Sister/Charge Nurse

'94% feel that their role makes a difference to patience and service users.' 'NHS Staff Survey 2024'

The post holder will work autonomously, within their scope of practice, leading and coordinating the nursing team within a defined clinical area, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality patient care in line with Trust policies and national standards.

The post holder will act as Nurse in Charge on a regular basis, taking responsibility for the operational management of the ward/department, including staff allocation, patient flow, and escalation of risk. The post holder is accountable for the delivery of care across the clinical area and the performance of the nursing team during shifts for which they are in charge

The role includes leadership, supervision and development of staff, and responsibility for implementing and monitoring standards of care and service improvement initiatives, under the direction of the Senior Sister/Senior Charge Nurse.

To be responsible for the unsupervised assessment of patient care needs, ensuring appropriate assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care, maintaining high standards of evidence-based care.

To provide expert clinical care for a defined group of patients, including those with complex and unpredictable needs.

Act as the Nurse in Charge on a regular basis, coordinating the shift and ensuring safe staffing and skill mix, utilising relevant systems to do so e.g. Healthroster and Safe Care.

Take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the ward/department in the absence of the Senior Sister/Senior Charge Nurse

To maintain professional registration and fulfil revalidation requirements.

Ensure compliance with Trust policies and practice within the NMC Standards and guidelines.

Leadership, Education and Training Responsible for the day-to-day supervision and direction of Registered and Unregistered Nursing colleagues and Healthcare Assistants on shift.

Monitor standards of performance and escalate concerns appropriately.

The postholder may participate in a departmental/divisional bleep rota as required.

Staff may be temporarily redeployed to other areas of the Trust during times of peak acuity, in accordance with their skills, competence and service needs.

Please refer to the Job Description for further details

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. We have just opened the Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards.

Further investment is underway, including the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.

Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -

For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes

Qualifications and knowledge

Desirable: - Immediate Life Support (ILS); - History Taking and Patient Assessment course

Experience

Desirable: - Experience supervising qualified staff

Skills

Desirable: - Teaching and good presentation skills; - Ability to undertake career conversations and appraisals

Personal and people development

Communication

Essential: - Excellent communication skills (verbal and written); - Able to communicate effectively with other members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT)