SDEC Operational Senior Sister/Senior Charge Nurse

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 57,000; Part time

Job summary

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Senior Sister/Senior Charge Nurse (Band 7) to lead the Same Day Emergency Care team. The role offers a pro rata salary and flexibility for part-time working.

The post requires strong nursing leadership, clinical expertise, and the ability to coordinate multidisciplinary care while focusing on patient experience and safety. Interview week commencing 09 November 2026.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with current UK registration and NMC oversight.
• Master's qualification or equivalent experience is desirable.
• Experience leading nursing teams in acute/ED settings is essential.

Responsibilities

• Act as clinical expert and role model in SDEC.
• Plan and organise staff allocations for the SDEC team.
• Lead staff development to sustain a high-quality nursing workforce.
• Promote patient safety, evidence-based care and continuity across the Trust.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical assessment

Team management

Communication

Change management

Education

Registered Nurse

Master's qualification

NMC Registration

Teaching qualification

Tools

Clinical systems

Job description

Job summary

Same - Day Emergency Care (SDEC) Senior Sister/ Senior Charge Nurse Band 7 £49,387- £ 56,515 per annum pro rata 15 hours per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

Interview date: week commencing 09 November 2026

The post holder will be responsible in managing and leading all nursing staff to deliver the highest standards of care in SDEC. The post holder will manage the front door specialist services such as Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT), Veno-thromboembolism (VTE), Anticoagulant Bridging Clinic and Planned Care Unit.

If you have a strong focus on improving patient experience and care and you are able to work inter professionally across boundaries, we are keen to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

This team always knows what their work responsibilities are, scoring 93%.

The aim of this role is to ensure that all patients presenting with medical conditions receive rapid assessment and treatment within the same day, in line with national SDEC standards. The post holder will lead by example in delivering safe, evidence-based care, supporting clinical decision-making and promoting best practice across the multidisciplinary team. The post holder will identify opportunities for innovation and lead quality improvement initiatives to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of the SDEC model.

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 are also proud to 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 also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre. We have just opened the Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards.

Further investment is underway, including the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.

Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital.

For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes

Date posted: 16 October 2026

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 7

Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year per annum pro rata

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Part-time

Reference number: 430-MED26-944A

Job responsibilities

• Clinical: To act as clinical expert and role model, assessing patients needs and then planning, delivering, and evaluating a complex programme of care for them within the SDEC model of care. To communicate complex and sensitive information regarding patients and their medical conditions with other clinicians within the Trust, to enhance continuity of patient care when transferring into and out of the department.
• Management: To participate in the development of the departments policies ensuring that they reflect the strategic plans of the Trust. Plan and organise staff allocations, managing and being accountable for the SDEC team to ensure effective use of allotted time.
• Education and professional development: To participate in the education and development of all grades of staff. To actively lead and develop staff training to create and maintain a sustainable nursing team.
• General: To work within and promote the NMC Code of Professional Conduct. To continually develop and promote the departments philosophy of care and its contribution to the CSUs overall philosophy of care.

Person specification

Qualifications and knowledge

Essential:

• Registered Nurse
• Master's qualification or equivalent level of qualification or experience
• Awareness of relevant national guidelines and regulatory requirements

Desirable:

• Recognised teaching qualification
• Patient Assessment course
• Non-medical prescribing

Experience

Essential:

• Significant post-registration experience in acute medicine or emergency care
• Proven leadership and team management experience
• Experience in managing patient flow and coordinating multidisciplinary teams
• Involvement in service development or quality improvement projects

Desirable:

• Experience in ambulatory care or Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) settings

Skills

Essential:

• Excellent clinical assessment and decision-making skills
• Strong leadership and communication abilities
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Competent in using clinical systems and digital tools
• Strong leadership ability
• Excellent time management
• Able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Confident in the management of change
• Able to challenge poor practice and provide constructive plans for improvement

Desirable:

• Previous budgetary experience

Personal and people development

Essential:

• Dynamic leadership qualities
• Effective team member
• Committed to celebrating success
• Compassionate and patient-focused
• Resilient and adaptable
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Committed to professional development and service improvement
• Able to influence and inspire others

Communication

Essential:

• Excellent communication skills
• Able to represent SDEC as a clinical expert both within the department and across the Trust
• Professional image and communication style
• Ability to communicate complex clinical information clearly to patients, families, and colleagues
• Skilled in conflict resolution and managing sensitive conversations
• Able to lead and contribute effectively to multidisciplinary meetings

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name: Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address: SDEC (Dept), Standing Way, Milton Keynes, MK6 5LD, United Kingdom

Employer's website: https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/working-at-mkuh

For questions about the job, contact:

Medical Matron, Annie Sarmiento, [e-mail], 01908996441