Job overview
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25000), and any role-specific criteria.
We currently have vacancies in the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital on our Children's Medical Ward. We are a 26 bedded inpatient unit caring for patients aged between 0-17years with a range of chronic and acute conditions including CF, Respiratory, Epilepsy, Oncology, Diabetes, Acute Mental Health Presentations and metabolic conditions. Within the post you will have the opportunity to apply for a variety of post registration courses relevant to the role.
We welcome applications from those who currently hold a UK NMC registration. If you currently hold an overseas nursing qualification and require sponsorship we are not currently direct hiring Internationally Qualified Nurses
Main duties of the job
1. We are looking for enthusiastic, professional nurses who want to make a real difference for the patients in our care. You should expect to be supported, supervised, challenged and mentored by our experienced staff. As a new staff member you will complete an orientation period to the clinical area and if you are a newly registered practitioner you will have the opportunity to complete a Trust wide preceptorship programme with bespoke paediatric sessions.
As a member of the multi-disciplinary team provides the highest standard of patient care.
Contributes to the smooth and efficient running of the Unit. Continues to develop own knowledge and skills through locally agreed development plans and contribute to the development of others. Contribute to working in partnership with other agencies.
2. You will have the opportunity to join our established preceptorship programme and will be supported by members of our paediatric education team.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Candidate Pack
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
3. Address the needs of individuals to bring about improvement in the health and wellbeing of patients through the delivery of evidence based care.
4. Manage a designated group of patients on a shift by shift basis.
5. Model excellent practice through the development of effective assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care.
6. Articulate source of evidence on which care is based.
7. Articulate the decision making process underlying the management of own time and the patient workload.
8. Use available technology and patient record and parent/carers knowledge to identify changes in condition of the child and initiate appropriate action whilst reporting changes to the appropriate individual.
9. Include children and carers as participating partners in planned care activities.
10. Initiate and develop plans for health promotion with individuals involving parents/carers and multidisciplinary teams.
11. Demonstrate involvement in a multi-disciplinary approach to patient care.
12. Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of nutrition to the health and well-being of children.
13. Demonstrate an awareness of the needs of all children in designated area and communicate these to other members of the multi professional team.
14. Demonstrate competency in specific clinical skills appropriate to the area this may include venepuncture, cannulation, ECG recording, and sweat testing.
15. Support people’s equality, diversity and rights in accordance with UHSussex policy.
Communication
16. Maintain effective communication with carers about routine and daily activities of the children in designated area.
17. Negotiate sensitively with children and their carers particularly if there are any barriers to understanding.
18. Behave in a consistent manner with children and their carers, multi-disciplinary team and the public.
19. Communicate with children in a manner appropriate to their age and stage of development and their carers.
20. Articulate current status of all children in their care to nurse in charge on each shift, if in charge then to the children’s services bleep holder as required and to the multi-disciplinary team.
21. Demonstrate use of basic IT skills to complete details of admission/discharge of patients.
22. Write precise, accurate and timely nursing records.
23. Listen actively and respond appropriately to information given.
24. Take part in and leads shift handovers ensuring relevant detail is communicated to the team.
25. Recognise when own and other’s (staff, children and carers) behaviour is not acceptable and take action to address this effectively.
Management/organisation
26. Maintain an age and development appropriate environment that promotes safety, security and optimal health for the child and his family.
27. Undertake a designated link nurse role for the clinical area as required.
28. Take part in mandatory audit as designated by Ward Manager, e.g. Essence of Care.
29. Take part in Unit meetings.
30. Demonstrate prudent use of resources in (stores, disposable equipment)
31. Demonstrate an awareness of resource procurement for the children in their care.
32. Take part in effective partnership working to facilitate timely transfers and discharges of children in accordance with UHSussex policy.
33. Liase effectively with colleagues, the multi disciplinary team and other departments to enable timely management of patient throughput.
34. Prioritise care and delegate duties to other staff as appropriate.
35. Lead the shift on a regular basis and in the absence of a more senior nurse.
36. Prioritise care and delegate duties to others as appropriate ensuring they are supervised taking into account knowledge, skills and abilities of others.
Education and Training
37. Accept responsibility for maintaining own professional development.
38. Attend statutory and mandatory training days as required by UHSussex.
39. Maintain up to date knowledge on issues pertaining to child protection.
40. Undertake further training to enable development of role.
41. Take part in own appraisal and the mentorship of others.
42. Provide a learning environment for other staff/children/carers with a requirement to supervise and assess students on ward placement. (Undertake further competency based training in order to achieve this.)
43. Teach and assess staff, students ,children and carers using a competency based framework following appropriate training.
Service Development
44. Contribute to the implementation of the National Service Framework for Children.
45. Take part in the UHSussex strategy for nursing.
46. Adhere to Trust policies pertaining to Infection Control.
47. Support people’s equality, diversity and rights in accordance with UHSussex policy.
48. Complete locally agreed competency programme.
49. Take part in the Essence of Care (Department Of Health).
50. Contribute to the implementation of National Institute for Clinical Excellence guideline recommendations.
51. Demonstrate an understanding of clinical governance.
52. Adhere to UHSussex Core Values
Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details.
Person specification
Qualifications / Experience
Essential criteria
53. Registered Nurse Child
54. ‘Foundation Year – Paediatric Staff Nurse’ in acute setting.
Desirable criteria
55. Mentorship qualification
56. Safeguarding
57. Post qualification experience in a similar setting
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
58. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
59. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications