Job summary
Senior Sister/Charge Nurse
Department Surgical SDEC
Band 7 £47,810 - £54,710 Per annum pro rata
Hours: 34 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Sister to lead our Surgical Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) Unit, a fast-paced and evolving service that plays a vital role in delivering same-day emergency care to surgical patients. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of urgent surgical care, improve patient flow, and reduce unnecessary hospital admissions.
As Senior Sister, you will provide clinical leadership, operational oversight, and compassionate care within a multidisciplinary team. You will be instrumental in driving service development, ensuring high standards of patient safety, and fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.
You will have significant post-registration experience in acute surgical or emergency care with strong leadership skills and experience in managing teams. Demonstratable clinical assessment and decision-making abilities and passionate about delivering high-quality, patient-centred care.
Your key responsibilities will include leading and coordinating the daily operations of the Surgical SDEC unit whilst providing expert clinical care and decision-making to the Trust and to patients presenting with acute surgical conditions.
Interview 16 October 2025
Main duties of the job
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
The aim of this role is to ensure that all patients presenting with surgical conditions receive rapid assessment and treatment within the same day, in line with national SDEC standards. The post holder will lead by example in delivering safe, evidence-based care, supporting clinical decision-making and promoting best practice across the multidisciplinary team. The post holder will identify opportunities for innovation and lead quality improvement initiatives to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of the SDEC model.
About us
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.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and 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
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
To act as clinical expert and role model, assessing patients needs and then planning, delivering, and evaluating a complex programme of care for them within the SDEC model of care. To communicate complex and sensitive information regarding patients and their medical conditions with other clinicians within the Trust, to enhance continuity of patient care when transferring into and out of the department.
Management
To participate in the development of the departments policies ensuring that they reflect the strategic plans of the Trust. Plan and organise staff allocations, managing and being accountable for the SDEC team to ensure effective use of allotted time.
Education and professional development
To participate in the education and development of all grades of staff. To actively lead and develop staff training to create and maintain a sustainable nursing team.
General
To work within and promote the NMC Code of Professional Conduct. To continually develop and promote the departments philosophy of care and its contribution to the CSUs overall philosophy of care.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
To act as clinical expert and role model, assessing patients needs and then planning, delivering, and evaluating a complex programme of care for them within the SDEC model of care. To communicate complex and sensitive information regarding patients and their medical conditions with other clinicians within the Trust, to enhance continuity of patient care when transferring into and out of the department.
Management
To participate in the development of the departments policies ensuring that they reflect the strategic plans of the Trust. Plan and organise staff allocations, managing and being accountable for the SDEC team to ensure effective use of allotted time.
Education and professional development
To participate in the education and development of all grades of staff. To actively lead and develop staff training to create and maintain a sustainable nursing team.
General
To work within and promote the NMC Code of Professional Conduct. To continually develop and promote the departments philosophy of care and its contribution to the CSUs overall philosophy of care.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Registered Nurse
- Master's qualification or equivalent level of qualification or experience
- Awareness of relevant national guidelines and regulatory requirements
Desirable
- Recognised teaching qualification
- Patient Assessment course
- Non- medical prescribing
Experience
Essential
- Significant post-registration experience in acute surgical or emergency care
- Proven leadership and team management experience
- Experience in managing patient flow and coordinating multidisciplinary teams
- Involvement in service development or quality improvement projects
Desirable
- Experience in ambulatory care or SDEC settings
Skills
Essential
- Excellent clinical assessment and decision-making skills
- Strong leadership and communication abilities
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Competent in using clinical systems and digital tools
- Strong leadership ability
- Excellent time management
- Able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
- Confident in the management of change
- Able to challenge poor practice and provide constructive plans for improvement
Personal and people development
Essential
- Dynamic leadership qualities
- Effective team member
- Effective team member
- Compassionate and patient-focused
- Resilient and adaptable
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Committed to professional development and service improvement
- Able to influence and inspire others
Communication
Essential
- Excellent communication skills
- Able to represent SDEC as a clinical expert both within the department and across the Trust
- Professional image and communication style
- Ability to communicate complex clinical information clearly to patients, families, and colleagues
- Skilled in conflict resolution and managing sensitive conversations
- Able to lead and contribute effectively to multidisciplinary meetings
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Registered Nurse
- Master's qualification or equivalent level of qualification or experience
- Awareness of relevant national guidelines and regulatory requirements
Desirable
- Recognised teaching qualification
- Patient Assessment course
- Non- medical prescribing
Experience
Essential
- Significant post-registration experience in acute surgical or emergency care
- Proven leadership and team management experience
- Experience in managing patient flow and coordinating multidisciplinary teams
- Involvement in service development or quality improvement projects
Desirable
- Experience in ambulatory care or SDEC settings
Skills
Essential
- Excellent clinical assessment and decision-making skills
- Strong leadership and communication abilities
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Competent in using clinical systems and digital tools
- Strong leadership ability
- Excellent time management
- Able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
- Confident in the management of change
- Able to challenge poor practice and provide constructive plans for improvement
Personal and people development
Essential
- Dynamic leadership qualities
- Effective team member
- Effective team member
- Compassionate and patient-focused
- Resilient and adaptable
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Committed to professional development and service improvement
- Able to influence and inspire others
Communication
Essential
- Excellent communication skills
- Able to represent SDEC as a clinical expert both within the department and across the Trust
- Professional image and communication style
- Ability to communicate complex clinical information clearly to patients, families, and colleagues
- Skilled in conflict resolution and managing sensitive conversations
- Able to lead and contribute effectively to multidisciplinary meetings
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).
