Job overview
The Neurosurgical Team has recently expanded and is located in Brighton. We offer a full range of Neurosurgical and Neurovascular services and also support poly trauma.
Its an extremely exciting time with the recent move to the Louisa Martindale building. Not only is this a purpose built ward it creates extra opportunities for development. The Louisa Martindale Building is the newest clinical building in NHS England and the first stage of the 3Ts Redevelopment offering state of the art accommodation for 28 outpatient, ward and specialist services across its 11 floors.
This 32 bedded ward cares for a wide range of patients requiring brain and spinal surgery, as well as ENT and Maxillo facial surgery. This post will appeal to you if you enjoy working in a very busy and dynamic environment.
You will have completed a post-registration course in neurosciences and have a several years' recent acute experience in a neuroscience setting.
Applicants must also have a mentorship qualification, Practice Assessor qualification or be working towards this.
You will need to be motivated to develop yourself and other staff within the team.
This is an excellent opportunity to develop leadership and management within an acute setting.
We are proud to be able to offer a variety of flexible working options and contracts. For further information please refer to the Flexible Working for Registered Nurses document which is attached to this advert.
Main duties of the job
To support the ward manager in providing effective clinical leadership that ensures quality patient care; good communication; safe and efficient management of the service/department within allocated resources; facilitates the development of all the staff within the team
1. To act as role model and expert practitioner
2. To undertake delegated responsibility in the absence of the ward manager
Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.
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.
Please note that if you currently work for another NHS Trust or UHSussex and you are applying to accept this position as a secondment opportunity, before applying you must seek agreement and authorisation from your current Trust/Manager. Secondments can’t be agreed without this approval. If you are unable to gain approval you should refrain from applying unless you wish to take this role as a fixed term position.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
3. In the absence of the Ward Manager, to be a visible and accessible presence on the ward to whom the staff, patients and their relatives/carers can turn to for assistance.
4. To act as an expert for the care of a specified group of patients, providing effective leadership and acting as a positive role model
5. To acknowledge own clinical limitations and refer issues out of own scope of practice to more experienced colleagues. To seek professional education or training to overcome these deficiencies
6. To undertake appropriate training in venepuncture, cannulation and administration of intravenous therapy and undertake sufficient practice to become an assessor for other staff in the department
7. With the Ward Manager, to take the lead in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating patient care. To ensure that all patients have a plan of care which is individualized and evidence based and is in line with local policies and procedures. To ensure that the plan of care is regularly updated to reflect any change in the patient’s condition and that there is evidence of an evaluation of the effectiveness of the care given.
8. Assist the Ward Manager to ensure that there is regular review of documentation practice and that focused action plans are developed when areas of concern are identified.
9. To ensure that admissions, transfers and discharges are planned in accordance with Trust policy, liaising effectively with partner agencies to ensure best outcome for the patient.
Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details.
Person specification
Experience/ Qualifications
Essential criteria
10. Neurosurgery experience
11. RGN
12. Substantial experience in staff nurse role (Band 5) regularly managing shifts in an area relevant to the specialty
13. Evidence of experience in mentoring student and post registration nurses
14. Evidence of recent professional development
15. Post –registration course relevant to speciality i.e. Care for the Neurological Patient accredited course
16. Working towards or completion of a recognised course leading to qualification in teaching and assessing
Desirable criteria
17. Surgical experience
18. Evidence of participation in recognised leadership /management programme
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
19. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
20. 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