Job Vacancies

Children's Assessment Unit and Virtual Ward Paediatric Staff Nurse

NHS AfC: Band 5

• Paediatrics
• NHS AfC: Band 5
• Permanent
• Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Mix of long days, nights with weekends)
• 418-NUR5709-MR

• Riverbank Children's Unit, South Wing
• Bedford
• £31,049 - £37,796 pa
• Yearly
• 03/10/2025 23:59

Job overview

The Children’s Assessment Unit provides acute medical and nursing care to Paediatric patients within a 7 bedded, 8 chaired unit within Riverbank Paediatric Unit. We take referrals from GPs, health visitors, midwives, A&E and patients with long term conditions and open access to the unit.

The post holder carries responsibility for the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of the care needs of a child or group of children, without direct supervision. The post holder will assist and work with the senior sister on shift to ensure high standards of care are maintained. A period of preceptorship or induction (dependant on previous qualified experience) will be provided.

This post is to work in the Children’s Assessment Unit and Paediatric Virtual Ward, which will be run from CAU

You will rotate on a shift by shift basis between CAU and Virtual ward, depending on clinical need at that time and be expected to cover the inpatient area.

Main duties of the job

• Manage the care of a group of children and their families for the duration of the shift, taking account of the planned programme of care, changes needed during the shift, and the effects of that care on the child and/or family. All care given must take account of prescriptions for care by medical staff and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Develop partnerships with children and their families to enable them to take on care of the child both in hospital and at home, as wished by the family.
• Be responsible for evaluating the care given, and effectively communicate this evaluation to children, families and staff through written and verbal reports.
• Be participant in managing a caseload of eligible children and young people who qualify for the Paediatric Virtual Ward, under the leadership of the CAU manager and Paediatric Matron.
• To facilitate early discharge from hospital by working collaboratively with the ward nursing team to promote safe and early discharge of a prescribed group of paediatric patients.
• Ensure that all drugs are administered, recorded and stored in accordance with Paediatric Unit and Hospital Drug Policies.
• Ensure that effective discharge planning, which begins at the time of admission, is developed and maintained to assist in optimal discharge time for the child.

Working for our organisation

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A and E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.

You will be joining a high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.

We have state-of- the- art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical and Professional Leadership

• Manage the care of a group of children and their families for the duration of the shift, taking account of the planned programme of care, changes needed during the shift, and the effects of that care on the child and/or family. All care given must take account of prescriptions for care by medical staff and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Develop partnerships with children and their families to enable them to take on care of the child both in hospital and at home, as wished by the family.
• Be responsible for evaluating the care given, and effectively communicate this evaluation to children, families and staff through written and verbal reports.
• Be participant in managing a caseload of eligible children and young people who qualify for the Paediatric Virtual Ward, under the leadership of the CAU manager and Paediatric Matron.
• To facilitate early discharge from hospital by working collaboratively with the ward nursing team to promote safe and early discharge of a prescribed group of paediatric patients.
• They will communicate with all necessary members of the multi-agency team to plan ongoing care and to prevent hospital admissions whenever possible
• Use play as an effective means of communication, therapy and stimulation at all times during the planning and implementation of care. Where required, involve play specialist, ward teacher and schools in accessing and developing appropriate play/education programmes to meet the needs of the individual child.
• Take account of the health promotion needs of the individual child/family, and ensure that relevant information and support are given to meet these needs at an appropriate time during the child’s stay in hospital.
• Ensure that all drugs are administered, recorded and stored in accordance with Paediatric Unit and Hospital Drug Policies.
• Ensure that all untoward incidents and accidents are reported, using appropriate documentation.
• Ensure that effective discharge planning, which begins at the time of admission, is developed and maintained to assist in optimal discharge time for the child.
• Be aware of, and comply with, all Trust infection prevention and control policies, to include hand hygiene, personal hygiene, environmental and food hygiene. To undertake annual training/updates in infection control.
• Prepare for and undertake the protective interventions that she/he is responsible for in a manner that is consistent with evidence based practice and maintaining patient, staff and other users safety.

Managerial

• Prioritise workload, ensuring the safety of children and their families in your care
• Take responsibility for ensuring that all resources are used in a cost - effective way, to the benefit of patients in your care.
• Assist in the maintenance and control of stocks and stores on the ward.
• Assist in ensuring that regular maintenance and cleaning of equipment is carried out, faults reported and defective equipment is removed from use.
• Manage the shift, on occasion, taking account of the planned programme of care, changes needed during the shift, and the effects of that care on the child and/or family. All care given must take account of prescriptions for care by medical staff and other members of the Multidisciplinary team.

Teaching and Learning

• Take a proactive role in ensuring that you receive feedback regarding personal and professional development through regular appraisal and more informal methods.

• Develop and maintain a professional portfolio in line with NMC guidelines and PREP proposals.

• Set regular objectives for self-development in line with ward/unit objectives, and ensure that relevant training is undertaken to meet development needs.

• Participate in demonstrating skills to other members of staff, as appropriate.

• Take an active part in teaching programmes, both as a teacher and a learner, according to competence in relevant topics.

• Have a well-developed understanding of clinical practice with effective supervision, mentoring, and assessment skills.

• Provide clinical advice as required to staff, patients, and carers, promoting evidence-based clinical practice and reducing risk to patients.

Communication

• Regularly participate in ward meetings, team meetings and hospital - wide activities as required.
• Ensure that messages are relayed to relevant staff/parents/children at all times.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of effective mediums for communication to all members of staff in the ward.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• RSCN or RN Child
• Current NMC registration

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of further development

Experience

Essential criteria

• Research based nursing practice
• Staff and student training and development

Desirable criteria

• An awareness of change management, clinical risk management and clinical audit

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Organisational and timekeeping skills
• Teamworking

Desirable criteria

• Can contribute to the needs of the service

Personal Skills

Essential criteria

• Understands the responsibility of the position and the need for flexibility within the role

Desirable criteria

• Can work well under pressure

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

• Name
• Olivia Zielinska
• Job title
• CAU and Virtual Ward Manager
• Email address
• olivia.zielinska@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk
• Telephone number
• 01234 792204
• Additional information

• Informal visits are highly recommended

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