The Charge Nurse/Senior Sister is a senior clinical leader within the Emergency Department at Jersey General Hospital, responsible for providing expert clinical care, professional leadership, and operational management to ensure the delivery of safe, effective, and patient-centred emergency services. The post holder will lead and coordinate the nursing team, ensuring the highest standards of assessment, treatment, and care for patients presenting with a diverse range of acute illness, injury, and emergency care needs.

 

Working collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team and across acute and community services, the post holder will promote continuity of patient care, support patient flow, and contribute to the achievement of departmental and organisational objectives. Acting as a visible role model, the Charge Nurse/Senior Sister will foster a culture of excellence, compassion, innovation, and evidence-based practice, while supporting the professional development, wellbeing, and performance of nursing and support staff.

The post holder will contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of emergency care services through clinical leadership, quality improvement initiatives, education, audit, research, governance activities, and service development. They will support the Emergency Department management team by undertaking a range of clinical, operational, and managerial responsibilities, ensuring the department maintains high standards of patient safety, quality care, and workforce effectiveness at all times.

 

Please see Job Description

 

Experience	Significant post-registration experience in Emergency Care.	Experience within a senior leadership role in Emergency Medicine.
	Experience of coordinating clinical areas and managing patient flow in a busy emergency department.	Evidence of involvement in service redesign and quality improvement projects.
	Experience managing complex and deteriorating patients across all age groups.	Experience in budget management and resource planning.
	Experience of supervising, developing and managing staff performance.	Experience contributing to business planning and workforce development.
	Experience in incident investigation, complaints management and risk assessment.	Participation in regional or national emergency care networks.
Knowledge	Comprehensive knowledge of Emergency Department pathways, standards and best practice.	Specialist knowledge in emergency nursing subspecialties.
	Understanding of professional, legal and ethical responsibilities within nursing practice.	Knowledge of healthcare finance and business planning.
	Thorough knowledge of safeguarding adults and children.	Understanding of change management methodologies.
	Knowledge of infection prevention and control principles and regulatory requirements.
	Understanding of clinical governance, audit, risk management and quality assurance processes.
Leadership & Management Skills	Demonstrates strong clinical leadership and ability to act as Nurse in Charge.	Experience of leading large teams within unscheduled care services.
	Ability to motivate, manage and develop multidisciplinary teams.
	Ability to support performance management, sickness management and HR processes.
	Capable of leading service improvement initiatives and implementing change.
	Ability to manage competing priorities and make autonomous decisions under pressure.
Clinical Skills	Advanced assessment and decision-making skills.	Advanced clinical practice skills.

Assessing, Planning, Implementing and Evaluating Care

• Demonstrates expert clinical assessment skills, providing timely, holistic assessment of patients with undifferentiated and complex presentations.
• Develops, implements and evaluates evidence-based care plans that are patient-centred and responsive to changing clinical needs.
• Ensures care is delivered safely, effectively and in accordance with local policies, NICE guidance and professional standards.
• Monitors patient outcomes and coordinates ongoing evaluation of care, making appropriate adjustments where required.
• Promotes dignity, privacy, safeguarding and advocacy for all patients and their families.

Triage and Emergency Care

• Competent and experienced in triaging patients using the Manchester Triage System and associated pathways.
• Prioritises patients according to clinical urgency, recognising deterioration and escalating concerns promptly.
• Demonstrates sound clinical judgement in managing patient flow and allocation of resources during periods of high demand.
• Supports staff in the assessment and management of acutely unwell patients, trauma presentations and medical emergencies.

Leadership and Management

• Provides visible and effective clinical leadership within the Emergency Department.
• Coordinates departmental activity, ensuring safe staffing levels and effective patient flow.
• Acts as a role model, promoting professionalism, accountability and high standards of care.
• Leads by example in maintaining a positive, supportive and inclusive working environment.
• Effectively manages challenging situations, conflict resolution and service pressures.

Communication and Teamwork

• Communicates clearly and professionally with patients, relatives and the multidisciplinary team.
• Builds collaborative relationships with ambulance services, inpatient teams, community services and external agencies.
• Supports effective handovers and ensures accurate documentation and communication of patient care plans.
• Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence when managing sensitive situations.

Quality, Safety and Governance

• Promotes a culture of patient safety and continuous quality improvement.
• Investigates incidents, complaints and DATIX reports, ensuring lessons learned are shared with the team.
• Supports clinical audits, service improvement initiatives and compliance with national and local standards.
• Maintains awareness of risk management, infection prevention and control, safeguarding and medicines management.

Education and Staff Development

• Supports the learning and development of registered nurses, healthcare assistants, nursing associates and students.
• Acts as a mentor, assessor or practice supervisor, encouraging professional growth and clinical excellence.
• Identifies training needs and supports staff to achieve mandatory training and competency requirements.
• Encourages reflective practice and evidence-based care.

Personal Qualities

• Calm and decisive under pressure.
• Highly organised with strong prioritisation skills.
• Compassionate, approachable and resilient.
• Demonstrates integrity, professionalism and accountability.
• Adaptable and responsive to the changing demands of an Emergency Department environment.
• Committed to delivering high-quality patient care and supporting the strategic objectives of Jersey General Hospital.

 

Essential Qualifications

• First Level Registered Nurse (Adult) with current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
• Degree in Nursing or evidence of study at degree level.
• Professional and clinical knowledge acquired through nurse education and post-registration development to degree level or equivalent.
• Demonstrable evidence of continuing professional development relevant to Emergency Care Nursing.

Desirable Qualifications

• Leadership and management qualification or equivalent experience.
• Advanced Life Support (ALS) certification.
• Recognised Emergency Nursing qualification (ENP, Emergency Care Course, or equivalent).

 

 

Knowledge Required

• Comprehensive knowledge of local and organisational policies, procedures, and clinical governance frameworks applicable to emergency care.
• Detailed understanding of teaching and learning principles to support staff development, induction, mandatory training, and continuing professional development.
• Knowledge of mentorship/supervision frameworks and the ability to support pre-registration nursing students, apprentices, newly qualified staff, and internationally recruited nurses in practice.
• Successful completion of a recognised Mentorship, Practice Assessor/Practice Supervisor, or Assessment of Learning in Practice (ALP) module, or equivalent teaching and assessing qualification, with the ability to assess competence in the clinical environment.
• Knowledge of the NMC Standards for Student Supervision and Assessment (SSSA) and requirements for supporting learners in practice.
• Understanding of workforce development, performance management, appraisal processes, and staff wellbeing initiatives.
• Knowledge of quality improvement methodologies, audit processes, risk management, incident reporting (Datix), and patient safety principles.
• Sound knowledge of emergency nursing pathways, deterioration management, safeguarding, infection prevention and control, and evidence-based practice.
• Understanding of leadership and change management principles to support service development and delivery of high-quality patient care.

 

Advanced knowledge of emergency nursing care, including rapid patient assessment, triage, and management of acutely ill and injured patients.

 

Competence in leading clinical shifts within a busy Emergency Department, ensuring safe patient flow and effective resource allocation.

 

Extensive experience using Electronic Patient Record (EPR) systems for patient documentation, clinical decision-making, and care coordination.

 

Proficient in the use of Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) systems, ensuring safe and effective medicines management. Skilled in patient assessment and escalation using recognised clinical frameworks, including NEWS2, Sepsis Six, and deteriorating patient pathways.

 

Ability to interpret and act upon diagnostic investigations including ECGs, blood results, imaging requests, and point-of-care testing.

 

Knowledge of emergency care pathways, safeguarding processes, Mental Capacity Act principles, and management of patients presenting with mental health crises.

 

Experience in clinical governance activities including audits, incident investigations (Datix), risk management, and quality improvement initiatives.Competent in workforce management, including rota coordination, staffing escalation processes, and effective deployment of resources to meet service demands.

 

Experience supervising and supporting multidisciplinary teams, including Registered Nurses, Healthcare Assistants, Nurse Associates, Medical Staff, Allied Health Professionals, and students.

 

Advanced communication and leadership skills to coordinate care, manage complex situations, and facilitate effective multidisciplinary working.Competent in managing emergency situations including cardiac arrest, trauma, major incidents, and clinical deterioration.

 

Strong understanding of infection prevention and control, health and safety, and emergency department operational policies.Ability to support, mentor, assess, and develop staff through appraisals, clinical supervision, competency assessments, and educational initiatives.

 

Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, data analysis, report writing, and preparation of service improvement and governance reports.Experience participating in departmental improvement projects, performance monitoring, and achievement of key emergency care standards and targets.

 

Essential Experience

• Registered Nurse (Adult) with current NMC registration.
• Minimum 4 years' post-registration (post-qualification) experience, including substantial experience within an Emergency Department (ED), Acute Medicine, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), or other acute unscheduled care setting.
• Demonstrable experience in the assessment, management and coordination of care for acutely ill and injured patients.
• Previous experience taking charge of a shift, coordinating patient flow, and managing clinical priorities in a busy emergency or acute care environment.
• Experience supervising, supporting and developing junior nursing staff, students and multidisciplinary team members.
• Evidence of involvement in quality improvement, patient safety initiatives, and service development within an acute clinical environment.

Desirable Experience

• Experience in a Grade 5(Band 6)/Senior Staff Nurse role within an Emergency Department.
• Emergency nursing qualification (e.g., Emergency Nursing Course, ALS,/APLS, Trauma Nursing qualification).
• Experience managing workforce resources, bed capacity, and escalation processes.
• Experience participating in audits, governance activities, and incident investigations.

 

Appointees to this role will be required to demonstrate the States of Jersey Tier 6 core accountabilities, behaviours and values, together with the following personal attributes:

• Strong clinical leadership skills with the ability to inspire, motivate and support multidisciplinary teams within a fast-paced emergency care environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with patients, relatives, colleagues and external agencies.
• Highly developed decision-making and problem-solving abilities, demonstrating sound clinical judgement in complex and unpredictable situations.
• Resilient, adaptable and able to remain calm under pressure while managing competing priorities and operational demands.
• Compassionate, professional and patient-centred, promoting dignity, respect and inclusion in all interactions.
• Demonstrable emotional intelligence with the ability to manage challenging situations, provide constructive feedback and support staff wellbeing.
• Committed to continuous improvement, quality assurance and delivering safe, effective and evidence-based care.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to coordinate resources efficiently and maintain patient flow within the Emergency Department.
• Ability to lead change, embrace innovation and contribute positively to service development and transformation.
• Accountable and self-aware, demonstrating integrity, professionalism and a commitment to the highest standards of nursing practice.
• Ability to mentor, develop and empower others, fostering a culture of learning, collaboration and professional growth.
• Flexible and responsive to the changing needs of the service, supporting delivery of care across a 24-hour emergency care setting.

 

Jersey General Hospital

The Senior Sister/Charge Nurse is responsible for providing visible clinical leadership and operational management within the Emergency Department, ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality, patient-centred care. The post holder will coordinate and support the multidisciplinary team, manage patient flow, and ensure effective use of resources across a dynamic emergency care environment.

The Emergency Department at Jersey General Hospital provides assessment and treatment for patients of all ages and presentations, including paediatrics, gynaecology, mental health crises, medical and surgical emergencies, trauma, and other acute specialties.

 

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide professional and clinical leadership to nursing and support staff within the Emergency Department.
• Coordinate day-to-day departmental operations, ensuring safe staffing levels and effective patient flow.
• Ensure timely assessment, treatment, escalation, and discharge of patients in accordance with departmental standards.
• Support the management of patients with complex needs, including paediatric, mental health, gynaecological, medical, surgical, and trauma presentations.
• Promote a culture of safety, quality improvement, and evidence-based practice.
• Lead on patient experience, safeguarding, infection prevention, and risk management initiatives.
• Support recruitment, induction, appraisal, performance management, and professional development of staff.
• Act as a clinical role model and expert resource, supporting staff in the delivery of high standards of emergency care.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and external agencies to ensure seamless patient care and service delivery.
• Deputise for the Emergency Department Matron/Lead Nurse as required.

 

Person Specification (Summary):

• Registered Nurse with current NMC registration.
• Significant post-registration experience within Emergency, Acute, Critical Care, or Urgent Care settings.
• Proven leadership and people management skills.
• Demonstrable experience in leading teams, managing change, and delivering service improvements.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and decision-making abilities.
• Commitment to staff development, education, and continuous quality improvement.