North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
Senior Sister, Accident and Emergency (WCH)
Closing date: 28 April 2026
Accident and Emergency Band 7 – 36 hours a week
The Accident and Emergency department at WCH offers a 36‑hour Band 7 leadership post. We pride ourselves on excellent staff development and professional growth opportunities.
Responsibilities
* Responsible and accountable in the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of nursing care within their remit.
* Senior sister/charge nurse leading and organising the A&E department.
* Provide excellent clinical leadership skills to ensure effective delivery of patient care and resources within the unit.
* Responsible and accountable for the implementation of the nurse‑led service within the A&E Department, enabling nurses to assess, diagnose, treat and discharge patients within departmental guidelines.
Main duties of the job
* Work within the team of Band 7 sisters in the department.
* Develop an environment and culture that supports the value of nursing care.
* Lead the multidisciplinary team in improving patient services and access within the ward.
* Lead, establish and demonstrate practice based on current advances in nursing practice and research.
* Lead the continuing development of the department philosophy.
* Lead and actively participate in ward meetings, ensuring equity of opinion.
* Lead the formation of nursing policy in the ward consistent with national and local nursing strategy, ensuring that Trust policies are adhered to at all times and that policy and service developments are impact assessed in respect of equality requirements.
* Devise and plan duty rota, maintaining safe staffing levels and skill mix within the clinical setting. Provide expert support to the nursing team to ensure evidence‑based practice.
* Participate in the Trust nursing and midwifery policy agenda and the nursing and midwifery strategic agenda as required.
* Manage a delegated budget for the department and actively manage the budgetary implications of decisions.
* Lead in the recruitment and selection of staff for the ward. Ensure that there is a robust appraisal/PDP process in place for all staff, actively manage staff attendance and absence, maintain accurate records and ensure adequate cover to maintain continuity of patient care.
About us
At NCIC, we have an ambition to deliver outstanding healthcare services to the population of North Cumbria. The Trust is committed to creating a centre of excellence in providing rural and remote healthcare and offers a wide range of community and acute services throughout our county.
Our five key principles demonstrate our belief in the delivery of safe, high‑quality care every time:
* Being a clinically led organisation
* Quality and safety at the heart of our Trust
* A positive patient experience every time
* A great place to work
* Managing our money well
We are serious about supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our local community and are focused on creating an inclusive and compassionate workplace.
Across the North East and North Cumbria we are working together to deliver our ambition to be the greenest region in England by 2030. All staff are expected to support sustainability.
Benefits
* 27‑day holiday scheme rising to 33 days after 10 years
* NHS Discounts*
* Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work*
* Vivup, a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work‑related problems
* *Subject to eligibility
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Registered nurse with current registration.
* NST307 or equivalent.
* Management/leadership certificate or equivalent.
* Post registration certificate in clinical speciality or equivalent.
* Advanced Life Support (ALS) provider.
* Advanced Trauma or Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC).
* Postgraduate certificate in management or equivalent.
* Essential IT skills (EITS) or equivalent.
* Paediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
* Further relevant postgraduate development or equivalent.
* Accident & Emergency Certificate or equivalent.
Experience
* Roster management.
* Clinical supervision.
* Budgetary management.
* Leadership role.
* Dealing with critical incidents/complaints.
* PCPI.
* Audit and research in practice.
Knowledge
* Continuing professional development with portfolio.
* Practice requirements for all nursing staff.
* Trust policies and procedures.
* Professional leadership within the clinical governance framework.
* National strategy for nursing and midwifery.
* NMC Code of Professional Conduct / Practice.
* Vulnerable adults, child protection and Mental Capacity Act issues.
Skills and Aptitudes
* Ability to work as a member of a team, without supervision.
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
* Capability to act as a clinical supervisor, mentor and preceptor.
* Ability to promote the development of nursing within the Trust.
* Good organisational skills.
* Demonstration of compassionate values and behaviours needed for dignified care.
Personal Circumstances
* Motivation.
Other requirements
* Willingness to develop by expansion of the role.
* Flexible approach to working patterns.
* Ability to actively participate in the duty matron rota.
Disability Confident Scheme and Armed Forces Covenant
Applicants who are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and meet all the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applicants will be required to cover the DBS costs through salary deduction.
£49,387 – £56,515 per annum, pro rata
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