Children's Assessment Unit Paediatric Sister

Bedfordshire Hospitals; Bedford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Paediatric Band 6 Sister/Charge Nurse for the Children's Assessment Unit at Bedford Hospital. The role offers leadership over a team with a focus on delivering high-quality, evidence-based care to children and their families.

There is a development pathway from Band 5 to Band 6, with training to upskill to Band 6. Rotational opportunities may arise and the unit collaborates closely with the ward.

Qualifications

• Leadership qualities and excellent communication skills are required.
• RSCN / RN Child registration with NMC is essential.
• Evidence of CPD and ongoing professional development is expected.
• EPALS/APLS/HDU level 1 certification is preferred.
• Cannulation and venepuncture competence is required.
• CVAD competence is needed.

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 deliver care as wished by the family.
• Be responsible for evaluating the care given verbally and in written reports.
• Use play as an effective means of communication and stimulation, involving specialists when needed.
• Consider health promotion needs and provide information and support during the child’s hospital stay.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Education

RSCN / RN Child

NMC registration

CPD

EPALS/APLS/HDU level 1

Cannulation / Venepuncture competent

CVAD competent

Job description

Children's Assessment Unit Paediatric Sister

NHS AfC: Band 6

Main area Paediatric Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (LDs Nights and weekends 11.5 hrs per shift) Job ref 418-NUR4179-MR

Site Children's Assessment Unit, Riverbank Ward, Bedford Hospital South Wing Town Bedford Salary £39,959 - £48,117 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 08/10/2026 08:00

Job overview

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.

Working for our organisation

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 values
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.

Detailed job description and main 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 child’s stay in hospital.

Person specification

Qualifications

• RSCN / RN Child
• NMC registration
• Evidence of CPD
• EPALS/APLS/HDU level 1
• Cannulation / Venepuncture competent
• CVAD competent

Experience

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

Knowledge

• Good organisation and time keeping skills
• Can work independently or as part of a team
• Teaching skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of NHS IT systems
• Understanding of budget management
• Able to assist with the development of the service

It is an exciting time to join Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

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. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post.

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.

Name Olivia Zielinska Job title Childrens Assessment Unit and Virtual Ward Manager Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01234 792204