Senior Sister/Senior Charge Nurse - Critical Care - NCCU

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare provider in Cambridge seeks a Senior Critical Care Nurse to lead the nursing team in delivering high-quality care to critically ill patients. Responsibilities include coordinating patient admission, supporting education programs, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. The role offers excellent career development opportunities and a vibrant work environment, ideal for those passionate about critical care nursing.

Benefits

Career and development opportunities

Flexible working arrangements

Reduced-cost bus travel

On-site leisure facilities

24/7 hot food availability

Qualifications

• Registered nurse with experience in critical care.
• Ability to lead and manage a nursing team effectively.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate nursing care for critically ill patients.
• Support development programs and facilitate staff education.
• Optimize patient admission and transfer processes.

Skills

Critical care nursing

Leadership

Team coordination

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Education

Nursing degree

Job description

A vacancy at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Overview

Senior critical care nurse to join as Senior Sister/Charge Nurse in the Neuro‑Critical Care Unit. The unit has 27 beds and manages acute brain injury patients and provides acute neurosurgical services for East Anglia. It is part of the East of England Major Trauma Centre, one of the largest trauma networks in England.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and coordinate the nursing team to deliver safe, effective, high‑quality care for critically ill patients and their families.
• Develop nursing practice within the unit and collaborate closely with senior medical and allied professionals.
• Operate the critical‑care coordinator bleep, optimising patient admissions and transfers, balancing safe staffing and sharing the position with other hospital sites.
• Assist in the coordination of co‑ordination of multidisciplinary care and ensuring continuity of care across the critical‑care pathway.
• Support local education, leadership and development programmes and facilitate courses at degree or masters level for staff.

Eligibility & Recruitment

Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full‑time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa unless they have:
• Applied for a Graduate Visa
• Completed their course and applied for a Graduate Visa before the anticipated start date of employment
• Been granted Skilled Worker sponsorship and completed studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date.

For NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough based roles, applicants at risk of redundancy from those areas will be prioritised over others, although interviews cannot be guaranteed.

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

Interview & Application Dates

Interviews are scheduled for 11 November 2025.

This vacancy will close at midnight on 28 October 2025.

Benefits

• Values and reputation for outstanding care
• Opportunities to experience a range of specialties
• Career and development opportunities, including preceptorship and mentoring programmes
• Research experience and opportunities
• Lively campus location and high quality of life
• Excellent schools, colleges and transport links (road, rail and air)
• On‑site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries
• Reduced‑cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from the hospital site; free Park & Ride bus journeys for staff to the main campuses
• Subsidised parking on site for eligible staff
• Hot food available 24/7 at a reduced cost; staff pod break spaces with complimentary tea and coffee
• Flexible working arrangements, including part‑time, job‑share and term‑time options
• Support for employees to achieve a good work‑life balance, irrespective of role or personal circumstances
• Welcomed applications from Armed Forces personnel

Physical Environment

Work on a vibrant hospital campus with a friendly community feel, access to a fully electronic patient record system and fully equipped clinical facilities to support your career pathway and development.