Contact information
Lynette Reeder - Ward Manager and Lead Nurse for Children's HDU - lynette.reeder@nhs.net. 01924542448
About the role
Are you a passionate and experienced children's nurse ready to take the next step in your leadership journey? Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where no two days are the same? If so, we’d love to hear from you!
About the Role:
We are looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic Band 6 Children's Sister / Charge Nurse to join our friendly and supportive team within Children’s Services. As a clinical leader, you will work closely with the Ward Manager and wider multidisciplinary team to ensure safe, high-quality, and family-centred care for our young patients.
Main duties
Clinical Leadership & Patient Care
* Provide visible, hands-on leadership within the clinical area, ensuring high standards of evidence-based, family-centred care.
* Coordinate and manage shifts effectively, including bed allocation, staff deployment, and patient flow.
* Act as a role model for junior staff, demonstrating advanced clinical knowledge and skills.
* Support the delivery of safe and effective care for acutely unwell children and those requiring high dependency or emergency interventions.
* Act as the nurse-in-charge when required, ensuring smooth and safe operational management of the ward/unit.
Professional Development & Staff Support
* Provide clinical supervision, mentorship, and support to students, newly qualified nurses, and junior team members.
* Facilitate training and development opportunities, supporting staff to maintain and advance clinical competencies.
* Contribute to the induction, orientation, and ongoing development of staff within the clinical area.
Quality, Safety & Governance
* Promote and uphold patient safety, infection control, and safeguarding policies.
* Participate in clinical audits, incident investigations, and risk assessments.
* Lead or contribute to quality improvement initiatives and service development projects.
* Ensure accurate and timely documentation in line with professional and legal standards.
Communication & Teamwork
* Work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team to deliver holistic care.
* Communicate effectively with children, families, and carers, ensuring involvement in care planning and decision-making.
* Liaise with medical, therapy, and allied health professionals to ensure coordinated care delivery.
Operational Responsibilities
* Support the Ward Manager and Matron in monitoring performance, managing resources, and implementing policy.
* Participate in workforce planning, rota development, and staff appraisals where required.
* Contribute to the safe and effective use of clinical equipment and resources.
Flexibility & Service Needs
* Work flexibly across a 24/7 rota, including days, nights, weekends, and bank holidays as part of internal rotation.
* Adapt to changing service needs and provide cover in other clinical areas where necessary.
Key requirements
Qualifications & Registration
* Current NMC Registration as a Registered Children's Nurse (RSCN or RN Child)
* University-accredited nursing qualification
* Post-registration qualification in HDU Nursing / Critical Care Nursing or equivalent
* Mentorship/Training qualification (e.g. Practice Assessor or Mentorship course)
* Evidence of Continual Professional Development
Experience
* Significant experience in Accident & Emergency and/or Critical Care settings
* Proven ability to lead and support clinical care delivery
* Experience in developing patient care and contributing to service improvement
Knowledge & Skills
* Awareness of current professional nursing issues
* Skilled in mentorship and preceptorship
* Demonstrates a high level of autonomy and professional accountability
* Understands personal limitations and seeks appropriate support when needed
* Effective verbal and written communication skills
* Demonstrated leadership abilities
* Able to motivate self and others
* Expanded clinical competencies, including:
o Intravenous cannulation
o Wound closure
o Administration of intravenous medicines
Personal Qualities
* Confident and professional in manner and decision-making
* Skilled in conflict resolution
* Innovative, decisive, and visionary in approach to care and service delivery
* Energetic and committed to high standards of care
* Demonstrates flexibility to meet the needs of the service, including:
o Flexible shift patterns
o Participation in internal rotation
Be part of MY team
We are an acute trust caring for over one million people in Wakefield and Kirklees. Our 10,000 staff work in patients’ homes, the community, and our three hospitals in Pontefract, Dewsbury, and Pinderfields (Wakefield). We prioritise our people and values so we can deliver the best possible care to patients. Our team is friendly, passionate, and innovative, always seeking better ways to work.
We support work-life balance and foster a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone belongs. Our staff networks offer safe spaces to share ideas and concerns so we can increase awareness and appreciation of equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and especially encourage members of the LGBTQ+ community, ethnic minority groups, and people with disabilities or neurodivergence to apply, as they are currently underrepresented in the Trust.
If you value caring, high standards, improvement, and respect, join the MY team to make a difference every day.
Application guidance:
We understand that more applicants are using AI technology to help with their applications. While these tools can be useful, they cannot fully capture your skills, knowledge, and experience. It’s important that you personalise your application. Relying solely on AI is not recommended, as it may reduce your chances of success. Our screening process is thorough, so if you have used AI, please make sure to disclose this on your application form.
Our benefits
* Access to the NHS pension plan
* Generous holiday allowance of 27 days plus bank holidays, increasing with 5 and 10 years of service
* Exceptional employee health and wellbeing services
* Extensive benefits and support, including:
* Onsite nurseries and childcare salary sacrifice scheme
* Cycle to work scheme
* Home electronics scheme
* Car lease salary sacrifice scheme
* Working carers support and advice, carers network and carers passport
* Flexible working options and family and carer-friendly policies
* Established staff networks, including LGBTQ+ and Race Equality
* Career progression, training and support
Skilled worker sponsorship
You can find out more about skilled worker and health and care visas on our careers site .