Job overview
The Band 6 Junior Sister plays a pivotal role in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care within the Gynaecology Ward and Day Case Unit. This position involves managing a diverse caseload, including elective and emergency admissions, surgical procedures, and day case treatments. The Band 6 supports the Ward Sister in leading the nursing team, ensuring safe staffing levels, and maintaining compliance with clinical governance standards.
Key responsibilities include coordinating patient care pathways, supervising junior staff, and promoting evidence-based practice. The role requires strong leadership skills to foster a positive working environment, mentor colleagues, and facilitate professional development. Effective communication with multidisciplinary teams is essential to optimise patient outcomes and enhance the patient experience.
The Band 6 is accountable for infection control, medication administration, and adherence to safeguarding policies. They also contribute to service improvement initiatives, audits, and quality assurance processes. Flexibility is vital, as the role spans both inpatient and day case settings, requiring adaptability to changing clinical demands.
This position offers an opportunity to develop advanced clinical and managerial skills while supporting the delivery of compassionate, holistic care to women undergoing gynaecological treatment.
Main duties of the job
Your responsibilities encompass clinical leadership, operational management, and staff development, all aimed at maintaining high standards of care and patient experience. You provide expert clinical leadership by assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating care for patients with diverse gynaecological needs, including elective and emergency admissions. Operationally, you support the Ward Sister in managing patient flow, coordinating admissions and discharges, and liaising with theatres and outpatient services to optimize bed usage and service efficiency. You oversee resource allocation, including staffing and equipment, and contribute to maintaining a clean, safe environment. Staff development is a key aspect of your role. You supervise and mentor junior nurses, healthcare assistants, and students, fostering a positive learning culture. This includes conducting appraisals, identifying training needs, and supporting professional growth. You also assist in managing workforce issues such as sickness and performance. In addition, you actively participate in audits, incident reporting, and quality improvement initiatives to enhance clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. Communication and leadership underpin your duties. You maintain clear communication with patients, relatives, and the wider team, ensuring continuity of care.
Working for our organisation
St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey. Our sites include St George’s Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).
After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.
At gesh we are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements. Applicants are encouraged to discuss any flexibility they may need during the recruitment process.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
As a Band 6 Nurse in the Gynaecology Ward and Day Case Unit, you play a pivotal role in delivering safe, high-quality, and compassionate care to women undergoing elective and emergency gynaecological procedures by providing expert pre- and post-operative management, conducting comprehensive assessments, developing individualised care plans, administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and ensuring timely discharge, while also coordinating shifts, managing staffing levels, and allocating resources effectively to maintain a safe clinical environment; you mentor and supervise junior nurses, healthcare assistants, and students, fostering professional growth and adherence to best practice standards, and lead on infection control, safeguarding, and clinical governance compliance; you collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams including consultants, anaesthetists, and allied health professionals to optimize patient outcomes, communicate clearly and empathetically with patients and families to provide emotional support and culturally sensitive information, and escalate concerns promptly to uphold patient safety; in the day case unit, you assist with minor procedures, support recovery, and ensure continuity of care, while contributing to audits, incident reporting, and quality improvement initiatives to drive service excellence; furthermore, you engage in continuous professional development, maintain up-to-date knowledge of gynaecology nursing including menopause care, fertility issues, and oncology pathways, and demonstrate strong organisational, leadership, and decision-making skills to deliver evidence-based practice in a dynamic, fast-paced, and specialised environment that prioritises dignity, respect, and holistic care for every patient.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Registered Nurse (Adult) with current NMC registration
2. Mentorship/Practice Assessor qualification
3. Degree/Diploma in Nursing or equivalent
Desirable criteria
4. Gynaecology or Women’s health course
5. Leadership or People management training
6. Demonstrates evidence of ongoing continuous professional development
Experience
Essential criteria
7. Minimum 2 years post-registration experience in acute hospital setting
8. Evidence of managing a team or taking charge of a ward/department
9. Experience in managing staff rotas and supervising junior staff.
Desirable criteria
10. Experience in gynaecology or surgical nursing
11. Exposure to safeguarding and complex discharge planning.
12. Previous involvement in audits, clinical governance, or quality improvement projects
Skills and Knowledge
Essential criteria
13. Excellent clinical assessment and decision-making
14. Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
15. Ability to prioritise workload and delegate effectively.
Desirable criteria
16. Venepuncture, cannulation, catheterisation.
17. Knowledge of enhanced recovery protocols.
18. Understanding of NHS policies and targets related to women’s health.
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
19. Compassionate, empathetic, and patient-centred.
20. Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing situations.
21. Effective communicator with patients, families, and multidisciplinary teams.
Desirable criteria
22. Motivated to develop services and support innovation.
23. Commitment to professional development and team working
24. Committed to equality and inclusion.
Your recruitment team
The NHS South West London Recruitment Hub is your dedicated recruitment team, here to support you at every stage of the process. If you have a query, please contact us:
E:
Your application
Please ensure your supporting statement clearly reflects the job description and person specification, as shortlisting will be based on these criteria.
Please refer to the latest UKVI guidance and ensure you have the appropriate right to work before applying for this role.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
We kindly ask that you avoid using AI tools to draft your application. We value authentic, individual responses that reflect your own experience and communication style.
References
Please provide a minimum of 3 years’ employment and/or education history, including professional email addresses (not personal accounts such as Hotmail or Gmail). If you cannot provide these, please inform the interview panel to avoid delays in pre-employment checks.
Closing date
To help us manage recruitment efficiently, some vacancies may close early once we have received a sufficient number of applications.
Shortlisting
If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be contacted by email or SMS from the South West London Recruitment Hub. Please check your registered TRAC email regularly.
Application feedback
If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion.
Safeguarding and DBS Checks
We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. For roles with direct access to these groups, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required. All staff are expected to understand and uphold their safeguarding responsibilities as part of their role.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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
Further details / informal visits contact
NameSese OlendaJob titleBand 7 SisterEmail addressTelephone number02082963659Additional information
Jury Okpara
Clinical Matron for Gynaecology Services.
07385419742