Job overview
The Acute Children’s Outreach Nursing Service (ACORNS) is formed of highly experienced Paediatric nurses who triage, assess, review and safety net patients and families. The service aims to support infants, children and young people during an acute episode of illness. Patients are referred to the service from a variety of teams across the Children’s hospital. The assessment of the patients is protocol and experience driven and we work with patients and families both at home and via remote monitoring.
The purpose of the service is to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions, facilitate early discharge, reduce re-attendance to hospital and provide an outstanding patient experience for families and service users. The team uses robust assessment tools and digital programmes. Remote monitoring via telephone and video calls has made the implementation and evaluation of patients more accessible to families whilst remaining at home. We provide advice, support, education and health promotion to the family with every interaction.
We work alongside the Children’s Emergency Department (CED) which means the ACORNS team have a strong working relationship with the wider clinical team and we work to support each other. We also provide a safety netting service for patients and families who can no longer wait to be seen by a clinician within the Children’s Emergency.
Main duties of the job
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.
Our Acute Children’s Outreach Nurse Service started in August 2017 in response to increasing admissions of acutely unwell infants and children who could be managed safely in their own homes with the correct support and on-going assessment.
The team continues to develop and expand under the Sussex Virtual Ward and Children's Emergency directorate. Our team works closely with services across the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital and we facilitate continuing assessments of patients who are acutely unwell. The nurse’s clinical competence, development and expertise will be utilised when communicating with families across multiple platforms. We use a variety of IT programmes and remain up to date and efficient in our delivery of care. We will also be involved in the Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) pilot scheme.
The ACORNS Nurses take their acute clinical skills and expertise into the child and family’s home when we facilitate visits. We know that comprehensive assessments empower and support families. It is beneficial for the emotional well being and quality of life for children and their families and we have received fabulous feedback.
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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To provide an evidence based and structured clinical telephone and video assessment to all children on the ACORNS caseload. This includes a highly competent set of communication skills to assess, monitor and plan care. We aim to provide consistency, continuity and advice to families at home.
To provide a holistic, autonomous and clinical nursing service using wholly evidence based practice. To carry out initial assessments/home visits and plan, implement and evaluate nursing care for all patients for whom he/she has continuing responsibility.
Act in partnership with the child and family when assessing a child’s needs and planning. To provide advice contributing to the well-being of the patient and participate in health promotion.
To carry out physical assessment, initiate nursing and emergency interventions by recognising the deteriorating child. Monitor acute exacerbation's of illness and initiate appropriate nursing interventions. Ensure all your clinical practice is based on current local and national guidelines for the assessment & recognition of the sick child.
To initiate appropriate work, accepting referrals and be able to work autonomously with the child and family in the community setting.
To provide structured clinical assessment of individual needs that empowers children, young people and parents to support their acute care needs.
To regularly attend and liaise with acute hospital colleagues to enable timely and safe discharge from hospital and appropriate follow-up in the community setting eg care of children with viral wheeze needing inhalers and observation at home, fluid challenges for children with diarrhoea and vomiting and many other high volume conditions that present in the CED.
We will be involved in the Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) pilot scheme and will be required to support the consultant led service by performing observations, assisting with medications and facilitating interventions as required.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
1. Registered Nurse - Child Branch or Adults nurses with Conversion certifications
2. Experience working with children in an Acute inpatient or acute community setting
3. PILS
4. Acute nursing skills
Desirable criteria
5. Substantial Experience working within Childrens Emergency nursing or a Hospital at home service
6. Childrens ED course, Physical assessment course or Equivalent
7. Previous Autonomous Practice experience
8. Teaching and assessment in clinical practice or equivalent
9. APLS/EPLS provider or Equivalent
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
10. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
11. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
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