Deputy Sister/charge nurse - Child Health

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust; Poole; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established healthcare provider is seeking experienced nurses to join their dynamic team in a busy children's unit. This role offers the opportunity to develop vital skills in assessment and management while working closely with multidisciplinary colleagues. As a Band 6 nurse, you will play a crucial role in coordinating care, mentoring junior staff, and ensuring high standards of nursing practice. With plans for a new facility on the horizon, this is an exciting time to contribute to transformative healthcare services. If you are passionate about pediatric nursing and eager to make a difference, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Experience in pediatric nursing with a focus on high dependency care.
• Ability to manage patient flow and allocate staff effectively.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate nursing care and support junior staff as part of the senior team.
• Assess care needs and develop care programmes independently.

Skills

NMC registration

Clinical leadership

Assessment and triage skills

Team coordination

Excellent IT and documentation skills

Education

Registered Nurse qualification

Job description

We are looking for experienced nurses to join our friendly, forward-thinking unit as part of our senior team. Our nurses work closely alongside multidisciplinary colleagues. As part of the Band 6 role, you will support junior staff and deputise for the Band 7. The role includes, but is not limited to, managing patient flow and staff allocation when co-ordinator for the unit.

The children’s unit currently includes a busy assessment unit, 22 inpatient beds (across two ward areas), a 4-bed level 2 HDU, and a surgical/medical day unit.

This environment provides opportunities to develop skills in assessment, triage, early detection, and treatment of deteriorating children, including those requiring high dependency care.

We offer a comprehensive education programme for all nurses, with additional support for developing managerial skills and the coordinator role.

This is an exciting time for the unit as we plan our move to the new Children’s Unit on the Bournemouth site.

Shifts are 12 hours, rotating days/nights/weekends.

This role requires NMC registration.

Base location: Poole Hospital

Interview date: TBC

Alongside providing excellent care, the successful candidate will also:

• Coordinate a team to ensure effective nursing care, reflecting UHD Trust values.
• Deputise for the Ward Manager as required.
• Assess care needs and develop, implement, and evaluate care programmes independently.
• Provide clinical and managerial leadership to nursing and support staff.
• Assist in leading and monitoring team performance.

Please see the job description and personal specification for further information.

The role includes, but is not limited to, acting as a role model and mentor, delivering specialized care, liaising with MDT members, demonstrating excellent IT and documentation skills, completing audits, and acting on audit results.

Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do, guiding how we treat patients, visitors, and colleagues.

UHD is investing in services across the Trust, with many being transformed and developed following the merger and the New Hospital Programme. Some services may move sites this year or next, either temporarily or long-term. Interviewing managers will be happy to discuss this further at interview.

This service is planned to move from Poole to Bournemouth in Jan 2026. Employees will not be eligible for excess mileage reimbursement if the role relocates as part of this plan. Travel from home to the new site will be considered a normal commute. Other changes will be managed according to Trust or national terms and conditions.

For further details or informal visits, contact:

Name: Alison Green
Job title: Sister
Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]