NHSCT_Clinical Sister/Charge Nurse Band 6
ref:56005999

Branch: Causeway Hospital
Location: Causeway Hospital Site: Main Building
Directorate: Medicine & Emergency Medicine Division
Functional Area: Acute Medical & Surgery
Salary: Band 6 (£38,682 - £46,580)
Contract Type: Temporary
Opening date: 05/11/26
Closes: Thu, 19 November 2026 @ 5:00 PM
Interview Dates: TBC

Notes: If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR.

Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage.

A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026.

Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week.

Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards.

Flexible Working
We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role.
Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

Apply and Job Description
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Full job description documents:

Clinical Sister/Charge Nurse

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT) is responsible for the delivery of safe and effective health and social care (HSC) services to the population of the Northern Trust area in Northern Ireland.

We provide compassionate care with our community in our community. In order to do this we require the commitment of a highly skilled and professional workforce that meets the need of the service.

The diagram below outlines our values and our objectives which support the delivery of compassionate care within our community.

The below diagram details the values and associated behaviours that we expect staff working within Health and Social Care (HSC) to display at all times;

• Working Together: We work together for the best outcome for people we care for and support. We work across Health and Social Care and with other external organisations and agencies, recognising that leadership is the responsibility of all.
• Compassion: We are sensitive, caring, respectful and understanding towards those we care for and support and our colleagues. We listen carefully to others to better understand and take action to help them and ourselves.
• Excellence: We commit to being the best we can be in our work, aiming to improve and develop services to achieve positive changes. We deliver safe, high-quality, compassionate care and support.
• Openness & Honesty: We are open and honest with each other and act with integrity and candour.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Clinical Sister/Charge Nurse

Applications are welcome from those seeking a secondment from their current role. Please note that you should have permission to be released from your substantive post from your line manager in advance of applying.

BAND: 6
DIRECTORATE/DIVISION: MEM
INITIAL LOCATION: Causeway Acute Elderly Medicine
REPORTS TO: Ward Sister/ Charge Nurse
ACCOUNTABLE TO: Assistant Clinical Services Manager

JOB SUMMARY:
The post-holder will be a member of the ward team who supports the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse in their supervisory role. They are also responsible for carrying out programmes of care, ensuring that practice is in accordance with NMC Code of Professional Conduct and the Scope of Professional Practice.

The post-holder will adopt a lead responsibility for ensuring patients receive high quality nursing care delivery, which will be evidenced in the Fundamentals of Care Key Performance Indicators.

The post-holder will be responsible for acting up on behalf of the Band 7 Ward Sister during protracted periods of absence, such as annual leave, study leave and sick leave.

The post-holder will be responsible for regularly taking charge of the ward/unit in the absence of the Ward Sister, and will be responsible for leading a team of all bands of staff and co-ordinating care within all disciplines within the ward.

KEY RESULT AREAS / MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• In absence of Ward Sister, takes charge of the ward and is responsible for ensuring that staffing arrangements are maintained 24 hours per day.
• Ensures that programmes of care are carried out to optimum standards.
• Ensure delegation within the ward is robustly implemented using agreed frameworks.
• Monitors and reports on patients' conditions according to ward policy and ensures maintenance of patient records as required.
• Ensures confidentiality of patient files.
• Adheres to regulations regarding the Controlled Drugs Act and the policies on Custody, Storage and Administration of all drugs and medicines.
• Organises the administration, discharge and transfer of patients in accordance with hospital policy, ensuring continuity of care.
• Maintains good communication with patients/relatives regarding patients' needs and welfare, and provide support, advice and education as necessary.
• Liaise with other members of the multi-disciplinary team/community to ensure holistic and satisfactory integrated care of patients.
• Ensure complaints are dealt with in a sensitive and timely fashion and participate in investigating such complaints in accordance with Trust Policy.
• Is responsible for and participates in the induction of new staff.
• Assists and supports in the development, implementation and auditing of standards of nursing practice.
• Will adopt a lead role for patient safety focusing on improvements in fundamental care delivery which will be evidenced in improvements in relevant KPIs.
• Act as a specialist resource within own specialty and utilises clinical expertise and knowledge by providing guidance and support to other staff in the ward/department.
• Will be responsible for leading the nursing team and actively participate in clinical duties.
• Ensures the economic use of resources and maintenance of all equipment.
• Attends study days/courses as directed and accepts responsibility for continuous professional development, submitting an evaluation to the Ward Sister on return.
• Will assist Ward Sister to ensure that all Trust Policies and Procedures are implemented and adhered to by all members of staff in relation to reporting of accidents/incidents, fire prevention, control of absence, health and safety at work, confidentiality, major incident plan, control of infection etc.
• In absence of Ward Sister, will delegate appropriate responsibility and authority to levels of staff within his/her control, consistent with effective decision-making whilst retaining accountability and responsibility for results.
• Will participate, as required, in the selection and appointment of new staff in accordance with procedures laid down and approved by Trust.
• In absence of Ward Sister takes such action as may be necessary in disciplinary matters in accordance with procedures laid down and approved by Trust.
• Assist Ward Sister to provide guidance for subordinate staff on personal development requirements and facilitate further training where appropriate.
• Facilitate and support Band 5 staff nurses in their mentorship role in the training of all student nurses.
• Assist Ward Sister in reviewing the establishment levels required to provide the service, ensuring that these are consistent with achieving objectives and recommending change where appropriate.
• Use Trustwide and departmental computer technology in line with the Trust's Information Management and Technology Strategy.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure the appropriate governance and risk management arrangements are in place for the services you are responsible for and take appropriate action to identify and manage risk and to maintain safety of users, staff and others in accordance with relevant regulations, policies and procedures.
• It is essential to ensure that the highest standards of infection prevention and control are maintained to ensure patient and client safety and maintain confidence in the Trust. As a Manager, you must ensure that you implement all instructions/policy in this area and that all staff are made aware of and fully comply with these.
• Where the post-holder has responsibility for managing a budget, ensure that services are managed and developed both in accordance with agreed and funded priorities as set out on a yearly basis and in accordance with Standing Financial Instructions, particularly ensuring your compliance with payroll documentation procedures and timescales.
• Ensure the necessary arrangements are in place in regard to the 'Knowledge and Skills Framework' outlines, where this applies, for the posts for which you have management responsibility and ensure that each member of staff has an annual development and performance review, a personal development plan and that arrangements are in place to ensure that staff have maximum opportunity to progress through gateways in their pay bands and to contribute effectively towards our objectives.
• Promote a culture of continuous service improvement amongst your staff, encouraging their participation and that of service users in reviewing and modernising current services and in service development.
• Make sure you are trained and competent in the relevant policies and procedures which apply to the management of staff and other resources and abide by these policies; seeking advice as necessary from senior management or specialist staff as necessary.
• Communicate effectively with staff and maintain productive working relationships amongst your staff and with others.
• Delegate appropriate responsibility and authority to staff in order to ensure optimum and effective service delivery and decision-making, whilst retaining overall accountability and responsibility for outcomes.
• Promote a culture of learning and development and facilitate arrangements for and participate in training and development of staff as agreed for the performance of their duties. Where training is in accordance with relevant standards make sure you have the relevant competences in order to carry out this responsibility.
• Promote equality of opportunity for all by personal action, both in the management of your staff and in the provision of care to service users in accordance with the Trust's Equality of Opportunity Policy and Equality Scheme.
• Take responsibility for ensuring appropriate standards of environmental cleanliness and for encouraging staff to maintain standards in their work area. Have an awareness of environmental issues and take appropriate action, for example to ensure the efficient use of energy and other resources, recycling etc.
• Make sure that staff are aware of Trust policies regarding the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and Records Management and that they must not disclose, withhold, retain or dispose of any information unless legally authorised.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Employees of the Trust will be required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:

• At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner.
• At all times demonstrate practice the HSC values of Working Together, Excellence, Openness & Honesty and Compassion.
• Carry out their duties and responsibilities in a manner which assures patient and client safety.
• Comply with all instructions in regard to Infection Prevention and Control.
• Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them.
• Comply with the Trust's Smoke Free Policy.
• Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with health and safety policy and statutory regulations.
• Adhere to equal opportunities policy throughout the course of their employment.
• Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in service provision.
• Adhere to the Code of Conduct for HSC Employees which aims to guide staff, managers and employers in the work that they do and the decisions and choices they have to make. Professional staff are expected to follow the code of conduct for their own professions as well as this code.
• The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the NHSCT Raising Concerns Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

RECORDS MANAGEMENT
All employees of the Northern Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including (for example) the ICT Security Policy, Data Quality and Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy and to seek advice if in doubt.

SALARY: £38,682 - £46,580 per annum (pro-rata for part-time)

RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK
Please note this role may not meet the requirements for a Skilled Worker visa (including a Health and Care Worker visa) and the Trust therefore would be unable to employ anyone that requires Sponsorship. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

HOURS
Normal full-time hours of duty are 37½ hours per week, exclusive of meal times.

MEDICAL
Appointment will be subject to a successful pre-employment health assessment.

HOLIDAYS
27 days each year; 29 days after 5 years' service; 33 days after 10 years' service and 10 statutory and public holidays.

PENSION
The post-holder can participate in the Health Social Care Pension Scheme.

NORTHERN TRUST BENEFITS
You can explore the benefits on offer to you in the Northern Trust by clicking the benefits brochure link provided.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD
You will serve a probationary period of normally six months.

WAITING LIST
A waiting list may be compiled for similar temporary, part time posts which may arise within the next 6 months.

PAY PROTECTION
Legacy Trust Staff who apply for a promotion after 1 April 2011 should be aware that they will lose their legacy protection arrangements and will be entitled to pay protection in accordance with circular HSS (JNF)(1) 2011. This circular will also apply to legacy staff who are currently in receipt of protection and who move post on promotion.

Completed application forms should be returned to the BSO Recruitment and Selection Shared Services Centre, on or before the closing date as stated in the advertisement.

Canvassing, either directly or indirectly, will be an absolute disqualification.

We will review this Job Description and it may include any other duties and responsibilities we determine in consultation with the jobholder. We do not intend it to be rigid and inflexible but rather to provide guidelines within which the jobholder works.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION
Title of Post: Clinical Ward Sister/ Charge Nurse
Band of Post: 6

Notes to applicants:

• You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.
• Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.
• Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made; if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.
• Volunteering experience may be considered appropriate in particular for roles within the context of direct patient/client care.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. Experience: Have 3 years post-registration experience with 1 year experience within the speciality applied for AND Registered Nurse on Part 1 of the live NMC register (Adult) OR Have 3 years post-registration experience with 1 year experience within the speciality applied for AND BSc (Hons) in Nursing and live on part 1 of the NMC register (Adult). Method of assessment: Shortlisting by Application Form.

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage. Skills/Abilities: Have successfully completed an intravenous Therapies Course. Provide evidence of continuous personal and professional development. Demonstrate ability to provide effective leadership to meet the needs of the post in full. Have effective communication skills to meet the needs of the post in full. Provide evidence of managing an operational team to ensure positive outcomes for patients/clients to enhance the experience of care. Demonstrate ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Demonstrate aptitude for service improvement and successful achievement of service objectives. Demonstrate ability to influence and manage change, including the promotion of evidence based practice. Demonstrate ability to support the learning and development of nursing staff within the team. Knowledge: Knowledge of changing trends within health and social care and professional issues in relation to nursing. Demonstrate commitment to the enhancement of the patient/client experience of care. Method of assessment: Interview/Test.

VALUE BASED RECRUITMENT
Value Based Recruitment is a process adopted by the Northern Trust to attract and select employees on the basis that their individual values and behaviours align with those of the Trust. It focuses on the 'how' and 'why' people do what they do.

Candidates who are short-listed for interview will need to demonstrate at interview that they have the required knowledge, skills, competencies and values to be effective in this new role.

In answering the value-based questions, you have the opportunity to share examples of when you have demonstrated values relevant to the Northern Trust.

CRIMINAL OFFENCES, INVESTIGATIONS AND CHARGES
Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from working with the Trust. This will depend on the nature of the position, together with the circumstances and background of your offences or other information contained on a disclosure certificate. Where it is necessary to obtain an Access NI disclosure the Trust operates in line with the Access NI Code of Practice.

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

THE NHSCT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Successful applicants:

• may be required to attend for a Health Assessment
• can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant & equivalent to the post. If the successful candidate is an existing HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.
• have the right to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. A number of flexible working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations including Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Flexi-time, Compressed/elongated hours, Average hours working patterns, Term-time working, Job-share or Homeworking for some or all of the working pattern, depending on the role being undertaken. Successful applicants are encouraged to discuss with their manager what Flexible Working provisions may be available in the role they are taking up, prior to commencing employment, to help them achieve a positive Work/Life Balance.