Junior Sister/Nurse in-charge

Posting date:	22 January 2026
Salary:	£46,419.00 to £55,046.00 per year
Additional salary information:	£46419.00 - £55046.00 a year
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	08 February 2026
Location:	London, SW10 9NH
Company:	NHS Jobs
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	C9289-26-0022

Summary

Key Result Areas & Performance: CLINICAL PRACTICE To have a minimum of 18 months experience working on an acute ward as a registered Nurse. To have previous experience as a mentor to junior staff and students To be competent in caring for acutely unwell patients. To be competent at caring for palliative patients and their families. Always endeavour to provide the highest standard of care possible. Ensure clinical practice is evidence based and up to date. Ensure the patient and their families receive a high standard of care in accordance with the Trusts patient experience strategy. Lead on implementation and change of practice where necessary. To give advice and clinical support to other areas within the trust as required. Be involved in effective multi-disciplinary team working. Ensure patients privacy and dignity, and individual needs are met. To work with the discharge team and community partners to ensure safe and timely discharges Be an expert in the designated basic clinical skills set and teach/inform/coach others as appropriate encouraging a positive learning environment. Be proactively involved in the development of competency standards, protocols, guidelines and unified records. Actively seek out opportunities to improve skills and increase knowledge. Keep up to date with clinical developments within acute medicine. Be able to work autonomously. Provide highquality, patientcentred nursing care within the Discharge Ready Unit (DRU) for patients who are medically fit for discharge but awaiting external placement or support. Demonstrate robust AE assessment skills and recognise, escalate, and respond promptly to the deteriorating patient within a nurseled environment. Accurately screen and assess patients for admission to the DRU, ensuring appropriate consideration of discharge planning requirements, therapy needs, and suitability for the unit against SOP criterion. Act as a visible clinical leader, undertaking handson nursing care while supervising and supporting junior staff to maintain high standards of practice. Work collaboratively with therapists, the Discharge Hub, volunteers, and carers to optimise patient functionality and support timely discharge. ORGANISATIONAL AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT (incl. Clinical Governance) Identify problems and actively work towards resolving them. Actively look for ways to develop the service. Be willing to undertake relevant development. Ensure the safety of all patients including visitors at all times. Ensuring safe clinical practice is maintained in the unit, especially in relation to junior staff. To record and respond to complaints as they arise. Identify own development needs and actively work towards own professional development with support from senior staff. Contribute to areas clinical and non-clinical risk management and documenting untoward incidents, and participating in their review using the PSIRF tool. Match development plan to that of the service and participate in yearly appraisals. Maintain the required mandatory training. Participate in research carried out in the department and understand the importance of research-based practice. Be responsible for designated areas of ward management. Be supported by the Trust in becoming computer literate and using the Trust computer systems efficiently. Support the Ward Manager in maintaining clinical standards, patient safety, and adherence to Trust policies, procedures, and governance frameworks. Contribute to service improvement initiatives that enhance patient flow, reduce delays, and embed the DRU model effectively within the organisation. Participate in audit, quality monitoring, incident review, and learning processes to promote continuous improvement and safe care delivery. Support the development, supervision, and appraisal of junior staff, fostering a culture of learning, accountability, and professional growth. Maintain and develop own clinical competencies in line with NMC requirements and the evolving needs of the DRU. COMMUNICATION Maintain effective, appropriate communication and dissemination of information to all others including relatives, significant others and colleagues. Welcome patients and their families to the ward and treat them holistically and as individuals Have due regard for the customs, values and beliefs of all including patients who are end of life. Work with the outside service providers and the multi-disciplinary team to ensure effective bed utilisation and safe patient discharge planning. Maintain and develop effective communication between the patients, families and the MDT. Show an awareness of ethical dilemmas and encourage discussion amongst the MDT Ensure all communication is presented appropriately to the different recipients, according to levels of understanding, type of communication being imparted and possible barriers such as language, culture, understanding or physical or mental health conditions. Ensure all communication, which may be complex, contentious or sensitive, is undertaken in a responsive and inclusive manner, focusing on improvement and ways to move forward. To investigated concerns and complaints as they arise, including speaking to patients and/or relatives. Communicate clearly, compassionately, and effectively with patients, families, and the multidisciplinary team to support safe discharge planning and continuity of care.Provide clear clinical leadership during shifts, ensuring accurate handover and clear communication of priorities, risks, and escalation pathways. Liaise proactively with therapists, the Discharge Hub, and external agencies to coordinate discharge arrangements and resolve barriers to patient flow.Promote a positive, supportive team culture through open communication, constructive feedback, and professional role modelling. FINANCIAL To make effective use of available resources and eliminate waste in order to contribute to the cost effective delivery of services. Be competent to assess patients who require 1:1 care and escalate to Ward Manager and Matron. Contribute to the efficient use of resources within the DRU, ensuring safe staffing, appropriate skill mix, and effective allocation of clinical duties. Support the Ward Manager in monitoring stock levels, minimising waste, and ensuring costeffective use of equipment and consumables. Participate in initiatives that improve operational efficiency, reduce length of stay on referring wards, and support Trustwide flow objectives. GENERAL To help support and maintain the Trusts policy on Unified Patient Record Keeping. To actively participate in quality assurance strategies and audit, including current DH initiatives and performance data. To manage own time to ensure balance between clinical and administrative activities. To make an active contribution to clinical governance strategies, particularly in relation to producing and/or reviewing nurse-led clinical guidelines. To actively participate in maintaining own professional development, identifying own educational and clinical training needs with Line Manager. To ensure own mandatory training certificates are current. To maintain your own personal and professional development in accordance with the NMC code of conduct and other regulatory bodies. To participate in reflective practice, and maintain a personal learning portfolio. To keep up to date with NMC, relevant specialist, Faculty & Trust guidelines and protocols. To be flexible and be able to work Long days and nights. Uphold the values and standards of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust at all times. Maintain a professional, flexible approach to meet the needs of a dynamic, nurseled unit, including supporting service changes and operational pressures. Take responsibility for a defined part of the team, including leading on PDR completion, monitoring training adherence, and undertaking basic management duties to support the Ward Manager. Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role to support safe, effective functioning of the Discharge Ready Unit