Senior Charge Nurse - High Dependency Unit

NHS Scotland; Paisley; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS Pension Scheme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Study bursaries

Learning and development opportunities

Flexible working options

Job summary

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is seeking a Senior Charge Nurse (Band 7) for the High Dependency Unit at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. The post provides 24-hour clinical leadership and overall responsibility for the nursing team delivering care to critically ill patients requiring organ support and specialist pathways.

The role requires substantial post-registration critical care experience, excellent communication, and the ability to lead a large multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with degree-level education or equivalent evidence of continued professional development.
• Significant post-registration experience in a critical care or related setting.
• Expert clinical knowledge and decision-making skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to lead and work effectively within a large multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to improving patient experience and maintaining high standards of clinical care.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership and maintain 24-hour responsibility for the ward area.
• Ensure safe and effective clinical practice.
• Enhance the patient experience and quality of care.
• Manage, support, and develop team performance.
• Contribute to the achievement of organisational objectives.
• Implement and monitor HAI standards and KPI audits.
• Maintain high standards of treatment and caregiving.
• Promote a positive culture, values, behaviours and skill set.
• Support equality and diversity initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Critical care experience

Clinical knowledge

Team leadership

Patient experience focus

Education

Nurse Registration (degree-level)

Job description

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 40,000 staff across a wide range of clinical and non-clinical professions and roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health services to a population of over 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included.

The Role

Senior Charge Nurse (Band 7) within the High Dependency Unit (HDU), Clyde Critical Care at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. The post involves providing 24-hour clinical leadership and overall responsibility for the nursing team delivering care to critically ill patients requiring organ support, specialist care pathways, and enhanced nursing observation.

All roles will be assessed for sponsorship eligibility in line with current Home Office requirements. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) can only issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) where these are met.

Duration, Location, and Working Pattern

Permanent, Full-time

Shift pattern - Monday - Friday

Base location - Royal Alexandra Hospital

Key Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership and maintain 24-hour responsibility for the ward area.
• Ensure safe and effective clinical practice.
• Enhance the patient experience and quality of care.
• Manage, support, and develop team performance.
• Contribute to the achievement of organisational objectives.
• Implement and monitor Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI) standards and key performance indicators, including hand hygiene and environmental audits.
• Maintain high standards of treatment and caregiving.
• Promote a positive culture, values, behaviours, and skill set within the clinical environment.
• Support and implement equality and diversity initiatives.

Knowledge, training, qualifications and/or experience required to do the job

• Registered Nurse with degree-level education or equivalent evidence of continued professional development.
• Significant relevant post-registration experience in a critical care or related setting.
• Expert clinical knowledge and decision‑making skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to lead and work effectively within a large multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated commitment to improving patient experience and maintaining high standards of clinical care.

What We Offer

We offer a wide range of supportive policies designed to enhance your employee journey, including a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary scheme and extensive learning and development opportunities.

As an NHS Scotland employee, you will be entitled to:

• A minimum of 27 days annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus public holidays
• Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, including life insurance benefits
• Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme
• Development opportunities including study bursaries, e-learning and classroom‑based courses
• Enhanced pay for working public holidays
• NHS discounts on a wide range of goods and services
• Confidential employee support and assistance, including counselling and psychological therapies

AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your application,

but your answers must be your own.

• Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
• Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
• Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI‑generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.

Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you, not an AI tool.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) recognises the importance of work‑life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full‑time hours can be accommodated, and where the tenure is listed as “various”, we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. Flexible working will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community

We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and are proud of the diverse workforce we employ.

By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from across the Armed Forces Community and recognise military skills, experience and qualifications throughout the recruitment and selection process.