Job overview
The Band 6 Deputy Sister (Maternity Cover) role within the Hospital at Home service presents an excellent opportunity for an experienced Band 5 nurse or an existing Band 6 nurse to join a highly skilled and supportive multidisciplinary team delivering acute hospital-level care within patients’ homes.
Led by a Consultant Geriatrician, the service consists of junior doctors, senior nurses, occupational therapists, generic support workers, pharmacists and ward clerks, all working collaboratively to provide high-quality, patient-centred care. Working within this experienced team will enable the successful candidate to build strong professional relationships, develop confidence in multidisciplinary communication, broaden clinical knowledge and skills, and benefit from a genuine culture of support while becoming a valued member of the service.
The Hospital at Home service offers a unique and highly rewarding opportunity to work within a patient-focused environment, providing holistic assessments and delivering hospital-based management to support patients with frailty and acute medical conditions. Due to the varied nature of the role, no two days are the same, offering a diverse range of clinical experiences and opportunities to further develop assessment, clinical reasoning, decision-making and care coordination skills.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to:
-Manage complex patients within a community setting
-Develop advanced assessment and clinical reasoning skills
-Coordinate care to support safe admission avoidance and facilitate early discharge pathways
-Work collaboratively with frailty, acute and community services
-Deliver a range of advanced clinical interventions including venepuncture, cannulation, administration of IV antibiotics and IV fluids, management of syringe drivers, catheter care, complex wound care, rocket drains and palliative care
-Recognise and respond appropriately to deteriorating patients using relevant assessment tools and accurate documentation
-Provide leadership, supervision and support to junior staff members and students
This role is ideally suited to a motivated and enthusiastic nurse seeking to expand both clinical and community-based skills while contributing to an innovative and evolving service. It offers valuable opportunities to further develop leadership experience, work autonomously in managing caseloads, and collaborate effectively within the multidisciplinary team to positively impact patients’ quality of life. The service consistently receives high levels of positive feedback, reflecting the compassion, kindness, continuity and dignity of care provided to patients and their families.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will play an essential role in assisting the Ward Manager to lead and manage a team in the provision of Community Nursing within the Virtual Ward.
As an experienced nurse, the post holder will co-ordinate activities within the Virtual Ward ensuring effective communication is maintained at all times, providing support to registered practitioners and health care support workers within the ward/department. They will play a key role in the assessment of patient care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of high-quality programmes of care.
The post holder will act as a role model, promoting quality evidence-based practice, developing the nursing team and ensuring effective management of the ward/department in the absence of the Ward Manager.
Working for our organisation
Our benefits
We offer a range of benefits to support our staff including:
1. Access to the NHS Pension Scheme, providing generous benefits upon retirement, as well as a lump sum and pension for dependants
2. 27 days holiday rising to 33 days (depending on NHS Trust service)
3. A variety of different types of paid and unpaid leave covering emergency and planned leave
4. Confidential advice and support on personal, work, family and relationship issues, 24/7, from our Employee Assistance Programme
5. NHS Car Lease scheme and Cycle to Work scheme
6. An extensive range of learning and development opportunities
7. Discounts on restaurants, getaways, shopping, motoring, cinema and finance from a range of providers
For further information on the fantastic range of benefits we offer please visit the Trust's dedicated Staff Benefits pages.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Interviews for this position will be held in person ONLY at the hospital site. Remote interviews will not be available.
The validity of Nursing and Midwifery Council PIN will be checked before shortlisting - inaccuracies in NMC PIN details will mean your application will not be progressed.
Interested candidates are encouraged to make contact with the Recruiting Manager to have an informal discussion about the role.
A full description of the role is available in the attachment: job description.
Please note that if a high number of applications are received this advert may close early. You are advised to submit your application at the earliest opportunity.
Working for the Trust
Across our organisation, people are guided by values that were co-developed with staff: we are kind; we are open; and we pursue excellence.
Our values play into our ambition to develop a more diverse workforce, truly representative of our communities. We welcome applications from everyone, while working with our Staff Networks - including our Race Equality, LGBTQ+, Disability and Carers Networks - to increase the number of applications we receive from different backgrounds. If there is anything we can do to make our application process more accessible to you, please contact: .
As part of seeking to become more inclusive, we will consider requests for flexible working from the start of your employment. It may not be suitable for every role, but we will try and be supportive where we can. We would encourage you to speak to the recruiting manager named within this advert to discuss any requirements you may have.
Armed Forces Friendly Employer
We are holders of the Gold Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, which is helping actively promote SaBRE - Supporting Britain’s Reservists and Employers. This means that we have made a statement of intent to support all Defence personnel, including with applications for employment.
Person specification
Education, Qualifications and Training
Essential criteria
8. Registered Nurse (Level1)
9. Recognised teaching/assessing qualification
10. Evidence of continued professional development and implementation in clinical practice
Desirable criteria
11. Understanding of training needs in relation to post
Experience and knowledge
Essential criteria
12. 3 years at band 5 or equivalent
13. Clinical audit and standard setting
14. Working with a wide range of professionals
15. Insight into clinical speciality - community
16. Insight into current nursing and professional issues
Skills and Attributes
Essential criteria
17. Able to communicate effectively with a multi-disciplinary team
18. Ability to teach, supervise and assess registered and unregistered staff
19. Time management skills
20. Clinical Leadership
Desirable criteria
21. Recruitment and retention experience
Aptitude and Personal Qualities
Essential criteria
22. Professional and patient focused
23. Flexible, adaptable, capable of lateral thinking
24. Excellent interpersonal skills
Other requirements
Essential criteria
25. Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post
26. Access to a vehicle that can be used for business purposes and hold a full and valid driving licence
Values and Behaviours
Essential criteria
27. Ability to demonstrate our organisational values and behaviours: Kindness, Openness and Excellence