Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Sister/Charge Nurse
Closing date: 06 November 2026
Department: Macmillan Unit
Band: Band 6 £39,959 - £48,117 per annum pro rata
Hours: Part-time 20 hours per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 Sister/Charge Nurse to join and help lead our Haematology & Oncology Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) Unit, based in the state-of-the-art Cancer Centre at MKUH.

Why join us?
Opened in February 2020, our Cancer Centre is a vibrant, expanding hub of innovation and compassionate care. You will work as part of a skilled and supportive team within the Macmillan Suite, delivering high-quality, patient-centred cancer treatment to the community of Milton Keynes and surrounding areas.

What we're looking for:

• A current Band 6 qualification or readiness to step into this level A SACT qualification (essential)
• Strong leadership skills and a collaborative approach
• A passion for delivering outstanding care to patients, families, and carers

What makes us different: Our service is built around holistic, patient-focused care. We have:

• A dedicated Wellbeing Team to support recovery and quality of life
• Macmillan Information and Support Centre onsite
• Partnership with Citizens Advice Bureau
• A wide range of carer and patient support groups available

"We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute"

Sponsorship: Please note that we are unable to provide sponsorship for this role
Interview date: 25 November 2026

Main duties of the job
The post holder will work autonomously, within their scope of practice, leading and coordinating the nursing team, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality patient care in line with Trust policies and national standards. The post holder will deliver specialist care with specific expertise in Haematology/Oncology & Systemic Anti-Cancer Treatments (SACT).

The post holder will act as Nurse in Charge/Coordinator on a regular basis, taking responsibility for the operational management and safe running of the shift, including staff allocation, patient flow, and escalation of risk. The post holder is accountable for the delivery of care across the clinical area and the performance of the nursing team during shifts for which they are in charge.

The role includes leadership, supervision and development of staff, and responsibility for implementing and monitoring standards of care and service improvement initiatives, under the direction of the Senior Sister/Senior Charge Nurse.

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. We have just opened the Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards.

Further investment is underway, including 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.

Main responsibilities

• Provide visible, professional, and compassionate leadership
• Maintain and enhance standards of clinical excellence
• Drive improvements in patient outcomes and experiences for individuals undergoing SACT
• Support the education, development, and well-being of the nursing team
• Unsupervised assessment of patient care needs, ensuring appropriate assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care, maintaining high standards of evidence-based care
• Act as the Nurse in Charge/Coordinator for either the inpatient ward or SACT unit on a regular basis, coordinating the shift and ensuring safe staffing and skill mix, utilising relevant systems to do so e.g. Healthroster and Safe Care
• Maintain professional registration and fulfil revalidation requirements
• Day-to-day supervision and direction of Registered and Unregistered Nursing colleagues and Healthcare Assistants on shift

Essential qualifications and knowledge

• Nursing Degree
• Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) PIN
• Evidence of post-registration development
• System Anti-Cancer Treatment (SACT) qualification
• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Knowledge of current professional issues in nursing
• Understanding of use of clinical audit in a clinical setting
• Knowledge of infection control
• Awareness of National SACT peer review measures
• Mentorship/practice assessor qualification (or willingness to undertake)

Desirable qualifications

• Immediate Life Support (ILS)

Essential experience

• Experience of working as part of a team
• Experience working in an acute healthcare environment
• Significant post-registration experience in relevant clinical area
• Experience of acting as Nurse in Charge/coordinating a clinical area or shift
• Experience supervising unqualified staff

Desirable experience

• Experience supervising qualified staff

Essential skills

• Ability to deal with complex and difficult emotional situations
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team
• Advanced clinical assessment and decision-making skills
• Diplomacy and negotiation skills
• IT skills
• Ability to manage workload and prioritise in a fast-paced environment
• Leadership and team management skills
• Ability to undertake audits and support quality improvement

Desirable skills

• Teaching and good presentation skills
• Ability to undertake career conversations and appraisals

Essential personal qualities

• Motivated and enthusiastic
• Approachable
• Able to work under pressure
• Able to reflect on own practice
• Willing to learn and improve personal practice

Essential communication

• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Able to communicate effectively with other members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT)

Specific requirements

• 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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer: Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Macmillan Unit (Dept), Milton Keynes, MK6 5LD, United Kingdom
Website: https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/working-at-mkuh
Contact: Emily Dawson, SACT Clinical Nurse Manager, Emily.Dawson@mkuh.nhs.uk

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.