Job summary
Senior Sister/Charge Nurse
Emergency Department (ED)
Band 7 pro rata if part-time
Hours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
#TeamMKUH has a fantastic opportunity to join the senior nursing team. You will provide leadership and management in ED and ensure that the highest possible standards of care are met.
Your leadership will be instrumental in supporting clinical governance, driving quality assurance, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. You'll also play a key role in mentoring junior staff, promoting professional development, and maintaining high standards of care. In addition, you'll deputise for the Matron, contributing to strategic planning and service delivery across the department.
To thrive in this role, you'll need proven leadership experience within acute or emergency care settings, along with strong clinical expertise and confident decision-making skills. Your ability to manage staffing, resources, and departmental priorities will be essential, as will your enthusiasm for education, innovation, and continuous development.
This is your opportunity to lead with purpose, drive clinical excellence, and shape the future of urgent care in ED.
Interview date: 06.04.2026
Main duties of the job
We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute
"- NHS Survey, 2024''94% feel that their role makes a difference to patience and service users.
o To develop and maintain a high standard of nursing care in accordance with Trust/Divisional policies.
o To be actively involved in the management and development of the ED (Emergency Department).
o To work with the Senior Nursing/Medical team to ensure that issues relating to clinical governance are addressed within the department.
o To provide expert clinical leadership with the support of Matrons to all staff to ensure quality service delivery.
o To communicate effectively and co-ordinate multidisciplinary work.
o To continually develop and update professional skills within the scope of professional practice framework.
o To be responsible for implementing, monitoring, and evaluating the Nursing Strategy at Unit level.
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
MANAGERIAL To be responsible for shift management in liaison with the Matron where appropriate. To have responsibility for the specific aspects of nursing management negotiated with the Matron. To have responsibility for the development of a specific clinical area and specific development projects, in liaison with the Matron.
CLINICAL To demonstrate a professional approach to the leadership and management of staff within the department, acting as a role model for staff and sharing expertise. To assess, plan, implement and evaluate care within the standards and philosophy of the department. To co-ordinate clinical activities, daily allocation, and redeployment of nursing staff within the department to assist with the safe and efficient management of patient flow.
PROFESSIONAL To participate in the development of evidence-based practice and to initiate, manage and evaluate changes which lead to improved practice. To actively participate in the Trust/departmental audit programmes. To work within a team of Sisters/Charge Nurses to enhance the professional development of the department.
EDUCATION To develop clinical practice through education. To act as an expert resource to multidisciplinary colleagues. To participate in multidisciplinary teaching activities within the directorate. To ensure a learning environment is created and maintained for pre-registration, qualified and HCA nursing staff, that development is ongoing and facilitates nurse's revalidation requirements.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
MANAGERIAL To be responsible for shift management in liaison with the Matron where appropriate. To have responsibility for the specific aspects of nursing management negotiated with the Matron. To have responsibility for the development of a specific clinical area and specific development projects, in liaison with the Matron.
CLINICAL To demonstrate a professional approach to the leadership and management of staff within the department, acting as a role model for staff and sharing expertise. To assess, plan, implement and evaluate care within the standards and philosophy of the department. To co-ordinate clinical activities, daily allocation, and redeployment of nursing staff within the department to assist with the safe and efficient management of patient flow.
PROFESSIONAL To participate in the development of evidence-based practice and to initiate, manage and evaluate changes which lead to improved practice. To actively participate in the Trust/departmental audit programmes. To work within a team of Sisters/Charge Nurses to enhance the professional development of the department.
EDUCATION To develop clinical practice through education. To act as an expert resource to multidisciplinary colleagues. To participate in multidisciplinary teaching activities within the directorate. To ensure a learning environment is created and maintained for pre-registration, qualified and HCA nursing staff, that development is ongoing and facilitates nurse's revalidation requirements.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Evidence of Career Development
- Registered Nurse
- Multi-professional Support for Learning and Assessment in Practice (MSPP) or equivalent
- Must have current Emergency Department (ED) experience
- Must have current Emergency Department (ED) experience
- Willingness to work towards degree or Masters
Desirable
- Degree/master's nursing/related subject/emergency care module
- Leadership course
- Advanced Life Support (ALS) / European Paediatric Advanced Life Support (EPALS) Provider skills
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of clinical skills development to include several expanded roles e.g., suturing/cannulation/venipuncture etc.
- Evidence of teaching ability/practice development.
- Evidence of leadership and effective management
- Evidence of Practice Development
- Evidence of high standards of care
Desirable
- Performance Management
- Change management
Skills
Essential
- Current issues relating to nursing / NHS / Emergency departments
- Evidence based practice
- Clinical Governance
- Clinical supervision
- Risk Management
- Quality Management
- Evidence of Audit
- Research
- Budgeting
- Personnel Issues / Appraisals
- Staff development
- Leadership
- Promote positive working environment
- Can work under pressure
- Can prioritize / delegation
- Enthusiastic
- Practical
Desirable
- Diplomacy
- Role Model
- Sense of humour
- Presentable
Personal and people development
Essential
- Internal rotation
- Flexible /ability to work under pressure according to workload
- Computer literate
- Motivates & Motivator
- Team Player
- Consistent
Desirable
- Awareness of Trust issues & their impact/implications for practice
Communication
Essential
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills (written/verbal)
Desirable
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Evidence of Career Development
- Registered Nurse
- Multi-professional Support for Learning and Assessment in Practice (MSPP) or equivalent
- Must have current Emergency Department (ED) experience
- Must have current Emergency Department (ED) experience
- Willingness to work towards degree or Masters
Desirable
- Degree/master's nursing/related subject/emergency care module
- Leadership course
- Advanced Life Support (ALS) / European Paediatric Advanced Life Support (EPALS) Provider skills
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of clinical skills development to include several expanded roles e.g., suturing/cannulation/venipuncture etc.
- Evidence of teaching ability/practice development.
- Evidence of leadership and effective management
- Evidence of Practice Development
- Evidence of high standards of care
Desirable
- Performance Management
- Change management
Skills
Essential
- Current issues relating to nursing / NHS / Emergency departments
- Evidence based practice
- Clinical Governance
- Clinical supervision
- Risk Management
- Quality Management
- Evidence of Audit
- Research
- Budgeting
- Personnel Issues / Appraisals
- Staff development
- Leadership
- Promote positive working environment
- Can work under pressure
- Can prioritize / delegation
- Enthusiastic
- Practical
Desirable
- Diplomacy
- Role Model
- Sense of humour
- Presentable
Personal and people development
Essential
- Internal rotation
- Flexible /ability to work under pressure according to workload
- Computer literate
- Motivates & Motivator
- Team Player
- Consistent
Desirable
- Awareness of Trust issues & their impact/implications for practice
Communication
Essential
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills (written/verbal)
Desirable
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
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).
