Band 6 - Sister/Charge Nurse, Paediatric Assessment Unit (PAU)

West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust; Watford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS trust in the UK is seeking a motivated Band 6 nurse to join their Paediatric Assessment Unit. The role involves providing high-quality, family-centered care to acutely unwell children while working in a fast-paced environment. Candidates should possess acute paediatric experience and leadership skills, with opportunities for professional development. Flexible working options are available.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in an acute paediatric setting is essential.
• Strong commitment to delivering high-quality care to Children and Young People.
• Experience in shift management is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide high standard of holistic, family-centred care.
• Act as a role model and expert clinical practitioner.
• Support the senior sister in managing the clinical area.

Skills

Acute paediatric care

Emergency care management

Leadership skills

Holistic family-centred care

Education

Band 6 level nursing registration

Tools

Paediatric Immediate Life Support (PILS)

Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS)

Job description

Overview

A vacancy at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The Paediatric Assessment Unit is for Children and Young People (C&YP) who are acutely unwell, needing observation following admission from the Children’s Emergency Department, which is co-located in the Emergency Department. The unit is developing in line with the RCPCH Standards for Short Stay Paediatric Assessment Unit (2017) and plans to provide assessment, investigations, treatment and observation for C&YP with acute illness, injury or other urgent referrals, with the expectation of either admission or discharge within 24 hours.

We are recruiting a Band 6 nurse who is motivated to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment during the initial phase of our developing service. The ideal candidate will have experience in an acute paediatric setting, including handling emergency situations, and will demonstrate a strong commitment to delivering high-quality care to Children and Young People. You will have experience in shift management and be eager to develop your leadership skills as the service expands while promoting clinical excellence within the team.

Responsibilities

• Work as a skilled member of the nursing team to provide a high standard of holistic, family-centred care to children and their families.
• Act as a role model and expert clinical practitioner within the team.
• Support the senior sister in managing the clinical area, including staff management and acting as team leader.
• Address staff developmental needs through the appraisal and development process (IPR).
• Undertake delegated responsibility for the department in the absence of the Ward/Unit Manager.
• Be prepared to work on any site of the three sites (Watford, Hemel Hempstead or St Albans) that provide acute services for children, according to service needs.

Qualifications and experience

• Band 6 level nursing registration with current professional/YP safeguarding requirements (as applicable).
• Experience in an acute paediatric setting, including dealing with emergencies.
• Experience in shift management and a commitment to developing leadership skills.
• Interest in ongoing professional development and contributing to a developing paediatric service.

Development and training opportunities

• Triage and initial assessment training
• Venepuncture and cannulation training
• Paediatric Immediate Life Support (PILS) and Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS) certification
• Critical Care Development course
• Trauma Level 1 competencies
• Intravenous (IV) and Central Access courses
• Specialty study days on topics such as diabetes and oncology
• Specialty Link roles to support the unit
• Trust leadership and development courses

Collaboration and opportunities

The unit collaborates closely with the Children’s Emergency Department, with opportunities to work across both the Paediatric Assessment Unit and the Children’s Emergency Department for additional development upon request. A new hospital is planned for Watford, and work is underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, making this 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 with partners and leveraging advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are priorities, as is innovation to improve clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together, and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive.

We offer a variety of flexible working options to support a good work-life balance.

If you require support due to a disability or long-term health condition, please contact [e-mail]. 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.

We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Advert closes on Friday 26 Sep 2025.