Sister / Charge Nurse - Knightstone Ward

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a 6 month, fixed-term Band 7 Sister/ Charge Nurse position.

The successful candidate will be responsible for co-ordinating the workforce and day to day management of our Knightstone Ward, Pre-operative Assessment and Orthopaedic Outpatients Department, whilst maintaining the safety of patients throughout this process.

Knightstone is a busy 12 bed surgical ward for patients who have had elective arthroplasty surgery; this includes knee and hip replacements. The Orthopaedic Outpatients Department includes Orthopaedic Electives, Pre-operative Assessment, Fracture Clinic and the Plaster Room. 

This is a challenging but rewarding role and the applicant must have excellent communication and problem solving skills, and the ability to adapt to changing situations when under pressure.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate should have experience in leadership on an inpatient ward and can expect to have the opportunity for career development. They will be given support and training to develop leadership and management skills and will be responsible for the overall management of the ward and its staff. There are opportunities to develop your skills as the Trust supports a wide range of training opportunities.

The successful candidate will be proactive in improving patient safety and driving standards of care forward. Have excellent nursing skills and be proactive in the care and management they provide to their patients.

The successful candidate will be flexible, a good team worker, bring with them a passion to excel and ensure high standards are adhered to and exceeded and be innovative within a team environment.

Working for our organisation

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW 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. UHBW is 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

Person specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential criteria

• Current NMC/ HCPC Registration
• RN/ RN (child)/ AHP qualification
• Degree in nursing or health related topic or relevant evidence of study at degree level
• Evidence of Masters level academic study or willingness to work towards Masters (in relevant health related subject)
• Qualification in Teaching, Assessing and Mentoring

Desirable criteria

• Leadership Qualification

Aptitudes

Essential criteria

• Respecting Everyone
• Embracing change
• Recognising Success
• Working Together

Skills & Abilities

Essential criteria

• Highly effective communication skills - verbally and written to staff, patients and relatives including in situations of conflict or distress
• Able to gain credibility with and influence colleagues including influencing clinical changes where appropriate
• Strong organisational skills - prioritising complex situations
• The Ability to lead and influence change
• Able to accept responsibility for ward/area working under own initiative within the boundaries of role
• Demonstrates ability to take overall responsibility and accountability
• Flexibility, adaptability to meet needs of a changing service
• Demonstrates ability to implement and utilise audit data to improve quality
• Clinical expert in defined area of work
• Able to advise on and implement improvements to the quality and efficiency of care for patients in ward/area
• Ability to act as facilitator, mentor and supervisor to colleagues
• Familiar with current local and national nursing issues
• Information technology skills
• Commitment to the development and provision of high quality nursing care
• Initiative

Knowledge & Experience

Essential criteria

• Thorough and up to date knowledge of nursing theory and best practice particularly within speciality area
• Significant relevant clinical and management experience
• Able to lead and manage the nursing team: Effective standard setting, monitoring and feedback, understanding of the principles and application of effective budgetary management, understanding of the principles and application of effective staff and HR management/appraisals, Understanding the theory and application of clinical governance
• Understanding of NMC Code of Practice and requirements of it for practice and behaviour and its application to the management of staff and self

Desirable criteria

• Undertaken nursing research
• Experience and knowledge of advanced practice/protocols