Job summary
The post holder will provide effective clinical nurse management, leadership and professional expertise within a gastroenterology ward caring for approximately 20-24 patients, ensuring safe, compassionate and high-quality nursing care. They will provide visible clinical leadership, act as a positive role model and promote accountability, teamwork, professional development and a supportive learning environment. As a clinical expert within the general medical and gastroenterology setting, they will provide specialist advice and coordinate the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of individualised patient care. Working closely with the Matron and multidisciplinary team, they will manage the day-to-day running of the ward, ensuring appropriate staffing, skill mix, delegation, resource utilisation and safe patient flow, including admission and discharge planning and escalation of clinical concerns. They will ensure high standards of practice are developed, implemented, monitored and maintained through effective clinical governance, contributing to audit, quality improvement, risk management and service development. The post holder will promote patient safety, privacy and dignity and ensure patients, relatives and carers receive appropriate information, advice and support. They will support the education, supervision and development of nursing staff and students.

Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide senior clinical leadership and operational management within the Gastroenterology ward. They will coordinate the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of individualised patient care, ensuring safe, evidence-based and compassionate practice. The post holder will act as a clinical role model, providing specialist advice to patients, relatives and the multidisciplinary team and ensuring effective escalation of clinical concerns. They will manage day-to-day ward operations, including staffing, skill mix, delegation, patient flow and effective use of resources. They will promote high standards of infection prevention, patient safety, safeguarding, privacy and dignity, while identifying and managing clinical risks, incidents and complaints. The post holder will provide leadership, supervision, mentorship and development to nursing staff and students, supporting recruitment, retention, appraisal, performance management and continuing professional development. They will promote teamwork, staff wellbeing and a positive learning environment. They will contribute to clinical governance, audit, quality improvement. The post holder will demonstrate effective communication, influencing and decision-making skills, working collaboratively with senior clinicians and the wider multidisciplinary team. They will contribute to resource and budget management, maintain a safe clinical environment and support service improvement and change.

About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.

Please note that all communication will be electronic, please check your email account regularly. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details
Date posted: 20 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year Per Annum Pro Rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 216-LD-DD8308879
Closing date: 03 November 2026

Job responsibilities

• The post holder will provide senior clinical leadership and effective operational management within the Gastroenterology and Hepatology service, ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality, evidence-based and patient-centred nursing care.
• The role will provide leadership for the day-to-day running of the ward, caring for approximately 20-24 patients, ensuring appropriate staffing, skill mix, delegation, prioritisation and effective use of resources.
• The post holder will direct and support junior nursing staff, promote professional accountability and act as a visible role model, providing expert clinical advice and leadership to the multidisciplinary team.
• The post holder will demonstrate significant post-registration experience, including substantial experience at Junior Sister/Charge Nurse level or equivalent and previous experience at Band 7 level in a relevant clinical environment.
• Significant demonstrable experience in Gastroenterology is desirable, together with proven experience of clinical leadership, managing complex patient needs and coordinating multidisciplinary care.
• They will maintain current NMC registration and demonstrate continued academic, clinical and managerial development, including relevant leadership development.
• A degree in a health-related subject or equivalent demonstrable experience, together with an appropriate teaching and assessment qualification, is required.
• The post holder will lead the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of individualised patient care, ensuring high clinical standards and compliance with NMC requirements, Trust policies and national guidance.
• They will monitor standards of care, identify and manage clinical risk, respond appropriately to incidents and complaints, and contribute to clinical governance, audit, quality improvement and service development.
• They will demonstrate experience of planning and leading change within a clinical setting and support the implementation of evidence-based improvements.
• The post holder will provide education, teaching, mentorship and professional development to nursing staff and students, using effective communication, influencing and counselling skills to support individuals and teams.
• They will undertake and support staff appraisal, performance management and development, promote a positive learning culture and contribute to recruitment and retention.
• The post holder will demonstrate strong organisational, numeracy and resource-management skills, including experience of managing and controlling budgets.
• They will work collaboratively with senior healthcare professionals and the wider multidisciplinary team, communicate effectively in challenging situations and advocate for patients and their families.
• They will promote teamwork, motivate staff, manage change and maintain a calm, organised and supportive working environment.
• The post holder will contribute to research activity and clinical trials undertaken within the service, supporting the translation of research evidence into practice and promoting clinical excellence.
• They will provide senior nursing cover across the directorate and deputise for the Matron as required.

Person Specification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential

• Significant demonstrable experience at Junior Sister level (or equivalent) in a relevant clinical area.
• Previous demonstrable experience in a leadership capacity.

Desirable

• Gastro demonstrable experience.

Qualifications
Essential

• Current RN registration with the NMC
• Evidence of continued and recent academic and clinical development
• Evidence of continued and recent managerial development including leadership course

Aptitude & Abilities
Essential

• Good communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels
• Ability to prioritise workload, instruct and direct others, acting as a role model and leading by example
• Management/Organisational skills and able to work as part of a team/team leader

Desirable

• Previous demonstrable experience of managing and controlling a budget.

Disposition / Attitude & Motivation
Essential

• Works in a calm and organised manner and mixes well as part of a cohesive team
• Ability to motivate and manage change
• Directing junior staff and ensuring the smooth running of the ward

Desirable

• Ability to demonstrate their experience of planning and leading a change process in a clinical setting.

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 Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Address: UHP NHS Trust, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, PL6 8DH, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Matron Donna Rutherford, donnarutherford@nhs.net, 01752437478

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