Band 6- Junior Sister/ Charge Nurse, Paediatric Assessment Unit
West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
The Paediatric Assessment Unit at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospital Trust is an area for Children and Young People (C&YP) who are acutely unwell, needing a period of observation following admission from the Children's Emergency Department, which is co-located in the Emergency Department.
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.
Main duties of the job
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.
About us
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.
Job responsibilities
* 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.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
* RSCN/RN CHILD Evidence of a good command of written and spoken English.
* Evidence of professional development.
* Degree/Diploma in Children's Nursing.
Knowledge
* Have undertaken PILS and APLS Managerial / leadership experience.
* Knowledge of Child protection issues.
* An understanding of the philosophy of acute paediatric care and paediatric assessment units.
* Awareness of current research and developments within paediatric nursing.
* Awareness of equality and diversity.
* Basic knowledge of computers.
* Knowledge of handling complaints and clinical incidents.
* Undertake APLS once role commenced.
Experience
* Significant experience at Band 5 within a Paediatric assessment unit or an Acute paediatric environment.
* Experience at Band 5 within a paediatric Accident & Emergency Department.
* Managerial skills as a deputy sister/charge nurse.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
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