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

Job Title: Sister/Charge Nurse

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Fixed Term Contract End Date: April 2027

Purpose for Fixed Term: Secondment

Main duties of the job
This is an exciting opportunity for you to join our eye emergency team.

You may not be an expert in ophthalmology but we are looking for a dynamic and motivated senior band 5 or 6 nurse who would like the opportunity for a leadership role within the Eye Emergency department.

This postholder will work alongside another junior sister and the senior sister of the department providing leadership, operational coordination and clinical support to our nursing, administrative and multidisciplinary team.

You will be liaising with other departments within ophthalmology as well as the wider UHS organisation and surrounding partners.

As a type 2 emergency department we have to adhere to the 4hour waiting time for treatment target and the band 6 sister supports the team and service to deliver this.

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.

Job responsibilities
The successful candidate will be responsible for the day to day operational effectiveness in eye emergency, You will be supported by the senior sister and your band 6 sister colleague.

You will be able to demonstrate excellent communication skills, be able to delegate effectively and work confidently within a high functioning team.

We are a 7 day service, open to patients 8am to 7pm and the usual shift patterns are 7.30am to 8pm, to include weekends and bank holidays but not nights.

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
Trust Values and Behaviours
Essential

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

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

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

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. 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).

Employer details
Employer name: University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust
Address: OPH Eye Casualty, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/home.aspx

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Senior Sister, Samantha Palmer, samantha.palmer@uhs.nhs.uk, 02381208764

Details
Date posted: 11 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: Depending on experience, £39,959 to £48,117 per annum, pro rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 7 months
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
Reference number: 188-SNM050926
Job locations: OPH Eye Casualty, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom