Sister / Charge Nurse

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; West of England; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is seeking fully qualified Band 6 nurses for a busy 35‑bed ward (33B). You will lead the ward in collaboration with the ward Sister, oversee quality audits and infection control, and supervise a team of registered nurses and healthcare assistants.

The role includes day and night shifts across weekdays and weekends; you will ensure safe discharge planning, role modelling best practice, and adherence to Trust policies and professional standards.

Qualifications

• NMC Registration is essential for practice.
• Teaching/Mentorship qualification preferred to support staff development.
• Fluent English is required as per Immigration Act requirements and will be assessed at interview.

Responsibilities

• Lead the nursing team to deliver high‑quality, patient‑centered care.
• Coordinate ward audits and drive quality improvement with the ward Sister.
• Supervise and support junior staff and ensure safe discharge planning.

Skills

Surgical clinical skills

Leadership

Communication skills

Education

NMC Registration

Teaching/Mentorship qualification

Job description

Education/Training/Qualifications

Essential criteria

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This creates an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job Overview

We are seeking full-time Band 6 nurses for our busy 35 bedded ward on 33B.

The post holder will work closely with and provide clinical and managerial support for the ward Sister and wider team. The post holder will take charge of the ward as and when required in the absence of the ward manager on a daily basis. The post holder will be expected to lead on an area of ward quality and working with the ward sister and other Band 6’ ensure the ward submits all quality and Infection control audits monthly and that the results are reviewed and acted upon to ensure continuous improvement. In the absence of the ward Sister, the post holder will be responsible for ensuring that care delivery by all members of the care team is carried out in accordance with Trust policies and procedures and the guidelines for practice set by the NMC code of conduct. The post holder will take responsibility for the management, supervision and guidance of other qualified staff, Health care assist provision of an effective support of the ward Sister. The post holder will take personal responsibility and accountability for ensuring that the Trust policies and procedures are known and followed by all members of the care team in the absence of the ward Sister.

Main duties of the job

• Leading the nursing team in the delivery of evidence based patient-centered care, which is of a high standard.
• Working in partnership with the Senior Sister and ward team in developing the team and the provision of the service, forming working relationships with all the surgical teams and surgical division.
• Being involved in the co-ordination of the ward, completion of audits, and mentorship of junior staff.
• Being a key member in facilitating changes in the needs of the service and play a vital role in the development of the ward team including their ongoing professional development.
• Supporting the Band 7 Senior Sister with managerial tasks including sickness management, appraisals and 1:1’s, and training.
• Providing support and co-ordination for the ward.

This role will require working both day and night shifts across weekdays and weekends.

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of 2.6 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom.

Chaired By Ingrid Barker And Led By Maria Kane As Chief Executive, Bristol NHS Foundation Trust Aims To Transform The Way Healthcare Is Delivered Locally With a Clear Focus On Making a Difference For What We Call Our Four Ps.

• Better outcomes for our Patients
• More opportunities for our People
• Fairer more consistent care for our Population
• Best Value for Public Purse

Our Vision For Five Years From Now

• Patients will wait less time to be diagnosed and treated, and they will have the same high-quality experience and outcomes, regardless of who they are or where they live.
• We will meet rising demand by maximising the use of our available resources.
• More care will be delivered nearer to patients, in their homes or the community.
• Digital technologies will have transformed the way we work and the way we deliver care.
• Our people will feel engaged, energised and empowered by their work.
• We will be known as a place where people enjoy working, training and building a career.
• Our volume of globally renowned research and innovation will have grown significantly.
• We will contribute to system financial balance

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

• Ensure that care needs are assessed, and programmes of care are developed, implemented, evaluated and documented contemporaneously for caseload of patients in clinical area.
• Plan, allocate, supervise and evaluate working practices of the team on a day-to-day basis.
• Provide professional advice and support to team members so that they are able to assume responsibility to carry out delegated duties.
• Take responsibility for the timely, effective and safe discharge of patients.
• Lead on planning care and ensure individual plans are in place accordingly to individual patient or family needs.
• Be responsible for implementation and delivery of nutritional and fluid standards including protected meal times.
• Review the effectiveness of treatments and make any necessary modifications, reporting to senior colleagues/medical staff as necessary.
• Ensure the safe storage and administration of intravenous and oral drugs/medication and fluids in accordance with Trust policies.
• Undertake the full range of extended/advanced clinical skills (relevant to clinical area) and supervise/assess others.
• Implement privacy and dignity standards within own sphere of responsibility.
• Respect individuals’ dignity, wishes and beliefs, involving them in shared decision-making with consideration for the vulnerable patient, learning disabilities and child protection issues.
• Be able to confidently complete the required documentation pertaining to: DOLS, Referral to Social Service, Mental Capacity, Mental Health Act, Safeguarding referrals.
• On identification of concerns, raise through the appropriate line management structures, if necessary, referring to the Trust’s Whistle-blowing procedure.
• Act as advocate for staff/patients in internal and external forums, constructively challenging clinical teams as appropriate.
• Facilitate and maintain clinical competence skills of self and others in day to day working practices
• On a shift-by-shift basis, be responsible for minimising the risks of infections and for the implementation of the relevant code of Practice for prevention and control of health care
• Report any issues regarding capacity or skill to Senior Sisters

Person specification

Education/Training/Qualifications

• NMC Registration
• Teaching/Mentorship qualification

Desirable criteria

• Completed/ willingness to undertake additional courses at Master’s Level

Work Experience

Essential criteria

• 18 months experience at Band 5 level
• Recent experience working in surgical setting

Desirable criteria

• Recent experience triaging surgical patients
• Experience working at Band 6 level

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential criteria

• Competence with surgical clinical skills
• Motivation to develop and support development of current services

Desirable criteria

• Ability to lead others

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

• As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
• The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
• BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
• If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
• The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
• By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.