Senior Sister​/Charge Nurse

Job Summary

The Whittington Emergency Department (ED) serves the diverse local community of North London. We pride ourselves on high‑quality, compassionate care and on providing structured support and development to all our nurses. Our CQC inspection in January 2020 praised the teamwork displayed amongst our staff, who support each other to provide good care. We are a dedicated trauma unit as part of the North East London and Essex Trauma Network.

Due to an increase in our Senior Nursing establishment we have a vacancy for a dynamic, enthusiastic, innovative senior nurse who is looking for their next challenge to help us build on our reputation as one of the safest hospitals in England. The role of the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse is pivotal in providing leadership and support to our nurses while ensuring the department is managed smoothly on each shift.

You will have the freedom to manage your department and a team of nurses, with appropriate support and development opportunities. We have very strong nursing leadership and can offer support from our substantial senior team, which includes two ED Matrons and a Practice Development Nurse who provide a clinical support rota.

Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to valuing differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief.

The Trust believes that, as a public sector organisation, we have an obligation to have recruitment, training, promotion and other formal employment policies and procedures that are sensitive to these differences. We think that by doing so, we are better able to treat our patients as well as being a better place to work.

• Posted: 17 February 2026
• Band:
  Band 7
• Salary: £56,276 to £63,176 a year including Inner HCAS per annum
• Contract:
  
  Permanent
• Working pattern:
  Full‑time
• Reference number: 220-WHT-3710
• Location:
  
  Whittington Emergency Department, Magdala Avenue, London, N19 5NF

The post holder will uphold and display the Trust values of Innovation, Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence.

• Lead the nursing workforce on a shift‑by‑shift basis, taking charge of the department (or continuing accountability if this is delegated).
• Manage patient flows, ensuring safety and escalating potential issues appropriately.
• Guide the activity of nursing, medical and other staff to ensure rapid assessment, treatment and disposal of patients.
• Participate in educational and training programmes for junior nursing staff and students, acting as a preceptor/mentor where required.
• Supervise staff to ensure that high standards of nursing care are delivered.
• Work independently as an expert practitioner in all areas of the Emergency Department.

The post holder is part of a team responsible for the management of the Emergency Department on a shift basis. The overarching management of the nursing workforce and department is co‑ordinated by the Lead Nurse / Matron in the ED. They will be expected to deputise for the Matron as required.

• Deploy available staff appropriately to meet changing demands.
• Manage patient flows effectively in accordance with the Department of Health, ED Clinical Quality Indicators.
• Guide the activity of nursing, medical and other staff to ensure rapid assessment, treatment and disposal of patients.
• Support and coach staff, carrying out delegated responsibilities for appraisal and development.
• Inform junior staff of developments and debrief after stressful or critical incidents.
• Check and reorder stock levels as appropriate.
• Maintain good relationships with other departments and outside agencies.
• Report sickness in accordance with Trust procedures.
• Maintain staff discipline during the shift.
• Complete documentation fully and properly.
• Record all required information on the clinical information system/notes.
• Enforce departmental standards whilst in charge of the shift.
• Inform patients of potential waiting times.
• Main…