Job summary
- Main area
- Medicine
- Grade
- Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job ref
- 279-7314880-JUL25
- Employer
- 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Chilgrove Ward, St Richards Hospital, Chichester
- Town
- Chichester
- Salary
- £38,682 - £46,580 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 30/07/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Deputy Sister
Band 6
About our Trust
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 always put our Patient First . In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and 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 always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
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. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job overview
An opportunity is available for a Deputy Sister / Charge Nurse on Chilgrove Ward. The post holder will have continuing 24-hour responsibility supporting the ward sister for the effective management of the area and deputising in their absence. In addition, the post holder will provide nursing leadership within this area, ensuring an effective quality nursing service, with responsibility for standards of nursing care and patient safety.
The deputy sister / charge nurse will be responsible for supporting the ward sister the budget management of the ward, staff performance and appraisal. To manage an appropriate patient workload across the service, providing expert support and advice. Developing the teams and ensuring a seamless service for patients working closely with the ward sister.
We welcome applications from those who currently hold a UK NMC registration. If you currently hold an overseas nursing qualification and require sponsorship we are not currently direct hiring Internationally Qualified Nurses.
Main duties of the job
- Act as a role model and ensure effective staff supervision with clinical practice, working with staff and patients in an advisory, teaching and support capacity and maintaining professional competence, authority and credibility.
- Work collaboratively with clinical nursing experts including Heads of Nursing, Clinical Teams, Consultant Nurses, Nurse Specialists and Practice Development Nurses in the development of expert, personal centred practice.
- Be able to develop, motivate and lead a team by using objectives in line with department, sub-specialty and corporate goals
- Provide professional leadership within the department alongside the band 7 ensuring that all staff use evidence-based practise and adhere to the NMC code of professional conduct
- Be able to demonstrate a high degree of motivation and innovation.
- Communicate effectively with the department team ensuring that there is a monthly team meeting and ensure robust systems exist so that staff feel informed.
- To contribute positively to the effectiveness and efficiency of the teams in which he/she works.
- Work with PALS to ensure that areas of concern are addressed effectively.
- Be able to work in a multi-professional environment ensuring most effective use of all members of those professional teams.
- Display strong leadership and positivity to the department team during times of increased pressure on resources
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme, for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop. We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.
Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
· Act as an expert practitioner demonstrating specialist knowledge, skills and expertise within the area of work and within the context of changing health care provision.
· Take the lead in developing/implementing evidence based practice within the clinical environment with a multi-professional focus having the ability to facilitate, initiate, manage and evaluate change in practice to improve quality of care.
· Ensure that the quality of patient care is assured by involvement in the implementation of essence of care and regular benchmarking of the standards at department level.
· Ensure high levels of patient satisfaction, ensure patient questionnaires are monitored and any required actions implemented,
· Ensure the needs of older people and their supporters are kept central to practice and service development.
· Ensure privacy and dignity of patients and clients is key in provision of nursing care and clinical practise of all staff
· Deal with patient / relative complaints proactively to minimise the risk of them becoming formal. Appropriately investigate complaints in a timely manner, and provide response as required.
· Ensure the clinical environments reflect a high standard of cleanliness, be proactive in response to any issues raised in cleaning audits or patient environment inspections
· Ensure the control and custody of all medications and drugs in accordance with trust policy and statutory regulations.
· Work with the Infection Control team and the facilities team to ensure that infection control procedures and cleanliness are observed in the ward area.
· Ensure that audits are undertaken as required, and any issues or trends in poor compliance are addressed.
· Strive to continually improve department environment to high standards ensuring action plans from Patient environment audits are maintained.
· Support and promote the development and implementation of nursing care services that reflect the principles of Clinical Governance.
Person specification
Experience and Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Registered Nurse
- NHS experience
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to work confidently and collaboratively with MDT
- ENB 998 / Mentorship
- Educated to Diploma level education in relevant subject
- Understanding and recent experience of acute hospital environment
- Evidence of professional development since qualification
Desirable criteria
- Previous band 6 experience
- Change management
- Knowledge of daily management systems
- Excellent organisational skills
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Nicola Beech
- Job title
- Senior sister
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01243 788122
- Additional information
Extension 35080
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