Junior Sister/Charge Nurse: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

We are seeking an experienced, motivated and compassionate nurse who is looking to take the next step in their leadership journey within our Major Trauma Ward . This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team caring for patients undergoing a wide range of elective and non-elective orthopaedic and plastic surgery procedures.

As a Band 6 Sister/Charge Nurse, you will play a key role in supporting the Ward Manager to deliver high-quality, safe and patient-centred care. You will provide visible clinical leadership, act as a role model for junior staff and work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to ensure excellent patient outcomes and experience.

You will be responsible for coordinating the day-to-day running of the ward, supporting staff development, promoting a culture of continuous improvement and deputising for the Ward Manager in their absence. We are looking for an inspirational leader who is passionate about developing others, driving quality improvement and ensuring the delivery of outstanding patient care.

Main duties of the job

The post holder is responsible for coordinating shifts, providing clinical expertise and ensuring the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of evidence-based nursing care. They will ensure practice complies with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code, Trust policies and relevant national standards, while working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to support safe and effective patient pathways.

Working within one of the UK’s leading Major Trauma Centres, the post holder will coordinate nursing care for patients admitted with complex poly-traumatic injurie. They will support enhanced recovery, rehabilitation, effective discharge planning and patient flow, ensuring care is responsive to individual patient needs.

Acting as a professional role model, the Junior Sister / Charge Nurse will provide support, supervision and development for registered nurses, nursing associates, healthcare support workers and students, promoting accountability, learning and a positive team culture.

Alongside the Ward Manager, and in their absence when delegated, the post holder will undertake ward leadership responsibilities including coordinating staffing, supporting workforce management, monitoring standards of care, escalating risks and contributing to the delivery of ward quality, workforce and performance objectives.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse (Adult) with current NMC registration.
• Degree in Nursing or equivalent professional qualification.
• Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to the role.

Desirable

• Trauma, Orthopaedic or Surgical Nursing qualification/course.
• University or Trust-based trauma, orthopaedic or peri-operative training.
• Practice Assessor qualification.

Experience

Essential

• 18 months or more post-registration experience within an acute hospital setting.
• Experience within Major Trauma Centre
• Experience of leading or coordinating teams within a clinical environment.
• Experience of managing patient flow, discharge planning and operational pressures.

Desirable

• Previous experience as a Senior Sister/Charge Nurse.
• Experience managing elective and non-elective surgical pathways.
• Experience of managing incidents, complaints or challenging situations.
• Experience of clinical governance, audit, quality improvement or patient safety initiatives.

Knowledge

Essential

• Understanding of professional accountability and the NMC Code.
• Understanding of the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care.
• Understanding of patient flow, discharge processes and operational management within an acute hospital setting.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, clinical governance, patient safety and risk management principles.
• Knowledge of infection prevention and control standards.
• Knowledge of digital healthcare systems and electronic patient records.

Desirable

• Knowledge of trauma, orthopaedic or plastic surgery pathways.
• Knowledge of GIRFT principles and elective recovery programmes.
• Knowledge of quality improvement methodologies, clinical audit and evidence-based practice.
• Knowledge of workforce supervision, staff development and performance management processes.
• Knowledge of the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework
• (PSIRF) and patient safety improvement principles.

Closing Date: 3 December 2026