Band 6 - Junior Sister/Charge Nurse, Safari Unit, WACS
Main area Women's and Children's Services Grade Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 360-D-10902
Department name West Herts - General Staffing Site Watford General Hospital Town Watford Salary £40,617 - £48,778 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 22/01/2026 23:59
Job Overview
Safari is a Paediatric Day Stay Unit at Watford General Hospital. We are a growing and vibrant department providing care for children aged 0–16 years with a wide range of surgical conditions, alongside an expanding ambulatory service and elective medical day admissions.
Our day service continues to evolve, and we are seeking a flexible and adaptable nurse who is enthusiastic about contributing to change and service development. The successful applicant will be confident in affecting progression within the service and supporting the delivery of high‑quality care.
As a shift leader you will take responsibility for the coordination of the clinical area, ensuring safe staffing, effective patient flow and high standards of care. You will provide clinical leadership, support junior staff and work closely with the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure a positive experience for children and their families.
You will enjoy working as part of an extended multidisciplinary team and caring for children and their families undergoing a variety of surgical and medical procedures, while demonstrating a strong understanding of the importance and philosophy of paediatric day care.
If you are committed to delivering excellent, family‑centred care and thrive in a collaborative and evolving clinical environment, this is the role for you.
Main duties of the job
As a senior paediatric nurse within Safari Day Stay Unit, you will deliver high‑quality, evidence‑based care to children and their families while acting as a clinical leader and shift coordinator within the service.
You will work autonomously while collaborating closely with the Senior Sister, Matron and multidisciplinary team to ensure safe, effective and child‑centred care.
You will use your advanced paediatric nursing skills to assess, plan, deliver and evaluate individualised care, while maintaining a strong focus on patient experience, safety and safeguarding. As a shift leader you will oversee staffing, patient flow and clinical standards, responding effectively to changing priorities and managing risk appropriately.
Working for our organisation
With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us.
We are building on the success of our award‑winning virtual hospital and re‑imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.
Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.
Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.
If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.
We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The main responsibilities are to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care within the sphere of responsibility and to assist in the management and organisation of work in the clinical area.
You will always act in a manner consistent with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct, carrying out your duties in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.
The unit is open Monday to Friday and with a long day shift pattern – the unit is not open on bank holidays or weekends.
Person specification
Education
* Registered Nurse (RGN/Midwife/Child) with NMC
* Current PILS/EPLS certification
* Teaching and assessing qualification and/or mentorship module
* Post‑registration Surgical Courses
* Preoperative assessment experience and/or qualification
Knowledge
* In‑depth paediatric nursing knowledge, integrating theory and practice
* Knowledge of handling complaints and clinical incidents
* Knowledge of risk management and Health and safety issues
* Current knowledge of research developments within paediatric care
Experience
* Previous experience at Band 5 level
* Nurse in charge competencies completed
* Attending emergency situations within paediatric setting
* Previous experience at Band 6 level
West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust provides acute healthcare services to a core catchment population of approximately half a million people living in west Hertfordshire and the surrounding area. The Trust also provides a range of more specialist services to a wider population, serving residents of North London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and East Hertfordshire.
As an employer of nearly 6,000 people the Trust is one of the biggest employers in the area and sees nearly a million patients each year.
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.
Contact:
John Doe
Paediatric Matron
Email: john.doe@nhs.net
Telephone 07974495256
If you have problems applying, contact
Address: Watford General Hospital
Vicarage Road
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0HB
Telephone: 01442 365233
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