Senior Sister/Charge Nurse

NHS; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Milton Keynes seeks a Senior Sister/Charge Nurse to lead the Surgical Same Day Emergency Care unit. This role requires strong leadership, clinical expertise, and commitment to patient-centered care. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in acute surgical settings and a passion for improving service quality. Benefits include a competitive salary, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Flexible working

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Significant post-registration experience in acute surgical or emergency care.
• Proven leadership and team management experience.
• Experience in managing patient flow and multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate daily operations of the Surgical SDEC unit.
• Provide expert clinical care and decision-making to the Trust.
• Participate in the development of departmental policies.

Skills

Clinical assessment skills

Leadership abilities

Communication skills

Time management

Change management

Education

Master’s qualification or equivalent

Registered Nurse

Job description

Overview

Senior Sister/Charge Nurse

Department: Surgical SDEC

Band 7 £47,810 - £54,710 per annum pro rata

Hours: 34 per week, all MKUH roles considered for flexible working

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Sister to lead our Surgical Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) Unit, a fast-paced and evolving service that delivers same-day emergency care to surgical patients. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of urgent surgical care, improve patient flow, and reduce unnecessary hospital admissions.

As Senior Sister, you will provide clinical leadership, operational oversight, and compassionate care within a multidisciplinary team. You will drive service development, ensure high standards of patient safety, and foster a culture of excellence and innovation.

You will have significant post-registration experience in acute surgical or emergency care with strong leadership skills and experience in managing teams. Demonstrable clinical assessment and decision-making abilities and a passion for delivering high-quality, patient-centred care.

Your key responsibilities will include leading and coordinating the daily operations of the Surgical SDEC unit whilst providing expert clinical care and decision-making to the Trust and to patients presenting with acute surgical conditions.

Interview date: 16 October 2025

Main duties of the job

We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute

The aim of this role is to ensure that all patients presenting with surgical 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 partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through research and education. The hospital holds a "Good" rating from the CQC and is undergoing significant investment. As a medium-sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. We are expanding facilities to meet rising demand.

We offer a growing portfolio of specialist services, including a state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre opened in January 2025, neonatology, specialist surgical care, diagnostics, and a Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre. There are plans for Oak Wards and a Women and Children’s Centre to open by 2030.

Details

Date posted: 18 September 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for Change

Band: Band 7

Salary: £47,810 – £54,710 per year pro rata

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Part-time

Location: Emergency Surgical Service (Dept), Milton Keynes, MK6 5LD

Job responsibilities

Clinical

To act as clinical expert and role model, assessing patients’ needs and planning, delivering, and evaluating a complex programme of care within the SDEC model. Communicate complex and sensitive information regarding patients and their conditions with other clinicians to enhance continuity of care when transferring into and out of the department.

Management

Participate in the development of departmental policies reflecting the Trust’s strategic plans. Plan and organise staff allocations, managing and being accountable for the SDEC team to ensure effective use of time.

Education and professional development

Participate in education and development of all staff grades. Actively lead and develop staff training to create and maintain a sustainable nursing team.

General

Work within and promote the NMC Code of Professional Conduct. Develop and promote the department’s philosophy of care and its contribution to the CSU’s overall care philosophy.

Please refer to the Job Description for further details.

Person Specification

Qualifications and knowledge

• 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 surgical 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 SDEC settings

Skills

• 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
• Excellent time management and ability to work under pressure
• Confident in change management and in challenging poor practice with constructive plans for improvement

Personal and people development

• Dynamic leadership qualities
• Effective team member; compassionate and patient-focused
• Resilient, adaptable, collaborative, and service-improvement oriented
• Able to influence and inspire others

Communication

• Excellent communication skills
• Able to represent SDEC as a clinical expert within the department and across the Trust
• Professional communication style and the ability to convey complex information clearly
• Skilled in conflict resolution and managing sensitive conversations
• Able to lead and contribute effectively to multidisciplinary meetings

Legal and regulatory

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a DBS disclosure.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer details

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Emergency Surgical Service (Dept), Milton Keynes, MK6 5LD