Overview
Job summary
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already hold the right to work in the UK independently, with a visa or immigration status that allows them to fulfil the full duration and type of contract offered. The Trust cannot provide visa sponsorship for this position.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our senior nursing team. We are looking for a Band 7 Registered Children’s Nurse to help lead and support the continued development of our Paediatric ward and PAU (Paediatric Assessment Unit) at Darent Valley Hospital.
We are seeking an enthusiastic, motivated and innovative Registered Children’s Nurse to join our Paediatric Service to work as part of our senior nursing team, working alongside an existing full-time Band 7 Senior Sister and two part-time Senior Sisters. This post will contribute to covering weekends to provide robust Band 7 senior nursing leadership to both the Paediatric ward and to PAU across the 7 day week, and also hours in the week which can be flexible to ensure effective communication and collaboration between both Band 7 posts. Our Band 7 team do an out-of-hours on-call between 17:00-22:00.
If you are an Internationally Educated Nurse and are interested in applying for this role, you will need to have submitted your registration for your Paediatric NMC pin. If you have applied for an Adult NMC pin, unfortunately we cannot consider you for this role.
Main duties of the job
Willow ward is a 22-bedded general paediatric ward caring for children aged 0-16 years with a variety of medical, surgical, orthopaedic and elective day-care surgery conditions. Willow ward also has two high dependency cubicles, and we are developing an enhanced care area within the ward to ensure a fully equipped and staffed enhanced care area for children and young people. Since February 2021 we have a brand new ED/PAU floor for Paediatrics which incorporates both Paediatric ED and PAU. Willow ward is open 24 hours a day; PAU is currently open 08:30-22:00, seven days a week.
We would invite you to apply if you are a motivated clinical senior children’s nurse, preferably with knowledge and experience in general paediatrics and PAU, but we would welcome applications if you are working in an acute Paediatric specialty. You will have excellent interpersonal, IT and communication skills with the ability to organise, manage and plan your own workload effectively. You will be dedicated and passionate in your role working with children and young people whilst demonstrating excellent leadership and teamwork, and you will advocate for our young people and their families.
About us
We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we’ve achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge and have a commitment to the Armed Forces Community.
As an NHS employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage vaccination against COVID-19 and annual Flu vaccination to protect staff and patients.
Details
Date posted: 12 September 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £50,008 to £56,908 a year per annum pro rata inc HCAs
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 252-7325912-A
Job locations: Willow ward, Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford, DA2 8DA
Job responsibilities
* Clinical responsibilities: assess the care needs of babies, children and adolescents; develop programmes of care; implement nursing care plans and evaluate effectiveness; coordinate patient care over 24 hours; work with children and families to support family-centred care; lead in supporting parents, carers, siblings and other members of the child’s support network; set and maintain optimum standards of nursing care; orientate children and families to Willow ward; coordinate care and discharge; receive babies and families into the ward; coordinate chaperones; address spiritual, psychological and emotional needs; prepare for discharge with plans for future care; liaise with community and primary services on discharge; manage medicines and equipment; ensure safety and emergency procedures are in place.
* Managerial responsibilities: report concerns to Senior Nurse/General Manager; handle accidents and incidents; participate in disciplinary processes; manage grievances and sickness; maintain staff records; raise child protection concerns and train staff; coordinate ward communication and MDT liaison; provide ward leadership; cover for Senior Nurse as needed; allocate rotas and manage resources; support recruitment and infection control; participate in cross-ward duties as service demands require; ensure safe and efficient operation of the ward.
* Professional responsibilities: mentor and orient new staff; model professionalism; promote the department and Trust; coordinate documentation and information systems; maintain confidentiality; ensure safe environment in line with legislation and policies; adhere to NMC Code of Professional Conduct; develop practice and maintain relations with staff and voluntary bodies.
Person Specification
Educational achievements, qualifications and training
* Essential: Registration on the NMC register as a Children’s Nurse; ENB 998 or equivalent; Diploma or degree in relevant subject
* Desirable: Child protection qualification; Cannulation/phlebotomy skills; EPALS
Experience
* Essential: At least five years paediatric nursing experience, including three years at band 6 in an acute paediatric environment; previous management experience
* Desirable: Experience in other care settings
Job related skills
* Essential: Good communication, ability to maintain confidentiality, ability to prioritise, work under pressure, team player and autonomous worker, ability to lead and manage change
* Desirable: Clear career plan for self
Personal Qualities
* Essential: Flexible in working patterns, self-awareness to recognise limitations, assertive, adaptable
* Desirable: —
Other information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and a DBS disclosure will be required.
UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
Employer details
Employer: Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust
Address: Willow ward, Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford, DA2 8DA
Employer’s website: https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/working-for-us
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