Ward Sister / Charge Nurse - General Surgery

Part Time 34 hours per week. Fixed Term/Secondment for 12 months
An exciting opportunity has arisen to appoint dynamic and confident Senior Nurses to join the general surgical department, Whiston Hospital.
Reporting to the Ward Manager, the post holder will be expected to assist the Ward Manager in all aspects of the clinical operation. 4A is a 32 bedded General Surgery and Urology Ward, 4B is an 14 bedded surgical admission unit, including a triage assessment area, and a 16 bedded elective surgical admission area. 4C is a 33 bedded General Surgery and Colorectal Ward., + To act as clinical expert for nursing issues
+ To supervise junior staff in the delivery of safe competent care
+ Take appropriate action to address any issues or risk
+ Promote a patient focused multi-disciplinary approach to care in collaboration with carers, health care professionals and other AHPs
+ Ensure a safe and timely discharge / transfer of patients
+ Ensure that treatment prescribed by the medical team are carried out and that changes in patient condition are escalated as appropriate
+ Contribute to the Enhanced Recovery Programme and ensure adherence to its principles
+ Act as advocate for the patient, respecting dignity, wishes and beliefs., + To act as clinical expert for nursing issues
+ To supervise junior staff in the delivery of safe competent care
+ Take appropriate action to address any issues or risk
+ Promote a patient focused multi-disciplinary approach to care in collaboration with carers, health care professionals and other AHPs
+ Ensure a safe and timely discharge / transfer of patients
+ Ensure that treatment prescribed by the medical team are carried out and that changes in patient condition are escalated as appropriate
+ Contribute to the Enhanced Recovery Programme and ensure adherence to its principles
+ Act as advocate for the patient, respecting dignity, wishes and beliefs.
CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
+ Maintain Professional Registration
+ Adhere to the NMC Code of Practice and The Scope of Professional Practice
+ To participate in the recruitment, orientation, development and any other personal issues related to staff as required
+ Optimum use of resources so that standards of care and safety are not compromised
+ Maintain effective communication systems, so that all staff can practice in an informed and professional manner
+ Maintain effective communication with patients, relatives, visitors and staff as required,
+ To investigate any untoward incident/complaint thoroughly. Liaise promptly with the Ward Manager, Matron or Directorate Manager
+ Deputise for Senior Nursing staff as directed
+ Be fully conversant with the Major Incident Policy and be prepared to support its activation as required
+ Ensure effective infection prevention and control methods are followed
+ Maintain effective allocation of staff utilising appropriate skill mix
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
+ To ensure that the recording of patient care is comprehensive, concise and in line with the NMC Record Keeping guidance
+ Ensure IT systems are current eg ADT
TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES
+ To maintain an effective learning environment for all staff, contributing to the training and assessment of staff
+ To act as a role model and expert practitioner, providing support and guidance to nursing staff
+ To participate in the annual performance review of identified staff Band 5 and below in order to identify their training and development needs
+ To participate in an annual performance review to identify the post-holders personal development needs
+ To personally ensure fulfilment of the requirements for professional updating and to maintain a personal record for future registration purposes
LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
+ Responsibility for designated nursing staff within the team including appraisals, HR management and support in clinical practice in conjunction with the Ward Manager
+ Responsibility for nursing staff within the team in the absence of Band 7/6
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
+ Managing nursing team and skill mix appropriately, utilising bank and agency staff when appropriate within ward budget
RESEARCH & AUDIT
+ Contribute towards the setting, maintaining and monitoring of standards of care within the Department by leading and participating in surgical audits
Transitional arrangements are in place for EU,EEA and Swiss Citizens following the UK's withdrawal from the EU. Should this apply to you, you are advised to familiarise yourself with these arrangements to ensure you continue to have right to work in the UK and how to evidence that right in the future. Please see the document attached to this vacancy. This requirement does not apply to Irish citizens, who can continue to freely enter, live and work in the UK.
The Trust is a non-smoking site. Failure to follow this rule could lead to disciplinary action.
Please be aware, that we may close a vacancy earlier than stated, should a sufficient number of applications be received from which a shortlist can be confirmed therefore you are advised to apply at your earliest convenience. The Trust may contact you during the recruitment process for your feedback on your experience.
We actively cultivate a professional environment of fairness, equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and value the unique skills, perspective and experience you bring. We are grounded in the belief that diversity enhances our collective strength, fostering innovation and excellence within our workforce.
As a Disability Confident Leader, we commit to offering an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.
If you are having difficulty completing an online application, or require any disability reasonable adjustments, to the application process, please contact [email protected]
We also commit to offering an interview to all armed forces veterans who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.
The Trust operates anonymous shortlisting where no personal information about you, including your name or personal details are shared with the recruiting manager. No equality information is shared at any time during the recruitment process with the recruiting manager or other people involved in the decision making process.
The equality monitoring information you provide is used in the following situations: to review our recruitment practices; where a job is limited to a specific person to verify their eligibility to apply; and to offer disability reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process.
Changes have been made to the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook which mean that:
+ All employees have the right to request flexible working from day one of employment.
+ There is no limit on the number of requests they can make.
+ Employees have the right to make requests, have them considered, regardless of the reason.
At Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, we will consider requests for flexible working.
Please be advised that the use of Artificial Intelligence on applications is monitored and if you choose to use this, you must declare this on your application form.

Successful applicants will need to be highly motivated and enthusiastic, have experience in general surgical nursing and possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills. We require an individual who is forward thinking, well organized with a positive attitude towards flexibility and change. You will need current acute surgical experience at Band 5 level or above and have a proven track record of effective communication, leadership and clinical expertise.
An enhanced DBS with barred lists for both Adults & Children is required for this post.

The Secretary of State has approved the partnership between St Helens & Knowsley and Southport & Ormskirk Hospitals.
From 1^st July we have come together as a single organisation under the name Mersey & West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
The Trust delivers acute hospital care, intermediate care, community, and primary care services to a population of over 600,000 people with a combined workforce of around 9000 dedicated and skilled staff from 17 locations including Whiston, Southport & Formby, St Helens, Ormskirk and Newton hospitals.
The Trust provides regional services for burns, plastic surgery and spinal injuries to more than 4 million people across Mersey and West Lancashire, Cheshire, the Isle of Man and North Wales.
Our Vision is to deliver 5 Star Patient Care:
+ CARE that is evidence based, high quality and compassionate
+ SAFETY that is of the highest standards
+ COMMUNICATION that is open, inclusive and respectful
+ SYSTEMS that are efficient, patient centred and reliable
+ PATHWAYS that are best practice and embedded, but also respect the individual needs of patients
Our achievements include:
+ Trust rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
+ Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
+ Awarded National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for our Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme