Staff Nurse - Paediatric Assessment Unit

VerseOne Group; Leigh on Sea; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Part time

Job summary

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Paediatric Band 5 nurse for the Paediatric Assessment Unit in Southend. The post involves assessing, planning, delivering and evaluating family-centred paediatric care from attendance through to discharge or admission, with structured orientation and ongoing support.

The role requires working pattern including weekends, nights and bank holidays; essential NMC registration and recent paediatric experience are expected.

Qualifications

• NMC registered as essential.
• Recent experience of nursing in acute Paediatric setting.
• Awareness of current Paediatric nursing issues.
• Safeguarding Children Level 3 or equivalent is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assess, plan and evaluate safe and competent family-centred care to babies, children and teenagers throughout the assessment unit.
• Maintain cleanliness and adhere to infection control policies and guidelines, including hand hygiene.
• Follow the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and hospital governance processes.
• Develop professional capabilities with ongoing education and maintain an up-to-date portfolio of evidence.
• Be prepared for shift patterns including weekends, nights and bank holidays.
• Work as part of the multidisciplinary Paediatric Directorate team to support PAU, Neptune Ward and ED.

Skills

Phlebotomy

Cannulation

IT Skills

Education

Nursing degree

EPLS/PILS

Safeguarding Children Level 3 or equivalent

NMC registered

Tools

IT Systems

Job description

Job summary

The Paediatric Assessment Unit at Southend Hospital are looking for an enthusiastic and dynamic Paediatric Band 5 nurse to join an already established team to help develop the service offered. This currently sees patients referred for clinical assessment and/or treatment of surgical, medical or orthopaedic conditions from various sources, including GP's, A&E and Community Midwives.

The Paediatric Assessment Unit (PAU) are a dedicated and friendly team who are committed to continuous improvements in the service. The Band 5 Nurse will assist the Manager and fellow staff in the provision and maintenance of a seamless service & highest quality care to patients.

This includes assessing, planning, delivery and evaluation of Paediatric care for children and young people attending the PAU from initial attendance through to discharge or admission to the inpatient ward. The Band 5 nurse will have a structured orientation and receive on-going support to assist with progression within the role.

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 Paediatric Band 5 role in PAU include 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.

You 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 you 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. You will ensure you maintain an up-to-date portfolio of evidence.

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

About us

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being 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.

Details

Date posted: 15 October 2026

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 5

Salary: £32,073 a year Per Annum (Pro Rata for Part Time)

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Part-time

Reference number: 390-NM-WAC-SO-6892

Job locations: Southend, Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff on Sea, SS0 0RY, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description.

Please be aware that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a suitable number of applications.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• NMC registered

Desirable

• EPLS/PILS
• Safeguarding Children Level 3 or equivalent.
• Nursing degree

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Recent experience of nursing in acute Paediatric Setting
• Demonstrate knowledge of escalation and recognition of a sick deteriorating child
• Organisation skills (including time management, prioritising own case load, initiative, escalation)
• Awareness of current Paediatric Nursing issues
• Can discuss relevant aspects of Governance

Desirable

• Experience of working in Paediatric Assessment/Ambulatory Care facility
• Demonstrate knowledge of triage process
• I.T Skills
• Phlebotomy and Cannulation
• Intravenous Administration and Central Venous Access Competent

Personal & People Development

Essential

• Interest in own professional development.

Desirable

• Teaching/mentorship/supervision of junior staff experience

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.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Southend, Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff on Sea, SS0 0RY, United Kingdom

https://www.mse.nhs.uk

For questions about the job, contact: Paediatric Assessment Unit Manager, Estelle Ingram, [e-mail], 03004438025