A Vacancy at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
The Paediatric Assessment Unit at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospital Trusts is an area for Children and Young People (C&YP) who are acutely unwell, needing a period of observationfollowing admission from the Children’s Emergency Department, which is co-located in the EmergencyDepartment.
We are in the process of changing the pathway for C&YP in this area, in line with the RCPCH Standards for Short Stay Paediatric Assessment Unit (2017). We plan to use the area for C&YP with acute illness, injury or other urgent referrals from clinicians, where patients can have an assessment, investigations, treatment and observation. It is a short stay unit with the expectation for either admission or discharge within 24 hours.
We are actively seeking to recruit a Band 6 nurse who is motivated to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment during the initial phases of our developing service. The ideal candidate will possess experience in an acute paediatric setting, including handling emergency situations, and demonstrate a strong enthusiasm for delivering high-quality care to Children and Young People (C&YP). Additionally, you will have experience in shift management and be eager to further develop your leadership skills as the service expands while promoting clinical excellence within our team.
Our team consists of dedicated pediatric nurses who are supported by pediatric consultants, advanced nurse practitioners, and care support workers. We also have a committed pediatric development team within Children's Services, offering a variety of professional learning and development opportunities to enhance your experience at West Herts:
- Triage and initial assessment training
- Venepuncture and cannulation training
- Pediatric Immediate Life Support (PILS) and Advanced Pediatric Life Support (APLS) certification
- Critical Care Development course
- Trauma Level 1 competencies
- Intravenous (IV) and Central Access course
- Specialty study days focused on topics such as diabetes and oncology
- Specialty Link roles to support the unit
- Trust leadership and development course
Our unit collaborates closely with the Children's Emergency Department, providing opportunities to work across both the Pediatric Assessment Unit and the Children's Emergency Department for additional development upon request
With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, 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 ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.
Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, 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.
At West Herts we offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance and the ability to work flexibly.
We kindly invite you to consider submitting an application.
If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you 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.
If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
• To work as a skilled member of the nursing team, to provide a high standard of holistic family centred care to the children and their families.
• To act as a role model and expert clinical practitioner.
• To support the senior sister in managing the clinical area, including management of staff, acting as team leader, including addressing staff developmental needs through IPR.
• To undertake delegated responsibility for the department in the absence of the Ward / Unit Manager.
• The post holder could be required to work on any site of the three sites (Watford, Hemel and St Albans) that provide acute services for children, according to the needs of the service.
This advert closes on Sunday 16 Feb 2025