Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Children's Emergency Department at the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital for an experienced nurse to join our Band 6 team of nurses. Ideally you will have a background of working within a Childrens Emergency Department.
You will be working closely with our team of Band 7 nurses and taking lead on shifts with their support.
We can provide various training opportunities to ensure you progress within the role.
We have a team of dedicated practice educators that work closely within the department.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be a highly experienced, diligent and motivated children’s Emergency Department (CED) nurse, with an aptitude to deliver and support junior colleagues evidence based high quality care for children and young people.
The post holder will provide expert clinical care, using critical decision making skills to provide high quality care for children, young people and their families. They will ensure a safe and efficient environment for patients, families and staff, whilst meeting the emergency department clinical quality Indicators, KPI’s and national performance targets as appropriate.
They will motivate, support and display overall exemplary professional leadership to the nursing and wider CED team.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, 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 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Clinical Practice
1. The post-holder will ensure that all areas of their practice adhere to all current NMC guidance.
2. The post holder will be a clinical expert delivering evidence-based care to Children/young people (CYP) and acting as a clinical role model for colleagues.
3. To be confident and highly competent at triaging patients on arrival to CED, utilising a triage tool and appropriately prioritising patients based on urgency and clinical presentation. To utilise and redirect post triage any suitable patients to appropriate GP services which can be accessed directly by CED staff.
4. They will be able to undertake a comprehensive physical assessment of children and young people in CED, escalating concerns timely and succinctly.
5. They will have knowledge and skills to sensitively assess and communicate with children and young people that present with mental health presentations.
6. They will sometimes be the nurse in charge for CED and they will be responsible for and prioritising the safety of patients in the department and timely flow of patients through the department,
7. They will utilise critical evaluation and critical decision-making skills to oversee the department to assess and reassess the prioritisation of deteriorating patients, escalating as appropriate.
8. Be competent and confident with paediatric advanced life support.
9. Along with a member of the medical team, they will attend paediatric trauma calls in the adult ED, providing paediatric nursing assessment/treatment and be an advocate for the child/young person in an adult clinical environment.
10. To be fully conversant with emergency procedures regarding major incidents.
11. Be familiar with the child death process within the CED and support staff with any child death, signposting to wellbeing and emotional support services as
Please see attached Job Description for full details
Person specification
Essential and Desirable
Essential criteria
12. Experience
13. Substantial Emergency experience
14. APLS
Desirable criteria
15. Triage competent
16. Cannulation/venepuncture
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
17. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
18. 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