things going on. Our plans for our Eye Hospital in Sunderland are taking shape and will be our new home in Spring 2026. The new hospital means Sunderland will remain home to the region’s only dedicated standalone eye hospital. It will strengthen our excellent reputation across the NHS, both regionally and nationally as a centre of excellence for ophthalmology care.

We also never stay still when it comes to discovering new and better treatments. As one of the few specialist eye hospitals in the country, research and using developing technology is a key part of our work. We encourage innovation and research in everything we do. There is always something to get involved in. If you share our vision for “excellence in all that we do”, we'd love you to join us!

We are looking for an enthusiastic 1st level NMC registered adult band 6 Nurse to join our team on Haygarth Ward. Haygarth Ward is a 24/7 22‑bedded ward service with a multidisciplinary team providing holistic care for a large group of patients with varying ophthalmic conditions. We are a large team which includes Registered Nurses, Healthcare Assistants, Ophthalmologists, Ward Doctors and Admin. Moving to our New Eye Hospital we will be responsible for an 8‑bedded inpatient ward; a 10‑bedded day of surgery admissions unit; a treatment and investigations unit and an outpatient pre‑assessment unit.

Main duties of the job

The Ophthalmology Directorate at STSFT is nationally and internationally recognised for excellence in Ophthalmology, providing specialist services in Cataract, Medical Retina, Glaucoma, Ocular Motility, Paediatrics and Oculoplastic Surgery. We are seeking a dynamic, motivated Band 6 NMC Registered Adult Nurse to join our team.

You will be an excellent communicator with proven leadership skills, able to motivate and support nursing staff. Primarily based in our Day of Surgery Unit (DOSA), you will oversee patient flow from admission through discharge, allocate staff based on acuity and skill mix, and ensure compliance with safety standards, checklists and infection control.

Clinical duties include patient assessment, pre‑op preparation, medication support, discharge planning and acting as clinical lead in emergencies. You will supervise and mentor Band 5 nurses, HCAs and students, lead handovers and address skill gaps. Key responsibilities include adherence to WHO checklists, LocSSIPs, fasting protocols, risk assessments and incident reporting. You will coordinate with theatres, anaesthetics, surgical teams and pharmacy to maintain safe, efficient care. When holding the senior nurse bleep, you will respond to clinical queries, support rapid decision‑making and attend emergencies. Weekday working is standard, with occasional weekend cover for senior duties.

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 / 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 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 (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co‑ordinator 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, is 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 trusts vision, values and behavioural compact.

Person Specification

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.

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.

Physical Skills

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

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

£38,682 to £46,580 a year pro‑rata (18.75 hours per week)