Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Junior Sister/Nurse in-charge

The closing date is 08 February 2026

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for motivated and forward-thinking nurses seeking career development to join the Rainsford Mowlem Discharge Ready Unit (DRU) at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital as a Band 6 Junior Sister/Charge Nurse.

Rainsford Mowlem Discharge Ready Unit (DRU) is a 36 bedded ward supporting patients who are medically fit for discharge but awaiting external placement or community support. The DRU plays a key role in improving patient flow, enhancing patient functionality, and creating capacity within acute speciality wards by providing safe, effective, nurse-led care for this cohort.

Main duties of the job

Anticipate patient care needs and manage each patient's journey through the unit.

Support the Ward Manager in effective unit management, including staff coordination, stock control, and oversight of care delivery.

Contribute to the planning, assessment, implementation, and evaluation of care within the multidisciplinary team from admission to discharge.

Deliver care in line with the NMC Code, Scope of Practice, and Trust policies. Act as an advocate for patients and families.

Ensure safety in line with safeguarding procedures.

Participate in audits, evaluate outcomes, and embed findings in practice.

Recognise limitations and escalate concerns appropriately.

In the Ward Manager's absence, assess staff performance and sickness, implement action plans, and complete return-to-work interviews with accurate documentation.

Liaise with the multidisciplinary team to maintain patient safety and wellbeing.

Reduce length of stay through enhanced recovery pathways and effective discharge planning.

Mentor and assess student nurses and new staff. Coordinate the unit's daily running and deputise for the Ward Manager when required.

Record all activity promptly on the electronic tracking system.

Complete timely referrals to Specialist Nurses and escalate issues to the Matron EIC.

About us

Our Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites--Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital--along with award-winning clinics across North West London.

Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5m, providing full clinical services including maternity, A&E and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health care. The CQC rates us Good in safety, effectiveness, care and responsiveness, and Outstanding in leadership and resource use.

We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Mid.

We are delivering sustainable healthcare through our Green Plan. In line with Greener NHS ambitions, we aim for net zero carbon emissions by 2045. Achieving this requires collective effort. We encourage staff to reduce their impact on carbon, waste and pollution wherever possible. Every action counts to create a healthier, more sustainable future.

We are committed to equal opportunities and believe diversity drives innovation and excellence. We welcome applications from the global majority, veterans and underrepresented communities, valuing the perspectives they bring.

If you haven't heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probation.

Date posted

22 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£46,419 to £55,046 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

289-EI-95

Job locations

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

Fulham Road

London

SW10 9NH

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Result Areas & Performance:

CLINICAL PRACTICE

To have a minimum of 18 months experience working on an acute ward as a registered Nurse.

To have previous experience as a mentor to junior staff and students

To be competent in caring for acutely unwell patients.

To be competent at caring for palliative patients and their families.

Always endeavour to provide the highest standard of care possible.

Ensure clinical practice is evidence based and up to date.

Ensure the patient and their families receive a high standard of care in accordance with the Trusts patient experience strategy.

Lead on implementation and change of practice where necessary.

To give advice and clinical support to other areas within the trust as required.

Be involved in effective multi-disciplinary team working.

Ensure patients privacy and dignity, and individual needs are met.

To work with the discharge team and community partners to ensure safe and timely discharges

Be an expert in the designated basic clinical skills set and teach/inform/coach others as appropriate encouraging a positive learning environment.

Be proactively involved in the development of competency standards, protocols, guidelines and unified records.

Actively seek out opportunities to improve skills and increase knowledge.

Keep up to date with clinical developments within acute medicine.

Be able to work autonomously.

Provide highquality, patientcentred nursing care within the Discharge Ready Unit (DRU) for patients who are medically fit for discharge but awaiting external placement or support.

Demonstrate robust AE assessment skills and recognise, escalate, and respond promptly to the deteriorating patient within a nurseled environment.

Accurately screen and assess patients for admission to the DRU, ensuring appropriate consideration of discharge planning requirements, therapy needs, and suitability for the unit against SOP criterion.

Act as a visible clinical leader, undertaking handson nursing care while supervising and supporting junior staff to maintain high standards of practice.

Work collaboratively with therapists, the Discharge Hub, volunteers, and carers to optimise patient functionality and support timely discharge.

ORGANISATIONAL AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT (incl. Clinical Governance)

Identify problems and actively work towards resolving them.

Actively look for ways to develop the service.

Be willing to undertake relevant development.

Ensure the safety of all patients including visitors at all times.

Ensuring safe clinical practice is maintained in the unit, especially in relation to junior staff.

To record and respond to complaints as they arise.

Identify own development needs and actively work towards own professional development with support from senior staff.

Contribute to areas clinical and non-clinical risk management and documenting untoward incidents, and participating in their review using the PSIRF tool.

Match development plan to that of the service and participate in yearly appraisals.

Maintain the required mandatory training.

Participate in research carried out in the department and understand the importance of research-based practice.

Be responsible for designated areas of ward management.

Be supported by the Trust in becoming computer literate and using the Trust computer systems efficiently.

Support the Ward Manager in maintaining clinical standards, patient safety, and adherence to Trust policies, procedures, and governance frameworks.

Contribute to service improvement initiatives that enhance patient flow, reduce delays, and embed the DRU model effectively within the organisation.

Participate in audit, quality monitoring, incident review, and learning processes to promote continuous improvement and safe care delivery.

Support the development, supervision, and appraisal of junior staff, fostering a culture of learning, accountability, and professional growth.

Maintain and develop own clinical competencies in line with NMC requirements and the evolving needs of the DRU.

COMMUNICATION

Maintain effective, appropriate communication and dissemination of information to all others including relatives, significant others and colleagues.

Welcome patients and their families to the ward and treat them holistically and as individuals

Have due regard for the customs, values and beliefs of all including patients who are end of life.

Work with the outside service providers and the multi-disciplinary team to ensure effective bed utilisation and safe patient discharge planning.

Maintain and develop effective communication between the patients, families and the MDT.

Show an awareness of ethical dilemmas and encourage discussion amongst the MDT

Ensure all communication is presented appropriately to the different recipients, according to levels of understanding, type of communication being imparted and possible barriers such as language, culture, understanding or physical or mental health conditions.

Ensure all communication, which may be complex, contentious or sensitive, is undertaken in a responsive and inclusive manner, focusing on improvement and ways to move forward.

To investigated concerns and complaints as they arise, including speaking to patients and/or relatives.

Communicate clearly, compassionately, and effectively with patients, families, and the multidisciplinary team to support safe discharge planning and continuity of care.Provide clear clinical leadership during shifts, ensuring accurate handover and clear communication of priorities, risks, and escalation pathways.

Liaise proactively with therapists, the Discharge Hub, and external agencies to coordinate discharge arrangements and resolve barriers to patient flow.Promote a positive, supportive team culture through open communication, constructive feedback, and professional role modelling.

FINANCIAL

To make effective use of available resources and eliminate waste in order to contribute to the cost effective delivery of services.

Be competent to assess patients who require 1:1 care and escalate to Ward Manager and Matron.

Contribute to the efficient use of resources within the DRU, ensuring safe staffing, appropriate skill mix, and effective allocation of clinical duties.

Support the Ward Manager in monitoring stock levels, minimising waste, and ensuring costeffective use of equipment and consumables.

Participate in initiatives that improve operational efficiency, reduce length of stay on referring wards, and support Trustwide flow objectives.

GENERAL

To help support and maintain the Trusts policy on Unified Patient Record Keeping.

To actively participate in quality assurance strategies and audit, including current DH initiatives and performance data.

To manage own time to ensure balance between clinical and administrative activities.

To make an active contribution to clinical governance strategies, particularly in relation to producing and/or reviewing nurse-led clinical guidelines.

To actively participate in maintaining own professional development, identifying own educational and clinical training needs with Line Manager.

To ensure own mandatory training certificates are current.

To maintain your own personal and professional development in accordance with the NMC code of conduct and other regulatory bodies.

To participate in reflective practice, and maintain a personal learning portfolio.

To keep up to date with NMC, relevant specialist, Faculty & Trust guidelines and protocols.

To be flexible and be able to work Long days and nights.

Uphold the values and standards of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust at all times.

Maintain a professional, flexible approach to meet the needs of a dynamic, nurseled unit, including supporting service changes and operational pressures.

Take responsibility for a defined part of the team, including leading on PDR completion, monitoring training adherence, and undertaking basic management duties to support the Ward Manager.

Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role to support safe, effective functioning of the Discharge Ready Unit