Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Paediatric Band 6 Sister/Charge Nurse with proven leadership qualities and excellent communication skills to join and enhance our existing team within our our Children's Assessment Unit within our paediatric unit.

We are also happy to employ on a Band 5 to Band 6 development pathway, providing all the training required to upskill to a competent Band 6

We are looking for nurses with leadership experience, or a willingness to develop in a leadership role, as well as enthusiasm to support our junior staff in further development opportunities.

Our Children's Assessment Unit has 7 beds (3 of which are side rooms), and 8 fit to sit chairs. We receive referrals from A and E, GPs, Community Nurses, Midwives, Health Visitors and Social Workers, and see children with long term open access. We run a separate Ambulatory service within our Paediatric Outpatients Department.

We have also recently launched our Paediatric Virtual Ward, which allows us to discharge patients and monitor them from home - this also sits within CAU.

Riverbank Children's Unit comprises of a 16 bedded inpatient Ward, including a day surgery facility and HDU area. We have a separate Children's Outpatients Department, including a dedicated Paediatric Phlebotomy Service.

We pride ourselves on providing excellent patient and family focused care to children and families in the local area.

Main duties of the job
The Band 6 role will require someone with drive and passion, who wants to develop themselves within a supportive environment. You will need to enjoy leading a team whilst ensuring the focus is on delivering high quality evidence based care to the child and family.

You will possess leadership qualities and be able to competently coordinate a shift, and be responsible for allocated children's care. You will liaise with the multidisciplinary team to ensure excellent delivery of care for your children.

You will need to be competent, caring, courageous and compassionate with the proven ability to work individually and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

The successful candidate will be expected to work primarily in the Children's Assessment Unit, but will also need to cover the ward as the Nurse In Charge on occasions. The units sit and work very closely together.

There may be rotational opportunities in the future.

About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our valuesWe not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Job responsibilities
The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities

• Manage the assessment, implementation and planning of care of children and their families for the duration of the shift
• Develop partnerships with children and their families to enable to deliver care as wished by the family.
• Be responsible for evaluating the care given verbally and written reports.
• Use play as an effective means of communication, therapy and stimulation at all times during the planning and implementation of care. Where required, involve play specialist, ward teacher and schools in accessing and developing appropriate play/education programmes to meet the needs of the individual child.
• Take account of the health promotion needs of the individual child/family, and ensure that relevant information and support are given to meet these needs at an appropriate time during the childs stay in hospital.

Qualifications
Essential

• RSCN / RN Child
• NMC registration
• Evidence of CPD
• Mentorship qualification
• EPALS/APLS/HDU level 1

Desirable

• Cannulation / Venepuncture competent
• CVAD competent

Experience
Essential

• Experience of managing a team
• Knowledge of escalation and recognition of a sick and deteriorating child
• Knowledge and experience of dealing with child protection / safeguarding
• Able to work effectively with other team members in the MDT

Desirable

• Management of Clinical Risk
• Management Clinical Audit
• Understanding of Change

Knowledge
Essential

• IT skills
• Good organisation and time keeping skills
• Can work independently or as part of a team
• Teaching skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Desirable

• Knowledge of NHS IT systems
• Understanding of budget management
• Able to assist with the development of the service

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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).