King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Sister/Charge Nurse - Adult Critical Care

The closing date is 06 April 2026

Job summary

We are looking to appoint enthusiastic, motivated individuals to lead a team of nurses to deliver high standards of nursing care in a unique, complex, multi-speciality critical care unit.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a senior nurse to advance their existing knowledge and skills, as well as being an excellent managerial learning opportunity.

Main duties of the job

Candidates must be able to demonstrate their ability to support the management of the unit, manage an allocated team of nurses, support all staff within the challenging critical care environment, and have knowledge of the complex systems within which we operate. Possessing exceptional interpersonal, communication, and organisational, skills is essential to this role to in order be able to provide excellent leadership, you will bring with you a proven track record of managing people, and have substantial experience at a band 6 level in a critical care environment.

About us

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Details

Date posted

23 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£56,276 to £63,176 a year per annum including HCA

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

213-DivisionC-7816660-A

Job locations

King's College Hospital

Denmark Hill

London

SE5 9RS


Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

To have advanced Critical Care expertise to use their knowledge and skills in an holistic approach, so that clinical decision-making leads to prompt and appropriate action in the best interests of the patient

To be strongly visible in the clinical area and act as a resource for all staff and students

Good verbal and written communication skills so that professional advice or care guidance and instructions are well understood by patients, their relatives and/or carers, and members of the multi-disciplinary team

Ensures continuity of patient care through effective staff deployment

Ensure safe patient flow within the units, working closely with duty consultant and the Critical Care bed manager as well as outreach team.

Ensures good discharge planning so that step down areas and the wards are fully prepared for the patient arrival and that the patient and their families are fully informed.

Regularly checks patient care documentation to see that all aspects of care have been considered, individual patients needs identified and that an appropriate care plan exists in relation to meeting the identified needs.

To work in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct, and Trust Policies and Procedures.

Communicates effectively with patients, their relatives and carers, colleagues and students.

Works effectively as part of the multi-professional, inter-disciplinary team.

Is clinically credible and professionally up-to-date with current trends and developments in the clinical specialty.

Functions as an effective role model in the clinical setting in demonstrating the application of breadth and depth of nursing knowledge, skills, behaviour and in advising and supporting members of the multi-disciplinary team

Facilitates and supports the professional development of other nurses.

To facilitate the cascade of information ensuring awareness of the Care Group, Trust and NHS initiatives, supporting staff discussion and responding to feedback

To ensure compliance with the Trust's EDI Policy, supporting the delivery of the Trusts Race Equality Scheme and the Trust's duty to positively promote race equality and equality of opportunity for disabled people ensuring services are responsive to the needs of equality groups.

To have full knowledge of the Trust Major Incident Plan and your role within it.

Education and Training

To be a resource to staff, responsible for their orientation, supervision and ongoing development, working collaboratively with the Practice Development team

To have oversight of, and be responsible for, completing competency documents for staff within agreed timeframes.

To contribute to the wider educational activities within the service ensuring attendance at and contributing to the delivery of educational activities to the multi-disciplinary team within Critical Care.

To promote, support and encourage the application of research and of evidence based practices.

To ensure all staff are engaged in the units clinical governance process, and to contribute to improvement strategies, disseminate them, and assist in their implementation

To be have own portfolio of responsibility including areas of clinical guidance, audit, research, and service development.

People Management and Performance

Lead, coach and manage the performance of the team in line with good people management practices. Ensuring excellence is recognised and underperformance is addressed.

  • Participate in regular performance appraisal meetings and ensure each member of the team has a clear set of objectives and development plans.
  • Ensure the team is compliance with all statutory, mandatory training together with any professional training requirements, ensuring they are up to date and fully compliant.
  • Manage team absences including sickness in line with Trust policy ensuring the appropriate return to work meetings occur, the roster is updated, and productivity is kept to the highest possible level.
  • Identify and fill any vacancies that arise within the team in line with the Trusts recruitment policy and process.
  • Identify talent and support the internal talent management process in order attract and retain and succession plan for your people.
  • Review skills mix at regular intervals in order to identify any potential opportunities to maximise resource utilisation / allocation, ensuring job descriptions are kept up to date.
  • Ensure overall wellbeing of the team is maintained. Continuously support in improving the morale of the team and implementing a culture of zero-tolerance for bullying and harassment.

General

  • The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.
  • To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.
  • We want to be an organisation where everyone shares a commitment to delivering the very best care and feels like their contribution is valuable and valued.
  • At Kings we are a kind, respectful team:

Kind. We show compassion and understanding and bring a positive attitude to our work

Respectful. We promote equality, are inclusive and honest, speaking up when needed

Team. We support each other, communicate openly, and are reassuringly professional

  • To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.
  • To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
  • This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.
  • All employees must hold an 'nhs.net' email account which will be the Trust's formal route for email communication.

Safeguarding

The Trust takes the issues of Safeguarding Children, Adults and addressing Domestic Abuse very seriously. All employees have a responsibility to support the organisation in our duties by;

  • attending mandatory training on safeguarding children and adults
  • familiarising themselves with the Trust's processes for reporting concerns
  • reportingany safeguarding child or adult concerns appropriately

Infection Control Statement

The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene procedures and requirements when in clinical areas.

The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to make to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene requirements of this role.

These requirements are set out in the National Code of Practice on Infection Control and in local policies and procedures which will be made clear during your induction and subsequent refresher training. These standards must be strictly complied with at all times.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

To have advanced Critical Care expertise to use their knowledge and skills in an holistic approach, so that clinical decision-making leads to prompt and appropriate action in the best interests of the patient

To be strongly visible in the clinical area and act as a resource for all staff and students

Good verbal and written communication skills so that professional advice or care guidance and instructions are well understood by patients, their relatives and/or carers, and members of the multi-disciplinary team

Ensures continuity of patient care through effective staff deployment

Ensure safe patient flow within the units, working closely with duty consultant and the Critical Care bed manager as well as outreach team.

Ensures good discharge planning so that step down areas and the wards are fully prepared for the patient arrival and that the patient and their families are fully informed.

Regularly checks patient care documentation to see that all aspects of care have been considered, individual patients needs identified and that an appropriate care plan exists in relation to meeting the identified needs.

To work in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct, and Trust Policies and Procedures.

Communicates effectively with patients, their relatives and carers, colleagues and students.

Works effectively as part of the multi-professional, inter-disciplinary team.

Is clinically credible and professionally up-to-date with current trends and developments in the clinical specialty.

Functions as an effective role model in the clinical setting in demonstrating the application of breadth and depth of nursing knowledge, skills, behaviour and in advising and supporting members of the multi-disciplinary team

Facilitates and supports the professional development of other nurses.

To facilitate the cascade of information ensuring awareness of the Care Group, Trust and NHS initiatives, supporting staff discussion and responding to feedback

To ensure compliance with the Trust's EDI Policy, supporting the delivery of the Trusts Race Equality Scheme and the Trust's duty to positively promote race equality and equality of opportunity for disabled people ensuring services are responsive to the needs of equality groups.

To have full knowledge of the Trust Major Incident Plan and your role within it.

Education and Training

To be a resource to staff, responsible for their orientation, supervision and ongoing development, working collaboratively with the Practice Development team

To have oversight of, and be responsible for, completing competency documents for staff within agreed timeframes.

To contribute to the wider educational activities within the service ensuring attendance at and contributing to the delivery of educational activities to the multi-disciplinary team within Critical Care.

To promote, support and encourage the application of research and of evidence based practices.

To ensure all staff are engaged in the units clinical governance process, and to contribute to improvement strategies, disseminate them, and assist in their implementation

To be have own portfolio of responsibility including areas of clinical guidance, audit, research, and service development.

People Management and Performance

Lead, coach and manage the performance of the team in line with good people management practices. Ensuring excellence is recognised and underperformance is addressed.

  • Participate in regular performance appraisal meetings and ensure each member of the team has a clear set of objectives and development plans.
  • Ensure the team is compliance with all statutory, mandatory training together with any professional training requirements, ensuring they are up to date and fully compliant.
  • Manage team absences including sickness in line with Trust policy ensuring the appropriate return to work meetings occur, the roster is updated, and productivity is kept to the highest possible level.
  • Identify and fill any vacancies that arise within the team in line with the Trusts recruitment policy and process.
  • Identify talent and support the internal talent management process in order attract and retain and succession plan for your people.
  • Review skills mix at regular intervals in order to identify any potential opportunities to maximise resource utilisation / allocation, ensuring job descriptions are kept up to date.
  • Ensure overall wellbeing of the team is maintained. Continuously support in improving the morale of the team and implementing a culture of zero-tolerance for bullying and harassment.

General

  • The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.
  • To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.
  • We want to be an organisation where everyone shares a commitment to delivering the very best care and feels like their contribution is valuable and valued.
  • At Kings we are a kind, respectful team:

Kind. We show compassion and understanding and bring a positive attitude to our work

Respectful. We promote equality, are inclusive and honest, speaking up when needed

Team. We support each other, communicate openly, and are reassuringly professional

  • To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.
  • To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
  • This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.
  • All employees must hold an 'nhs.net' email account which will be the Trust's formal route for email communication.

Safeguarding

The Trust takes the issues of Safeguarding Children, Adults and addressing Domestic Abuse very seriously. All employees have a responsibility to support the organisation in our duties by;

  • attending mandatory training on safeguarding children and adults
  • familiarising themselves with the Trust's processes for reporting concerns
  • reportingany safeguarding child or adult concerns appropriately

Infection Control Statement

The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene procedures and requirements when in clinical areas.

The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to make to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene requirements of this role.

These requirements are set out in the National Code of Practice on Infection Control and in local policies and procedures which will be made clear during your induction and subsequent refresher training. These standards must be strictly complied with at all times.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Nurse (Adult)
  • UK recognised Degree (or working towards completion)
  • Post registration award in critical care nursing
  • Post-registration qualification in Mentorship/a Practice Assessor
  • Evidence of Continuing Professional Development

Desirable

  • Masters level study in relevant health related subject

Experience

Essential

  • Significant Critical Care experience at shift leader level (Band 6+)
  • Experience of managing teams/individuals
  • Active engagement with clinical governance processes
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Nurse (Adult)
  • UK recognised Degree (or working towards completion)
  • Post registration award in critical care nursing
  • Post-registration qualification in Mentorship/a Practice Assessor
  • Evidence of Continuing Professional Development

Desirable

  • Masters level study in relevant health related subject

Experience

Essential

  • Significant Critical Care experience at shift leader level (Band 6+)
  • Experience of managing teams/individuals
  • Active engagement with clinical governance processes

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

King's College Hospital

Denmark Hill

London

SE5 9RS


Employer's website

https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

King's College Hospital

Denmark Hill

London

SE5 9RS


Employer's website

https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Matron - Jack Steinberg Critical Care Unit

Michelle Ragay

michelle.ragay@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

23 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£56,276 to £63,176 a year per annum including HCA

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

213-DivisionC-7816660-A

Job locations

King's College Hospital

Denmark Hill

London

SE5 9RS


Supporting documents

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