Band 7 Senior Sister / Charge Nurse

Do you love caring for children and families and want to lead a team without stepping away from clinical practice? Join us as Band 7 Senior Sister/Charge Nurse on Starfish Ward at Watford General Hospital.

With 50% management and 50% clinical practice, you'll have time to lead the ward and work alongside the team. It's a chance to keep doing the nursing you enjoy, share your skills and stay close to the everyday experiences of children, families and colleagues.

We're looking for an experienced children's nurse who is approachable, cares about supporting others and wants to help shape the ward's next chapter. You'll work closely with the Paediatric Matron and wider team to make a difference to care on Starfish. If this sounds like your next step, we'd love to hear from you.

You'll lead the day-to-day running of Starfish Ward, helping the team deliver safe, child and family centred care. Working with the Paediatric Matron and multidisciplinary team, you'll oversee staffing, rostering, recruitment, staff development and ward resources.

Your clinical time is an important part of the role: you'll care for children alongside colleagues, offer hands-on support and coaching, and lead by example. Being part of the team's daily work will help you build relationships, understand what support is needed and turn ideas for improvement into everyday practice.

We're looking for strong acute paediatric experience, experience of coordinating shifts and leading a team at Band 6 or equivalent, and clear communication and organisational skills. Above all, you'll bring a thoughtful, approachable style and a genuine commitment to helping others develop.

With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us.

We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.

Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.

Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.

We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking

If you have a disability or long-term health condition and require support or guidance please contact westherts.recruitment@nhs.net

If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.

We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

You'll be responsible for nursing standards and the day-to-day management of Starfish Ward, including staffing and skill mix, ward resources and a safe, welcoming environment. You'll support colleagues through supervision, appraisal and development, encouraging a team culture where people can raise concerns and share ideas.

Working with the Paediatric Matron, medical colleagues, practice development team and wider multidisciplinary team, you'll support coordinated care, discharge planning, safeguarding and appropriate escalation of concerns. You'll use audit, feedback from children and families, and learning from incidents and complaints to improve care.

The role is 50% management and 50% clinical practice. Working patterns will reflect ward and service needs; exact hours and rota requirements will be discussed at interview.