Job summary
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Job Title: Junior Sister / Charge Nurse
Contract Type: Permanent

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if we receive a large number of applications.

Main duties of the job
An exciting opportunity has arisen to work in the South Coast's largest Critical Care Unit for a Sister / Charge Nurse in Surgical High Dependency Unit (SHDU).

Critical care Unit comprises of General ICU, Neurological ICU, Cardiac ICU and Surgical High Dependency: Who are proud of their national status and reputation within Critical Care.

About us
As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated 'Good' by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.

We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 30% lower than London and 17 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

Details
Date posted: 17 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: Depending on experience
£39,959 to £48,117 per annum, pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 188-SNM1709256
Job locations: CTA Surgical High Dependency, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
The general duties include:

• To participate in the monitoring and evaluation of standards of care, using Essence of Care as a framework, ensuring that Corporate and nursing objectives are achieved.
• To assess, plan, implement and evaluate individualised care, providing support to other members of the multidisciplinary team.
• To act as team leader in the supervision of the professional work of nursing staff at Band 5 and below, exercising good leadership and control.
• To take charge of the ward on a regular basis.
• To liaise with all patients and their relatives and ensure that they are kept informed of treatment and progress and to participate in the provision of advice and support.
• To adopt a pro-active role in meeting the Clinical Governance agenda.
• To promote evidence-based practice and to take an active part in any relevant research / audits being undertaken.
• To participate in the discussion of clinical developments with the Matron and Senior Sister/Charge Nurse and to assist in the implementation of changes benefiting the standards of care to patients.
• To inform the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse of any complaints or adverse events received, reporting on what action has been taken, in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.
• To ensure compliance with Infection Control standards, in line with Trust policy.
• To organise the reception of patients and visitors in accordance with recognised procedures.
• To ensure patients and relatives have access to medical staff to discuss treatment and progress.
• To arrange the care of patient's property, with their permission, in accordance with policies and within the limitations of hospital responsibilities.
• To teach patients and relatives about continuing treatment programmes, limitations of illness or self-monitoring of disease process and supply information about specialist self-help agencies and to support patients and their families.
• To train nurses at Band 5 and below in clinical and management skills.
• To participate in the induction / in-service training of staff who are new to the ward area.
• To train and supervise junior staff in collaboration with the Education and Training Team.
• To inform the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse of any training and development needs at appraisal or as identified.
• To participate in the Continuous Assessment of Practice for pre / post registration course members and the assessment of competencies.
• To act as facilitator for trained members of staff undertaking professional development programmes as necessary.
• To adhere to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code of Conduct at all times.
• To assist in the planning of duty rotas, organising 24-hour nursing cover and adequate skill mix, acting on shortfalls in staffing levels which will affect the standards and delivery of patient care and informing Senior Sister / Charge Nurse.
• In the absence of the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse, to undertake

For an overview of the position, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification document. This includes a detailed breakdown of the key responsibilities, role expectations, and the qualifications we are looking for.

Person Specification
Qualifications, knowledge and experience
Essential

• Qualified Nurse (Degree/Diploma)
• Registered nurse on appropriate part of the register
• Significant post registration experience / qualification / training, including experience and knowledge within relevant speciality
• Ward management experience
• Knowledge of current issues within acute Health Service
• Experience in an acute hospital setting
• Provide evidence of supporting / managing a range of learners in practice
• Provide evidence of supporting colleagues to promote effective learning in practice
• Ability to demonstrate clinical decision making and judgement

Desirable

• Experience in handling adverse events and complaints
• Appraisal skills
• Act in the role of Practice Assessor or supporting the progression of learners / supporting challenges as needed
• Some insight into budget management

Trust Values and Behaviours
Essential

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

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: University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust
Address: CTA Surgical High Dependency, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Critical Care Bed Manager, Raj Verma, rajnesh.verma@uhs.nhs.uk

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. 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).
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).