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Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Sister/Charge Nurse

The closing date is 10 March 2026

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Job summary

Senior Sister/ Charge Nurse

Ward 15

Band 7

Hours: 37.5 per week

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced innovative and motivated ward manager to join our respiratory team.

We are looking for someone who has experience and passion in respiratory nursing, who will be able to provide clinical management and leadership, continue to develop and maintain good practice, who will engage with the trusts initiatives and Nursing Midwifery and Therapies strategy, as well as support and engage staff in driving these initiatives forward over the forthcoming years.

Ward 15 is a 29 bedded male respiratory ward thats supports patients with a range of respiratory conditions including those requiring NIV or tracheostomy care.

If you have the ability and enthusiasm to drive forward the highest quality of care to patients, are able to communicate effectively and work collaboratively then we would welcome your application.

For further details/ informal visits please contact Matron Caroline Harrison ext:86423

Interview date: Week commencing 30th March 2026

Main duties of the job

We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute

"- NHS Survey, 2024''94% feel that their role makes a difference to patience and service users.

The post holder will lead by example in delivering safe, evidence-based care, supporting clinicaldecision-makingand promoting best practice across the multidisciplinary team. The post holder willidentifyopportunities for innovation and lead quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient experience, patient safety,effectivenessand sustainability.

The post holder will lead by example in delivering safe, evidence-based care, supporting clinicaldecision-makingand promoting best practice across the multidisciplinary team. The post holder willidentifyopportunities for innovation and lead quality improvement initiatives to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of thewards.

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.

Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -

For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes

Details

Date posted

24 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year Per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

9 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

430-MED26-512A

Job locations

Ward 15 (Dept)

Milton Keynes

MK6 5LD


Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

  • The post holder will have continuous responsibility for the management and organisation of the ward/department within the available resources.

  • The post holder will be accountable for the overall provision of excellent nursing care and to work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team.

  • The post holder will assess the effectiveness of current practices within the ward/department and introduce innovations that lead to improved quality of care.

  • The post holdermaintainthe highest standards of patient care at all times, ensuring that quality and compassion are your top priorities.

Management

  • Toparticipatein the development of the departments policies ensuring that they reflect the strategic plans of the Trust.

  • Plan and organisestaffallocations, managing and being accountable for the team to ensure effective use of allotted time.

  • Tomonitorthe departments workload in relation to staff available. Ensure thatappropriate numbersand skill mix of staff are achieved.

Education and professional development

  • Toparticipatein the education and development of all grades of staff.

  • To actively lead and develop staff training to create andmaintainasustainable nursing team.

  • To ensure that the environment motivates and encourages learning.

  • To ensure that staff are confident and competent in the use of specialisedresources.

General

  • To work within and promote the NMC Code of Professional Conduct.

  • To continually develop and promote the departments philosophy of care and its contribution to the CSUs overall philosophy of care.

  • To develop andmaintainthe standards of practice and policies within the department, acting as role model to all levels of staff.

  • To ensure efficient management of resources, fulfilment of contractual obligations and achievement of National Standards as a member of the divisional team.

  • Todemonstratea professional approach to the leadership and management of staff within thedepartment.

Please refer to the job description for further details.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

  • The post holder will have continuous responsibility for the management and organisation of the ward/department within the available resources.

  • The post holder will be accountable for the overall provision of excellent nursing care and to work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team.

  • The post holder will assess the effectiveness of current practices within the ward/department and introduce innovations that lead to improved quality of care.

  • The post holdermaintainthe highest standards of patient care at all times, ensuring that quality and compassion are your top priorities.

Management

  • Toparticipatein the development of the departments policies ensuring that they reflect the strategic plans of the Trust.

  • Plan and organisestaffallocations, managing and being accountable for the team to ensure effective use of allotted time.

  • Tomonitorthe departments workload in relation to staff available. Ensure thatappropriate numbersand skill mix of staff are achieved.

Education and professional development

  • Toparticipatein the education and development of all grades of staff.

  • To actively lead and develop staff training to create andmaintainasustainable nursing team.

  • To ensure that the environment motivates and encourages learning.

  • To ensure that staff are confident and competent in the use of specialisedresources.

General

  • To work within and promote the NMC Code of Professional Conduct.

  • To continually develop and promote the departments philosophy of care and its contribution to the CSUs overall philosophy of care.

  • To develop andmaintainthe standards of practice and policies within the department, acting as role model to all levels of staff.

  • To ensure efficient management of resources, fulfilment of contractual obligations and achievement of National Standards as a member of the divisional team.

  • Todemonstratea professional approach to the leadership and management of staff within thedepartment.

Please refer to the job description for further details.

Person Specification

Qualifications and knowledge

Essential

  • Registered Nurse
  • Master's qualification or equivalent level of qualification or experience
  • Recognised teaching qualification
  • Awareness of relevant national guidelines and regulatory requirements

Desirable

  • Advanced Communication skills training

Experience

Essential

  • Significant post registration experience in specialty
  • Experience of managing an inpatient ward
  • Proven leadership and team management experience
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Previous budgetary experience
  • Audit awareness

Skills

Essential

  • Evidence of leadership qualities
  • Strong leadership and communication abilities
  • Competent in using clinical systems and digital tools
  • Excellent time management
  • Able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines .
  • Confident in the management of change
  • Able to challenge poor practice and provide constructive plan
  • Ability to demonstrate evidence based practice / clinical effectiveness
  • Risk management and clinical governance experience

Personal and people development

Essential

  • Dynamic leadership qualities
  • Effective team member
  • Committed to celebrating success
  • Compassionate and patient-focused
  • Resilient and adaptable
  • Collaborative and team-oriented
  • Committed to professional development and service improvement
  • Able to influence and inspire others

Communication

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills
  • Professional image and communication style
  • Ability to communicate complex clinical information clearly to patients, families, and colleagues
  • Skilled in conflict resolution and managing sensitive conversations
  • Able to lead and contribute effectively to multidisciplinary meetings

Specific requirements

Essential

  • Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Person Specification

Qualifications and knowledge

Essential

  • Registered Nurse
  • Master's qualification or equivalent level of qualification or experience
  • Recognised teaching qualification
  • Awareness of relevant national guidelines and regulatory requirements

Desirable

  • Advanced Communication skills training

Experience

Essential

  • Significant post registration experience in specialty
  • Experience of managing an inpatient ward
  • Proven leadership and team management experience
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Previous budgetary experience
  • Audit awareness

Skills

Essential

  • Evidence of leadership qualities
  • Strong leadership and communication abilities
  • Competent in using clinical systems and digital tools
  • Excellent time management
  • Able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines .
  • Confident in the management of change
  • Able to challenge poor practice and provide constructive plan
  • Ability to demonstrate evidence based practice / clinical effectiveness
  • Risk management and clinical governance experience

Personal and people development

Essential

  • Dynamic leadership qualities
  • Effective team member
  • Committed to celebrating success
  • Compassionate and patient-focused
  • Resilient and adaptable
  • Collaborative and team-oriented
  • Committed to professional development and service improvement
  • Able to influence and inspire others

Communication

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills
  • Professional image and communication style
  • Ability to communicate complex clinical information clearly to patients, families, and colleagues
  • Skilled in conflict resolution and managing sensitive conversations
  • Able to lead and contribute effectively to multidisciplinary meetings

Specific requirements

Essential

  • Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations

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.

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.

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

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Ward 15 (Dept)

Milton Keynes

MK6 5LD


Employer's website

https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/working-at-mkuh (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Ward 15 (Dept)

Milton Keynes

MK6 5LD


Employer's website

https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/working-at-mkuh (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Medical Matron

Caroline Harrison

caroline.harrison@mkuh.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

24 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year Per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

9 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

430-MED26-512A

Job locations

Ward 15 (Dept)

Milton Keynes

MK6 5LD


Supporting documents

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