Sister/Charge Nurse (XR06)

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose

The post holder will play a key role in supporting the Senior Sister, sharing responsibility for the 24-hour operational management of the ward/department to ensure safe, effective and efficient care delivery. The post holder will contribute to providing professional, clinical and managerial leadership, including supervision and support for the nursing team.

They will support the development and maintenance of a ward philosophy that places the patient at the centre of compassionate, safe, and high-quality care. By assisting with administrative and financial responsibilities, the post holder will promote the effective and cost-efficient use of resources.

As an experienced nurse, the post holder will assist in coordinating ward and departmental activities, always ensuring effective communication, and providing support to both registered and unregistered staff. They will play a key role in the assessment of patient care needs and the planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care.

The post holder will act as a positive role model, promoting evidence-based practice, supporting staff development and ensuring the effective management of the ward/department in the absence of the Senior Sister.

Ward/Department Information

Ward L21 is a 33-bedded specialist stroke unit, comprising:

10 Level 2 Hyper Acute Stroke Unit (HASU) beds

23 Acute Stroke Unit (ASU) beds

The Hyper Acute Stroke Unit receives direct admissions from the Emergency Department following assessment by the Brain Attack Team. Patients in the HASU are closely monitored using cardiac monitoring and supported by an experienced specialist nursing team.

The Acute Stroke Unit is a step-down ward from the HASU, where patients continue rehabilitation and undergo ongoing acute investigations. Specialist stroke rehabilitation is delivered from the point of admission by the multidisciplinary team, including nurses, therapists and care support workers. It is essential that nursing and care staff are actively involved in the rehabilitation process, working collaboratively within the MDT to deliver high standards of patient care.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership

- Provide professional and clinical leadership to the nursing team, acting as a role model for safe, compassionate, and evidence-based care.

- Support the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care, ensuring individualised and high-quality programmes are delivered.

- Maintain oversight of patient care across the ward/department, ensuring standards are consistently met.

Management and Administration

- Assist the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse with the 24-hour operational management of the ward/department.

- Support administrative and financial functions, ensuring cost-effective use of resources.

- Contribute to workforce planning, rostering, and allocation of staff to meet patient needs.

- Participate in specialty governance, including audit, reporting, and presenting at panels.

Team Development and Supervision

- Provide supervision, guidance, and support to qualified and unqualified staff.

- Promote learning and professional development, helping to build capability within the nursing team.

- Support change management initiatives and service development within the ward/department.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

- Work closely with the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure coordinated, patient-centred care.

- Maintain effective communication across all levels of the team, ensuring smooth information flow.

Quality and Governance

- Promote adherence to clinical governance frameworks, policies, and procedures.

- Ensure patient safety, risk management, and high standards of care are maintained at all times.

- Support audits, quality improvement projects, and evidence-based initiatives to enhance patient outcomes.

Non-Clinical Duties

- Share responsibility for non-clinical duties with Senior Sisters, including investigation reporting and attending panels.

- Assist in developing and maintaining a ward culture that values compassion, respect, and patient-centred care

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse (RN Adult for adult clinical areas or RN Child for childrens areas (Level 1 or 2)
• Recognised teaching/assessing qualification
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Stroke Knowledge

Desirable

• Significant post registration experience at staff nurse level or equivalent
• Working with a wide range of professionals including medical, nursing and management colleagues
• Audit and standard setting
• Local and national nursing agenda.
• Current issues in health

Experience

Essential

• Senior Band 5
• Nurse in charge experience

Desirable

• change management

Skills & behaviours

Essential

• Written and Verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively within a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to teach, supervise and assess qualified and unqualified staff
• Ability to prioritise workload and met deadlines whilst paying attention to detail
• Demonstrates problem solving and analytical skills

Desirable

• Recruitment and selection
• Time management skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Clinical leadership and appraisal skills
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of current issues in health and social care

Additional Requirements

Essential

• Demonstrates personal and professional behaviour and integrity at all times
• Role model
• Compassionate and caring
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Flexibility, adaptable, capable of lateral thinking
• Ability to manage and identify stress in self and others
• Motivator of self and others
• Positive approach to change
• Self-confidence, uses this to lead, involve and challenge others appropriate

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).