Junior Sister - Outpatients

NHS; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Junior Sister - Outpatients to provide nursing leadership across dermatology clinics. The post supports the Senior Sister with a team of nurses and direct patient care, ensuring high standards of practice in line with the Trust’s policies.

The role requires autonomous clinical decision-making, strong organisational skills, and ongoing professional development to improve patient experiences and outcomes.

Qualifications

• Registered nurse with dermatology experience.
• Must be able to work autonomously and make clinical decisions.
• Demonstrates leadership and staff management abilities.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Commitment to CPD and adherence to Trust policies.

Responsibilities

• Act as clinical expert in area of practice.
• Deliver care aligning with patient needs.
• Develop and review standards, policies and guidelines.
• Lead and motivate staff for service development.
• Promote evidence-based practice and clinical governance.
• Disseminate information as a Link Nurse.
• Drive multidisciplinary care pathways.
• Assist in nurse rota and HR tasks.
• Participate in auditing and research to support outcomes.
• Attend meetings and contribute to governance.

Skills

Leadership

Staff development

Clinical decision-making

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Education

Degree-level qualification

Teaching qualification

CPD/Short courses

Leadership qualification

Light therapy qualification

Job description

Go back Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Junior Sister - Outpatients

The closing date is 30 September 2026

The post holder will be responsible for supporting the Senior Sister in providing effective nursing leadership supporting a team of nurses working across a wide area of Multi‑Speciality Outpatient clinics ensuring the NMC code of conduct is at the forefront of the team's nursing care. In addition, the post holder will be required to work closely with the multi‑disciplinary team in the provision of a high standard of individualised patient care, thus improving the patient experience. The position supports a clinical role in addition to assisting in the management of operational issues. The post will incorporate the provision of care to patients, their families, and carers in accordance with the philosophy and standards of care within the clinical area; in line with Trust policies and procedures, ensuring that values and beliefs are upheld. The post holder must be a registered nurse with dermatology experience. The post holder must be able to work autonomously, and make clinical decisions, based upon this experience.

The post holder must have a high level of concentration, accuracy, and attention to detail as they are essential in the position of a Junior Sister. The Junior Sister will ensure that all relevant policies and Health and Safety protocols are adhered to.

Additionally, you will demonstrate continuing professional development, reflecting individual needs, the needs of the team, and the needs of the organisation.

Main duties of the job

1. The Junior Sister/Charge Nurse will act as a clinical expert in their area of practice.

2. Participate in the delivery of care to ensure the individual needs of the patients are met.

3. Promote the development, implementation and review of standards policies, procedures and clinical guidelines.

4. Assist in effectively leading and motivating staff in the provision of care and future service development.

5. Promote evidence based clinical practice and assist the Senior Sister in performance improvement within the unit.

6. Act as a Link Nurse resource for a specified clinical area and disseminate information to the rest of the team

7. Act as a resource in nursing practice throughout the specialities.

8. Participate in the development and implementation of multi‑disciplinary integrated care pathways for patients.

9. The Junior Sister/Charge Nurse will assist in the effective leadership within the clinical area.

10. Demonstrate up to date knowledge and understanding of current issues and priorities that effect National, Trust and Directorate wide healthcare, to facilitate clear leadership and direction.

About us

We are proud to be part of BSW Hospitals Group - a formal partnership between Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust. With a combined workforce of over 17, 600 colleagues, and budget of 1.6 billion the Group is united by a common purpose to deliver the best possible care to over 1 million people.

We are creating a health and care system that works with the people we care for, reducing the differences people currently face in access, experience and outcomes, improving the experience of our colleagues and tackling shared challenges like sustainability and finances. Every improvement we make across our Group will be guided by what creates the greatest benefit for our colleagues, our patients, our communities and our partners.

Job responsibilities

1. The Junior Sister/Charge Nurse will act as a clinical expert in their area of practice.

2. Participate in the delivery of care to ensure the individual needs of the patients are met.

3. Promote the development, implementation and review of standards policies, procedures and clinical guidelines.

4. Assist in effectively leading and motivating staff in the provision of care and future service development.

5. Promote evidence based clinical practice and assist the Senior Sister in performance improvement within the unit.

6. Act as a Link Nurse resource for a specified clinical area and disseminate information to the rest of the team

7. Act as a resource in nursing practice throughout the specialities.

8. Participate in the development and implementation of multi‑disciplinary integrated care pathways for patients.

9. The Junior Sister/Charge Nurse will assist in the effective leadership within the clinical area.

10. Demonstrate up to date knowledge and understanding of current issues and priorities that effect National, Trust and Directorate wide healthcare, to facilitate clear leadership and direction.

11. Participate in the organisational and strategic development of the clinical area.

12. Work closely with the Senior Nurse/Charge Nurse in implementing the Trust Clinical Governance and Nursing Strategy.

13. Act as a Bleep-holder in accordance with the Directorate and Trust guidelines.

14. Attend Sisters meetings and other relevant Trust-wide meetings in the absence of the Senior Sister.

15. Ensure monthly 1-1s are maintained along with the Senior Sister to ensure accuracy of information.

16. Participate in multi‑disciplinary team meetings as directed by Senior Sister.

17. The Junior Sister/Charge Nurse will ensure that audit and research is integral to their role.

18. Assist in leading and developing clinical audit and research to promote evidence based practice.

19. Assist in the collection and evaluation of data to demonstrate outcomes from nurse led initiatives.

20. Participate in initiating changes identified at clinical audit.

21. Assist the Senior Sister with the nurse rota and E Roster ensuring that it is maintained effectively.

22. Supervise the team and support the Senior Sister with all HR management tasks and ensure that they are completed in a timely manner. Tasks including 1:1s, appraisals, return to work, probationary reviews etc; and liaise with the Senior Sister when triggers or concerns are raised.

23. Attend any training identified by Senior Sister/Matron as vital to completion of role.

24. Manage light therapy and dermatology waiting lists effectively and provide monthly feedback figures.

25. Participate in the recruitment process in conjunction with the Senior Sister

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Degree-level professional qualification or equivalent professional knowledge
• Evidence of post-registration professional development
• Additional post-registration and/or postgraduate specialist training
• Teaching qualification
• Ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and attendance at relevant short courses
• A management or leadership qualification
• Light therapy qualification

Experience

• Specialist knowledge gained through a combination of formal training, education and practical experience
• Extensive clinical experience within healthcare settings
• Day-to-day operational management experience
• Experience leading, coordinating and supporting clinical teams
• Proven mentorship, supervision and staff development skills
• Ability to apply professional expertise to service delivery, workforce management and patient care
• Strong leadership and clinical decision-making skills developed through managing services and teams
• Excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrates sound understanding of personal accountability
• Time management and prioritisation skills
• Shows initiative, able to think positively and stimulate a productive team climate
• Works well under pressure
• To have an awareness of up-to-date trust projects and issues.

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.

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

£39,959 to £48,117 a yearper annum pro rata