Date posted: 08 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 418-NUR5296-MR
Job locations: Bedford, Kempston Road, Bedford, MK42 9DJ, United Kingdom

Job summary
The post holder is responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care for a child or group of children, working autonomously without direct supervision. They will work collaboratively with the senior sister on shift to ensure consistently high standards of care are maintained. An appropriate period of preceptorship or induction will be provided, depending on the individual's prior post-qualification experience.

Main duties of the job
This post is to work across the Paediatric Unit, and will include covering the Children's Assessment Unit and Virtual Ward, and the possibility of Paediatric Outpatients

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.

We 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 care of a group of children and their families for the duration of the shift, taking account of the planned programme of care, changes needed during the shift, and the effects of that care on the child and/or family. All care given must take account of prescriptions for care by medical staff and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Develop partnerships with children and their families to enable them to take on care of the child both in hospital and at home, as wished by the family.
• Be responsible for evaluating the care given, and effectively communicate this evaluation to children, families and staff through written and verbal 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.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• RSCN or RN Child
• Current NMC registration

Desirable

• Working knowledge of a hospital
• Evidence of further development

Skills
Essential

• Understands responsibility of position
• Up to date knowledge of government guidelines related to the NHS
• Understands the importance of professional image
• Understands the need for flexibility

Desirable

• Willingness to learn new skills
• Reassuring under pressure

Experience
Essential

• Working as a student or nurse in an acute hospital
• Staff Training and Development
• Research based nursing practice

Desirable

• Working with children and young people
• An awareness of change management, Clinical Risk Management and Clinical audit

Knowledge
Essential

• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Teaching skills
• Good organisational skills and time keeping skills
• Able to work independently and within a team
• Awareness of implementing change

Desirable

• Able to contribute towards the development of the service
• Awareness of clinical risk management

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
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).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
CAU and Virtual Ward Manager
Olivia Zielinska
olivia.zielinska@bedsft.nhs.uk
01234792204