University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Deputy Sister / Charge Nurse

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

We are looking for an experienced neonatal nurse who is qualified in specialty, to join our team at SCBU in St Richards Chichester as a Deputy sister / Charge Nurse. We have full and part time hours available.

We are a Level 1 unit with 12 cots and are looking for motivated, enthusiastic team players to lead our talented team of nurses.

The post holder will be a proficient clinical practitioner who will take charge of the ward in the absence of the ward sister. They will support the ward sister in her role and will be able to supervise, mentor and teach junior staff, acting as a role-model, in order to ensure that optimum standards of care are delivered at all times to neonates and their families.

They will be involved in the recruitment and selection of staff and in developing their personal development plans. In conjunction with the ward sister they are responsible for ensuring that trust policies and procedures are adhered to and that trust objectives are met.

Main duties of the job

To provide care for babies born 32 weeks gestation and above with 2 high dependency and 10 special care cots. We are working towards Family Integrated Care in order to support families to learn to care for their babies in preparation for discharge with the support of our neonatal outreach teams in order to continue to provide support at home.

If you are an experienced neonatal nurse with a passion for neonatal and special care looking to a change or to advance your practice, please do contact us for more information.

We are looking to recruit highly motivated Deputy Sisters with a neonatal specialty qualification. The successful candidates must be motivated, enthusiastic, possess good communication and clinical skills. If successful, you will be supported in your development and provided with opportunities to work on your leadership and academic skills further.

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer abuddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Candidate Pack https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Details

Date posted

30 June 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

279-8106453-JUN26

Job locations

St Richards Hospital

Spitalfield Lane

Chichester

PO19 6SE

United Kingdom


Job description

Job responsibilities

To be a proficient clinical practitioner who will take charge for the ward in absence of the ward sister.

To support, supervise and mentor junior colleagues and student nurses as as well as act as a role-model in order to given the highest standards of care to our neonates and families.

To provide specialist advice and support whilst working collaboratively with all the Multi-disciplinary teams.

Be involved in recruitment and selection of staff and in developing their personal development plans. In conjunction with the ward sister, be responsible for ensuring trust policies and procedures are adhered to and that the trust objectives are met.

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details.

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria. For example, applicants for the Senior HCA role must be able to evidence a minimum of 2 years experience in the same role to qualify for sponsorship.

If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To be a proficient clinical practitioner who will take charge for the ward in absence of the ward sister.

To support, supervise and mentor junior colleagues and student nurses as as well as act as a role-model in order to given the highest standards of care to our neonates and families.

To provide specialist advice and support whilst working collaboratively with all the Multi-disciplinary teams.

Be involved in recruitment and selection of staff and in developing their personal development plans. In conjunction with the ward sister, be responsible for ensuring trust policies and procedures are adhered to and that the trust objectives are met.

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details.

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria. For example, applicants for the Senior HCA role must be able to evidence a minimum of 2 years experience in the same role to qualify for sponsorship.

If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.

Person Specification

Evidence at inetrview

Essential

  • NMC/RM/RSCN
  • Qualified in Speciality, ENB 405
  • Educated at Diploma Level
  • Recent acute neonatal experience
  • Experience in post qualified in speciality training

Desirable

  • Leadership Qualification
  • Newborn Life Support
  • Previous Tertiary experience
  • Experience in shift leadership

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Person Specification

Evidence at inetrview

Essential

  • NMC/RM/RSCN
  • Qualified in Speciality, ENB 405
  • Educated at Diploma Level
  • Recent acute neonatal experience
  • Experience in post qualified in speciality training

Desirable

  • Leadership Qualification
  • Newborn Life Support
  • Previous Tertiary experience
  • Experience in shift leadership

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

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.

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.

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

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

St Richards Hospital

Spitalfield Lane

Chichester

PO19 6SE

United Kingdom


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

St Richards Hospital

Spitalfield Lane

Chichester

PO19 6SE

United Kingdom


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Ward Sister

Rachael Rye

rachael.rye@nhs.net

01243831442

Details

Date posted

30 June 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

279-8106453-JUN26

Job locations

St Richards Hospital

Spitalfield Lane

Chichester

PO19 6SE

United Kingdom


Supporting documents

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