Unit manager (Senior sister/Charge nurse)

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester is seeking an experienced Band 7 Senior Sister/Charge Nurse to provide operational, managerial and clinical leadership across the SACT Outreach and Bloods Closer to Home services.

You will lead a team of registered nurses and healthcare support workers, oversee workforce planning and resource management, and drive service development across Greater Manchester and Cheshire to ensure safe, high-quality patient care.

Qualifications

• Nurse registered with the NMC and evidence of leadership experience.
• Experience in oncology or SACT is desirable.
• Excellent communication and partnership working across teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational delivery of the SACT Outreach and Bloods Closer to Home services across multiple sites.
• Plan, review and implement service developments to improve patient experience and clinical effectiveness.
• Organise workforce deployment and rostering to ensure appropriate skill mix.
• Collaborate with medical staff and external providers to optimise service delivery.
• Provide visible leadership across locations and deputise for the Matron when required.
• Oversee governance, safety, and patient incident investigations in line with Trust policies.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical governance

Staff development

Education

NMC Registered Nurse

Job description

An exciting development opportunity has arisen for an experienced and motivated Band 7 Senior sister/Charge nurse to join our dedicated SACT Outreach and Bloods closer to home team. We are seeking an enthusiastic, compassionate and dynamic oncology nurse with proven leadership experience to provide operational, managerial and clinical leadership across our SACT Outreach and Bloods Closer to Home services. This is a rewarding role within a caring and well-led service, supported by strong staffing levels and a commitment to delivering outstanding patient care.

About the Role

The successful candidate will maintain responsibility for the delivery, quality and ongoing development of the SACT Outreach and Bloods Closer to Home services across all sites. Working collaboratively with Band 7 Departmental Managers within the SACT Directorate and Outpatients, you will act as the operational nursing lead in delivering directorate objectives and ensuring an excellent patient experience through effective workforce planning, resource management and skill-mix utilisation. You will provide visible leadership across all Outreach and Bloods Closer to Home locations throughout Greater Manchester, developing strong relationships and collaborative partnerships with peripheral sites delivering Christie treatments. The Role and Team If successful, you will lead and support a team of registered nurses and healthcare support workers delivering care across the SACT Outreach and Bloods Closer to Home services throughout Greater Manchester and Cheshire. The service currently operates across 12 locations, with further expansion anticipated in line with strategic service development and patient demand. The SACT Outreach and Bloods Closer to Home services operate Monday to Friday across Greater Manchester and Cheshire, including Bank Holidays. Future expansion may involve weekend working which you will be required to manage and oversee. As the service continues to grow, the successful candidate will play a key role in supporting service expansion, contributing to the development and implementation of new SACT Outreach and Bloods closer to Home clinics, and ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality patient care across all sites. Working closely with the Matron and Lead Nurse, you will be responsible for the operational management of the SACT Outreach and Bloods Closer to Home services. This includes oversight of patient care standards, workforce planning, skill mix, resource management and the ongoing development and wellbeing of the nursing and healthcare support workforce. The successful candidate will demonstrate initiative, strategic thinking and a commitment to continuous improvement, leading service developments and supporting the implementation of change to ensure services remain efficient, responsive and patient-centred. You will be expected to foster a positive team culture, promote professional development and maintain strong collaborative relationships with colleagues and partner organisations across the region.

Service Leadership and Operational Management

• Lead the operational delivery of the SACT Outreach and Bloods Closer to Home services, ensuring safe, effective and high-quality patient care across all locations.
• Plan, review and implement service developments and changes to improve patient experience, clinical effectiveness, capacity and demand management.
• Organise and manage workforce deployment, daily staffing requirements and off-duty rotas to ensure appropriate skill mix and service provision.
• Collaborate with medical staff, multidisciplinary teams and external providers to ensure effective service delivery and utilisation of resources.
• Provide visible leadership across outreach locations and peripheral treatment sites, maintaining effective partnerships and communication networks.
• Deputise for the Matron as required and provide cross-cover and support to other Band 7 managers within the SACT Directorate and Outpatients.

Patient Care and Clinical Responsibilities

• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care, ensuring accurate and contemporaneous clinical records are maintained.
• Promote and maintain high standards of clinical practice, patient safety and patient experience across all service locations.
• Investigate and manage patient incidents, complaints and concerns in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.
• Ensure services comply with Trust policies, professional standards, governance requirements, health and safety legislation and risk management processes.
• Participate in the hospital on-call rota as required.

Human Resources and Staff Management

• Provide line management, professional leadership and support to nursing and healthcare support staff.
• Undertake recruitment, induction, supervision and performance management activities to maintain a competent workforce.
• Support staff through appraisal, personal development planning and competency assessment to promote professional development and fitness to practise.
• Manage attendance, sickness absence and disciplinary matters in accordance with Trust policies and in collaboration with Human Resources.
• Act as a preceptor, mentor and role model for staff, supporting learning, wellbeing and professional growth.
• Ensure staff comply with professional standards, uniform policies and organisational requirements.

Financial and Physical Resources

• Assist in the management of staffing and non-staff budgets, ensuring resources are used effectively and within agreed limits.
• Monitor and supervise the procurement and utilisation of equipment and stock to ensure availability and cost-effective use of resources.
• Collaborate with support services to maintain high standards of cleanliness, nutrition and environmental safety.

Information and Governance

• Maintain accurate clinical, operational and workforce records in line with legal, professional and organisational requirements.
• Report, investigate and record incidents, complaints and risks in accordance with Trust policies.
• Monitor service performance and activity, providing regular updates to senior nursing and operational leadership teams.
• Participate in policy development, implementation and review to support service and organisational objectives.

Education, Training and Professional Development

• Facilitate and support the education, training and assessment of pre-registration and post-registration learners in partnership with higher education institutions.
• Deliver and support education relating to clinical practice, leadership and management.
• Promote evidence-based practice and ensure staff maintain mandatory training and professional competencies.
• Maintain own professional development and ensure knowledge remains current in relation to cancer nursing, SACT services and leadership practice.
• Support colleagues to identify and achieve their professional, educational and developmental objectives.

Service Improvement and Research

• Identify opportunities for service improvement and lead or contribute to projects that enhance patient care, service delivery and operational performance.
• Participate in audit, quality improvement, research and service evaluation activities to support evidence-based practice and continuous improvement.
• Keep abreast of local and national developments affecting cancer services and communicate relevant information to the wider team.

Communication and Partnership Working

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with patients, carers, multidisciplinary teams, senior managers, external healthcare providers and partner organisations.
• Represent the Outreach and Bloods Closer to Home services at relevant operational, professional and organisational forums.
• Communicate effectively at all levels, providing specialist advice and guidance regarding Outreach and Bloods Closer to Home services.

Values and Behaviour

• Demonstrate the Trust's agreed values and behaviours in all aspects of practice.
• Take personal responsibility and accountability for professional conduct, decision-making and performance.
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion, treating patients, carers, colleagues and partners with dignity, respect and compassion.
• Contribute to a positive working environment through effective teamwork, communication and mutual support.

We are an innovative and forward-thinking team committed to continually reviewing and improving the way we deliver care to meet the evolving needs of our patients. We welcome new ideas and are seeking a motivated senior nurse with a genuine passion for oncology care, service development and leadership.

The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, looking after more than 64,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 25% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.

We are the largest radiotherapy provider in the NHS with one in 20 treatments delivered at The Christie. We have up to 15 linear accelerators operating across our network of sites. We operate the largest chemotherapy unit in the UK on our main site and treatments are also provided at 13 other networked sites, and in patients homes. And as a specialist tertiary surgical centre, we focus on rare cancers, complex procedures, and multidisciplinary approaches to cancer surgery, specialising in colorectal, peritoneal, gynaecological, urological and plastic surgery. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We have been named by the UK's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), as one of the best hospitals providing opportunities for patients to participate in clinical research studies, with more than 800 studies open at any time, caring for over 3,000 patients.