Job summary
- Main area
- Trauma and Orthopaedics
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Includes bank holidays, weekends and nights (depending on the ward requirements).)
- Job ref
- 418-NUR9466-SJ
- Employer
- Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Reginald Hart Ward, Bedford Hospital
- Town
- Bedford
- Salary
- £37,338 - £44,962 pa
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 10/06/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Band 6 Ward Sister/ Charge Nurse
NHS AfC: Band 6
Job overview
Reginald Hart Ward has 31 beds and is an acute trauma and orthopaedic ward with a main focus on admissions for patients with fractured neck of femurs.
The post holder, in the absence of the Ward Manager, has continuing responsibility for the management of the ward, including the assessment of care needs, the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care to a high standard.
The post holder is required to supervise and teach both qualified and unqualified staff.
The post holder is required to support with quality improvement projects to support the ongoing transformative care for trauma and orthopaedic patients.
Main duties of the job
1. Provide expert clinical knowledge and skills within the ward.
2. Collaborate with the Ward Manager to develop and promote nursing practice and competence.
3. Act as a professional role model and provide facilitative and effective clinical leadership.
4. Responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care in line with research-based evidence, for individuals and groups of patients.
5. To ensure accurate documentation and record keeping, teaching and supporting all members of the ward team in this area.
6. In the absence of the Ward Manager, to be responsible for the ongoing facilitation of timely discharge of patients to primary care settings, ensuring suitable ongoing care arrangements, and effective use of inpatient beds. To promote effective communication between the ward team, bed management team and discharge coordinators.
7. To provide information to patients and relatives in a sensitive manner, and to support them when distressed or bereaved.
8. To promote effective multidisciplinary teamwork, through good communication with all staff.
9. To actively assist the ward manager in implementation of Trust objectives/initiatives, taking a lead in the clinical area as required.
10. Actively assist the ward manager in implementing ongoing national policy.
11. To participate in the recruitment, selection, development and retention of staff.
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.
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.
Please 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
The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job please review for the full details and responsibilities
1. Provide expert clinical knowledge and skills within the unit/ward/dept.
2. Collaborate with the Ward Manager to develop and promote nursing practice and competence.
3. Act as a professional role model and provide facilitative and effective clinical leadership.
4. Responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care in line with research-based evidence, for individuals and groups of patients.
5. To ensure accurate documentation and record keeping, teaching and supporting all members of the ward team in this area.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Registered Nurse
- Practice Supervisor/ Assessor or Equivalent course
- Evidence of CPD
Desirable criteria
- Recognised course in Trauma & Orthopaedic Nursing
- Experience in Trauma & Orthopaedic or Surgical Nursing
Experience
Essential criteria
- Taking in charge role in an acute ward setting
- Demonstrate ability to be a team leader
- Deliver high quality nursing care
- Ability to motivate others
- Demonstrate organisational skills and problem solving skills
- Experience in research and/or audit
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of Trauma & Orthopaedic care and treatments
- Awareness of Fractured Neck of Femur Pathway
Knowledge/ Skills
Essential criteria
- Time management and prioritising workload
- Work independently and use initiative
- Basic IT skills
- Excellent communication skills- written and verbal
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge and experience with InPhase & investigation process
- Basic understanding of e-rostering
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
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Laura Gannon
- Job title
- Ward Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01234 792216
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