Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic, motivated and compassionate Band 6 Charge Nurse/Ward Sister to join our specialist Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation team at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.

The post holder will play a key leadership role in supporting the day-to-day management of the ward, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and patient-centred care throughout the rehabilitation journey. Working within a highly skilled multidisciplinary team, you will coordinate clinical care, provide professional leadership to the nursing team, and support the development of junior staff.

This role is ideal for an experienced nurse with excellent clinical, leadership and communication skills who is committed to delivering high-quality rehabilitation care and promoting the independence and wellbeing of patients with spinal cord injuries.

Main duties of the job

• Act as Nurse in Charge, providing effective leadership and coordination of the ward, ensuring safe staffing, appropriate skill mix and high standards of patient care.
• Provide specialist nursing care and clinical leadership within a spinal cord injury rehabilitation setting, supporting patients to achieve their rehabilitation goals and maximise independence.
• Manage complex patient needs, including neurological impairment, respiratory care, bladder and bowel management, pressure ulcer prevention, skin integrity and long-term rehabilitation planning.
• Support the Ward Manager in the operational management of the unit, including patient flow, admissions, discharges, transfers and resource management.
• Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to deliver personalised rehabilitation plans and promote positive patient outcomes.
• Provide supervision, support and development to registered nurses, healthcare support workers, students and new members of staff.
• Promote a culture of patient safety, clinical governance, quality improvement and evidence-based practice.
• Ensure accurate clinical documentation and effective use of the EPIC electronic patient record system to support safe and coordinated care.
• Participate in audits, service improvement initiatives, incident reviews and the ongoing development of the Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation service.
• Deputise for the Ward Manager when required and contribute to the achievement of Trust objectives and standards.

About us
At the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH), we are committed to achieving the best staff experience in the NHS. In the 2023 NHS Staff Survey, we proudly:

• Scored above the national average for the People Promises: "We are recognised and rewarded," "We are always learning," "We work flexibly," "We are a team," and for staff engagement.
• Ranked #1 among all Trusts in North and Central London for all People Promises and themes.
• Ranked #1 among all Acute Specialist Trusts for "We work flexibly."

At RNOH, we're committed to being actively anti-discriminatory and actively inclusive. We recognise our brilliant people do brilliant work, and we offer rewarding careers, no matter what their background. We continue to strive to break down barriers to be the Trust where people come together because what they do matters, makes a difference and where they can thrive.

Joining our organisation means enjoying a wide range of staff benefits, including:

• 24/7 access to wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme.
• A Rewards & Recognition platform, offering opportunities to thank colleagues, send gifts, and access exclusive discounts.
• A dedicated Staff Wellbeing Hub, providing a space to relax and recharge away from the work environment.
• Salary sacrifice schemes for transport (season ticket loans, car and bike), electrical goods, and childcare

At RNOH, we are more than a workplace--we are committed to patients, to excellence and the wellbeing of our staff.

Job responsibilities
Job Description:
As a Band 6 Charge Nurse/Ward Sister within the Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Unit, provide clinical and operational leadership to ensure the delivery of safe, effective, compassionate and evidence-based care to patients with spinal cord injuries.

Provide specialist nursing leadership within a complex rehabilitation environment, supporting patients to maximise independence, achieve their rehabilitation goals and transition safely through their recovery journey. Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to deliver personalised, goal-focused care that meets the physical, psychological and social needs of patients living with spinal cord injury.

Act as a clinical role model, promoting a culture of professionalism, learning, accountability and excellence in patient care

The main responsibilities of the job are:

• Providing visible clinical leadership and acting as Nurse in Charge of the ward on a regular basis.
• Coordinating the day-to-day running of the ward, ensuring safe staffing, effective patient flow and efficient use of resources.
• Delivering and overseeing specialist nursing care for patients with spinal cord injuries, promoting rehabilitation, independence and patient-centred goal setting.
• Working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to develop, implement and evaluate individualised care plans.
• Supervising, supporting and developing registered nurses, healthcare support workers, students and new members of staff through teaching, coaching and clinical supervision.
• Ensuring compliance with Trust policies, professional standards, infection prevention and control requirements, safeguarding responsibilities and clinical governance processes.
• Promoting a culture of continuous learning, quality improvement and evidence-based practice to enhance patient outcomes and service delivery.
• Participating in audit, incident investigations, quality improvement initiatives and service development projects.
• Maintaining accurate, timely and legally compliant clinical documentation using Trust's EPIC electronic patient record systems.
• Acting as a professional role model, demonstrating excellent communication, leadership and decision-making skills while fostering a positive, inclusive and supportive working environment.
• Supporting the Ward Manager in recruitment, staff appraisals, performance management, mandatory training compliance and workforce development.
• Deputising for the Ward Manager in their absence and contributing to the ongoing development of the specialist spinal cord injury rehabilitation service.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Nurse Adult Current registration with NMC
• Hons Healthcare/Nursing
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Practice Supervisor

Desirable

• Post Registration qualification / training supplementary qualifications to post graduate level
• Practices Assessor Management qualification, Advanced Life Support

Experience
Essential

• Current evidence based practice in the spinal cord injury patient group
• Experience of taking charge of a clinical ward
• Evidence of teaching and developing self and others
• IT skills, including Microsoft Word, data entry
• Ability to demonstrate sound knowledge of the particular patient group
• Working within multidisciplinary teams

Desirable

• Leading and managing staff
• High dependency experience
• Experience in change management

Skills
Essential

• Competent in basic life support
• Able to care for a group of at least 8 patients
• Demonstrate excellent communication
• Relevant medical / acute nursing skills to be able to lead a team
• Ability to work under time constraints

Desirable

• Advanced clinical skills, canulation and venepuncture
• Competent in immediate life support
• Advanced knowledge of Spinal Cord Injuries patient group
• Able to teach and supervise junior staff and students

Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge of Clinical Governance and Commitment to clinical supervision
• Awareness of professional issues
• Practices within the scope of the NMC Code of Professional Conduct
• Promote peoples equality, diversity and rights
• Ability to demonstrate application of the NHS Plan to sphere of practice

Desirable

• Advanced knowledge of Spinal Cord Injury
• Awareness of the structure and organisation of the NHS

Effort and Environment
Essential

• Ability to use computer
• Systems to a well-developed level (email, word processing, spreadsheets)
• Ability to work flexibly

Desirable

• Ability to work with electronic documentation and prescribing systems

Disposition and Attributes
Essential

• Good interpersonal skills
• Uses own initiative and is able to take decisions
• Self motivated with the ability to motivate others
• Effective team member

Desirable

• Able to develop clinical practice

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).

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.
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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.