SEHSCT Ward Sister/Charge Nurse Band 7

Job details

• Branch: Downpatrick Area (SEHSCT)
• Location: Downe Hospital, Main Building
• Salary: Band 7 (£47,810 - £54,710)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 05/06/26
• Closes: Fri, 19 June 2026 @ 5:30 PM
• Interview Dates: To be confirmed

Notes

If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR. Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage. “A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026”. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week.” Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Title of Post: Ward Sister / Charge Nurse (RAC)

Band of Post: Band 7

Directorate: Medicine, Unscheduled Care & Cancer

Location: Downe Hospital, Main Building

Reports to: Lead Nurse

Accountable to: Clinical Manager

Job Purpose

The post holder is accountable for their ward / department and will

promote and monitor safe and effective practice

enhance the patient / client experience

provide effective leadership and management

contribute to the delivery of the organisation’s objectives

adhere to Trust values

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical/Professional/Specific Managerial Responsibilities

The post holder will focus and lead on the following key areas, within the organisation’s governance framework:

Ensure safe and effective practice

Professional, ethical and legal

Adhere to DHSSPS and NMC guidelines for practice requirements and standards, for example, safe handling, administration, storage and custody of medicinal products.

Adhere to Trust guidelines, policies and procedures.

Ensure that organisational goals are reflected in own and the nursing teams’ objectives and in ward / department plans.

Contribute to the development of the Trust’s policies and strategies, where appropriate.

Maintain own professional and personal development in accordance with the NMC (2015) The Code: Professional Standards of Practice and Behaviour for Nurses and Midwives.

Establish and maintain relationships based on mutual respect communicating on a regular basis with the patient / client, relatives and carers in the provision of care and services.

Ensure appropriate systems are developed and operational to facilitate dissemination of information within the ward / department team.

Adhere to the Data Protection Act (1998).

Maintain effective records management ensuring all documentation written or electronic is managed as per HSC Trust and NMC (2009) guidelines.

Adhere to the Code of Conduct for HSC Managers, as per Human Resource policies and procedures.Ensure risk management arrangements are in place within the ward / department.

Evidence-based practice

Promote a culture of research and evidence-based practice within the ward / department to enhance person-centred care.

Ensure evidence-based care is provided to agreed standards within the ward / department.

Act as a change agent, developing clinically effective practice through the effective utilisation and integration of evidence.

Participate in developing, implementing and monitoring policies, procedures and protocols.

Create an environment which supports a culture of life-long learning and reflective practice for all staff.

Ensure systems and processes are in place to support effective mentoring of relevant staff.

Environment

Maintain a safe and clean environment for staff, patients / clients and visitors by ensuring compliance with legislation, policies and protocols including health and safety, healthcare associated infection, risk management and critical incident reporting.

Ensure staff awareness of environmental issues and take appropriate action as per HSC Trust policy.

Participate in the analysis, assessment and management of actual and potential risks to health and well-being.

Ensure safe and effective use of equipment as per HSC Trust policy.

Ensure near misses, incidents, accidents and faulty devices are recorded, reported, investigated and learning disseminated as per HSC Trust policy.

Maintain a Risk Register incorporating generic clinical and non-clinical risks in the ward / department as per HSC Trust policy.

Multi-professional working

Establish systems and processes to ensure effective communication and continuity of patient / client care, liaising with multi-disciplinary/multi-agency teams and community services.

2. Enhance the patient / client experience

Person-centred care

Develop and maintain a culture of person-centred care within the ward / department.

Promote a caring environment where equality and diversity issues are respected and patients / clients and their carers are enabled to be partners in their care.

Develop strategies for communication between staff, patients / clients, relatives and their carers, showing awareness of barriers to understanding.

Facilitate communication between all members of the multi-disciplinary / multi-agency team, and across care settings.

Demonstrate appropriate care values including: compassion, respect, empathy, treating people with dignity, integrity, courage, responsibility, imagination and adaptability.

2.2 Coordination of the patient / client journey

Ensure the safety and quality of the patient’s / client’s journey by effective planning and co-ordination of the episode of care, including the smooth transition to other settings.

Ensure effective admission / discharge planning with relevant multi-disciplinary and multi-agency teams as required.

2.3 Patient / client involvement

Identify opportunities for meaningful involvement of patients / clients and carers in relation to the development of care and services.

Ensure effective systems are in place to gain patient / client and carers’ feedback on their experience of care.

Ensure compliments and complaints are managed in line with HSC Trust policy including the dissemination of shared learning.

Generic managerial responsibilities both within an operational and strategic context.

3. Provide effective leadership and management

3.1 Role model

Act as a visible leader within the ward / department.

Provide leadership that enables professional decision making and effective team working.

Empower and enable staff to contribute to the delivery of high quality person-centred care.

Support clinical expertise of nurses within the ward / department by role modeling evidence-based person-centred care.

3.2 Develop team performance

Promote, develop and facilitate a learning culture within the ward / department.

Promote equality of opportunity for all, in accordance with HSC Trust Equality Opportunity Policy.

Lead and participate in annual staff appraisal / development review, ensuring effective implementation of the Knowledge and Skills Framework (DH, 2004).

Lead and participate in learning needs analysis and facilitate annual personal development plans for the nursing team.

Lead and participate in orientation and induction programmes for staff within the ward / department.

Lead, support and develop nursing health care support workers within the ward / department.

Promote a person-centred culture to facilitate good staff relationships and morale among staff.

Contribute to the education commissioning process for nursing staff.

Manage poor performance and practice of staff in line with HSC Trust policies.

Work in partnership with Higher Education Institute staff.

Ensure supervision and mentorship is embedded for pre and post registration students, registered nurses and health care support workers, as appropriate.

Develop personal knowledge and skills to level 2-4 of the SBNI ‘Child Safeguarding Learning and Development Strategy and Framework’ (2020-2023).

3.3 Manage the ward / department environment

Ensure appropriate delegation to nurses and health care support workers and monitoring of outcomes for effective care / service delivery.

Challenge appropriately and confidently where standards of care fall below that which the Ward Sister / Charge Nurse would expect.

Contribute to budget management within the ward / department, to ensure services are managed in accordance with yearly financial instructions.

Participate in multi-professional procurement processes to ensure appropriate selection of products which meet relevant quality and safety standards.

3.4 Effective use of

Deliver a safe and effective service within allocated, ensuring the are used to maximum effect.

Monitor budgetary performance, develop and implement action plans, organise the necessary resources and monitor outcomes.

Adhere to financial policies and procedures, particularly Standing Financial Instructions, Authorisation Frameworks, Procurement Legislation and associated processes, and Prompt Payment Code.

Adhere to HSC Trust financial controls and fraud awareness principles (e.g. verification of authenticity / accuracy of the Staff-in-Post records).

Adhere to HSC Trust systems for effectively managing stock and safeguarding fixed assets.

Promote the principles of good governance and protect the ward / department from financial risk, particularly in respect of patient / client monies and property and charitable funds.

Display managerial and organisational skills to ensure that products required for patient / client care / treatment are procured in timely fashion and demonstrate value for money.

Show a commitment to effectively manage resources and achieve statutory financial targets.

Utilise ehealth technology as applicable.

4. Contribute to the delivery of the organisation’s objectives

Continuous quality and improvement

Promote a culture of continuous quality improvement through the use of audit (including multi-professional audit), patient / client feedback and reflection on practice by self and other members of the team.

Service improvement, development and modernisation

Work in partnership with a range of clinicians and managers in the planning or development of own service promoting the involvement of patients / clients and carers.

Review processes / practices including those within the ward to support patients / clients to improve their own health and well-being.

Review processes / practices to ascertain if there are better ways of working within the ward / department to enhance patient / client care, service delivery and deliver required efficiencies.

Staff Management

Ensure nurses working in the ward / department are professionally qualified and registered with the NMC.

Liaise with nursing managers and heads of nursing on all professional nursing issues.

Ensure processes are in place to manage sickness / absenteeism and take appropriate action in line with HSC Trust policies.

Promote the health and well-being of staff and observe for any signs of ill health or stress factors in staff assigned to the area and take appropriate action in line with HSC Trust policies and NMC guidelines.

Manage duty rotas / annual leave and study leave to ensure adequate nursing cover and appropriate skill mix.

Participate in the recruitment and selection of staff.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

GENERAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust’s Raising Concerns Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The post holder will be required to

Ensure the Trust’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.

Co-operate fully with the implementation of the Trust's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.

Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example

Smoke Free policy

IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct

standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour

Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.

Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.

All employees of the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the [org name] policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.

Represent the Trust’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within the Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.

eHealth

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has invested in eHealth to deliver better, faster, safer care to our community and is committed to supporting staff to utilise associated information systems that directly and indirectly inform care. Trust staff are therefore required to commit sufficient time to ensure that they acquire and/or retain the core technology skills required to support their role.

Personal and Public Involvement (PPI)

Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community were relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal and Public Involvement (PPI).

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information. PPI_leaflet.pdf (hscni.net)

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND: Ward Sister/ Charge Nurse

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE: Medicine, Unscheduled Care & Cancer

SALARY: Band 7

HOURS: 37.5 per week

Ref No: 55709114 June 2026

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience/

Qualifications/ Registration

Registered Nurse on Part 1 of the live NMC register

Have a nursing degree AND 3 years post registration experience at Band 6 within an acute care setting working with older people.

OR

Have 5 years post registration experience including 3 years at a band 6 with an acute care setting working with older people.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. These criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.

Shortlisting by Application Form

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities

• Provide evidence of continuous personal and professional development.

• Be conversant with current professional issues in relation to nursing.

• Ability to effectively manage an operational team to endure positive outcomes for patients/clients.

• Provide evidence of maintaining and monitoring standards, which have enhanced the patient/client experience of care.

• Ability to influence and manage change, including the promotion of evidence based practice

• Have effective communication skills to meet the needs of the post in full.

• Demonstrate ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Interview / Test

Knowledge

Have sound knowledge of changing trends within health and social care within Frailty.

Interview / Test

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

SECTION 3: these will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

Have knowledge and experience of working with the older person.

Shortlisting by Application Form

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

To access a copy of the Access NI Code of Practice, please Click here

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has guidance on the Recruitment of People with Criminal Convictions. To access a copy of this guidance, please Click Here

Protecting and using your information

To access a copy of the Trust’s Data Protection Policy Statement,

Click Here

THE TRUST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Successful applicants

may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant & equivalent to the post. Request for recognition of previous service with non-direct NHS/HSC organisations towards starting salary and incremental credit must be made via the Retained Recruitment team within 3 months from commencement of employment. Requests made after 3 months will not be considered. If the successful candidate is an existing HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.

are able to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. A number of flexible working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations including Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Flexi-time, Compressed/elongated hours, Average hours working patterns, Term-time working, Job-share or Homeworking for some or all of the working pattern, depending on the role being undertaken. Successful applicants are encouraged to discuss with their manager what Flexible Working provisions may be available in the role they are taking up, prior to commencing employment, to help them achieve a positive Work/Life Balance

All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times