Ward Manager - Senior Sister/Charge Nurse (Paediatrics)

Job description

Job summary

Ward Manager - Senior Sister/Charge Nurse (Paediatrics)

Department: Ward 4

Band 7, £49,387 - £56,515 Per annum pro rata

Hours: Full time substantive, 37.5 per week, (Can also be a secondment).

All MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

Are you an inspirational children's nurse leader ready to make a difference?

At Milton Keynes University Hospital, we're looking for a passionate, ambitious, and highly motivated Senior Sister/Charge Nurse to lead our Paediatric Assessment Unit which encompasses a short stay assessment unit and day surgery.

We're searching for an enthusiastic and compassionate leader who can bring energy, vision, and professionalism to this important role.

You will be:

A registered children's nurse with significant paediatric experience

An experienced leader who inspires confidence and builds high-performing teams

Passionate about delivering outstanding care for children, young people, and families

Committed to staff development, education, and mentoring.

Experienced in managing quality, patient safety, governance, and service improvement

A strong communicator who can build positive relationships

Resilient, adaptable, and able to lead confidently in a fast-paced environment.

'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'

Interview date: 07 September 2026

Main duties of the job

As a Band 7 Ward Manager, you will be a visible clinical leader with responsibility for the day-to-day operational and professional management of Children's Services. You will lead and inspire a diverse team of Registered Nurses, Nursing Associates, Healthcare Assistants, Play Specialists, administrative staff, and support teams.

You will:

Lead the delivery of safe, effective, evidence-based paediatric care.

Create a positive culture where staff feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Drive quality improvement, clinical governance, patient safety, and risk management initiatives.

Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, retention, and staff development.

Champion patient and family-centred care and ensure exceptional patient experiences.

Support service development and innovation across Children's Services.

Act as an expert clinical role model, maintaining a strong presence within clinical areas.

Deputise for the Children's Services Matron when required

About us

Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.

As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.

We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.

Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.

Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -

For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes

Job description

Job responsibilities

NHS Staff Survey: Staff feel valued by their teams and supported by their managers, creating a truly inclusive environment.

To act as an effective leader both professionally and managerially for allmembers of staff across the Childrens Units.

To be responsible for ensuring the provision of high quality and evidence-basedcare within the Childrens Unit and to ensure a positive patient and familyexperience.

To provide clinical leadership and role modelling across the Childrens Unit andto ensure working clinically is incorporated within the role.

Please refer to attached Job description for further information.

We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity, and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.

MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.

We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once enough applications have been received.

MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.

By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.

Upon commencing employment with the Trust,all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.

Job description
Job responsibilities

NHS Staff Survey: Staff feel valued by their teams and supported by their managers, creating a truly inclusive environment.

To act as an effective leader both professionally and managerially for allmembers of staff across the Childrens Units.

To be responsible for ensuring the provision of high quality and evidence-basedcare within the Childrens Unit and to ensure a positive patient and familyexperience.

To provide clinical leadership and role modelling across the Childrens Unit andto ensure working clinically is incorporated within the role.

Please refer to attached Job description for further information.

We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity, and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.

MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.

We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once enough applications have been received.

MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.

By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.

Upon commencing employment with the Trust,all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Knowledge

Essential

• RSCN/RN Child
• A degree level qualification in nursing
• Evidence of career progression and updating academic education.
• EPLS or equivalent

Desirable

• Children's High Dependency Course or equivalent
• Management/Leadership course

Experience

Essential

• Significant post registration experience within paediatrics.
• Relevant experience at a Band 6 level.
• Evidence of provision of high standards of care within paediatric services.
• Evidence of teaching/facilitating learning in practice.
• Evidence of effective leadership and management.
• Safeguarding experience.
• Audit/research experience.
• Effective change management experience.

Desirable

• Knowledge of governance processes
• Finance/budgetary management experience.
• Risk management experience.
• Line management experience.
• Evidence of policy/guideline development.

Skills

Essential

• Evidence of expanded roles within clinical skills competency e.g. IV drug administration, central line access, LTV, cannulation/venepuncture, etc.
• Aware of current issues related to nursing, NHS and acute paediatrics.
• Evidence of application of evidence based practice to care provision.
• Evidence of leadership and staff development.
• Organisational ability.
• Demonstrates ability to prioritise.
• Excellent computer skills.
• Appraisal skills.

Personal & People Development

Essential

• Role model
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently.
• Enthusiasm / motivation.
• Good interpersonal skills.

Communication

Essential

• Advanced communication skills
• Excellent verbal and non verbal communication and negotiation skills

Person Specification
Qualifications & Knowledge

Essential

• RSCN/RN Child
• A degree level qualification in nursing
• Evidence of career progression and updating academic education.
• EPLS or equivalent

Desirable

• Children's High Dependency Course or equivalent
• Management/Leadership course

Experience

Essential

• Significant post registration experience within paediatrics.
• Relevant experience at a Band 6 level.
• Evidence of provision of high standards of care within paediatric services.
• Evidence of teaching/facilitating learning in practice.
• Evidence of effective leadership and management.
• Safeguarding experience.
• Audit/research experience.
• Effective change management experience.

Desirable

• Knowledge of governance processes
• Finance/budgetary management experience.
• Risk management experience.
• Line management experience.
• Evidence of policy/guideline development.

Skills

Essential

• Evidence of expanded roles within clinical skills competency e.g. IV drug administration, central line access, LTV, cannulation/venepuncture, etc.
• Aware of current issues related to nursing, NHS and acute paediatrics.
• Evidence of application of evidence based practice to care provision.
• Evidence of leadership and staff development.
• Organisational ability.
• Demonstrates ability to prioritise.
• Excellent computer skills.
• Appraisal skills.

Personal & People Development

Essential

• Role model
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently.
• Enthusiasm / motivation.
• Good interpersonal skills.

Communication

Essential

• Advanced communication skills
• Excellent verbal and non verbal communication and negotiation skills

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address

Paediatric Assessment Unit (Dept)

Milton Keynes

MK6 5LD

United Kingdom

Employer's website