Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Junior Sister/Charge SSU - Ward 1

The closing date is 22 June 2025

Job summary

Provides clinical and managerial leadership to nursing and support staff, may ensure effective running of ward/department in the absence of Department Ward Manager.

To provide advice and support for colleagues to plan, monitor, implement and evaluate skilled and appropriate care for patients and ensure the provision of evidence-based practice.

To work within the NMC Code and professional nursing guidance.

Main duties of the job

KEY DUTIES

Provide leadership, management and team development as delegated by the Department/Ward Manager to the team, allocating workloads.

Contribute to setting goals and benchmarking standards of care. Develop tools to improve the quality of the service and co-ordinate clinical services across the ward.

To co-ordinate and manage patient flow within the unit including timely admission and discharge, ensuring national targets are met where possible.

To promote the unit and the Trust as a whole in the most positive manner to patients, relatives and the local population.

To have knowledge of relevant national and local health policies and their impact on the service. To inform/escalate to Department/Ward Manager / Matron if acceptable levels of care, standards, practice and patient safety is compromised and develop appropriate actions.

To assist and or lead in the development/implementation of local and trust policies and protocols relevant to the specialty, ensuring effective implementation in local area.

To manage control and quality of levels of stock and equipment within the clinical and non-clinical areas and promote and ensure economic use of all resources.

To attend corporate groups as a representative of the directorate and team.

About us

The Secretary of State has approved the partnership between St Helens & Knowsley and Southport & Ormskirk Hospitals.

From 1st July we have come together as a single organisation under the name Mersey & West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Trust delivers acute hospital care, intermediate care, community, and primary care services to a population of over 600,000 people with a combined workforce of around 9000 dedicated and skilled staff from 17 locations including Whiston, Southport & Formby, St Helens, Ormskirk and Newton hospitals.

The Trust provides regional services for burns, plastic surgery and spinal injuries to more than 4 million people across Mersey and West Lancashire, Cheshire, the Isle of Man and North Wales.

Our Vision is to deliver 5 Star Patient Care:

CAREthat is evidence based, high quality and compassionate
SAFETY that is of the highest standards
COMMUNICATION that is open, inclusive and respectful
SYSTEMS that are efficient, patient centred and reliable
PATHWAYS that are best practice and embedded, but also respect the individual needs of patients

Our achievements include:

Trust rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
Awarded National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for our Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme

Please see our Wellbeing & Benefits booklet for more information on our staff benefits. Accessible version available upon request.

Date posted

12 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

409-7097382

Job locations

Southport Hopsital

Town Lane

Kew Southport

PR8 6PN

Job description

Job responsibilities

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide senior nursing advice and support to facilitate high quality, individualised care to patients/ carers in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team.

Manage and coordinate complex clinical situations, taking appropriate action in emergency or unforeseen situations.

To be clinically competent and confident in the use of specialised equipment in varied clinical settings.

Act as a clinical role model and leader for all members of staff providing daily unit management, continuity of care and a high standard of excellent nursing care.

To assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care, actively seeking evidence-based practice which will improve the quality of care and meet the needs of the patient. A holistic approach to caring should be planned which will include the appropriate level of physiological, psychological, spiritual, socio-economic and cultural aspects which influence the care of patients within the unit.

To contribute to setting and monitor standards of nursing care within the ward.

To liaise with medical staff and other disciplines on the management of high-quality patient care.

To ensure that patient care is delivered within the Nursing and Midwifery Scope of Professional Practice and Code of Professional Conduct.

To promote the involvement of patients and their relatives in the management and evaluation of care. To have shared responsibility for the delivery of patient care by all members of the nursing team on the

unit.

To maintain safe custody of drugs, ensuring that checking, witnessing and administration procedures are compatible with statutory and trust requirements.

To undertake appropriate training to expand relevant clinical skills.

To regularly take charge of the clinical area, utilising resources effectively and to ensure that safe staffing levels are maintained for their shifts.

Identify clinical risks and ensure that appropriate action is implemented in accordance with the Trust risk management policy.

Ensure the nurse documentation is maintained to the Trust standard.

TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES

To promote an environment conducive to learning.

To participate in staff education and development, including orientation and supervision and act as a mentor and resource for learners and the nursing team and the multi-professional teams. Contribute to the development and maintenance of a positive learning environment for colleagues, patients and visitors.

To assess learning & developmental needs of members of the ward nursing team.

To assist in the development, implementation and monitoring of programmes of specialty-based teaching ensuring learning objectives are achieved.

To ensure that own personal development is maintained and recorded to ensure compliance for revalidation.

To be responsible for the continuing professional development and overall performance of a particular group of staff delegated by the Charge Nurse or Senior Sister.

Supervise and support the nursing care of the other junior nurses, students and HCAs to maintain a high standard of excellent nursing care.

To share highly specialist knowledge and skills around the Trust with active involvement in ward patient care if the unit allows.

Provide support mechanisms for sharing good practice within the ward and trust wide.

LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

To assess and develop action plans to meet individual development needs.

To participate in orientation programmes for all newly appointed nursing staff.

To monitor staff performance, conduct or participate in Individual Performance Appraisal, including supporting revalidation process.

To encourage & motivate staff within the ward on personal & professional development at all levels. To deploy and utilise staffing resources effectively and efficiently.

To support members of the team and refer to appropriate services. To assist in the selection, appointment & induction of new staff.

Ensure staffing levels and skill mix is scheduled to reflect the workload and meet the needs of the patient.

To assist in the co-ordination and monitoring of off duty, annual leave, sickness and absence occurring in the unit.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensure the effective and efficient use of resources including stock management and care and maintenance of equipment.

Handles patients valuables, ensuring safe storage and transportation.

Authorise timesheets for temporary nursing and support staff as appropriate.

RESEARCH & AUDIT

To develop and implement methods of auditing nursing practice within the unit.

To promote awareness of current nursing research in members of the unit.

To introduce and apply research findings to the unit relating to nursing practice where relevant.

To promote and disseminate local/national/international research findings to the ward.

Identify areas where local audit is needed, conduct the audit and analyse the data with support.

Arranges for the collection and analysis of audit and research data as required.

Participate in the collection of audit and research data as required.

Use data which will contribute to the improvement of patient care.