Sister / Charge Nurse, Band 6- Critical Care

Overview Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Sister / Charge Nurse, Band 6 - Critical Care. The closing date is 11 November 2025.

As the team within the Department of Critical Care, we aim to recruit competent, motivated and enthusiastic senior nurses to assist with leading the nursing team in the delivery of expert patient care. The shift co-ordinator will consider the entire GHT Critical Care Service in terms of patient numbers and dependency, staffing and service pressures, and will work within both Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General Hospital on a rotational basis to help manage fluctuating patient and service demands.

Both units provide high dependency / intensive care (level 2 and 3) to adults requiring respiratory, cardiovascular and/or renal support. Post-surgical care is delivered to patients undergoing complex urological, upper gastrointestinal, vascular and head and neck surgery. Children are regularly admitted to the Gloucestershire Royal site for stabilisation prior to retrieval by paediatric services.

The critical care team encourages personal professional development and actively supports clinical education. All band 6 nurses are expected to engage with clinical governance, continuous quality improvement and educational activities.

Main duties of the job

• To manage and professionally lead the nursing team as a key member of the multidisciplinary workforce.
• To directly deliver, co-ordinate and supervise patient care; ensuring that the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of that care is of a high standard, encompassing the Trust vision of "best care for everyone".
• To contribute towards the entire GHT Critical Care Service, in terms of patient care, team support, quality improvement and service delivery and progression.
• Work within both units on both a planned rotational and a day-to-day basis to help manage fluctuating and changing patient and service demands.
• To work alongside the Matron, the Band 7s and wider team to determine and deliver on service strategic objectives and to promote the overarching vision for the service.
• To work collaboratively with the entire critical care inter-professional team to meet the needs of critically ill patients and their families.
• To demonstrate clinical expertise, model high standards of care, evidence-based practice and effective leadership within UK law, NMC and Trust policies and guidelines.

About us With a team of over 9,000 employees, we are the largest employer in Gloucestershire and rank among the top 10 largest Trusts in the South West region. Joining our Trust grants access to an excellent package that includes exclusive benefits, flexible working opportunities and valuable experience in one of our innovative hospitals. Benefits include generous annual leave, access to the NHS pension scheme, discounts at local shops and restaurants, two on-site nurseries, discounted public transport, reward and recognition, and a range of health and wellbeing initiatives.

The critical care team works cohesively and collaboratively, with staff engagement encouraged in an open and honest culture. The Matron and senior nursing team practice compassionate leadership and encourage active engagement and contribution from all team members. Training and education are prioritized, and staff are offered and encouraged to engage in professional development. All staff are supported through an effective line management process and peer support which is actively encouraged. The critical care team is recognised for kindness, care and inclusivity, with excellent feedback from staff, patients and families.

Job responsibilities Clinical

• Deliver, demonstrate and supervise safe and appropriate care within a challenging and changing clinical environment, using highly specialised equipment and resources.
• Communicate effectively with patients, especially where patients' ability to communicate is compromised.
• Administer, demonstrate and supervise the delivery of medications, including multiple continuous infusions, within the POPAM guidelines.
• Work collaboratively with other health professionals to provide high standards of care for patients within DCC.
• Take a key role in the implementation of clinical initiatives or introduction of new equipment within DCC.
• Take an active clinical leadership role and act as shift co-ordinator when required.
• Promote and support clinical training, education and development of other staff within the DCC and beyond.

Management

• Work with the Matron, Band 7s, consultants and wider team to determine and deliver on strategic service objectives.
• Collaborate with DCC, site and operational delivery teams to maintain patient flow and critical care capacity within agreed procedures.
• Ensure safe staffing levels across sites in relation to patient needs and resources.
• Support the maintenance of the electronic roster with Band 7s and roster administrator to keep it up to date.
• Address staff conflicts and take remedial action as appropriate.
• Manage patient, relative or staff complaints in line with the Trust complaints procedure.
• Deliver and support staff appraisals and mandatory training to achieve key performance indicators.
• Support the DCC recruitment and retention strategy and participate in interviewing for new staff.
• Take responsibility for health and safety of patients, relatives and staff, contributing to risk assessments and risk reduction practices.
• Use resources efficiently and aim to reduce waste from financial and environmental perspectives.
• Input and retrieve patient and staff information in accordance with the Data Protection Act and maintain accurate records.

Leadership

• Lead the nursing team in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care within the multidisciplinary team.
• Support a skilled, motivated and engaged workforce focused on improving patient, relative and staff experience.
• Model high standards of patient care, communication, commitment and organisation.
• Support service developments and use effective leadership skills to implement change as appropriate.
• Encourage a shared leadership model, empowering others to take the lead with initiatives within DCC and the Trust while upholding leadership values and behaviours.
• Lead or actively support quality improvements within DCC and collaborate with other teams and services.
• Collaborate with local, network and national colleagues to maintain shared best practice in critical care and promote safety, quality and practice development.
• Engage in audits and research projects and contribute to changes in management practice and procedures as appropriate.
• Contribute to Clinical Governance and Quality agendas, health and safety, risk management, and infection prevention and control measures.
• Develop and share knowledge with team members; identify personal development needs and proactively improve practice.
• Contribute to development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of standard operating procedures, policies, protocols and guidelines relevant to the service.
• Question and challenge strategic and operational practice constructively to continually improve standards of patient care.
• Support incident investigation as appropriate within the role and service.

Education and training

• Identify personal training and development needs through the Trust appraisal process in conjunction with the designated line manager.
• Maintain and develop personal knowledge, competence and skills required to perform the role effectively.
• Undertake all mandatory training appropriate to the role.
• Support the training, education and development of staff within the defined service as appropriate.

Person Specification Qualifications

• Educated to degree level in a relevant field
• Critical Care Nursing Course
• Evidence of ongoing professional development
• Management / leadership qualifications or equivalent experience
• Evidence of working towards completion of Step 4 National competency framework
• Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council

Experience

• Substantial critical care nursing experience with a track record of high-quality patient care, team support and engagement
• Evidence of building effective working relationships with the multi-disciplinary team and other key stakeholders
• Evidence of link nurse responsibilities / specific team involvement
• Evidence of quality improvement and completion of a quality improvement course
• Experience of leading and managing change

Knowledge/ Skills

• In-depth knowledge of Critical Care nursing and operational processes within DCC
• Expert critical care nursing skills
• Confident in leading and managing the care of a critically ill child
• Team-focused, collaborative and underpinned by kindness and respect
• Knowledge of the trust appraisal and development process

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.

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

£38,682 to £46,580 a year (pro rata if part-time)
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