Deputy Sister/Charge Nurse

University Hospitals Sussex; Mid Sussex; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS trust in the UK seeks a motivated Band 6 Nurse to join the senior nursing team for a 12-month fixed term position. You will provide leadership while rotating across essential front door services like AAU, SDEC, and MDCU. The role includes ensuring high-quality clinical care, supporting junior staff, and participating in service development. Candidates should possess NMC registration, 3+ years of experience in acute settings, and relevant leadership knowledge. This position emphasizes compassion, diversity, and inclusion.

Benefits

Flexible working

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years post-registration experience in an acute NHS hospital setting.
• Minimum of 2 years post-registration experience in an AAU/ED/SDEC.
• Leadership qualification or evidence of study.

Responsibilities

• Provide visible leadership while rotating across AAU/SDEC and MDCU.
• Deliver high quality clinical assessment and care in acute environments.
• Work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team.

Skills

Management of non-invasive ventilation

Venepuncture and cannulation

Excellent interpersonal skills

Ability to communicate complex information

Tracheostomy/laryngectomy care

Conflict management skills

Education

Educated to degree level or equivalent experience

Mentorship course or equivalent

Job description

View all our vacancies across our hospitals in Sussex. Search, find and apply for a job with us today.

Main area Acute admissions and assessment Grade Band 6 Contract 12 months (12 months Fixed Term/Secondment covering maternity leave) Hours

• Full time
• Part time
• Job share
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week (Internal rotation) Job ref 279-7658623-DEC25

Employer University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site St Richards Town Chichester Salary £38,682 - £46,580 per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 29/12/2025 23:59

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to deliver Excellent Care Everywhere for our patients, our people and our communities. Whatever your role here at UHSussex you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us deliver Excellent Care Everywhere. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed.

We value compassion, inclusion and respect as our core values. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop.

Job overview

12 Month Fixed Term (Maternity Cover)

We are seeking a motivated and dynamic Band 6 Nurse to join our senior nursing team, rotating across the AAU, SDEC and the MDCU. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the leadership and ongoing development of three essential front door services.

Main duties of the job

• Provide visible and effective leadership while rotating across AAU/SDEC and MDCU
• support safe, timely and efficient patient flow through all three units
• Deliver high quality clinical assessment and care within fast paced acute environments
• Act as a role model, supporting, supervising and developing junior staff
• Contribute to maintaining staff wellbeing, team morale and a positive working culture
• Ensure safe standards of care through adherence to policies, procedures and governance processes
• Participate in service development, pathway improvement and the ongoing development of the new SDEC and MDCU services
• Work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team to support seamless patient journeys

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• In conjunction with the unit sister’s develop policies, protocols and procedures necessary to support practice.
• In conjunction with the unit sister take an active role in Risk Management in line with the Trust’s policy, report risks appropriately and assist in ensuring controls in place.
• Assisting in setting objectives in line with Unit’s and Corporate objectives.
• Report/action any incidents or undue occurrences reported or witnessed. Undertake appropriate investigation of clinical incidents as indicated.
• Undertake Early Learning Reviews of any clinical incidents as required.
• Ensure that patient activity is monitored and that all patient information is entered into the PAS system at a timely point.

Person specification

Professional registration

• NMC registration with current PIN

Experience/Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years post registration experience in an acute NHS hospital setting
• Minimum of 2 years post registration experience in an AAU/ED/SDEC
• Mentorship course or equivalent
• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
• Evidence of post registration development
• Extensive knowledge on the management of acutely ill patients
• Leadership qualification or evidence of study
• ALS Provider

Skills

• Management on non-invasive ventilation and Optiflow
• Management of all types of venous access devices
• Administration of blood products
• Venepuncture and cannulation
• Interpretation of diagnostic information, inclusive of ECG and ABG interpretation
• Tracheostomy/laryngectomy care
• Ability to communicate complex and potentially distressing information with all members of the MDT, patients and relatives
• Excellent interpersonal and conflict management skills
• Able to work autonomously
• Able to make decisions in unique situations
• Evidence of participation in audit

People Management and Development

• Ability to lead and motivate a team
• Act as a positive role model
• Experience of undertaking appraisals
• Experience of supporting staff with their personal and professional development

Specific Requirements

• Experience with Careflow – inclusive of admissions, discharges and transfers

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)

Important information for applicants:

A Note on AI Use in Applications We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations – elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation. Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.

Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified. Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Further Information

For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

Application numbers

This advert has been capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, it will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in this post to prevent you from missing out on this opportunity.