Job summary
- Main area
- Paediatrics
- Grade
- Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 430-8WC-202510-173
- Employer
- Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Paediatric Assessment Unit (Dept)
- Town
- Milton Keynes
- Salary
- £49,387 - £56,515 Per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 14/07/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 27/07/2026
Employer heading
Senior Sister/Charge nurse
Band 7
At Milton Keynes University Hospital, you will be welcomed into a friendly and supportive environment where teamwork and respect are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to live our Trust values and behaviours every day, creating a culture where everyone feels heard and valued.
MKUH staff's Motivation and Involvement scores are among the highest in our peer group, showing that our people feel inspired and included in decision-making (Staff Survey, 2024).
Our benefits
We believe in recognising and rewarding the amazing contribution of our staff and that is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, work-life balance, and professional growth, including:
- Free on-site parking including EV charging
- Complimentary refreshments
- Flexible working arrangements
- Discounted gym membership
- Salary sacrifice car scheme
- Generous annual leave, with the option to bank holiday entitlement
- Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme
- On-site nursery (charges apply)
- A wide-ranging staff health and wellbeing programme including EAP
- VIVUP products to support your mental, physical, and financial Wellbeing
Job overview
Ward Manager – Senior Sister/Charge Nurse (Paediatrics)
Department: Ward 4
Band 7, £49,387 - £56,515 Per annum pro rata
Hours: Full time, 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
Are you an inspirational children's nurse leader ready to make a difference?
At Milton Keynes University Hospital, we're looking for a passionate, ambitious, and highly motivated Senior Sister/Charge Nurse to lead our Paediatric Assessment Unit which encompasses a short stay assessment unit and day surgery.
We're searching for an enthusiastic and compassionate leader who can bring energy, vision, and professionalism to this important role.
You will be:
• A registered children's nurse with significant paediatric experience
• An experienced leader who inspires confidence and builds high-performing teams
• Passionate about delivering outstanding care for children, young people, and families
• Committed to staff development, education, and mentoring.
• Experienced in managing quality, patient safety, governance, and service improvement
• A strong communicator who can build positive relationships
• Resilient, adaptable, and able to lead confidently in a fast-paced environment.
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
Interview date: TBC around w/c 27 July 2026
Main duties of the job
As a Band 7 Ward Manager, you will be a visible clinical leader with responsibility for the day-to-day operational and professional management of Children's Services. You will lead and inspire a diverse team of Registered Nurses, Nursing Associates, Healthcare Assistants, Play Specialists, administrative staff, and support teams.
You will:
Lead the delivery of safe, effective, evidence-based paediatric care.
Create a positive culture where staff feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.
Drive quality improvement, clinical governance, patient safety, and risk management initiatives.
Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, retention, and staff development.
Champion patient and family-centred care and ensure exceptional patient experiences.
Support service development and innovation across Children's Services.
Act as an expert clinical role model, maintaining a strong presence within clinical areas.
Deputise for the Children's Services Matron when required
Working for our organisation
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a “Good” rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards – a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards – and the recently approved Women and Children’s Centre, set to open by 2030.
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Detailed job description and main responsibilities
NHS Staff Survey: Staff feel valued by their teams and supported by their managers, creating a truly inclusive environment.
To act as an effective leader both professionally and managerially for all
members of staff across the Children’s Units.
To be responsible for ensuring the provision of high quality and evidence-based
care within the Children’s Unit and to ensure a positive patient and family
experience.
To provide clinical leadership and role modelling across the Children’s Unit and
to ensure working clinically is incorporated within the role.
Please refer to attached Job description for further information.
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity, and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once enough applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Person specification
Qualifications & Knowledge
Essential criteria
- RSCN/RN Child
- A degree level qualification in nursing
- Evidence of career progression and updating academic education.
- EPLS or equivalent
Desirable criteria
- Children’s High Dependency Course or equivalent
- Management/Leadership course
Experience
Essential criteria
- Significant post registration experience within paediatrics.
- Relevant experience at a Band 6 level.
- Evidence of provision of high standards of care within paediatric services.
- Evidence of teaching/facilitating learning in practice.
- Evidence of effective leadership and management.
- Safeguarding experience.
- Audit/research experience.
- Effective change management experience.
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of governance processes
- Finance/budgetary management experience.
- Risk management experience.
- Line management experience.
- Evidence of policy/guideline development.
Skills
Essential criteria
- Evidence of expanded roles within clinical skills competency e.g. IV drug administration, central line access, LTV, cannulation/venepuncture, etc.
- Aware of current issues related to nursing, NHS and acute paediatrics.
- Evidence of application of evidence based practice to care provision.
- Evidence of leadership and staff development.
- Organisational ability.
- Demonstrates ability to prioritise.
- Excellent computer skills.
- Appraisal skills.
Personal & People Development
Essential criteria
- Role model
- Ability to work as part of a team and independently.
- Enthusiasm / motivation.
- Good interpersonal skills.
Communication
Essential criteria
- Advanced communication skills
- Excellent verbal and non verbal communication and negotiation skills
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
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
- Keri Page
- Job title
- Paediatric Matron
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Additional information
For further information about the role please contact:
Keri Page
Paediatric Matron
Ready to Lead the Future of Children's Care?
If you are an experienced paediatric nurse leader who is passionate about delivering exceptional care, developing people, and driving service excellence, we would love to hear from you.
Join Team MKUH and help us make every child and family's experience the very best it can be.
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