Job summary
- Main area
- Senior Sister / Charge Nurse, Emergency Department
- Grade
- Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 279-7263503-JUN25
- Employer
- 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Princess Royal Hospital
- Town
- Haywards Heath
- Salary
- £46,148 - £52,809 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 30/06/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Senior Sister/Charge Nurse
Band 7
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
The role of Senior Sister / Charge Nurse is to ensure the safe and effective care of patients attending or brought into the emergency department. This is a challenging role, suited to an experienced emergency department nurse. On a day-to-day basis the expectation of this role is to be responsible for flow through the department, either to speciality teams and their relevant department or to discharge. The care and wellbeing of staff is integral to the department, therefore we are looking for a candidate who can provide compassionate leadership. The successful candidate will be expected to role model the University Hospital Sussex values through their work.
- Compassion and communication
- Inclusion and respect
- Teamwork and professionalism
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
To provide day to day operational and clinical management of the Emergency department and be responsible for all members of the nursing staff and the quality of care they provide during a shift as the nurse in charge. To support the matron in quality improvement projects and quality assurance, within the department, inclusive of under taking audits, interpreting and reacting to the information. To work as an emergency nurse at an advanced level delivering emergency care within a specialist area. To take direct managerial responsibility for the ED in the absence of, or as delegated by the matron or head of nursing. To act as a visible role model within the department.
Working for our organisation
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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the attached job description for a detailed overview of the role and main responsibilities.
Person specification
Professional Registration
Essential criteria
- NMC Registration
Experience / Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Teaching/Mentorship Course
- BSC(Hons) Degree or equivalent (or working towards degree level study)
- Acute, Critical or Emergency Care course (or equivalent)
- Advanced Life Support
- Paediatric Immediate Life Support
Desirable criteria
- Recognised Leadership Course
- Physical Assessment Course
- Level 2 Trauma course
Skills
Essential criteria
- Extensive experience within Accident & Emergency Nursing or Significant experience Senior staff nurse/ junior sister acute medicine or critical care (at Band 6 level)
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of experience in recruitment, selection and retention process in accordance with Trust policy
- Evidence of experience in management of sickness/absence in accordance with Trust policy, preferably with documented success in realign sickness levels on ward.
- Experience in teaching/practise development
- Experience in management of change in accordance with Trust policy
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
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
- Chantel Villiers
- Job title
- Acute Floor Matron
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01444 441881
- Additional information
Princess Royal Hospital
Lewes Road
Haywards Heath
RH16 4EX
List jobs with 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust in Nursing and Midwifery or all sectors