Sister/Charge Nurse

Job summary
We currently have a vacancy for a Band 6 Deputy Sister/Charge Nurse within our busy Emergency Assessment Unit.

The role will be vital in supporting our current Senior team within EAU. The key requirements are outlined below with a full job description and person specification attached

• To act as the shift co-coordinator on a day-to-day basis, providing supervision and support to the multi -disciplinary team.
• Develop, manage and monitor the performance of a team of nurses, ensuring that the highest standards of care and safety are achieved and maintained at all times.
• Promote effective communication and teamwork at all levels.
• Demonstrate clinical leadership skills and evidence of specialist knowledge.
• Assist the Senior Sister/ Charge Nurse, in management of staff within the Emergency Assessment Unit including human resource management, clinical governance and risk management.
• Contribute towards the strategic and operational development of the department.

If you feel you have the experience, desire and commitment we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

• Provide exceptional patient care which is underpinned by evidence based practice and OUH values.
• Work in partnership with the patients' family and friends to be actively involved in the caring process on behalf of the patient where agreed.
• Manage, direct and evaluate the nursing care for a defined caseload of patients.
• Communicate effectively information to patients/relatives/carers/ and all members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrate high standards of nursing care, reflecting the beliefs about professional nursing practice and patient care commensurate with The Oxford Model for Exemplary Professional Nursing and Midwifery Practice.
• Develop and maintain specialist knowledge of nursing practice relevant to the clinical area.
• Undertake the responsibilities associated with being a mentor and preceptor reflecting the beliefs about professional nursing practice and patient care commensurate with the Oxford Model for Exemplary Professional and Nursing and Midwifery Practice.
• Demonstrably contribute towards the continuing development of professional nursing practice in the department.
• Conduct oneself in a professional manner and be a role model to others at all times commensurate with The Code (NMC 2015).
• Work proactively to ensure every hospital visit meets the needs of the patient and that they are discharged in a timely manner ensuring effective communication with the family and/or relevant agencies as agreed.

About us
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. Find out more here

The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via theOUH YouTube channel.

Details
Date posted: 21 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum/pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
Reference number: 321-MRC-8156818-B6-INT
Job locations: Horton Hospital, 101 Oxford Road, Banbury, OX16 9AL, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Clinical Practice
This job description outlines the core requirements expected of a Band 6 Deputy Sister/Charge and is aligned to the Trusts clinical nurse career ladder. The clinical ladder outlines the minimum requirements for progression against each of the nursing levels. The list below is not exhaustive and specific requirements related to any specialist area of practice will be outlined with the prospective post holder, these will be included as an addition to these generic descriptors as role specific prior to employment together with the clinical skills ladder as a point of reference for development and progression.

Patient Care

• Demonstrate and promote a patient and family centred style of clinical practice.
• Be responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care from admission to discharge, by demonstrating a collaborative approach through effective communication and decision making between the multi-professional team, patients and significant others.
• Ensure the safe custody and administration of drugs according to the Trust policy. Ensure patients and relatives are taught the correct method of administration, where appropriate.
• Accurately document and report to other members of the nursing team and multidisciplinary team information regarding the care given to patients, communicating changes as they occur.
• Respond to emergency situations with composure, maintaining patient safety and seeking immediate support, and supporting the patient, family and other staff as required.
• Identify and discuss patient needs with the team/staff, patients, carers and the multidisciplinary team. Be able to plan own workload and those of others as required.
• Demonstrate a problem solving approach to effectively execute planning, implementation and evaluation of individualised plans of care based on a person centred model of care.
• Communicate complex and sensitive information effectively to patients, carers and other staff, overcoming barriers to understanding and providing support during distressing or emotional events.
• Maintain patient dignity and confidentiality at all times.

Professional Practice

• Ensure clinical practice is evidence based or peer reviewed best practice.
• Develop and maintain clinical skills and knowledge necessary to provide person centred, evidence based nursing care.
• Lead in a specific area of ward practice, as agreed, making recommendations, coordinating projects and developing practice guidelines and policies based upon robust evidence gained from risk assessment, audit and literature review.
• As negotiated with Sister/Charge Nurse set and maintain standards of practice, conduct and decision making.
• Be competent in the use of all relevant Trust information technology ( IT) systems including the use of electronic patient records, (EPR), email and associated professional media ensuring that data is entered in an accurate and timely fashion, in accordance with Trust policy and procedure.
• Engage in and promote a paper light approach to information management.
• Maintain the use of email and other modes of communication in order to keep abreast of information disseminated across the Trust
• Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of Accountability, Responsibility and Duty of Care and work towards the provision of support and education for less experienced and non-registered staff on the implications for practice.

Leadership and Management

• Promote effective interpersonal relationships with all members of the multi-professional team thereby ensuring a good team spirit and collaborative and person centred working practices.
• Deputise for the sister/charge nurse in his/her absence, demonstrating a sound problem solving approach to clinical and management issues, seeking advice from senior nurses as appropriate.
• Regularly act as shift coordinator, participating in the allocation of resources, ensuring effective patient care and safety on the ward.
• Be proactive in undertaking specific responsibilities as delegated by sister charge nurse i.e. on a rotational basis with colleagues, take responsibility for off duty planning, work allocation and monitoring off annual leave and sickness/absence.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of budgetary restrictions and their implications. Act as a budgetary signatory in the absence of the Sister/Charge Nurse.
• Ensure that electronic patient acuity and dependency and safe staffing tools are consistently and effectively inputted on a daily basis.
• Ensure compliance with the Health and Social Care Act regulations 2010 by adhering to the Care Quality Commission standards at all times raising concerns to Sister/charge Nurse or an appropriate senior person, (CQC 2010 Guidance about compliance: Summary of regulations, outcomes and judgement framework).
• Ensure the appropriate management of clinical and general waste.
• Ensure staffing resources are used appropriately when prescribing and implementing care and treatments.
• Report near misses and untoward incidents, complaints, clinical emergencies, injury or medicine administration errors as detailed in departmental and Trust protocols and procedures, assist the Sister / Charge Nurse Manager in investigating incidents as required. Be proactive in seeking a response to the issues raised in order to disseminate the actions identified and provide own account of events if asked to support an investigation.
• Demonstrate an awareness of and compliance with Health and Safety Regulations that apply to staff and patients. To escalate concerns to senior staff in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Be familiar with the Oxford Model of Exemplary Nursing and Midwifery Practice and ensure that key performance indicators are met.
• Maintain and contribute to the development of standards of practice, conduct or decision making in conjunction with team leaders/ward manager/unit co-ordinator.
• Discuss personal and professional development needs during an annual appraisal, developing, agreeing and documenting action points in the electronic recording and personal development plan.
• Ensure that a smart, professional image that enhances the public perception of the Trust and the professionalism of its staff is portrayed.

Education and Training

• Be actively involved in the development, delivery and support of departmental education programmes as agreed.
• Complete or be working towards any local and Trust competency frameworks within a time frame agreed with the Sister/ Charge Nurse and with the support of a named mentor.
• Supervise, teach and support the nursing and non-nursing staff involved in direct patient care, ensuring they have the necessary knowledge and skills to undertake the planned care, within a conducive learning environment.
• Undertake all relevant Statutory and Mandatory (SM) training using the Trust E-Learning packages and study opportunities.
• Demonstrate a commitment to research based practice and clinical excellence and play an active part in the ongoing introduction of research-based change to improve patient centred care.
• Undertake the responsibilities of a mentor participating in induction and orientation programmes, guiding practice, assessing competence, enabling and supporting learning for pre and post-registration students.

Improving Quality and Developing Practice

• Comply with post registration education and practice (Prep) requirements for NMC Revalidation or equivalent, identifying own learning needs and ensuring own professional development is maintained by keeping up to date with practice developments.
• Demonstrate a commitment to evidence based practice and clinical excellence. Using these skills works collegiately to promote innovation and work within the nursing team in the provision of an excellent standard of patient care in line with Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) values and The Oxford Model of Exemplary Nursing and Midwifery Practice.
• Develop and share own clinical knowledge with other members of the multi-disciplinary team and as relevant with practitioners locally.
• Act as a role model for the nursing/midwifery team promoting consistent professional and clinical excellence.
• Provide guidance for junior and less experienced staff to improve quality and develop practice.
• Engage in and promote Clinical Supervision in order to enhance ones own practice and that of others.
• Identify own development needs, aligning these to service requirements and personal aspirations. Proactively develop and improve own practice through appraisal the Trusts clinical development ladder and other available resources.
• Understand and contribute to the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies/protocols/guidelines relevant to the specialist area.
• Participate in the OUH culture of audit and research in practice
• Keep up to date with professional issues that influence nursing practice relating to the area of clinical practice, management education and research.
• Promote and practice, evidence based nursing care, embracing new ideas and changes for the benefit of patient care.
• Openly question and challenge nursing practice in a constructive way so that standards of patient care are continually evaluated and improved.

Person Specification
Education, Training, Qualifications and Experience.
Essential

• Registered Nurse (Part 1. 8. 12 or 15 of the Nursing and Midwifery Council Register depending on area of practice) or National Certification in area of Practice.
• UK recognised Degree in Nursing relevant to post.
• Post-graduate qualification related to an area of practice or working towards or equivalent relevant experience.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development through maintenance of an NMC revalidation or equivalent
• Solid acute care registered nurse experience.
• Evidence of achievement on a Nursing and Midwifery, (NMC) approved Mentorship qualification.
• Proven clinical knowledge linked to area of specialty, and excellence in care delivery.
• Knowledge of current challenging and issues in nursing.
• Proven knowledge of safety issues through clinical governance and risk management.

Clinical Practice
Essential

• Articulate and knowledgeable of skills needed to deliver a high standard of care in the area of practice.
• Able to work under own initiative within boundaries of role
• Demonstrates awareness of importance of working as part of a team.
• Able to document observations, results, decisions and actions etc. effectively in patient's notes and communicate these effectively to appropriate members of the multi-disciplinary team.
• Able to communicate effectively with patients/relatives and carers and all members of the multi-disciplinary team.
• Able to proactively contribute to the education of learners and non-registered and less experienced staff.
• Demonstrates ability to manage, direct and evaluate the nursing care for a defined caseload of patients.

Desirable

• Competent in central venous access management.
• Competent to administer intravenous medicines.

Leadership and Management
Essential

• Excellent communication skills.
• Able to prioritise own workload and that of others as appropriate.
• Demonstrates ability to maintain and contribute to the development of standards of practice, conduct or decision making in conjunction with their line manager.
• Acts as a role model and are able to lead by example to ensure the Trust's values and behaviours are reinforced throughout their area of practice.
• Able to supervise non-registered and less experienced staff to ensure effective care delivery.
• Able to effectively and appropriately escalate concerns to reduce risk and promote patient safety.

Desirable

• Previous experience of managing clinical incidents and complaints.
• Previous substantive management experience of specific clinical area.
• Understanding of staffing and roster management/administration

Improving Quality and Developing Practice
Essential

• Understanding of professional and current issues related to area of practice.
• Demonstrates ability to keep up to date with professional issues that influence nursing practice relating to the area of clinical practice, management education and research.
• Able to identify own learning needs and ensure own professional development is maintained by keeping up to date with practice developments.
• Able to lead the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies/protocols/guidelines relevant to area of practice.
• Demonstrates ability to question and challenge nursing practice in a constructive way so that standards of patient care are continually evaluated and improved.
• Previous evidence of leadership within practice and the multi-disciplinary team.

Desirable

• Recognition as having abilities for innovation within their sphere of practice.

Values and Behaviours
Essential

• Able to demonstrate the ability to put patients and their families and carers at the heart of what you do and recognising different needs by encouraging a spirit of support, integrity, respect and teamwork.
• Shows pride in the quality of care they provide for patients and learning from successes and setbacks.
• Able to deliver a high standard of care for patients and always striving to improve on what you do through change and innovation.
• Able to proactively support colleagues in the delivery of care commensurate with Trust values and behaviours

Personal Qualities and Physical Attributes
Essential

• Motivated and able to articulate reasons for desire to work in the specific practice area.
• Being self-aware and able to accept constructive criticism to allow learning and development.
• Positive enthusiastic character.
• Resilient under pressure.
• Professional appearance in line with the Trust Uniform Policy.
• Good self-presentation
• Able to undertake specific procedures involving physical skills commensurate with 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.