Charge Nurse - North Ward (Female Acute)

Job overview

At Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, we’re investing in something vital: you.

Join a Trust where your mental health nursing career can thrive

What we offer

• Career development, including access to psychological therapies training and therapy skills
• Mentoring and coaching opportunities to support your growth
• Flexible working options to support your work-life balance
• Comprehensive staff wellbeing service
• Generous NHS pension scheme and staff benefits package
• A Trust-wide commitment to diversity, inclusion and psychological safet

We know safe, high-quality mental health care starts with properly supported staff. That’s why we’re increasing our nursing workforce across our five boroughs – and we’re inviting passionate registered mental health nurses to be part of this transformation.

Whether you're newly registered or an experienced practitioner, you'll find a role where your professional judgment is valued, your voice is heard, and your wellbeing matters.

Main duties of the job

We’re recruiting across a range of inpatient settings, including:

• Adult and older adult acute mental health wards
• Psychiatric intensive care wards
• Rehabilitation and high support wards

You’ll be working alongside dedicated multidisciplinary teams, using your skills to deliver person-centred care in line with our values of kindness, fairness, ingenuity and determination.

Whether you're early in your career or looking to grow, this is your chance to shape the future of mental health care in Greater Manchester – and experience the difference of working in a Trust that puts staff and patients first.

Working for our organisation

Why choose Pennine Care?

• Top mental health trust to work for in the North of England – NHS Staff Survey 2024
• A culture that supports professional autonomy and values nursing leadership
• A clear commitment to safe staffing levels and quality patient care
• A forward-thinking Trust focused on creating the conditions for great nursing care to thrive
• A genuinely supportive environment where your skills and compassion are recognised

Who we’re looking for

You might currently be in another NHS Trust, the private sector, or working through an agency. You might be based in Greater Manchester, Yorkshire, or the wider North West. Wherever you are in your career – if you’re looking for safer staffing, better support, and meaningful development, Pennine Care is ready to welcome you.

Make the move to a Trust that listens, supports and invests in you.
Apply now and help us build a better future for mental health care.

We’re proud to deliver high-quality mental health and learning disability services to people across five boroughs in Greater Manchester: Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside & Glossop.

Our vision is simple but powerful: A happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities.

To make that happen, we support our staff to do their best work - every day. Whether you’re working on our inpatient wards or out in the community, you’ll be part of a compassionate, forward-thinking team that’s focused on delivering great care and improving lives.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached job description and person specification to support your application for this post. Please refer to the essential criteria in the person specification which will highlight the skills, knowledge and experience you will need to demonstrate in your application, by way of example, to give yourself the best opportunity to be shortlisted.

Person specification

Education/ Qualifications

Essential criteria

• First level registration (RMN)
• Appropriate diploma or post registration equivalent.
• Evidence of Continual Professional development
• IT Literate
• Preparation for mentorship
• Training in management of violence and aggression

Desirable criteria

• Training in psychosocial interventions
• ECDL

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience at Band 5 and evidence of appropriate clinical management experience
• Experience of working in acute / forensic mental health settings.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in a range of mental health settings

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Good understanding of Mental Illness
• Knowledge of treatments and interventions appropriate for individuals with acute mental health needs
• Ability to demonstrate working knowledge of the Mental Health Act and CPA process
• Knowledge of current policy and guidance in relation to the development of PICU / Acute Mental Health Services
• Understanding of confidentiality and data protection issues.

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria

• Good verbal and written communication skills, with emphasis on complex and sensitive information
• Ability to complete the appropriate documentation
• Good social skills and have a positive attitude within the team and when dealing with service users, staff, carers, visitors and the public.
• Ability to physically undertake and participate in PMVA in a clinical setting

Work Related Circumstances

Essential criteria

• Ability and willingness to work within the 24-hour shift system, including day and night shifts
• Ability to work unsocial hours including weekends and bank holidays
• Willing to carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with the Trust’s Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity policies
• Appointments to regulated and controlled activities require an enhanced DBS disclosure.

📝 Application support - We recommend tailoring your application to each role you apply for, particularly your supporting information. This gives you the best chance of success. Your supporting information should clearly explain, with examples, how your skills and experience meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role.

We are aware of the increase in AI being used for job applications. AI can be a useful tool to assist in writing your application, but these tools may not understand the context or requirements of the job you are applying for and using for all your application will not be a true reflection of your skills and experience. Relying on AI for your whole application can negatively impact on your chances of success throughout the recruitment process as you will be asked to provide evidence to support what you have written. Take the time to proofread your application to ensure you can evidence what you have submitted, whether this is by your experience or certificates

We also offer virtual application support sessions each month, where you will learn some hints and tips to support you in completing your application form. To secure your place, and to find out more visit the on our website.

🌍 Sponsorship Information - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the

📬 After You Apply - Once your application is submitted, you’ll receive updates via email. Shortlisting is based on how well you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, and invitations will be sent by email.

✅ If You're Offered the Role - If successful, the hiring manager will contact you directly with a verbal offer. They will then notify the Recruitment Team and submit the necessary paperwork. You’ll receive a formal conditional offer via email

🔍 Pre-Employment Checks - To confirm your suitability for the role, we will carry out pre-employment checks in line with . These include:

• Identity verification
• Right to work check
• Disclosure and barring service (DBS)/Criminal record check (dependent on role)
• Professional registration and/or qualification check
• Occupational health assessment
• Employment history and reference validation

All applicants external to Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust will be required to provide their to cover the most recent three years employment. This information will used to validate employment history and references.

If you require sponsorship, we will assess your eligibility based on current If the role is not eligible and you cannot demonstrate your right to work, your conditional offer may be withdrawn.

🚀 Once Checks Are Complete -

The Recruitment Team will coordinate with you and the hiring manager to confirm a start date. You’ll be booked onto a Trust Welcome Session and receive your Pennine Care NHS Terms and Conditions.

📣 Additional Information -

Pennine Care are committed to the ‘Pledge to Flex’ initiative as flexible working is a day one right for all colleagues. “We can work flexibly, doing whatever work pattern fits our needs, regardless of the type of role we’re in. As a modern and model employer, flexible and less than full-time working isn’t a barrier to progress in the NHS – it is commonplace”. This policy brings this part of the People Promise to life. It will provide you with the information you need, support you to have conversations and take steps towards working in a way that suits you best.

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds to help us grow, innovate, and improve.

If you wish to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role.

If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact us on 0161 716 3181 as early as possible so we can support you.

Please note:

• We do not accept unsolicited contact from recruitment agencies. Hiring managers should not be contacted directly.

• We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. If you have a disability or long‑term health condition and need extra time or adjustments to complete your application, please contact us as soon as possible. We will ensure you are not disadvantaged where a reasonable adjustment is appropriate.