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Charge Nurse Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
Last updated 5 November 2025
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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7 min read

A Charge Nurse, or Sister Nurse is in charge of a specific ward in a hospital or healthcare facility while working their shift. Their primary duties include performing general nursing tasks, taking care of schedules and delegating tasks to the staff Nurses.

Charge Nurse duties and responsibilities

The specific duties and responsibilities of a Charge Nurse depends on the size and type of unit or ward they oversee. Their typical duties and responsibilities include:

  • Managing the nursing care of all patients in the department or ward during their shift
  • Delegating the nursing tasks between the Nurses working in the unit and coordinating with the Physicians when they need nursing assistance
  • Monitoring patients’ conditions and responding appropriately if there are changes in the patients’ conditions
  • Supervising the Nursing Aides in the completion of their allocated tasks and advising them or improvements they can make
  • Detecting any issues that could injure or cause difficulty for staff or patients
  • Informing Physicians of changes in patients’ condition, progress or medicinal needs

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Charge Nurse Job Description Examples:

Example 1

An amazing new job opportunity has arisen for a committed Charge Nurse to work in an exceptional rehabilitation and recovery service based in the Edgbaston, Birmingham area. As the Charge Nurse you will be working for one of UK's leading health care providers

This is a rehabilitation and recovery service for females with complex mental health needs, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorders

*To be considered for this position you must be qualified as a Nurse either RMN or RNLD with a valid NMC Pin**

As the Charge Nurse your key responsibilities include:

· Work alongside the ward manager to ensure compliance with audit requirements and lead implementation of recommendations

· Ensure compliance with legislative and professional standards

· Acts as clinical supervisor and ensures that all staff participate in clinical supervision

· Monitor, evaluate, and ensure effective use of resources within set budgets

· Operate effectively as a team member

· Promote effective decision making

· Act as mentor/preceptor and ensure the development of student nurses and other team members

· Assess staff nurses within the competency development programme

The following skills and experience would be preferred and beneficial for the role:

· Excellent team working skills

· High level of self-motivation

· Flexible approach

· A commitment to patient-centred care and to values-based and evidence-based practice

· The drive to continually push your own personal learning and development

· Be recovery focused

· Be conversant with CPA (Care Programme Approach)

· Being able to effectively manage the ward resources of a shift/daily basis

The successful Charge Nurse will receive an excellent salary up to £36,000 per annum. This exciting position is a Full Time role working 37.5 hours a week. In return for your hard work and commitment you will receive the following generous benefits:

· Free meals

· Free parking

· Investment in CPD

· Clinical supervision

· Monthly staff appreciation days and much more

Reference ID: 2308

To apply for this fantastic job role, please call on 0121 638 0567

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: Up to £36,000.00 per year

Schedule:
  • Day Location: One location

Example 2

An excellent new job opportunity has arisen for a dedicated Charge Nurse to work in an exceptional care home based in the Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire area. You will be working for one of UK’s leading healthcare providers

This care home offers nursing care for those who have complex medical needs, as well as 24-hour nursing dementia care -provided by specialist teams trained in the complexities of looking after those living with dementia

**To be considered for this position you must be qualified as a Nurse either RGN, RMN or RNLD with a current active NMC Pin**

As the Charge Nurse your key duties include:

· Leading a team of care staff to deliver exceptional care

· Producing well-developed care plans and detailed risk assessments, with an understanding of regulatory frameworks

· Maintain accurate documentation and resident records whilst incorporating the use of modern technology

· Overseeing all aspects of medicine management on your shift in accordance with company policies and current legislation

· Responsible for making decisions in a timely manner

· Utilising your clinical skills to provide guidance and support to all team members

· Making decisions and taking action in a timely manner

· Supporting, guiding, teaching and mentoring others in line with the NMC Code, following its guidance at all times

The following skills and experience would be preferred and beneficial for the role:

· Ability to lead a team of care staff

· Passionate about delivering great care and supporting the residents and their families

· A team player who engages well with others

· Able to communicate effectively at all levels

· Can demonstrate awareness and understanding of the CI/CQQ/RQIA National Care Standards

· Demonstrate an understanding and application of relevant legislation in relation to the role

· Able to deliver nursing care in a clinical environment

The successful Charge Nurse will receive an excellent salary is £18.00 per hour and the annual salary for this position is £41,184 per annum. This exciting position is a Full Time role working through Night Shifts. In return for your hard work and commitment you will receive the following generous benefits:

· Generous holiday entitlement

· Free meals

· Ongoing personal development plan and career progression

· Company Pension Scheme

· Friendly Working Environment

· Free Enhanced DBS Check and uniform

· Excellent career development opportunities

· Full time and part time opportunities

· Discounts and benefits suited to your lifestyle

Reference ID: 5404

To apply for this fantastic job role, please call on 0121 638 0567

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: Up to £41,184.00 per year

Schedule:
  • Night ID: 5404

Example 3

Job title:Senior Charge Nurse - Theatres

Salary:Up to £48,000 + enhancements & TAC benefits

Hours:Full Time / 8am – 6pm / Flexible through Monday - Sunday

Location: Aberdeen

At TAC Healthcare, we’re really smart at what we do: providing flexible, responsive and of course high-quality healthcare solutions that help reduce NHS waiting list problems, as well as creating additional capacity within the healthcare system. We have ambitious plans to bring our services and solutions to new settings in 2023, so growth really is central to our story.

Due to our growth, we have a requirement for a Senior Charge Nurse with experience in Theatres. In this key leadership role, you will actively participate in the delivery of high-quality patient-led care while leading, inspiring and supporting the nursing team.

*As a Senior Charge Nurse you’ll: *

  • oversee a high-quality professional patient-led service
  • lead, inspire and support the nursing team
  • work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team
  • ensure safe staffing levels and escalate any concerns
  • seek continual improvements

What you’ll bring:

  • NMC Registration
  • PVG/Disclosure check
  • Commitment to continuous professional learning
  • Personal commitment to deliver patient-centred / patient-led care
  • Effective communication and interpersonal skills
  • Inspirational leadership / mentorship
  • Enthusiasm to develop your skill set

Benefits:

  • Enhanced holiday – 33 days (25 + 8 bank holidays)
  • Company sick pay (based on length of service)
  • Cycle to Work Scheme
  • Tech Scheme
  • Employee Assistance Programme (for health, wellbeing and financial assistance)
  • Flu Jabs
  • Recognition awards
  • Discounted aesthetic treatments

TAC Healthcare can also offer a Relocation Package.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: Up to £48,000.00 per year

Schedule:
  • 10 hour shift

Ability to commute/relocate:
  • Aberdeen: reliably commute or be willing to relocate with an employer-provided relocation package (required)

Licence/Certification:
  • NMC (required)

Work Location: One ID: 2240

Example 4

Charge Nurse - Deputy Ward Manager
£41,475 - £44,648 and £5,000 Welcome Bonus

HMP Group are recruiting on behalf of our client who are one of the UKs leading providers of behavioral care and specialist support services to adults and young people.

We are seeking to appoint full-time Charge Nurse - Deputy Ward Managerat my clients site in Blackburn.

If you are a professional, Charge Nurse - Deputy Ward Managerwho has a passion to change lives, we are interested in speaking with you!

Benefits:

  • Free on-site parking
  • Supplemented meals
  • 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
  • Birthday Holiday - Your Birthday as an extra days annual leave
  • Enhanced maternity pay
  • Contributory pension scheme
  • Flexible benefits including reduced rates and access to new schemes including gym membership, IT technology (laptops / tablets / smartphones) and private healthcare
  • Access to development opportunities
  • Sponsorship of professional qualifications through our Individual Professional Development (IPD) panel
  • Leadership & management development
  • Long service award
  • Refer a friend bonuses
  • Relocation support (including payment for accommodation or moving costs) up to £3000 (Terms apply)

About the Role:

The Charge Nurse role is a key clinical and leadership role, working closely with the Ward Manager to achieve the goals of the service. You will work with the nursing team and the MDT to promote excellent standards of patient care at all times.

My client strives to provide high quality care to all of their patients and received a rating of Outstanding in all five areas by the CQC in August 2019.

About the Location:

My client's site situated in the beautiful Ribble Valley, is a 90 bedded hospital split across two service lines – secure and rehabilitation and recovery. They cater to the treatment needs of male patients with a mental illness and/or personality disorder. They aim to maximise an individual's opportunity for recovery, to lead a more independent life back in the community wherever possible. The site has six wards including Low Secure and Locked Rehab for male service users only.

The hospital also has a dedicated and purpose-built ward offering Low Secure Forensic Specialist Older Age service for patients over the age of 50. A higher profile is given to this patient group's physical healthcare, risk reduction and where required, mobility and daily living aids.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £41,475.00-£44,648.00 per year

Benefits:
  • Company pension
  • Employee mentoring programme
  • Free parking
  • Health & wellbeing programme
  • On-site parking
Supplemental pay types:
  • Signing Location: In person

Example 5

NEW NEW NEW

We have a new vacancy for a charge nurse in an incredible, excellent rated purpose built elderly nursing home in Cramond.

Just some of the benefits include:

  • Uniform laundered daily!
  • Excellent training and ongoing development
  • Pension
  • Career progression opportunities
  • Career progression and support with re-validation
  • DBS PAID
  • Annual NMC fee paid
  • Annual leave

£21.00 per hour £22.05 after probation and competency sign off

Main Duties

  • Observe Policies & procedures at all times
  • Take responsibility for ensuring personal immunisation programme is up to date.
  • Support & manage staff within the unit ensuring that resident’s needs are assessed, care planned, implemented & evaluated, & that there is consultation & involvement of residents & agreed family/others.
  • Responsible for ensuring the highest quality of care to residents & their families by implementing policies & ensuring staff adhere to policies & approved process
  • Oversee and conduct monthly clinical audits according to a monthly schedule and ensure all actions are completed/implemented
  • Manage the unit team on a daily basis including induction and onboarding, performance management, 1 st line absence management
  • Lead, motivate, develop & retain the team utilising mentorship, objective setting and enabling educational needs of team to be met
  • Oversee evaluation of care plans accordingly to the schedule
  • 6 month reviews are conducted in a timely manner as per schedule
  • Contribute to, and support, the provision of clinical practice for pre-registration students, & appropriate post – registration nurses to fulfil requirements and ensure that appropriate educational opportunities are provided
  • To effectively and efficiently manage the use of resources ensuring that appropriate skill mix is maintained at all times.
  • Ensure ongoing personal development needs and professional education.
  • Be aware of current research within Care of the Elderly & Palliative care & disseminate research based evidence within units.
  • Responsible for maintaining resident’s records within agreed standards.
  • Ability to organise own work load with regard to assessing resident’s needs, planning, implementation and evaluation of a plan of care which is evidenced based utilising all available resources taking into consideration the lifestyle, gender, and cultural background and ensuring involvement of resident, family, and significant others if this is desired by the resident

If you have any questions please call 0203 137 6570

INDCF

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Salary: £21.00-£22.00 per hour

Benefits:
  • Company pension
  • Free parking
  • Referral programme
Schedule:
  • 12 hour shift
  • Day shift

Application question(s):
  • Is Cramond commutable?

Experience:
  • uk nursing: 2 years (required)

Licence/Certification:
  • NMC pin authorisation:
  • United Kingdom Location: One location

Example 6

  • Four Seasons Health Care
  • Lanarkshire
  • Nursing
  • Carrickstone House, Glasgow
  • Nights
  • Full time
  • £19.72

We are looking for a Charge Nurse. If you have a passion for enhancing the quality of life then working in our nursing home will be the right role for you. As one of the largest healthcare providers in the UK it’s important to us to couple great care with meaningful and enjoyable experiences.

As a Charge Nurse you will need to have a current NMC registration and a good knowledge of the most up-to-date clinical practices.

We offer a great range of benefits, which include

  • Welcome Bonus of £1500 paid in two installments at 3 and 6 months *
  • Competitive salary
  • Free meals
  • Ongoing personal development plan and career progression
  • Company Pension Scheme
  • Friendly Working Environment
  • Free Enhanced DBS Check and uniform
  • Excellent career development opportunities
  • Full time and part time opportunities
  • Discounts and benefits suited to your lifestyle

As a Charge Nurse you will be:

  • Leading a team of care staff to deliver exceptional care
  • Producing well-developed care plans and detailed risk assessments, with an understanding of regulatory frameworks
  • Maintain accurate documentation and resident records whilst incorporating the use of modern technology
  • Overseeing all aspects of medicine management on your shift in accordance with company policies and current legislation
  • Responsible for making decisions in a timely manner
  • Utilising your clinical skills to provide guidance and support to all team members
  • Making decisions and taking action in a timely manner
  • Supporting, guiding, teaching and mentoring others in line with the NMC Code, following its guidance at all times.

To succeed you will be:

  • A Registered Nurse with the ability to lead a team of care staff
  • Passionate about delivering great care and supporting the residents and their families
  • A team player who engages well with others
  • A sense of humour and positive outlook
  • Able to communicate effectively at all levels
  • Able to demonstrate awareness and understanding of the CI/CQQ/RQIA National Care Standards
  • Demonstrate an understanding and application of relevant legislation in relation to the role
  • Able to deliver nursing care in a clinical environment

Have you got experience of working in the NHS, a Community Nurse, staff nurse or worked in vaccination centres are you looking for your next career opportunity then this opportunity will see you using all your clinical skills.

*T&C's apply

  • Carrickstone House, Glasgow

Carrickstone House Care Home is situated in the Scottish town of Carrickstone, close by to Cumbernauld, Glasgow. The home is closeby to all local amenities, and has a golf course just a short distance away. The M80 motorway is also easily accessible

To meet a range of different care needs, the home provides a wide range of care types each tailored to the individual. Carrickstone House offers nursing and dementia care, palliative care and also intermediate care.

MD3

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: £19.72 per hour

Schedule:
  • Night Location: In person

Example 7

Charge Nurse

*Must have secure residency*

Position: Charge Nurse (RGN, RMN, RNLD) Nursing Home

Salary: £46,904 (based on 44 hours per week) – you can choose your hours.

Hours: Full and Part time available hours, Subject to availability.

Job Contract: Permanent

NURSESC3473

About the home/Company:
  • Paid NMC & DBS Check
  • The company are recognised as one of the UK's leading independent healthcare companies specialising in Care of the elderly providing the highest standards of personalised care to residents in over 200 homes across the UK.
  • Offering the best training, support, progressive opportunities and offer a positive & friendly company culture. Regularly recognised in industry awards, and receiving an Award for being one of the ‘Top 20 Large Care Home Groups’ 5 years running, caring is at the heart of what this company do

About You:
As a Clinical lead that will mean making sure the level of clinical care you offer goes beyond just professional standards and statutory, regulatory and legal requirements. It will mean providing specialist nursing support and advice, taking responsibility for resident care in the Home Manager’s absence and supervising/coaching colleagues to provide a service that’s unparalleled in its empathy for resident issues.

We are looking for a Registered Nurse with valid Pin number, knowledge of National Standards and NMC code of practice and a background in person centred care planning within a care home. Beyond that, it’s all about your brilliant, positive energy and natural ability to get along with people. You’ll be a great leader and mentor with clinical auditing experience and great record keeping skills.

Rewards on offer:
  • Paid DBS/PVG
  • Free uniform
  • Homemade meal whilst on shift
  • Company pension scheme
  • 28 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays
  • Group life assurance cover
  • Award-winning learning and development and support to achieve qualifications.
  • GP online - a service providing around the clock GP consultation via an interactive app - available to you and your children under 16
  • An opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues as part of an outstanding and committed team.
  • Colleague discounts – Access to over 1600 high street discounts including carefully selected discount partners.
  • Wellbeing - free of charge access to an independent and confidential Employee Assistance Programme. This gives Colleagues and their family access to 24/7 365 support for a whole range of issues including physical, mental, and financial issues
  • Excellent recognition schemes

How to Apply:

If you are interested in this opportunity, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV/click apply. If you would like to know more information about this position, please callSmartcall Healthcaretoday ON 01329 422 572!

*Smartcall Healthcare will support you from application stage through to getting your start date. We support nurses through interview, offer stage, on-boarding, start dates and beyond. Smartcall want to make sure you feel informed, supported at all stages*.

All enquiries and applications will be strictly confidential

Please note we only advertise a small amount of our vacancies

RGN / RMN /RNLD / NURSE / Registered NURSE / NMC PIN / Healthcare / Clinical

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent
Part-time hours: 24-48 per week

Salary: Up to £46,904.00 per year

Schedule:
  • 12 hour shift

Licence/Certification:
  • NMC ID: NURSESC3473

Example 8

Charge Nurse (RMN/RNLD) – Mental Health - 12 Hour shifts.

*Must have previous experience as a Charge Nurse / Senior Nurse

Reference: NURSESC4302

Location: Cardiff

Position:Charge Nurse (RMN/RNLD)

Hours: Full time & part time available

Shifts: Days or Nights or a Mixture available, Subject to availability.

Salary: up to £22.89 per hour / £52,372 per year (based on 44 hours)

Contract: Permanent

Care Categories:Primary condition of mental illness and/or personality disorder / Those with a mild/borderline intellectual disability / Detained under the Mental Health Act

Company and Care Home Information
  • The cost of your DBS Check with be paid for by the company.
  • Investment in CPD

· Ongoing Training and Career Progression

They are recognised as one of the UK's leading independent healthcare companies specialising in Care of the elderly, providing the highest standards of personalised care to residents in over 200 services across the UK. Offering the best training, support, progressive opportunities and offer a positive & friendly company culture. Regularly recognised in the industry awards caring is at the heart of what we do.

We are looking for a....
  • An experienced Charge Nurse (RMN/RNLD)The service welcomes applications from all Mental Health Nurses and Learning Disability Nurses as full training and support will be given with your own designated mentor.
  • Registered with a valid NMC Pin and full eligibility to live and work in the UK.

Competencies....
  • Evaluate situations through information obtained from patients, their families, and other relevant sources, and the patients’ strengths, disabilities, risks, and vulnerabilities.
  • Work closely with the service user to explore all the above issues in such a way that they can increase understanding, insight and motivation and view self-management of risk as an essential part of the recovery process.
  • Work collaboratively with the service user to identify early signs of deterioration in mental state and behaviour; plus, any potential triggers factors which may lead to risk behaviours recurring.
  • Supporting service users to develop skills to self-manage their medication through graduated self-medication programmes.
  • Support users to engage/re-engage with family and friends.
  • Identifying service needs and using high level communication, negotiation, and liaison with other stakeholders, including senior managers, commissioners, primary care, general adult, forensic and substance use services, prisons and probation services and other independent providers as appropriate to develop flexible, integrated and comprehensive services.

Benefits on offer:
  • The cost of your DBS Check with be paid for by the company
  • Access to the gym on site
  • Free meals
  • Free parking
  • Investment in CPD
  • Clinical supervision
  • Monthly staff appreciation days and much more.

How to apply if you are a Registered Nurse RMN / RNLD with an active NMC PIN:

For more information please contact:

Chloe Williams

Email: [website]

Direct:

01329 422 572

Smartcall Healthcare will support you from application stage through to getting your start date. We support nurses through interview, offer stage, on-boarding, start dates and beyond. Smartcall want to make sure you feel informed, supported at all stages.

*Let us look after you for a change

All enquiries and applications will be strictly confidential.

Please note we only advertise a small amount of our vacancies.

*RMN /RNLD / NURSE / Registered NURSE / NMC PIN / Healthcare / Clinical / STAFF SE / Nursing HOME NURSE / Nursing HOME / Elderly CARE / CARE HOME / CARE HOME NURSE / ADULT NURSE / Student NURSE / Peripatetic NURSE / RN / Sister / WARD Sister / WARD Manager / Deputy Manager / Clinical Deputy Manager / HOME Manager / CARE HOME Manager / Clinical LEAD / CSM / Clinical Services Manager / HEAD OF CARE*

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Pay: Up to £52,372.00 per year

Benefits:
  • Company pension
  • Free parking
  • Gym membership
  • Referral programme
Schedule:
  • 12 hour shift
  • Day shift
  • Night shift



Application question(s):
  • Do you require Sponsorship? Please NOTE - No sponsorship offered for this

Experience:
  • Charge nurse/Senior Nurse: 2 years (required)

Licence/Certification:
  • UK NMC (required)


Work Location: In ID: 4302
Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines
Create a culture of innovation
Download our free step-by-step guide on encouraging healthy risk-taking
Get the guide

What does a Charge Nurse do?

A Charge Nurse manages a ward or unit (such as the cardiology unit) while working their shift. They oversee all the nursing functions during their shift, including processing patients’ admissions and discharges. They are also responsible for delegating nursing rounds and for administrating drugs to patients. They are responsible for the coordination between Nurses, Physicians and Hospital Administrators. Similar to other Nurses, they are also responsible for the general care of the patients.

Charge Nurse skills and qualifications

Charge Nurses need a combination of clinical experience, communication and leadership skills. A successful Charge Nurse candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications to fulfil their duties, these typically include:

  • Thorough attention to detail
  • Familiarity and knowledge of hospital safety procedures and practice
  • A high level of self-motivation and adaptability
  • Critical thinking skills
  • Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team
  • An interest in teaching and coaching Junior Nurses
  • Patience and the ability to remain calm under pressure
  • Customer service skills

Charge Nurse experience requirements

The seniority of the position, the size and type of ward or unit where the Charge Nurse works determine the experience required. Some employers may require candidates with at least four years of experience in nursing in a hospital or healthcare facility environment, together with a minimum of two years of experience in supervising Nurses.

Charge Nurse education and training requirements

Candidates for a Charge Nurse position must be Registered Nurses and may have completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. More senior Charge Nurse positions may require candidates to have a Master of Science in Nursing. Certifications in advanced cardiac life support, basic life support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are necessary for Charge Nurse positions. Charge Nurses working in speciality units or wards may need to have additional certifications specific to the ward’s area of specialisation.

Charge Nurse salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Charge Nurse in the UK is £35,860 per year. The salary level depends on years of experience required, the company and its geographical location.

Job description samples for similar positions

If a Charge Nurse is not quite what you are looking for, here are other job description samples that may fit your needs:

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Charge Nurse job description FAQs

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