Sister/ Charge Nurse, Band 6

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job purpose

The Band 6 Sister / Charge Nurse will provide clinical leadership and operational management within the Medical Day Unit, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective, and high-quality patient-centred care. The post holder will support the day-to-day running of the unit, lead the nursing team, and contribute to service development, governance, and workforce management.

The role requires strong leadership, advanced clinical skills relevant to outpatient infusion services, and the ability to coordinate care in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership & Patient Care

- Act as a clinical role model, delivering high standards of nursing care in line with Trust policies and professional standards.

- Ensure the safe administration of intravenous infusions, blood products, and diagnostic test

- Maintain oversight of patients receiving complex treatments and manage adverse reactions, including anaphylaxis.

- Ensure accurate documentation, risk assessments, and compliance with infection prevention and control standards.

- Promote a calm, reassuring environment for patients attending for both one-off and long-term treatments.

Leadership & Team Management

- Provide visible leadership to the nursing team during shifts.

- Coordinate staffing, skill mix, and patient flow to ensure safe service delivery.

- Support, supervise, and mentor Band 5 nurses, Band 3 staff, students, and bank staff.

- Contribute to staff appraisals, capability processes, sickness management, and return-to-work planning.

- Foster a positive team culture that promotes wellbeing, respect, and collaboration

Operational Management

- Support the day-to-day operational running of the Medical Day Unit.

- Ensure clinics and infusion lists are safely managed and capacity is used effectively.

- Escalate concerns regarding staffing, workload, or patient safety appropriately.

- Contribute to rota planning and workforce utilisation.

- Support business continuity planning during periods of increased pressure.

Clinical Governance & Quality Improvement

- Actively contribute to audit, incident reporting, complaints management, and learning reviews.

- Support implementation of Trust policies, SOPs, and national guidance.

- Participate in service development and quality improvement initiatives.

- Encourage a culture of reflection, learning, and continuous improvement.

- Promote patient feedback (FFT) and use outcomes to improve care.

Communication & Collaboration

- Work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including:

- Medical teams

- Specialist nurses

- Pharmacy

- Estates and support services

- Ensure patients and relatives receive clear, timely information.

- Represent the unit at meetings when required.

Professional Responsibilities

- Maintain current NMC registration.

- Practice in accordance with the NMC Code.

- Maintain personal professional development and revalidation requirements.

- Uphold Trust values and behaviours at all times.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

• Sound knowledge of evidence-based nursing practice within an acute or outpatient setting
• Registered Nurse with active NMC registration
• Evidence of relevant continued professional development

Desirable

• Holds a teaching or mentorship qualification

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Excellent Interpersonal and Communication Skills
• Ability to manage anaphylaxis and other infusion-related emergencies
• Ability to resolve conflict/ challenges in a constructive way
• Good leadership qualities

Desirable

• Coaching and mentoring skills
• Knowledge of Medical Day Unit services and outpatient infusion pathways

Clinical/Experience

Essential

• Appropriate experience at a Band 5 level
• Experience of managing workload and patient flow during a shift
• Experience supporting and supervising junior staff and students

Desirable

• Previous experience of leading a team / coordinating a team
• Previous experience in a Medical Day Unit or similar clinical area

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Professional, reliable, and accountable, acting as a positive role model for other
• Resilient and calm under pressure, able to manage a busy and fast-paced outpatient environment
• Emotionally intelligent, demonstrating empathy, fairness, and respect for colleagues and patients
• Proactive, motivated, and able to work independently using professional judgement

Desirable

• Commitment to staff wellbeing, equality, diversity, and inclusion

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Cheltenham General Hospital

Sandford road

Cheltenham

GL53 7AN

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/