Job summary
It's an exciting time to join Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. We are recruiting for a Junior sister / Charge Nurse band 6 to join our dynamic Paediatric Critical Care (PCC) team that sits within the Division of, Paediatric Critical Care, Anaesthetics and Complex Medicine (Paediatric Oncology, Haematology, Stem Cell Transplant and Gene Therapy).

We're looking for a motivated and passionate individual to bring enthusiasm and excellence to our team which provides a broad range of high-quality, specialist services to our patients and supporting the team to be the best that they can be. The post holder will report to the Senior Sisters and Lead Nurse, providing visible leadership across a clinical service setting, monitoring and maintaining professional high standards. S/he is an innovative and dynamic practitioner committed to improving the patient/client experience, improving standards of care and services, leading the nursing contribution within PCC in line with the Group Nursing & Midwifery Strategy and Values and Behaviours.

Main duties of the job
The post holder is responsible for ensuring immediate care to critically ill children and their families, and will work primarily within the Paediatric Critical Care Clinical Specialist Unit, namely the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), the Paediatric High Dependency Unit (PHDU), and the North West and North Wales Transport Service (NWTS). The post holder will assess, plan, implement and evaluate the care for these patients supporting and guiding junior staff in the process. S/he will provide direct patient care and have detailed clinical knowledge of the specialist areas. The post holder will assist the senior Sister/Charge Nurse in ensuring that high standards of quality of care are delivered and maintained. The post holder will act as a positive role model within the department for staff, patients and families. The post holder will deputise for the senior sister/ charge nurse as required and along with the Critical Care Registrar act as a first responder bleep holder in clinical emergency calls within RMCH. The post holder will support evidenced based care within the clinical teams. S/he will contribute to the improvement of standards to care through the development of all staff groups, participating in audit and research, teaching and supporting colleagues and the provision of effective leadership.

About us
Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement. Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.

You'll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.

At MFT, you'll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.

Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We'll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Details
Date posted: 19 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year Per Annum (Pro Rata)
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 349-SHCG-8254755-RL3
Closing date: 26 October 2026

Job responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you'll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Documents to download heading.

Explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place
To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place. This welcoming one-stop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. You'll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.

To access Inside MFT Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the Documents to download heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.

Closing vacancy listings early
We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we're proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other. As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?
A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:

• Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.
• Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police that's considered relevant to the role.
• Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the children's and/or adults barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check
Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.

The Costs for a DBS
At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december

DBS Update Service
Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• First level registration - RN(Child)/RSCN Post basic evidence of study
• Evidence of recent professional development.
• Completion or working towards Advanced Paediatric Critical Care Course or equivalent.
• Qualified to function as mentor for pre registration students.

Desirable

• Appropriate management or leadership courses
• Evidence of recent relevant academic studies

Experience
Essential

• Substantial relevant post registration experience, some of this experience must be within relevant clinical setting
• Evidence of professional leadership, leading to innovation in practice
• Evidence of multi disciplinary/multi agency working
• Evidence of supporting our Quality & Safety Strategy

Desirable

• Experience of clinical audit
• Experience of research activities
• Evidence of implementing a service development/change

Skills, Abilities and Knowledge
Essential

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Evidence of teaching and assessing skills/ability
• Clinically competent in Paediatric Critical Care
• Proven workload management of self and of others
• Proven ability to problem solve
• Willingness to be flexible and adaptable
• Good analytical and clinical decision making skills
• Awareness of Clinical Governance process

Desirable

• IT/word processing skills

Personal attributes
Essential

• Professional, working in-line with Trust Values.
• An enthusiastic and supportive role model with the ability to motivate people
• Critical analysis skills
• Evidence of skills in diplomacy and negotiation
• Confident decision maker
• Able to work within a given resource and demonstrate imaginative and effective use of resources

Management Style
Essential

• Compassionate Leader.
• Team builder.
• Encourages participation from all staff
• Ability to work across boundaries to manage change and deliver excellent quality service

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).

Employer details
Employer name: Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/

For questions about the job, contact:
Ward Manager, Claire Hughes, claire.hughes@mft.nhs.uk, 01617018030

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. Applications are welcome from all backgrounds and experiences.