Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust

Deputy Sister / Deputy Charge Nurse

The closing date is 11 January 2026

Job summary

Make a difference to each patient's experience of the NHS.

This is your chance of a lifetime to be part of something big!

Want to make a real difference? Interested in working in an exciting Level 2 higher care area?

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Deputy Sister / Charge Nurse to join our well established team. You will be working for Specialist Medicine on a busy 27 bedded ward which includes a 6 bedded Level 2 Respiratory Support Unit.

Wellington Ward cares for patients with both chronic and the most acute respiratory illnesses/diseases at the Royal Cornwall Hospital.

An often busy ward, working as part of a team is critical. We have a dynamic and forward thinking multidisciplinary team that you will be an active member of. You will be expected to lead the team, provide clinical support, guidance and supervision on a daily basis. You will be given training opportunities to build your Respiratory knowledge and skills.

As the Deputy Sister or Charge Nurse you will also be responsible for ensuring a SAFER approach in care delivery. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team you will ensure safe and appropriate care, assessment, and treatment of patients.

Main duties of the job

Wellington Ward cares for a broad range of patients with differing respiratory needs and often complex chronic conditions, such as Cystic Fibrosis, Type 2 Respiratory Failure, COPD and acute conditions, such as Pneumothoraces, Asthma, Pulmonary Fibrosis, and Lung Cancer. You will also gain experience with Intercostal Drains, High Flow Nasal Oxygen and Erector Spinae Catheter (ESP).

The types of nursing activities that you will be involved in are: Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV), Chest Drain management, chest trauma and pain management, including caring for patients with ESP's, Portacath's and midlines. You will work closely with our respiratory nurse specialist team who specialise in NIV, CF, Asthma and COPD.

We are very proud of our team working, with a Consultant led medical team, nursing, therapies and visiting specialties such as Trauma and Anaesthetics, Intensive Care and Palliative Care. We are an innovative and forward thinking team and frequently participate in new trials and projects, enabling us to have real influence in developments across the trust.

We pride ourselves on being able to deliver excellent care not only to those sick patients who require level 2 high care, but also supporting patients with their daily activities, rehabilitation goals and discharge plans, through to their end of life care.

About us

The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) is the main provider of acute and specialist care services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We serve a population of around 500,000 people - a figure that can increase significantly with visitors during the busiest times of the year. We employ approximately 6,700 staff and have a budget of approximately £580 million.

We are a teaching hospital in partnership with the University of Exeter Medical School, University of Plymouth School of Nursing and Midwifery, and Peninsula Dental School.

The Knowledge Spa on the Royal Cornwall Hospital site is the base for medical and nursing as well as ongoing education for health professions in clinical and non-clinical roles.

Keeping at the forefront of medical advances, we are continually developing our clinical services as well as our facilities and are committed to maximising the range of specialist care that can be offered locally. Allied to this is a growing reputation for research and innovation.

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust is a research active organisation.

It's established South West Clinical School in Cornwall exists to promote clinical academic career opportunities for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals interested in research and evidence-based activities. Read their research paper to find out more.

Website: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/clinical-schools/royal-cornwall-hospitals-nhs-trust-clinical-school

https://doi.org/10.1177/17449871231209037

Details

Date posted

19 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

156-7623535

Job locations

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

Truro

TR1 3LJ


Job description

Job responsibilities

PLEASE NOTE: To view the full Job Description and Person Specification, please click the supporting document on the right-hand side.

To be an employee of the NHS you need to successfully complete the following:

  • Identity Checks
  • Professional registration and qualification checks
  • Employment history and reference checks
  • Occupational Health clearance
  • Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check
  • Right to work in the UK

For further information please visit:

https://www.nhsemployers.org/topics-networks/employment-standards-and-regulation

We reserve the right to close this advert early.

We may be able to offer flexible working. Please discuss at interview.

We may be able to offer sponsorship but this is not guaranteed.

Job description

Job responsibilities

PLEASE NOTE: To view the full Job Description and Person Specification, please click the supporting document on the right-hand side.

To be an employee of the NHS you need to successfully complete the following:

  • Identity Checks
  • Professional registration and qualification checks
  • Employment history and reference checks
  • Occupational Health clearance
  • Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check
  • Right to work in the UK

For further information please visit:

https://www.nhsemployers.org/topics-networks/employment-standards-and-regulation

We reserve the right to close this advert early.

We may be able to offer flexible working. Please discuss at interview.

We may be able to offer sponsorship but this is not guaranteed.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Nurse.
  • Current registration.

Desirable

  • Assessing & Mentoring qualification.
  • NVQ Assessors course.
  • Possession of degree or in the process of obtaining.

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable post-registration experience in the speciality.

Desirable

  • Experience of supervising and assessing students.
  • Previous experience in the relevant specialty.
  • Substantial previous Ward Leadership experience.

Knowledge

Essential

  • Awareness of cultural needs.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Nurse.
  • Current registration.

Desirable

  • Assessing & Mentoring qualification.
  • NVQ Assessors course.
  • Possession of degree or in the process of obtaining.

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable post-registration experience in the speciality.

Desirable

  • Experience of supervising and assessing students.
  • Previous experience in the relevant specialty.
  • Substantial previous Ward Leadership experience.

Knowledge

Essential

  • Awareness of cultural needs.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

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

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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

Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust

Address

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

Truro

TR1 3LJ


Employer's website

https://www.royalcornwall.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust

Address

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

Truro

TR1 3LJ


Employer's website

https://www.royalcornwall.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Sister

Rebecca Shuttleworth

r.shuttleworth@nhs.net

01872252102

Details

Date posted

19 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

156-7623535

Job locations

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

Truro

TR1 3LJ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)