Critical Care Sister / Charge Nurse

Critical Care Sister / Charge Nurse

Swindon Full-Time 33600 - 37200 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and coordinate care for critically ill patients in a dynamic environment.
  • Company: Join Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, committed to community health.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive team culture.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in patients' lives while developing your leadership skills.
  • Qualifications: Experience in intensive care and strong leadership abilities required.
  • Other info: Be part of a team that values Service, Teamwork, Ambition, and Respect.

The predicted salary is between 33600 - 37200 £ per year.

Go back Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Critical Care Sister / Charge Nurse

The closing date is 24 September 2025

This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic, experienced, motivated nurse to develop leadership and management skills.

As a senior member of the Critical care unit team you will be required to co-ordinate the safe delivery of care, daily, to critically ill patients.

The CCU Band 6 sister will be a role model who acts as a clinical expert practitioner providing specialist knowledge and advises nurses, medical staff and other members of the multidisciplinary team working within the critical area. As a 24-hour service provider the post holder is expected to work autonomously, coordinating and managing a defined clinical area without direct supervision ensuring the safe delivery of specialist treatment.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will have overall accountability and responsibility for the clinical area when in charge of a shift.

You will have a specific interest in clinical practice development and in collaboration with the Clinical Educators; you will support staff to develop essential clinical skills and expertise within the intensive care unit.

You will ensure that fundamental needs for individual patients are met and that care is evaluated using evidenced based practice. Participate in operational and strategic development for the clinical area by attending unit and Trust wide meetings and act as a representative of CCU throughout the Trust in Trust champion roles.

Recognise the deteriorating patient and take the lead in the absence of the medical practitioner to ensure appropriate treatment and intervention is undertaken to stabilise the deteriorating patient until medical help is available.

About us

Our STAR values – Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect – are a golden thread running through everything we do. These values serve as a guiding principle, driving us towards our vision of delivering great joined up services to our local community. Whether at home, in the community, or within the hospital, our goal is to empower individuals to lead independent and healthier lives.

Job responsibilities

  • Use advanced communication skills to impart sensitive, complex and potentially distressing information to patients and carers providing emotional support, advice and information as appropriate. To provide support and expertise to colleagues when dealing with highly emotional or distressing clinical situations.
  • In partnership with other senior grades, produce, contribute and comment on relevant policies and guidelines and implement them into our own area.
  • Undertake/supervise specific projects/audits related to the professional development of nursing and the care of CCU patients. Assist in the collection of data required for local and national audit.
  • Work in conjunction with external management teams to ensure that all emergency and elective patients are admitted in a timely manner, based on clinical priority so that treatment is commenced promptly. To be responsible for actively managing patient flow within CCU, resolving short-term resource conflicts as they arise.
  • Review and update the live e-roster, allocation and skill mix on a daily basis and make appropriate changes to maintain adequate skill mix and unit cover.

Please see the attached job description for full information.

Person Specification

Qualifications

  • Intensive Care Course or equivalent
  • Teaching and Assessing qualification / Mentors & Assessors course
  • Immediate Life Support
  • Paediatric Life Support
  • Management of the critically ill child course or equivalent experience
  • Leadership ability, organised, self-motivated, able to motivate others, innovative and the ability to manage change
  • Management Training
  • Advanced life support

Experience

  • In depth experience in a General Intensive Care unit.
  • Clinical expertise e.g. invasive monitoring and haemofiltration, management of critically ill child.
  • Experience of being the Nurse in Charge and management of a shift on a regular basis on CCU
  • Knowledge and experience of managing resources i.e., people and materials.
  • Experience or sound knowledge of human resources e.g. sickness, appraisal.
  • Demonstrated ability to support colleagues.
  • Completion of the unit \”Management Development Programme\”
  • Experience in writing protocols, guidelines, policies, clinical competencies
  • Proven leadership and management experience in critical care

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.

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

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

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Critical Care Sister / Charge Nurse employer: Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is an exceptional employer that prioritises the professional growth and development of its staff, particularly in critical care roles. With a strong commitment to its STAR values of Service, Teamwork, Ambition, and Respect, the Trust fosters a supportive work culture where nurses can thrive as leaders and clinical experts. Employees benefit from ongoing training opportunities, a collaborative environment, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on patient care within a dynamic healthcare setting.
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Contact Detail:

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Critical Care Sister / Charge Nurse

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the healthcare field, especially those who work at Great Western Hospitals. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info about the role.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your clinical knowledge and leadership skills. Think of examples from your experience that showcase your ability to manage a team and handle critical situations.

Tip Number 3

Show your passion for patient care! During interviews, share stories that highlight your commitment to improving patient outcomes and how you’ve supported colleagues in high-pressure environments.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.

We think you need these skills to ace Critical Care Sister / Charge Nurse

Leadership Skills
Clinical Expertise
Advanced Communication Skills
Emotional Support Provision
Project Management
Data Collection and Analysis
Resource Management
Policy Development
Mentoring and Teaching
Critical Care Knowledge
Autonomous Decision-Making
Patient Flow Management
Change Management
Team Collaboration

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Critical Care Sister/Charge Nurse role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with the job description, especially your leadership and clinical expertise.

Showcase Your STAR Values: We love our STAR values - Service, Teamwork, Ambition, and Respect. Make sure to weave these into your application. Share examples of how you've demonstrated these values in your previous roles, as they are key to our culture.

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences. We appreciate a well-structured application!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate!

How to prepare for a job interview at Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Know Your Clinical Stuff

Brush up on your clinical knowledge, especially around critical care practices. Be ready to discuss specific cases where you demonstrated your expertise in managing critically ill patients and how you coordinated care effectively.

Showcase Leadership Skills

Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience. Think about times when you took charge of a shift or led a team through a challenging situation. This is your chance to show how you embody the STAR values of Service, Teamwork, Ambition, and Respect.

Communicate with Confidence

Practice your communication skills, especially for delivering sensitive information. You might be asked how you would handle difficult conversations with patients or their families, so have a few scenarios in mind where you provided emotional support.

Understand the Trust's Vision

Familiarise yourself with Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's goals and values. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to their vision of delivering great joined-up services and how your personal values align with theirs.

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