Community Sister / Charge Nurse

Job summary

37.5 hours per week - 12 month Fixed Term Contract

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Tavistock community nursing team as a full-time, Community Sister/Charge Nurse on a fixed term or secondment basis. We welcome applications from experienced Band 5 or existing Band 6 nurses passionate about leading a team of community nurses.

You will work closely with the Team Manager and collaborate with various internal and external services, including PCN and health & social care colleagues across primary & secondary care.

As an autonomous practitioner, you'll assess and treat patients with complex health & social care needs, manage a clinical caseload, and ensure holistic, evidence-based care to maintain patients at home. Responsibilities include thorough patient assessment, recognising deterioration, appropriate escalation and treatment planning.

Additionally, the managerial aspect of the role will require strong leadership skills to effectively manage, support, and develop the nursing team. You will embed excellent management practices to foster a positive, motivated, and adaptable work environment, driving change and maintaining team cohesion.

This role suits experienced nurses looking to expand their clinical and managerial expertise, who are committed to creating a supportive & dynamic culture.

Ability to frequently travel independently and in a timely manner between Livewell Southwest sites and community locations including areas not served by public transport.

Main duties of the job

Interviews will be held on Thursday 5th November.

The post holder will:

- Be responsible for the assessment of care needs & the development, implementation & evaluation of care through effective caseload management.

- Required to supervise junior staff & be able to teach qualified/unqualified staff, including students.

- Will be expected to be involved in the management & leadership of the service.

- Be a member of a multi-disciplinary team, contributing in all its forums, attending meetings & MDT discussions for patients and service delivery.

- Be responsible for designated staff and hold line management and appraisal responsibilities.

- To promote a collaborative approach to team culture & patient care within the team providing support to junior staff.

- To assist the Team Manager in the identification & maintenance of standards of care delivered and escalate accordingly.

- To act as clinical role model, demonstrating high standards of nursing practice.

- Actively participate in clinical governance & quality improvement initiatives, e.g. clinical audit, eRoster management, incident and risk reporting and/or clinical policy development.

This role will be required be to cover an 08:30 to 17:00 service, 7 days a week.

This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route.

Please note that we may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline.

All staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.

About us

Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.

As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values, kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.

We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.

We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.

Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.

Details

• Date posted: 15 October 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 6
• Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year pa, pro rata
• Contract: Fixed term
• Duration: 12 months
• Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working
• Reference number: B9832-2026-NM-10516
• Job locations: Tavistock Community Nurses, Tavyside Health Centre, Abbey Rise, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 9FD, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

To be responsible for assessing, triaging, planning, implementing, evaluating care which maybe complex, sensitive and unpredictable with the support of senior nurse, nurse specialist, caseload holder.

To Co-ordinate the delivery of care, application of clinical judgement in day-to-day changes in patients' needs and circumstances external to the individual, determining when to seek advice from senior clinical or management staff. This includes response to immediate crisis.

To undertake and to develop all nursing skills and competencies, updating as required for their role to enhance the skill mix of the nursing team ensuring that the ever-changing health needs of patients are met.

To maintain accurate records, which are confidential, contemporaneous, legible, and all care given to be documented. These records may be paper or IT based system and must be maintained as specified in the LWSW Policies, the relevant professional body guidelines and Government directives.

To provide clinical supervision to other staff and students.

Promoting and supporting people in their care and treatment to help them manage their own health and wellbeing, maximising independence and facilitating health promotion.

Depending on role you will be required to work within a defined geographical area undertaking specific clinical nursing duties to patients in a variety of settings such as their own homes, care homes, other community locations or clinic settings.

Provide clinical and managerial leadership to nursing and support staff in the absence of the team leader

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).