Job summary
The post holder will participate in the delivery of high standards of care to patients and their families. Take responsibility for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating programmes of evidenced-based nursing care to a group of patients

Maternity Cover 6 to 10 months

Main duties of the job
They will participate in the management of the ward when required, ensuring smooth and efficient running in the absence of the Ward Manager or Junior Sister. They will take responsibility for their own self-development helping to provide a suitable learning environment and high standards of clinical practice. To recognise own limitations and seek advice and support from senior staff.

About us
Please submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close any adverts before the closing date once we have received sufficient applications

Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.

Our Excellence Values

• Compassion
• Accountability
• Respect
• Integrity
• Courage

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential.

The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups. We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.

We recognise the valuable contribution that the Armed Forces community make to our organisation. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and achieved Silver Award under the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme.

We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.

Details
Date posted: 30 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year Per annum / Pro rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 10 months
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 265-8303965-SUR
Job locations: University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire, NN1 5BD, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Supporting Clinical Excellence

• Actively contribute to setting and maintaining high standards of quality nursing care.
• Work collaboratively and co-operatively with others to meet the needs of patients and their families.
• Be responsible for the assessment of care needs and the development of programmes of care ensuring that these are evaluated and amended as appropriate.
• Undertake nursing procedures and techniques in accordance with agreed policies and guidelines.
• Co-ordinate the patients discharge arrangements in accordance with NGH discharge policy and processes.
• Plan, develop and implement approaches to promote health and wellbeing of patients, and improve their health status.
• Document the condition and progress of patients and report to medical staff and/or senior nursing staff any areas of concern.
• Maintain contemporary detailed nursing documentation.
• Actively maintain a safe ward environment.
• Comply with all Trust policies and risk assessments regarding the policies and procedures carried out in the event of maintaining staff and patient safety.
• Responsible for safe supply, storage, administration, checking and disposal of medications, including controlled drugs in line with Trust Policy and Nursing Midwifery Council standards.
• Maintain an awareness of the developments in the care and treatment of patients to be able to carry out duties competently and efficiently.

Communication

• Communicate effectively with the multidisciplinary team to promote efficient care and maintain effective channels of communication.
• Report all accidents and untoward incidents to the nurse in charge of the ward and complete an incident form in accordance with Trust policy.
• Maintain complete and accurate patient records ensuring that they provide a detailed account of all care provided throughout the patients stay.
• Communicate with and provide support for patients relatives, carers, and visitors. Communicate with theatres staff regarding admissions to the ward.
• Be aware of the need for confidentiality both within the written and spoken word and always ensure correct storage of patients records, to comply with the Information Governance Code.
• Liaise with other clinical areas as necessary for the coordination of patient care and the smooth running of the ward/unit/department.

Person Specification
Education, Training and Qualifications
Essential

• Educated to degree level adult nursing
• NMC Registration

Desirable

• A recognised teaching qualification
• Level one training

Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• Demonstrate and ability to assess, plan, prioritise, evaluate and patient care

Desirable

• Previous experience of working on a general surgical ward
• Venepuncture and cannulation

Skills
Essential

• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to plan own workload and manage own time effectively
• Ability to exercise initiative
• Effective IT skills

Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes
Essential

• Enthusiasm
• Passionate and committed to bring our Dedicated to Excellence values to life, improving the way we work with each other, particularly focusing on empowerment, equality diversity and inclusion of our staff, patients and service users
• Ability to work under pressure and seek help when required
• Essential to be flexible and resilient

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: Northampton General Hospital
Address: University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire, NN1 5BD, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website