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Job summary

Main area
Intensive Care
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 7
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Flexible to cover days, long days, nights, 24/7)
Job ref
358-7372791-ITA
Employer
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Leicester Royal Infirmary
Town
Leicester
Salary
£47,810 - £54,710 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
04/12/2025 23:59

Employer heading

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust logo

Sister / Charge Nurse

NHS AfC: Band 7

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Job overview

Are you a dynamic and compassionate critical care nurse ready to take the next step in your leadership journey? We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Sister/Charge Nurse to join our dedicated team in the Intensive Care Unit (ITU) at the Leicester Royal Infirmary.

As a Band 7 leader, you will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality, patient-centred care in a fast-paced and complex environment. You will lead by example, supporting the team clinically while also managing operational responsibilities, staff development, and service improvement initiatives.

Main duties of the job

To be an expert clinical practitioner, providing leadership and direction of all groups of staff (including ancillary and clinical support staff) to ensure that education and staff development needs are met within the area for which they are accountable.

Responsible for anticipating, assessing and delivering the holistic needs of the patients according to unit philosophy and the management of the unit in the absence of the matron.

Provide evidence based high quality complex patient care and be visible, accessible and responsive to the needs of patients and the public.

Develop specialised programmes of care/care packages for patients within the specialism and to give highly specialised advice to specific patient groups and other members of the multi-disciplinary team, relatives/carers.

Act as lead practitioner and expert on a shift determining how care is delivered to the patients on the unit/area/span of control.

Provide daily and on-going operational leadership and management.

Working for our organisation

Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).

We have four primary goals: 

  • high-quality care for all, 
  • being a great place to work, 
  • partnerships for impact, and 
  • research and education excellence

And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.

Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:

  • we are compassionate,
  • we are proud, 
  • we are inclusive, and 
  • we are one team 

This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.

About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:

http://www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/aboutus/work-for-us/current-vacancies/

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To lead and support the unit team through process of change, demonstrating tenacity, drive, professional integrity, balance and perspective.

To develop the role of other team members, supporting them in gaining the appropriate competencies to achieve the required standards.

To act as the lead specialist for the area on a shift with responsibility for interpreting clinical information and having freedom to act while discussing findings and plans of care with other members of the multi-disciplinary team.

Advise other members of the multi-disciplinary team on clinical issues, determining how the clinical aspect of the care is delivered by others on the shift (within care protocols.)

To proactively identify opportunities to expand roles, working in conjunction with Professional Development Nurses to devise protocols accordingly.

To contribute to planned reconfiguration projects, service developments and directorate business planning as required

To manage and lead projects appropriate to the CMG to enhance the patient experience

Undertakes continuing personal and professional development in line with statutory requirements.

Participate and assist the matron in risk management, clinical incident reporting and management of complaints.

Together with the matron and head of nursing develop auditable standards of care, supporting the national benchmarking scheme

To support the matron ensuring the environment is safe, clean, comfortable and well maintained in line with patient and public expectations. Liaise with professional leads in facilities and infection control to ensure action is undertaken.

To develop and nurture professional advocacy.

Undertake research activity on a regular basis and implement research based practice within area of work, disseminates the research to the other colleagues within the speciality.

(Please refer to the job description/person specification for further details on the role) 

Person specification

Training & Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Registered Nurse
  • Post registration qualification in critical care
  • Educated to degree level in related health care sciences
  • Have attended practice assessor day or equivalent
Desirable criteria
  • Working towards Master’s degree in related healthcare sciences or willing to undertake.
  • NMC recognised teaching qualification

Experience

Essential criteria
  • At least 5 years post registration experience, three of which must have been worked in the speciality, and ideally 3 years at band 6 within specialist area.
  • Experience of undertaking clinical audit and translating into revised nursing practice.
  • Experience of implementing research based practice.
  • Experience of formal teaching of multiple disciplines.
  • Effective presentation skills.
  • Experience of planning, implementing and evaluating staff development needs.
  • Expert practitioner in critical care
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of presenting at conferences / seminars

Communication & relationship skills

Essential criteria
  • Change management, team building, communication and organisational skills / demonstrates effective leadership skills.
  • Articulate in expressing opinions
  • Ability to motivate others
  • Dynamic, challenging individual, able to lead a team.
  • Good verbal and written communication skills
  • Able to influence other professional groups
  • Establish close relationships throughout critical care

Analytical & judgement skills

Essential criteria
  • Self-confidence and ability to cope under pressure.
  • Creative / innovative thinking
  • Knowledge of data collection and analysis.
  • Review outcome and effectiveness of audit and quality or research

Skills

Essential criteria
  • In-depth knowledge of all aspects of intensive care nursing and awareness of recent advances in clinical practice.
  • Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of professional issues at local and national level
  • Practical knowledge and skills of applying all critical care nursing skills and extended scope roles.
  • Evidence of self-motivation

Planning & organisation skills

Essential criteria
  • Evidence of successful change management.
  • Ability to prioritise
  • Use initiative and co-ordinate a multi-disciplinary team.
Desirable criteria
  • Project management

Equality, diversity & inclusion

Essential criteria
  • Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
  • All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high quality care and interactions with others

Other requirements dpsecific to the role

Essential criteria
  • Evidence of on-going professional development.
  • Able to travel between sites

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoCare quality commission - Goodhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/kickstart-scheme-employer-resources/kickstart-scheme-brand-guidelinesMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident committedHappy to Talk Flexible Working

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.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Rebecca Hill
Job title
Matron
Email address
[email protected]
Additional information

[email protected]

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