Charge Nurse | Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
| Posting date: | 15 December 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £38,682 - £46,580 Per annum (pro rata) |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 14 January 2026 |
| Location: | Manchester, M13 9WL |
| Company: | Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 7623792/349-MRI-7623792 |
Summary
The Band 6 Charge Nurse is a senior clinical leader within the Surgical Assessment Unit (SAU), responsible for ensuring the safe and effective delivery of high-quality care to patients with acute and urgent surgical needs. They provide advanced clinical assessment, prioritisation, and management of a varied caseload, supporting rapid diagnostics, timely decision-making, and smooth patient flow through the unit.
As shift leader, the Charge Nurse oversees daily operations, coordinating staffing, resources, and patient pathways to maintain a safe and organised environment. They act as a key point of contact for the multidisciplinary team—including surgeons, anaesthetists, radiology, advanced practitioners, and bed management—to facilitate seamless, patient-centred care and minimise delays in treatment, admission, or discharge.
The role demands strong leadership, advanced clinical competence, and the ability to respond effectively to rapidly changing situations. The Charge Nurse supports and develops junior staff, promotes teamwork, and upholds professional standards. They contribute to clinical governance, quality improvement, and service development, ensuring practice aligns with Trust policies, safety priorities, and national guidelines. Ultimately, the Band 6 Charge Nurse plays a vital role in maintaining clinical safety, improving patient experience, and supporting the efficient running of the Surgical Assessment Unit.
The Band 6 Charge Nurse provides visible clinical leadership within the Surgical Assessment Unit, acting as a role model and supporting staff in caring for acutely unwell surgical patients. They lead clinical decision-making, undertake advanced assessments, initiate care pathways, and ensure safe triage and early recognition of deterioration using NEWS2 and sepsis protocols. The role includes delivering high-quality care such as surgical pre-assessment, wound care, IV therapies, catheterisation, pain management, and pre-operative preparation. They support timely investigations, communicate effectively with patients and families, and advocate for safe discharge or admission.
As shift leader, the Charge Nurse oversees daily operations, coordinating staffing, resources, documentation, and patient flow to maintain a safe and efficient unit. They manage equipment and stock, contribute to rota planning, and support the Matron or Unit Manager in service delivery. The role involves supervising and mentoring junior staff, supporting appraisals, competencies, and training, and promoting a positive learning culture. They participate in audits, incidents, and quality improvement, ensuring compliance with infection control, NMC standards, and Trust policies.
Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.
Whether you’re beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.
You’ll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.
At MFT, you’ll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.
Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We’ll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the ‘Supporting Documents’ heading. So that you’re even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, you’ll need to take time to read the ‘Candidate Essentials Guide’ that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how ‘we care for you as you care for others’. Most importantly, it also contains critical information you’ll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to beALL HERE FOR YOU—for our patients, our communities, and each other.
As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application—especially personal statements and responses to role-specific questions—is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.
Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.
Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
This advert closes on Monday 29 Dec 2025
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.