Ward Sister - Day Treatment Unit

Transformationunitgm; Bedford; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading hospital trust in Bedford is seeking a part-time Ward Sister for the Day Treatment Unit. The role involves managing daily operations, administering treatments, and mentoring junior staff. Candidates should be registered with the NMC and have experience in general medicine. This position offers a supportive environment with no night shifts, focusing on delivering high-quality care and further professional development opportunities. Salary ranges from £38,682 to £46,580 per annum.

Qualifications

• Experience in general medicine at a senior band 5 or band 6 role.
• Evidence of IV drug administration and blood transfusion competency.
• Competency in cannulation and venepuncture.

Responsibilities

• Deputise for the Ward Manager and manage day-to-day operations.
• Administer infusions and perform venesections.
• Communicate effectively with multidisciplinary team.

Skills

IV drug administration

Phlebotomy

Cannulation

Mentoring

Leadership

Education

Current registration with Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)

Mentorship / Practice Supervisor preparation

Job description

Main area General Medicine Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract Permanent: part time Hours Part time - 18.75 hours per week (07:30 - 19:30) Job ref 418-NUR4452-MR

Employer Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Bedford Hospital South Wing Town Bedford Salary £38,682 - £46,580 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 04/01/2026 23:59

Ward Sister - Day Treatment Unit

NHS AfC: Band 6

Job overview

This post is for a Ward Sister in the Day Treatment Unit (DTU) based at Bedford Hospital. The successful candidate will deputise for the Ward Manager and take responsibility for the day-to-day management of the unit, working closely with the multidisciplinary team. The post holder will act as a positive role model, providing leadership and ongoing support to junior staff.

The role requires a motivated and self-driven nurse who can work effectively both independently and as part of a team, meet service targets, and adapt to change. A commitment to learning and professional development is essential.

The DTU is a nurse-led service, offering the opportunity to fully utilise clinical experience while maintaining a healthy work–life balance, with no night shifts and currently no weekend working. The unit operates between 07:30 and 19:30 and aims to provide safe, high-quality care in a calm environment, reducing the need for acute admissions.

The successful candidate will also contribute to audit activity, service development, and represent the service at local meetings, sharing knowledge with colleagues and patients.

Main duties of the job

The role consists primarily of administering infusions, injections and transfusions across a broad range of patient groups from all disciplines in the hospital, specific training will be provided in relation to each treatment which should build on an already existing knowledge of IV administration.

Cannulation and phlebotomy is an essential requirement for this role and the willingness to teach, mentor and supervise junior and unqualified staff is expected. DTU is open to providing a learning environment for all staff. Being a good team player is an essential requirement as being a small team of Nurses they rely heavily on the support of each other.

DTU accepts referrals from all teams in the hospital and GP’s , work closely with Vascular access CNS which will enable the successful applicant to gain a deeper understanding of these areas too. Management of PICC lines and TIVADs will be expected after successful completion of a training program.

The Therapeutic Venesection service for the hospital is managed by the DTU team so the successful applicant will also be given training and education regarding this procedure too. The successful applicant is expected to perform venesections after successful completion of the training program.

The Sister will establish robust communication networks for patients and other healthcare professionals which provides a clear pathway of care. To maintain a positive learning environment and be a resource for knowledge.

Working for our organisation

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

We note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Ensure the privacy, dignity, and confidentiality of patients, relatives, and colleagues are respected at all times, in accordance with Trust policies and national governmental guidelines.

Deputise for the DTU Ward Manager when required, liaising with members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure patient care is delivered efficiently and effectively.

Communicate proactively with all staff regarding the clinical care and management of patients, ensuring accurate and contemporaneous nursing records are maintained.

Ensure a safe and effective discharge process, providing written and verbal advice to patients and significant others as required.

Practice at all times within the NMC Code and adhere to local and national healthcare policies to maintain professional and clinical standards of care.

Apply infection prevention and control principles, including ANTT, to prevent cross-infection in patient care and the clinical environment.

Initiate emergency treatment when required and coordinate staff response appropriately.

Lead the assessment, planning, delivery, and evaluation of patient care for those admitted to DTU, in line with Trust and departmental protocols.

Maintain high standards of nursing care, reviewing and updating practice through self-directed learning, mandatory training, and formal development opportunities.

Actively involve patients and, where appropriate, significant others in decisions regarding treatment, diagnosis, and prognosis, enabling shared decision-making.

Ensure safe management of medications and IV therapies, adhering to procedures for safe administration, storage, ordering, and stock control.

Education

Demonstrate a well-developed clinical knowledge of nursing practice, with strong assessment and decision-making skills.

Provide clinical advice and guidance to patients, significant others, staff, and junior colleagues to promote high standards of care and reduce patient risk.

Participate in clinical education, including teaching, supervision, and assessment of new staff, unqualified staff, and student nurses.

Support the education and development of all staff by participating in training programmes and sharing learning to enhance team knowledge.

Identify personal learning needs through appraisal and competency frameworks, seeking appropriate education and development opportunities.

Undertake an annual appraisal with the Ward Manager, Lead Nurse, or Clinical Lead to support professional development planning.

Educate staff, patients, and visitors regarding infection prevention, including effective hand hygiene and appropriate use of PPE.

Provide patient education regarding health conditions, treatments, and lifestyle choices to promote health and prevent illness.

Assist in the development and review of written patient information relating to tests and treatments.

Management

Lead and coordinate the DTU in the absence of the Unit Manager.

Support the Unit Manager in the day-to-day management of the nursing team.

Assist with workforce planning, including recruitment and retention of staff.

Communicate sensitive and complex information to patients, relatives, and colleagues, providing appropriate support.

Ensure all medical equipment is safe, functional, and appropriately maintained, reporting faults as required.

Ensure staff are trained and competent in the use of equipment before directing its use.

Support the induction and orientation of all new staff, including bank, agency, and student staff, ensuring awareness of emergency procedures and evacuation routes.

Contribute to the annual Training Needs Analysis in conjunction with the Unit Manager and Lead Nurses.

Represent the team and organisation at meetings when required and provide feedback to colleagues.

Assist with performance reviews, sickness absence management, and return-to-work interviews as delegated.

Participate in nursing and clinical audit activity.

Ensure effective written and verbal communication across the multidisciplinary team in the interest of patient care.

Participate in recruitment and interview processes as required.

Actively contribute to maintaining a safe environment in line with risk management policies.

Support effective resource management in line with budgetary constraints.

Maintain a polite, professional, and courteous manner at all times, regardless of work pressures.

Demonstrate basic IT skills and engage promptly with training for new Trust IT systems.

Assist with the investigation of complaints within scope of responsibility and support implementation of resulting improvements.

Escalate concerns or issues appropriately to the Unit Manager or Lead Nurse.

Legal Responsibilities

Adhere to Trust policies relating to Fire Safety, Health and Safety, and COSHH.

Report accidents, incidents, and complaints via the Datix system and assist with investigations as required.

Maintain professional competence through mandatory training and ongoing professional development.

Maintain a professional portfolio evidencing CPD to support NMC revalidation and assist colleagues with the revalidation process.

Ensure own practice and that of others complies with the NMC Code and national and local healthcare policies.

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of Trust nursing policies and procedures relevant to the role.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Current registration with Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
• Mentorship / Practice Supervisor & Practice Assessor Preparation or teaching qualification
• Evidence of IV drug administration / blood transfusion competency
• Evidence of venepuncture and cannulation competency
• Competency in performing therapeutic venesection
• Competency in care and management of PICC line, Midline and TIVAD

Experience

• Recent experience in general medicine at a senior band 5 or band 6 role
• Can lead changes in practice environment to improve performance / services
• Has participated in research, audits and appraisals
• Ability to work under pressure and seek help when required

Personal Skills

• Ability to work independently, make autonomous decision and respond appropriately to unexpected demands
• Ability to organise and prioritise own workload and direct work of others to meet organisational goals and objectives
• Able to work flexibly to meet the demands of the role
• Ability to problem solve, anticipate and forward plan

It is an exciting time to join the newly formed Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state‑of-the‑art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Available Tuesday to Friday between 10:00 - 18:00 hrs. or contact Day Treatment Unit Ward Sisters on 01234355122 extension 6216 or 5385.