NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 40,000 staff across a wide range of clinical and non-clinical professions and roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health services to a population of over 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included.
The role:
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 Charge Nurse to join our Colorectal/General Surgery nursing team in Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. We are looking for an experienced surgical nurse to join our nursing management team within the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. You will support the Senior Charge Nurse in ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and timely care to our varied speciality patient group. You will demonstrate expert leadership skills and act as a role model to the nursing team within the ward.
Duration, Location, and Working Pattern:
Permanent, Full-time
Shift Pattern - 36hrs rotational
Base location - Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
Key responsibilities:
Clinical and Specialist Knowledge
- Provide clinical leadership, develop innovative ideas, and set/measure standards of care.
- Develop expert practice across all ward areas.
- Assess care needs and develop, implement, and evaluate patient care programmes.
- Demonstrate and expand professional skills to meet patient needs.
- Support the Senior Charge Nurse in leading clinical/managerial change to promote innovative practice.
- In the Senior Charge Nurse’s absence, supervise, deploy, and develop staff to manage a dynamic nursing service.
- Coordinate seamless patient care from admission to discharge through effective communication with MDT, Primary Care, and carers.
- Ensure clear, concise, timely written documentation compliant with NMC standards.
- Maintain effective communication with all disciplines, patients, and relatives to support information sharing and patient needs.
- Adhere to infection control policies and role‑model safe practice.
- Work within the NMC Code and relevant professional guidelines.
Education and Research/Audit
- Participate in ward/directorate audits and support evidence‑based practice development.
- Lead, supervise, and mentor junior staff/students, providing advice to support their learning needs.
- Continuously develop the role using evidence‑based practice and ongoing knowledge improvement.
Organisational/Managerial
- Provide senior cover and manage the ward in the Senior Charge Nurse’s absence.
- Support or undertake HR planning (conduct management, duty rosters, leave, training, sickness reporting, and bank use).
- Assist in staff recruitment and selection.
- Support completion of 1:1 meetings and Turas appraisals for ward nursing staff.
- Ensure effective management of ward resources (stores, supplies, medicines).
- Adhere to hospital, organisational, and national policies.
- Report all accidents, incidents, and complaints, initiating enquiries/documentation as required.
Knowledge, training, qualifications and/or experience required to do the job:
Essential
- Registered Nurses on the NMC Register with experience at band 5
- Evidence of continued professional development
- Ability to use initiative
- Knowledge of enhanced recovery after surgery.
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- This post requires PVG Scheme Membership
Desirable
- Successful completion of the Cleanliness Champions Programme
- Working towards a Nursing degree
- Management qualification
- Dementia Champion
What we offer:
We offer a wide range of supportive policies designed to enhance your employee journey, including a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary scheme and extensive learning and development opportunities.
As an NHS Scotland employee, you will be entitled to:
- A minimum of 27 days annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus public holidays
- Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, including life insurance benefits
- Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme
- Development opportunities including study bursaries, e-learning and classroom-based courses
- Enhanced pay for working public holidays
- NHS discounts on a wide range of goods and services
- Confidential employee support and assistance, including counselling and psychological therapies
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, we would love to hear from you.
For an informal discussion, please contact:
Penny MacLean, Senior Charge Nurse - penny.macleanr@ggc.scot.nhs.uk - 0141 452 2666
Details on how to contact the Recruitment Service and the Recruitment Process: Information for candidates
This post may close early due to the volume of responses. Please submit your application form as soon as possible. Due to the volume of applications that we receive, we will not be able to provide shortlisting feedback.
AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your application, but your answers must be your own.
- Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
- Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
- Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.
Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you, not an AI tool.
From 1 April 2026, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will reduce from 37 hours to 36 hours. Part-time working hours will be reduced on a pro-rata basis. A corresponding increase in the hourly rate will apply, ensuring that overall pay remains unchanged.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) recognises the importance of work-life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full-time hours can be accommodated, and where the tenure is listed as “various”, we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. Flexible working will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and are proud of the diverse workforce we employ.
By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from across the Armed Forces Community and recognise military skills, experience and qualifications throughout the recruitment and selection process.
For application portal or log-in issues, please contact the Jobtrain Support Hub in the first instance.
