(**) Charge Nurse - Neptune Ward

Transformation Unit; Leigh on Sea; Remote; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Part time

Job summary

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced Paediatric Nurse to join the Paediatric Assessment Unit at Southend on an 11-month fixed term contract to cover maternity leave as a Charge Nurse. The role involves leading a dedicated team in paediatric assessment, planning and delivering safe, holistic care to children aged 0-16.

You will work within a multidisciplinary team, adhere to infection control policies, and contribute to governance.

Qualifications

• Evidence of recent Continuous Professional Development.
• Paediatric assessment course or relevant experience in acute care.
• Leadership course.
• EPALS/PILS.

Responsibilities

• Lead a shift as Charge Nurse, assess, plan and evaluate safe family-centred paediatric care.
• Ensure infection control and hand hygiene in daily practice.
• Adhere to NMC Code of Professional Conduct and hospital policies.
• Maintain an up-to-date portfolio and pursue ongoing professional development.
• Be prepared for weekend, night and bank holiday shifts.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical governance

Conflict management

Education

NMC registration - RSCN

Continuous Professional Development

Paediatric assessment course

Leadership course

EPALS/PILS

Job description

Main area Paediatrics Grade Band 6 Contract Fixed term: 11 months (Maternity cover - ending 22.09.2027) Hours Part time - 30 hours per week Job ref 390-NM-WAC-SO-6884

Employer Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Southend Town Westcliff on Sea Salary £39,959 Per Annum (Pro Rata for Part Time) Salary period Yearly Closing 05/11/2026 23:59

(**) Charge Nurse - Neptune Ward

Band 6

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is the onlyacute hospital provider in the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS), which is a system of health and care partners working together for our local population.

Within Mid and South Essex there are 149 GP practices, operating from over 200 sites, forming 27 Primary Care Networks and one Ambulance Trust. There are also three main community and mental health service providers who work together through a community collaborative.

We collaborate with other valuable partners, including three Healthwatch organisations, nine voluntary and community sector organisations and three top tier local authorities, with seven district, borough and city councils, as well as our local universities.

Job overview

MSE are looking for an experienced Paediatric Nurse to join our Paediatric Assessment Unit at Southend on an 11-month fixed term contract to cover maternity leave as a Charge Nurse.

We are looking for someone who is committed to the delivery of compassionate high quality care. In return we strive to use the views of staff working in our team to improve our current and future service. In return, we promise a supportive and friendly place to work.

The PAU at the Southend site is a 8 bed area that caters for children aged 0-16. Children are referred to the PAU for clinical assessment or treatment of medical conditions from varied sources. In liaison with the Unit Manager and fellow Nurses, the nurse will lead and coordinate a dedicated team of nursing and support staff in the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of paediatric care for the children and young people who attend the PAU from their initial attendance through to discharge or admission to the inpatient ward.

The Nurse will collaboratively function as part of the multi-disciplinary team within the Paediatric Department working within the Trust's policies and procedures. The Nurse is expected to work with and support the Paediatric Directorate as a whole, inclusive of Paediatric Outpatient Department, Neptune Children’s Ward and the Emergency Department.

Main duties of the job

The main duties of the Charge Nurse role in Paediatric Assessment Unit, include leading a team on their shift to assess, plan and evaluate safe and competent family-centred care to babies, children and teenagers throughout the assessment unit. The nurse will work as part of the multidisciplinary team ensuring the delivery of a high standard of holistic individualised nursing care.

It is an essential requirement that the nurse will take reasonable care of the cleanliness of their working environment, adhere to infection control policies, procedures and guidelines in particular ensuring that you use appropriate hand hygiene practices at all times.
The post holder will adhere to the NMC code of Professional Conduct at all times and ensure compliance with hospital policies and procedures, as well as participate in all relevant aspects of the Governance process.

It is expected that the Nurse as a reflective practitioner will continue to develop their own capabilities and nursing knowledge in line with the trusts career pathway where education is supported. The Nurse will ensure they maintain an up-to-date portfolio of evidence.

Please note that this role will include working shift patterns including weekends, nights and bank holidays.

Working for our organisation

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Are you looking for an exciting new role using your unique qualities, then we want to hear from you.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Current NMC registration - RSCN
• Evidence of recent Continuous Professional Development
• Paediatric assessment course or relevant experience in acute care
• Leadership course
• EPALS/PILS

Knowledge & experience

• Experience of a senior nurse and appropriate advanced nursing skills
• Application demonstrates understanding of principles of Clinical Governance (Risk Management & audit)
• Ability to manage unit in absence of Ward Manager
• Experience as Acting Band 6/Nurse in Charge
• Experience of conflict management
• Experience of working in Paediatric Assessment/Ambulatory Care Facility.

Please be aware as per the new Immigration guidelines we cannot sponsor candidates with a salary (full time or pro Rata) under the current minimum threshold.

Please note, the selection processes at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust are in place to ensure we recruit candidates with the right skills and values, please be advised that the use of AI in applications are monitored. We remain vigilant against candidates who misuse these tools to generate an application that doesn’t accurately reflect their skills, and you will be required to declare on your application if AI has been used before submitting your application.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.