Ward Sister - Day Treatment Unit | Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; England; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare provider in the United Kingdom seeks a Ward Sister for the Day Treatment Unit at Bedford Hospital. The role requires strong leadership, clinical skills, and the ability to mentor junior staff. Duties include managing the unit's operations, ensuring high-quality patient care, and adhering to healthcare standards. The position emphasizes a great work-life balance with no night shifts. Applicants should have a Registered Nurse qualification. A commitment to continuing professional development and excellent communication skills are essential.

Benefits

Supportive work environment

Opportunities for professional development

No night shifts

Commitment to work-life balance

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with the ability to administer IV therapies and venesection.
• Experience in a supervisory role or similar.
• Strong assessment and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations of the Day Treatment Unit.
• Deputise for the Ward Manager as needed.
• Lead the nursing team and support staff development.
• Ensure adherence to clinical standards and policies.
• Coordinate patient care and communicate effectively with the multidisciplinary team.

Skills

Team player

Leadership

Communication skills

Clinical knowledge

Mentoring

IV administration

Infection control

Education

Registered Nurse qualification

Job description

Overview

This post is for a Ward Sister in the Day Treatment Unit (DTU) based at Bedford Hospital. The successful candidate will deputise for the Ward Manager and take responsibility for the day‑to‑day management of the unit, working closely with the multidisciplinary team. The post holder will act as a positive role model, providing leadership and ongoing support to junior staff.

The role requires a motivated and self‑driven nurse who can work effectively both independently and as part of a team, meet service targets, and adapt to change. A commitment to learning and professional development is essential.

The DTU is a nurse‑led service, offering the opportunity to fully utilise clinical experience while maintaining a healthy work–life balance, with no night shifts and currently no weekend working. The unit operates between 07:30 and 19:30 and aims to provide safe, high‑quality care in a calm environment, reducing the need for acute admissions.

The successful candidate will also contribute to audit activity, service development, and represent the service at local meetings, sharing knowledge with colleagues and patients.

The role consists primarily of administering infusions, injections and transfusions across a broad range of patient groups from all disciplines in the hospital. Specific training will be provided in relation to each treatment, building on an existing knowledge of IV administration.

Cannulation and phlebotomy are an essential requirement for this role and the willingness to teach, mentor and supervise junior and unqualified staff is expected. DTU is open to providing a learning environment for all staff. Being a good team player is an essential requirement as the small team of nurses relies heavily on support from each other.

DTU accepts referrals from all teams in the hospital and GP’s, working closely with Vascular Access CNS which will enable the successful applicant to gain a deeper understanding of these areas too. Management of PICC lines and TIVADs will be expected after successful completion of a training programme.

The Therapeutic Venesection service for the hospital is managed by the DTU team so the successful applicant will also be given training and education regarding this procedure too. The successful applicant is expected to perform venesections after successful completion of the training programme.

The Sister will establish robust communication networks for patients and other healthcare professionals which provides a clear pathway of care. To maintain a positive learning environment and be a resource for knowledge.

Key Responsibilities

Patient Management

• Ensure the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of patients, relatives and colleagues are respected at all times, in accordance with Trust policies and national guidelines.
• Deputise for the DTU Ward Manager when required, liaising with members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure patient care is delivered efficiently and effectively.
• Communicate proactively with all staff regarding the clinical care and management of patients, ensuring accurate and contemporaneous nursing records are maintained.
• Ensure a safe and effective discharge process, providing written and verbal advice to patients and significant others as required.
• Practice at all times within the NMC Code and adhere to local and national healthcare policies to maintain professional and clinical standards of care.
• Apply infection prevention and control principles, including ANTT, to prevent cross‑infection in patient care and the clinical environment.
• Initiate emergency treatment when required and coordinate staff response appropriately.
• Lead the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of patient care for those admitted to DTU, in line with Trust and departmental protocols.
• Maintain high standards of nursing care, reviewing and updating practice through self‑directed learning, mandatory training and formal development opportunities.
• Actively involve patients and, where appropriate, significant others in decisions regarding treatment, diagnosis and prognosis, enabling shared decision‑making.
• Ensure safe management of medications and IV therapies, adhering to procedures for safe administration, storage, ordering and stock control.

Education

• Demonstrate a well‑developed clinical knowledge of nursing practice, with strong assessment and decision‑making skills.
• Provide clinical advice and guidance to patients, significant others, staff and junior colleagues to promote high standards of care and reduce patient risk.
• Participate in clinical education, including teaching, supervision and assessment of new staff, unqualified staff and student nurses.
• Support the education and development of all staff by participating in training programmes and sharing learning to enhance team knowledge.
• Identify personal learning needs through appraisal and competency frameworks, seeking appropriate education and development opportunities.
• Undertake an annual appraisal with the Ward Manager, Lead Nurse or Clinical Lead to support professional development planning.
• Educate staff, patients and visitors regarding infection prevention, including effective hand hygiene and appropriate use of PPE.
• Provide patient education regarding health conditions, treatments and lifestyle choices to promote health and prevent illness.
• Assist in the development and review of written patient information relating to tests and treatments.

Management

• Lead and coordinate the DTU in the absence of the Unit Manager.
• Support the Unit Manager in the day‑to‑day management of the nursing team.
• Assist with workforce planning, including recruitment and retention of staff.
• Communicate sensitive and complex information to patients, relatives and colleagues, providing appropriate support.
• Ensure all medical equipment is safe, functional and appropriately maintained, reporting faults as required.
• Ensure staff are trained and competent in the use of equipment before directing its use.
• Support the induction and orientation of all new staff, including bank, agency and student staff, ensuring awareness of emergency procedures and evacuation routes.
• Contribute to the annual Training Needs Analysis in conjunction with the Unit Manager and Lead Nurses.
• Represent the team and organisation at meetings when required and provide feedback to colleagues.
• Assist with performance reviews, sickness absence management and return‑to‑work interviews as delegated.
• Participate in nursing and clinical audit activity.
• Ensure effective written and verbal communication across the multidisciplinary team in the interest of patient care.
• Participate in recruitment and interview processes as required.
• Actively contribute to maintaining a safe environment in line with risk management policies.
• Support effective resource management in line with budgetary constraints.
• Maintain a polite, professional, and courteous manner at all times, regardless of work pressures.
• Demonstrate basic IT skills and engage promptly with training for new Trust IT systems.
• Assist with the investigation of complaints within scope of responsibility and support implementation of resulting improvements.
• Escalate concerns or issues appropriately to the Unit Manager or Lead Nurse.

Legal Responsibilities

• Adhere to Trust policies relating to Fire Safety, Health and Safety and COSHH.
• Report accidents, incidents and complaints via the Datix system and assist with investigations as required.
• Maintain professional competence through mandatory training and ongoing professional development.
• Maintain a professional portfolio evidencing CPD to support NMC revalidation and assist colleagues with the revalidation process.
• Ensure own practice and that of others complies with the NMC Code and national and local healthcare policies.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of Trust nursing policies and procedures relevant to the role.

About Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics‑led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high‑performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high‑quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values We do not only recruit based on qualifications and experience – we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trust’s core values. We achieve this by using values‑based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering the first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.

This advert closes on Sunday 4 Jan 2026.