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Job summary

Main area
Medicine
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 6
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Part time - 14.25 hours per week
Job ref
432-HR1245-25
Employer
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Colchester Hospital
Town
Colchester
Salary
£38,682 - £46,580 pro rata, per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
17/02/2026 23:59
Interview date
03/03/2026

Employer heading

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust logo

Deputy Sister/Deputy Charge Nurse

NHS AfC: Band 6

We are one of the largest NHS organisation in England. Our scale provides exciting opportunities for development, innovation, research, education and training.

Talk to us about our range of flexible working opportunities, apprenticeships and staff benefits

Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of all we do; and it forms part of the ESNEFT’s core activities. The Trust operates and relies on everyone treating each other with dignity and respect, to receive equitable and fair treatment in the implementation of Policies, Procedures and in its Practices, to foster positive work relationships, and finally to act with integrity as a professional within ESNEFT as well as a representative of the NHS as a whole.  The EDI Agenda reflects the Trust values such as Optimistic, Appreciative and Kind. In line with the NHS Long Term Plan, People Plan, People Promise and a Model Employer intrinsic in the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Agenda, we consistently strive to improve, to take the learning into Action for a better ESNEFT.

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge then we are keen to hear from you.

 

Job overview

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Deputy Sister/Deputy Charge Nurse to join our dedicated and caring team in the Emergency Department at Colchester Hospital. It is an exciting time to join the team as we continue to strengthen our service.

This is an excellent opportunity for the right individual to develop and expand their management and leadership skills while developing professionally in a very busy but supportive learning environment.

This post is for 14.25 hours per week on a permanent basis. You will need to have experience within ED or relevant acute medicine experience.

Please note, those still undertaking the preceptorship program need not apply.

Proposed Interview Date: 3rd March 2026

Main duties of the job

You must have experience in Emergency Care and have good organisational skills with the ability to escalate appropriately. You need to be proactive clinically and managerially as there will be a requirement to support a team. You must have the passion to deliver high quality care while also having a drive for change and service improvement.

We are particularly interested in applicants with well-developed communication, change management and team building skills. You  should have a positive attitude with a vision in moving ED forward whilst continuing to maintain cost effective care in the best interest of the patient journey.

Working for our organisation

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients’ own homes. 

We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff. 

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options. 

Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services. 

Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.   

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what’s widely regarded as the world’s best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients. 

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.   

Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information of the full role responsibilities, please see attached job description and person specification.

Person specification

Experience

Essential criteria
  • • Proven experience in medical nursing and delivering evidence-based practice
  • • Team / people management
  • • Emergency and/or relevant acute medicine experience
Desirable criteria
  • • Involved in change management
  • • Other fields of nursing

Qualification

Essential criteria
  • RN
  • Evidence of ongoing professional development
  • ENB 998 or equivalent
Desirable criteria
  • Degree level qualifications. Willing to work towards a degree

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • • Awareness and understanding of Essence of Care initiative
  • • Current practices / trends within medical specialism/nursing
  • • Good knowledge of infection control procedures/initiatives
  • • Awareness of current issues within health and nursing
  • • Awareness and understanding of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and Mental Capacity Act

Employer certification / accreditation badges

No smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.NHS Pastoral CareDisability confident committedStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Step into healthHappy to Talk Flexible Working

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.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Helen Sharp
Job title
Lead Sister
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07517911655
Additional information

Helen Sharp 01206742846 or 07517911655