Ward Sister / Charge Nurse

Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, motivated and experienced Registered Nurse to join our Medicine for Older People team as a Ward Sister. This rewarding leadership role focuses on delivering high-quality care to frail older adults with complex medical, physical and cognitive needs. We are seeking an individual who is passionate about providing outstanding patient-centred care and improving outcomes and experiences for older people.

As Ward Sister, you will provide visible clinical and professional leadership, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and compassionate care. You will lead and inspire a dedicated nursing team, promote excellence in clinical practice, support staff development and contribute to service improvement. You will also oversee workforce management and help maintain a safe, high-quality ward environment.

The successful candidate will have strong clinical knowledge, excellent leadership and organisational skills, and the ability to manage competing priorities within a busy ward setting. You will be an effective communicator, a positive role model and an advocate for older people. This is an excellent opportunity for a dynamic nurse leader committed to delivering outstanding care while developing both their own skills and those of their team within a supportive and progressive Medicine for Older People service.

Main duties of the job
We are seeking a motivated and experienced individual to lead the nursing and multidisciplinary team within our Medicine for Older People service. As Ward Sister, you will provide strong clinical and operational leadership, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and compassionate care for frail older adults with complex medical, cognitive and rehabilitation needs. You will have experience in ward management, leading teams, managing resources and driving quality improvement to enhance patient outcomes and experience. As an autonomous practitioner and visible role model, you will support and develop staff, promoting excellence in clinical practice, professional development and person-centred care. You will work closely with the Matron for Medicine for Older People and Ward Sisters across the Care Group to ensure the service vision and objectives are embedded throughout the division and Trust. A commitment to high clinical standards, multidisciplinary working and continuous improvement is key. We are committed to supporting your professional development and offer opportunities to enhance your leadership skills and specialist knowledge in the care of older people. If you are looking for a rewarding leadership role offering variety, career development, support and genuine job satisfaction, we would be delighted to hear from you and welcome you to our dedicated Medicine for Older People team.

About us
Listen to why colleagues think we are a great place to work! - https://bit.ly/3DNEQfD

What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?

• As part of our BHT family, you'll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
• We offer flexible and agile working opportunities, alongside your NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement, pension and access to NHS discount schemes.
• We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.

Why work for us?

• We're committed to promoting inclusion and making sure all colleagues feel they belong. We encourage new colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply.
• As an employer, we aim to create a workplace where differences are valued and colleagues treat one another with dignity and respect.
• Greater diversity within our BHT family improves positive outcomes for the people and communities we serve.

What do we stand for?

• Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.
• Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.
• Our CARE values are collaborate, aspire, respect and enable.

Details
Date posted: 24 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year, per annum pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working
Reference number: 434-CR8161458
Job locations: Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Mandeville Road, Aylesbury, HP21 8AL, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
For a comprehensive list of responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to the Job Description and Person Specification by downloading the JD and PS attachment in the advert.

If you are an internal applicant there is the option for secondment, all applicants must have the endorsement/support of their line manager prior to application.

If you have a disability that makes submitting this online application difficult and would like assistance, please contact us on bht.recruitment@nhs.net quoting the vacancy reference number.

Person Specification
EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
Essential

• Registered Nurse
• Teaching and Assessment recognised qualification
• Post qualification experience in relevant speciality

Desirable

• Management / Leadership Course desirable
• Recognised qualification in Older Peoples Care, Dementia or Rehabilitation

EXPERIENCE
Essential

• Experience as a Band 6; Experience post registration and within the NHS
• Previous experience as shift/team leader
• Experience of teaching students, HCA's and qualified staff
• Previous experience in teaching, coaching, mentoring

Desirable

• Proven track record of innovation and leadership in Medicine for Older People
• Proven track record in change management, team leadership and performance management

SKILLS, ABILITIES & KNOWLEDGE
Essential

• Evidence of participation in audit, research and development of staff

Desirable

• Proven ability to analyse highly complex problems and to develop and successfully implement practical and workable solutions to address them
• Evidence of participation in audit, research and development of staff

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
Desirable

• The post holder may be required to work across all sites and will be required to travel between the sites in a timely manner

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).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information
Employer details
Employer name: Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
Address: Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Mandeville Road, Aylesbury, HP21 8AL, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://careers.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Matron
Roxana Moise roxana.moise@nhs.net
roxana.moise@nhs.net
07939587937