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

Job Title: Sister/Charge Nurse (CHDU)
Contract Type: Permanent & Fixed Term
Fixed Term Contract End Date: November 2027
Purpose for Fixed Term: Maternity / Shared Parental / adoption Leave Backfill

Main duties of the job
This is an exciting opportunity to join our team in Cardiac High Dependency Unit as a Sister/ Charge Nurse.

There will be one full time ( 37.5 hours) permanent position available and one Secondment position of 34 hours from the 23rd November 2026 until the 20th November 2027.

CHDU is a 20-bedded unit that caters for mixed specialty adult patients including cardiac surgery, congenital heart disease, thoracic and cardiology patients requiring specialist high dependency care and planned short term ventilation.

You will join our friendly and dedicated CHDU team, within a care group which has a local, national and international reputation for delivering expert cardiothoracic care to our patients. Clinical expertise is at the forefront of making sure that patients have the best clinical outcome and receive care that is current and evidence based. CHDU at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust leads the way for innovative care for adult cardiac patients.

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 being a senior role model and will be pivotal in supporting the personal and professional development of the departments allied health professional and nursing team.With the support of the matron team, will ensure that quality agendas are being met, making certain that your team are delivering safe, effective, timely care in a caring and supportive way.

What we are looking for:We are looking for a person with a positive proactive leadership style, a team player who is passionate about developing staff so they in turn deliver a high standard of patient care.

You must have significant experience in a relevant speciality, with the aptitude and skill necessary to lead and motivate a team of nurses and allied health professionals, working closely with the MDT. If you believe you have the dedication and inspiration along with the necessary skills that we are seeking we would love to discuss this opportunity with you further.

This role is for a 24/7 service and includes day shifts, night shifts, weekends, and bank holidays.

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
• Commitment to the post and Care Group responsibilities
• Commitment to continuing professional development

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
Essential

• Patient First
• Working Together
• Always Improving

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).