Closing date: 11 November 2026

Job summary
Abington Ward is a 28 bedded Respiratory ward providing care for adult patients. The Band 6 Senior Sister/Charge Nurse will support the Ward Leader in delivering high-quality, safe, and effective patient care while providing strong clinical and operational leadership on a day-to-day basis.

The post holder will need to be an experienced and motivated registered nurse with experience as a band 6 already, capable of coordinating the ward, supporting patient flow, leading shifts, and developing staff. They will act as a role model for excellent nursing practice and contribute to ensuring the ward achieves its quality, safety, workforce, and performance objectives.

Main duties of the job

• Assist the Ward Manager to create and maintain positive working relationships within the multi-disciplinary team.
• Supervise the assessing, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care, thus providing high standards of patient care at all times.
• Ensure that the care given reflects the hospital and departmental philosophies, standards and protocols.
• Will be responsible for their own actions and be bound by the NMC's Code of Professional conduct and all approved Trust policies.
• Will maintain own skills and knowledge and demonstrate clinical excellence and high standards of practice to other staff.

Job responsibilities
The Band 6 will be expected to deputise for the Ward Leader in their absence and take responsibility for operational management of the ward when required.

The post holder will support the flow of patients through the department, identifying and working towards set criteria for discharge. The post holder will be a role model both clinically and professionally. Provide effective input into the work of the Trust, to support the achievement of our vision and values.

Abington ward cares for patients with a vast range of respiratory conditions and nursing needs. The post holder will participate in the daily coordinating of the department, facilitating safe discharges and transfers to maintain patient flow, ensuring smooth and efficient running of the service, having an overview of the ward ensuring patient safety is maintained.

Key Competencies, Personal Qualities and Attributes

• Leadership Skills
• Excellent communication
• Approachable
• Problem solving

Skills & Abilities

• Experience of team nursing and team building.
• Excellent communication skills with individuals and members of the Multi disciplinary team.
• Ability to assess, plan, deliver and evaluate high standards of nursing care.
• The ability to act as a professional role model, facilitator and educator.
• Basic management skills with the ability to prioritise own work load effectively.
• Ability to support the ward manager in their absence, ensuring that their philosophy for quality service is delivered and maintained.
• An ability to organise the admission, transfer and discharge of acute medical patients, ensuring patient safety at all times.
• Ability to participate in the management of change.
• An ability to think quickly, assess clinical situations and make appropriate decisions based on the information gained.
• The confidence to take independent action and or seek advice from a senior member of staff.
• An ability to teach, coach and supervise staff that may be new to the clinical area and less experienced staff, students and other members of the multidisciplinary team. Also to participate in teaching programmes arranged for other staff within the Trust when critical care service needs allow.

Knowledge & Experience

• To have worked within an acute clinical ward and have a rounded knowledge of Medicine & Surgery.
• Leadership
• Experience coordinating

Education and Qualifications
Essential:

• Registered General Nurse 1 year
• Evidence of professional portfolio.

Desirable:

• More than 2 years experience
• Mentorship course.
• Leadership course
• ILS, ALS.

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. 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.

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

Employer details
Employer name: Northampton General Hospital
Address: University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire, Northampton, NN1 5BD, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Home.aspx

Contact for questions about the job
Ward Leader: Julie O'Sullivan, julie.osullivan3@nhs.net, 01604543778

We recognise that AI tools can support application writing; however, candidates are asked to keep their use to a minimum. Responses should reflect your own experience, skills and knowledge. University Hospitals of Northamptonshire welcomes applications from all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive working environment. Candidates who identify as members of the Armed Forces community and meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.