Charge Nurse

NHS; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare trust in Milton Keynes is seeking a Sister/Charge Nurse to lead nursing care, mentor junior staff, and maintain nursing standards at a female medical ward specializing in dementia care. The role offers flexibility and the chance to develop management skills in a supportive environment. The ideal candidate will be an RGN with mentorship experience and a commitment to person-centered care, capable of leading a team during busy periods.

Qualifications

• Candidates must be a Registered General Nurse (RGN).
• Must have mentorship experience of student nurses.
• Evidence of management and leadership skills is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective leadership and nursing care to staff.
• Ensure high nursing care standards are maintained.
• Supervise and support junior staff development.

Skills

Venipuncture/Cannulation

Administration of IV drugs

Diplomacy and negotiation skills

Teaching and presentation skills

Resource Management

Education

Registered General Nurse (RGN)

Management/leadership course

Degree

Mentorship and Support Course or equivalent

Job description

Go back Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Sister/Charge Nurse

The closing date is 01 February 2026

Hours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

Ward 3 is a 28 bedded female medical ward specialising in Care of the Older person with a special interest in Dementia Care.

We are a pro‑active, forward‑thinking ward with a passion for person‑centred care. Our philosophy is that where possible we meet the patient’s agenda rather than expecting them to fit ours. We work collaboratively with the Multi‑disciplinary Team in order to achieve the best outcome for our patients.

We are looking for a committed and caring team player who wishes to advance their personal skills. This will be an opportunity to build on existing knowledge and develop management skills both formally and informally.

Interview date: 18th February 2026

Main duties of the job

• To provide effective, professional and managerial leadership to staff.
• To provide and maintain a high standard of nursing care.
• To supervise and develop the knowledge and skills of junior staff.
• To initiate/facilitate developments in nursing practice in partnership with the ward manager.
• To be the ward representative when the ward manager is unavailable.

"- NHS Survey, 2024: 94% feel that their role makes a difference to patients and service users.

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.

Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards – a new ward block featuring two 24‑bed wards – and the recently approved Women and Children’s Centre, set to open by 2030.

Job responsibilities

Clinical To assess, plan, implement and evaluate care, incorporating the standards and philosophy of the ward. To maintain accurate and comprehensive records of patient care. To participate in setting/monitoring/auditing agreed standards of care within ward. To ensure patients/relatives individual needs are met in a courteous, helpful and compassionate way. Maintain good liaison with other nursing units and hospital departments.

Professional To demonstrate a professional approach to leadership and management of staff. To provide clinical support and advice to junior members of staff. To participate in the development of research‑based practice.

Management To be responsible, in the absence of the ward manager, for total management. To participate in the recruitment and selection of staff for ward eight. To counsel staff as appropriate and inform ward manager. To assist the ward manager to investigate patient/relative complaints. To assist in the monitoring and organisation of economic control of ward supplies, maximising all resources, including staff, equipment and time to keep within the identified expenditure. To attend meetings and provide professional nursing input; acting as a spokesperson for the ward in the absence of the ward manager.

Service Management To assist when necessary with the definition of nursing standards and maintain the provision and effectiveness of those standards in line with clinical governance. The post holder will ensure that they are aware of all issues relating to Clinical governance, Quality Assurance and Clinical Effectiveness and they carry out their duties in accordance with these frameworks and standards.

Education To help to create and maintain an environment conducive to development and learning for all staff. To assist in identifying the need for, and providing training/education in clinical, nursing and managerial techniques to all grades of staff. To ensure all new staff receive adequate induction and orientation which is appropriate for them and the needs of the ward.

Please refer to the job description for further details.

Qualifications and knowledge

• Registered General Nurse (RGN)
• Mentorship and Support Course or equivalent
• Degree
• Management/leadership course

Experience

• Mentorship of student nurses
• Evidence of management and leadership
• Experience in change management
• Evidence of staff development

Skills

• Venipuncture/Cannulation
• Administration of IV drugs
• Diplomacy and negotiation skills
• Teaching and presentation skills
• Resource Management

Personal and people development

• Experience in managing people
• First Line Management course or equivalent

Communication

• Breaking Bad news course

Specific requirements

• Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations

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.

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust