Junior Sister/Charge Nurse

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Junior Sister/Charge Nurse

The closing date is 13 March 2026

Hours: 32 hours per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

A rare opportunity has arisen for a Sister on the Ophthalmology Department, an off site facility based in central Milton Keynes and part of Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Trust. The department delivers a range of subspecialties including glaucoma, retina, oculoplastic, paediatrics and urgent clinics. There are medical and non medical run clinics and procedure rooms for minor ops and IVT injections.

If you are an experienced nurse in ophthalmology and would like to be part of this dynamic multi disciplinary team then, we would like to hear from you. Extended roles are promoted here so it is essential that you have a recognised ophthalmic qualification. You will also need to be a team member who is flexible and positive and is committed to delivering a high standard of patient care.

Visits to the department are strongly encouraged.

Main duties of the job

94% feel that their role makes a difference to patients and service users. NHS Survey, 2024

• To provide effective, professional and managerial leadership to staff.
• To provide and maintain a high standard of nursing care.
• To supervise and develop the knowledge and skills of junior staff.
• To initiate/facilitate developments in nursing in partnership with the ward manager.
• To be the ward representative in the absence of the ward manager.
• To work autonomously within their scope of professional conduct and in line with Trust policies.
• To assist the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse in the review of nursing practice and service delivery.
• Provide clinical expertise in all the subspecialties.
• To role model high standards of nursing care and professionalism.

About us

Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.

As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.

We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state of the art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.

Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24 bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.

Person Specification Qualifications and Knowledge

• Registered Nurse (Adult)
• Degree in nursing or any other relevant discipline or equivalent experience
• Evidence of post registration education
• Evidence of Ophthalmic nurse training
• First line management/leadership course
• Evidence of career development

Experience

• Relevant experience in clinical setting
• Evidence of regular shift management of a ward/clinical area
• Mentorship of student nurses
• Evidence of provision of high standards of care
• Evidence of management and leadership
• Experience in change management
• Evidence of staff development

Skills

• Excellent communication (verbal and written)
• Diplomacy and negotiation skills
• Effective time management
• Resource management
• Ability to problem solve
• Self motivated with the ability to work under pressure
• Up to date advanced ophthalmic clinical skills and knowledge
• Audit and analysis experience
• Teaching and presentation skills

Personal and People Development

• Experience in managing people
• Up to date with current issues in nursing
• Willingness to embark on further professional development

Communication 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.

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

£38,682 to £46,580 a year (per annum pro rata)