Job summary
- Main area
- Critical Care Sister
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Part time - 23 hours per week
- Job ref
- 374-SRCG0526
- Employer
- East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Conquest Hospital
- Town
- St Leonards on Sea
- Salary
- £39,959 - £48,117 per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 22/04/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Sister/Charge Nurse - Critical Care Conquest
NHS AfC: Band 6
We are proud to provide ‘Outstanding’ care and be a great place to work.
East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust provides safe, compassionate and high quality hospital and community care to the half a million people living in East Sussex and those who visit our local area.
We are one of the largest organisations in East Sussex with an annual income of £700 million and we are the only integrated provider of acute and community care in Sussex.
Our extensive health services are provided by over 8,000+ dedicated members of staff working from two acute hospitals in Hastings and Eastbourne, three community hospitals in Bexhill, Rye and Uckfield, over 100 community sites across East Sussex, and in people’s own homes.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated us as ‘Good’ overall, and ‘Outstanding’ for being Caring and Effective. The Conquest Hospital in Hastings and our Community Services were rated ‘Outstanding’ and Eastbourne DGH was rated ‘Good’ Our two acute hospitals have Emergency Departments and provide 24 hour a day care, offering a comprehensive range of surgical, medical, outpatient and maternity services, supported by a full range of diagnostic and therapy services.
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 Sister/Charge Nurse to join our friendly and supportive critical care team. We are looking for a nurse who is able to demonstrate recent substantive experience at Band 5 level in a critical care environment and is able to evidence the completion of the Intensive care course with 6 months post consolidation.
We looking for a motivated and enthusiastic individual who is an excellent communicator and has a genuine interest in developing their critical care skills. Interpersonal skills are essential and they will be demonstrating the ability to be forward thinking and passionate about delivering high standards of care.
Conquest Critical Care currently is a 14 bedded unit, comprising 6 Level 3 (ITU) beds, 4 Level 2 (HDU) beds and 4 Level 1 enhanced care (Enhanced Care Unit).
Main duties of the job
To work within the multi disciplinary team to assess, plan, implement and evaluate care to level 2 and 3 patients. Thus providing comprehensive patient care and ensuring the optimum level of physical and psychological well-being is maintained throughout period of critical illness. To provide support to significant others i.e. Relatives and Families during the same period. To provide support to senior and more junior colleagues to ensure a cohesive approach to patient care on a shift to shift basis. To “take charge” of unit in absence of Senior Sister/Charge Nurse colleagues ensuring above is maintained.
Working for our organisation
A wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries. staff restaurants and accommodation.
In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking is available from only £50 a year.
There has never been a better time to join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, submit your application today.
Statement on the Use of AI
We value the individuality that each candidate brings to the application process. While we understand that AI tools are widely available, we strongly discourage applicants from using AI-generated content when applying for jobs with us. We believe that your application should reflect your true skills, experiences, and motivations, which are best conveyed through your own words and unique perspective.
Using AI for your application may not accurately represent your knowledge, skills, and experience and may result in a disconnect between your qualifications and our assessment of your application.
We encourage applicants to take the time to thoughtfully complete their applications; by doing so, you allow us to better understand your true potential and ensure a fair and transparent evaluation of your application. Over reliance on AI-generated content may diminish your chance of success.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the job description attached.
If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Registered Nurse and hold active registration with Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
- Basic Life Support
- Willingness to undertake ALS if not already held
- Recognised teaching and assessing qualification
- Recognised critical care qualification
- Degree level qualification relevant to role
- Professional qualification and training to lead the clinical team with relevant knowledge and skills for specialist area
- Evidence of mandatory and statutory essential training skills, for example, Basic Life Support, manual handling, infection control, fire etc
- Post Graduate qualification at Degree level - Critical Care Course
Desirable criteria
- Diploma or degree level study.
- ALS course.
- Management or leadership qualification or training
- Education and training qualification
- Quality improvement training and qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
- Minimum of 4 years critical care experience working at band 5
- Passed ICU course both modules and consolidated for 6 months
- Experience in nursing care, knowledge and expertise relevant to the clinical area within NHS or relevant health care organisation
- Experience in the take charge role and be able to lead a shift in the clinical area, demonstrating the ability to manage the clinical area, lead people and deal with emergencies and queries effectively
Desirable criteria
- General surgical/medical or specialist ward experience
- Experience in leading a team or service change/QI project
Other
Essential criteria
- Demonstrates attention to detail and professional attitude towards completion of application form
Skills
Essential criteria
- Professional clinical knowledge skills and skills that demonstrate the ability to assess, plan, develop and implement programmes of care
- Skills to assess and interpret complex needs of patients and able to give expert advice and guidance
- Clinical skills and competence relevant to role to support innovative, evidence based practice.
- Ability to apply professional judgement and problem solve and lead discussions within the team to resolve complex issues
- Able to support learners and clinical supervision of staff and lead on improvements within the learning environment.
- Able to support mentors in decisions related to students/learners and make judgements regarding competence and fitness to practice including managing poor performance
- Day to day management of a patient caseload, able to work under own initiative and delegate effectively
- Able to maintain work-related record keeping and documentation
- Ability to lead a team, allocate workload, develop and promote staff wellbeing and performance
- Participate/Lead audit and research, able to understand and lead on recommendations for changes to practice and policy
- Digital Skills, use of systems, report writing and presentation skills
- Excellent communication skills and ability to provide and receive complex, sensitive information and provide reassurance and empathy.
- Commitment to own professional and personal development
- Budget and resource management skills
- Able to develop and maintain effective working relationships with all professional groups and senior managers within the organisation and external stakeholders.
- Maintains confidentiality and information governance principles and is accountable for actions and decision making
- Ability to delegate effectively and hold people to account
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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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
- Marta Soares Preece
- Job title
- Critical Care Matron
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 03001314500
- Additional information
Informal visits welcomed and encouraged to our unit
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