Job summary
- Main area
- Critical Care
- Grade
- Band 7
- Contract
- 12 months (This is a Fixed Term/Secondment post)
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job ref
- 387-S1070-GB
- Employer
- Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Ward A600 Critical Care Area, Bristol Royal Infirmary
- Town
- Bristol
- Salary
- £49,387 - £56,515 per annum, pro rata for part time roles
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 02/11/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 13/11/2026
Employer heading
Adult Sister/Charge Nurse - GICU
Band 7
North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.
We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.
Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.
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Job overview
General Adult Intensive Care have an exciting opportunity within our Critical Care Service for a Band 7 Nurse., this is a 12 month seconded post and we are seeking a highly motivated individual for this post.
With a brand-new build, and expansion of the critical care footprint, there is no better time to join Bristol NHs Foundation Trust. We are commissioned for the Bristol ECMO service, covering the South-West region as well as having an established Outreach and Research team.
The successful applicant must have extensive experience of current intensive care practice, in conjunction with a strong background of clinical governance.
You will join our team of Band 7 Sister/Charge nurses who co-ordinate daily operation of the General Intensive Care/High dependency unit. We provide high-quality care for a diverse group of patients of multiple specialisms, from across the region. We are a tertiary referral centre for many specialities such as; Thoracic's, ENT, GI surgery, oncology, cardiac and ECMO. This incorporates emergencies, planned elective care and long-term rehabilitation for critically unwell patients.
Main duties of the job
“You will lead the team acting as a clinical expert, role model and problem solver." As a Sister/Charge Nurse you will be responsible for the day-to-day unit operation, supporting junior staff, co-ordinating staffing and bed requirements of the shift whilst liaising with many members of the MDT, and allied services.
The unit has a large multi-disciplinary team including medical staff, therapists, dietitians, pharmacists, speech and language therapists, research and SNOD's, who all play their role in providing excellent patient care. We have a shared culture of inclusivity within our unit.
Supported by the matron and employee services, you will supervise a team of staff to manage absence, appraisals, development and performance. As a unit we are committed to development and opportunities for all of our staff which is supported by our innovative practice education team.
As well as allocated management time, the post-holder will be expected to work a range of clinical shifts including days, nights and weekends (Day shifts: 07.00 to 19.30, Night shifts 19.00 to 07.30) as we provide senior support for a 24/7 service.
Working for our organisation
Bristol Foundation Trust is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a large combined workforce of staff and many different clinical services across different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. City and Weston has been rated by the CQC as ‘Good’ overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward-thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.
Person specification
experience
Essential criteria
- Significant Critical Care nursing experience
- Leadership and management experience
- experience of workforce management
- experience of appraisal and performance management
- experience of implementing quality improvement initiatives
Desirable criteria
- Experience of advanced practice protocols
- Undertaken nursing research
Public Sector Language Competency
Essential criteria
- Be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard
Qualifications and Training
Essential criteria
- RGN. 1st Level qualification
- Current NMC Registration
- 1st Degree in nursing
- Qualification in Teaching, Assessing and Mentoring
- Critical Care Course/Qualification
Desirable criteria
- Management qualification
- Non -Medical Prescribing
- Evidence of Masters level academic study or willingness to work towards Masters (in relevant health related subject)
knowledge,skills,abilities
Essential criteria
- Highly developed communication skills
- Leadership and change management skills
- Ability to influence and motivate others
- Strong organisational and prioritisation skills
- Ability to mentor and support staff development/education
- Excellent IT skills
- Clinical expert within critical care nursing
- Understanding of governance, quality improvement and audit
Desirable criteria
- Advanced practice knowledge
- Research skills and experience
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Liz Fitzgerald/Kat Hargraves
- Job title
- Recruitment Lead / Matron
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01173427124
- Additional information
01173427124 or switchboard 01179230000
Nurse in Charge 0117 3427238
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