Job overview
We are pleased to advertise an exciting opportunity for a seconded, full-time Band 6 Junior Sister/Charge Nurse position on Ward 20.
We are seeking a confident, approachable, and friendly individual to join our dynamic team, where no two days are the same.
Ward 20 is a 32-bedded surgical ward caring for both elective and emergency patients admitted via the emergency pathway. The ward is predominantly a specialist Head and Neck unit, providing care for Maxillofacial and ENT patients, including those with tracheostomies and laryngectomies. In addition, the ward receives patients under general surgery, urology, and orthopaedics. From April 2026, the Vascular service will relocate to Ward 20 at Luton.
The ward admits a high volume of elective and emergency patients, many of whom require a high level of nursing care. Patients are received post-operatively from theatres, as ITU step-down, and directly from the Emergency Surgical Unit (ESU).
The successful candidate will demonstrate high standards of clinical practice, alongside strong leadership skills and a clear interest in developing their managerial potential. You will be well organised, possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and demonstrate the ability to support, and develop others within the team.
Please speak to your Line Manager before applying for this secondment opportunity and visit the Trust's Secondment Policy.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be required to deputize in the absence of the Ward Manager and ensure a positive patient experience through the delivery of the high standards of patient care. As a Ward Sister/Charge Nurse, you should have the commitment and ability to support the Ward Manager and other Ward Sisters/Charge Nurses in the effective implementation of change. You will be required to facilitate effective management of clinical and non-clinical risk reporting in response to the service needs.
The post holder will demonstrate expert knowledge and practice in the delivery of patient care, therefore experience of working within a surgical nursing/an acute ward environment is essential. You are expected to communicate effectively with patients and relatives and the other members of the multi disciplinary team; ensuring accurate and seamless information is conveyed and documented.
The post holder must be able to actively demonstrate and proactively deliver effective and personal care, which is safe for the patients, in a calm and compassionate manner to every patient, every time.
Good clear communication skills are necessary for this post as you will be liaising with Doctors and the MDT.
As a Band 6 your roles would include leading and managing a shift, ensuring the safety of all patients. Assisting the ward manager with audits, appraisals, return to work and stage 2 meetings.
Working for our organisation
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.
Our Values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To deputise for the Ward Manager and liaise with members of the multi-disciplinary team both within the organisation and with external stakeholders, to ensure care is delivered to the patient both effectively and efficiently.
Communicate proactively with all staff on the clinical condition and treatment plan of patients and ensures accurate nursing records are maintained by all staff.
To lead and support others in co-ordinating the discharge process and ensures written and verbal advice is available to patient’s relatives and carers.
Actively involve others in communications between patients, their relatives and the multi-disciplinary team both within organisation and with external stakeholders and ensures excellent communication.
Please see detailed Job Description attached.
Person specification
Qualification
Essential criteria
1. Must be registered with NMC
2. Surgical experience or speciality related
3. Mentorship / Practice Supervisor & Practice Assessor Preparation or teaching qualification or working towards
Experience
Essential criteria
4. Post registration experience of working in an acute hospital setting
5. Experience of managing challenging situations to a positive outcome
6. Evidence of teaching others and mentorship
7. Experience in leading a shift and taking charge of a ward
Desirable criteria
8. Experience of managing a team and staff performance
9. Experience of HR fundamentals
Skills
Essential criteria
10. Ability to prioritise and organise workload
11. Demonstrates the ability to undertake challenging conversations
12. An ability to remain positive during service changes
Desirable criteria
13. Counselling or coaching skills
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.