Job overview

Deputy Sister/Charge Nurse – Children’s Neurosciences/Spinal Ward (E40)

Join our dynamic team on the Children’s Neurosciences and Spinal Ward, specialising in Neurosurgery, Neurology, Spinal, Neuro-oncology, and Neuro-rehabilitation for Children and Young People. Our ward also features 4 Spinal High Dependency Unit beds for critical care. We are recruiting a Full-Time Deputy Sister/Charge Nurse, though part-time applications will be considered.

You will play a key role in delivering high-quality, holistic care as part of a compassionate multidisciplinary team. You will support children and young people recovering from complex neurological conditions and collaborate with national benchmarking groups.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and support a team of nurses in delivering exceptional care.
• Work with the multidisciplinary team to ensure a holistic, patient-centred approach.
• Ensure high standards of clinical practice and safety.
• Demonstrate compassion and empathy for patients and families.

We welcome applications from Registered Children’s Nurses with an NMC pin who are compassionate, enthusiastic, and eager to learn. If you are passionate about making a difference in the care of children with neurological and spinal conditions, we would love to hear from you.

Why Join Us:

Collaborative and supportive environment.

Contribute to the development of specialist services

Make a meaningful impact on paediatric neuroscience care.

Apply now and be part of something special!

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate must demonstrate strong leadership capabilities, with exceptional organisational and clinical skills. You will be responsible for coordinating patient care on the ward, deputising for and supporting the Ward Manager.

Your role will include ensuring the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care, and, in collaboration with the wider MDT, identifying common challenges that may affect care quality. You will be expected to develop clear action plans to address any identified gaps and to ensure that patient pathways and experiences are regularly evaluated for satisfaction and effectiveness.

In partnership with the wider senior leadership team, you will support clinical audits and continuous improvements in line with the Trust's requirements. You will also serve as a key point of contact for patients, visitors, relatives, and staff, offering guidance and support while effectively representing the patient’s perspective in discussions.

Furthermore, you will assist the Ward Manager in the development and management of staff rosters, ensuring safe and appropriate staffing levels at all times.

This role is essential to the safe and effective operation of the ward, encompassing both the delivery of direct patient care and the provision of emotional support. You will also provide leadership and management support to the Ward Sister and team to ensure the efficient running of the ward on a daily basis.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please familiarise yourself with the full job description and person specification documents attached to this advert.

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.

Person specification:

Experience

Essential

• Supervision of non-registered staff, pre-registration and post basis students
• Evidence of ability to mentor
• Ability to manage the clinical area or ward efficiently and effectively
• Ability to convey sensitive information in an empathetic manner to patients, relative/carers and staff.
• Caring for children with life limiting conditions

Desirable

• Demonstrate an involvement in link nurse, or project work
• Audit or research within the clinical area
• Providing staff with feedback on their individual performance and use of the knowledge and skills framework
• Recent or current experience within the speciality

Physical skills

Essential

• Physically able to perform the full range of nursing duties
• Dexterity and accuracy in undertaking clinical skills, use of equipment and documentation
• Competent and capable of using medical equipment
• Able to undertake patient and manual handling manoeuvres and non-patient manual handling manoeuvres

Desirable

• Evidence of moving and handling training

Training & Qualification

Essential

• Current level one NMC registration RN (Child) or RSCN
• Proven Leadership Experience
• Degree or working towards
• Completed IV and CVL competency packages

Desirable

• Continuing professional development/reflective profile
• Formal leadership and management training
• Research training/experience
• Have a suitable teaching and assessing qualification
• Possession of a mentoring course

Communication and Relationship

Essential

• Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrate Basic IT Skills
• Produce timely, accurate written/electronic records and documents
• Recognition of own level of competence and limitations and able to communicate these to all members of the MDT
• Can minimise interpersonal conflict and barriers to communication

Desirable

• Demonstration of team working and ability to work within a team
• Evidence of negotiation and influencing skills

Analytical and Judgement skills

Essential

• Demonstrate an ability to assess, plan, deliver, prioritise and evaluate patient care
• Ability to identify own learning needs
• Demonstrate and understanding of the deputy sister/charge nurse role
• Able to respond to problem situations and to ensure that effective interventions are put in place

Desirable

• Demonstrate leadership skills & ability to effectively lead a team
• Demonstrate an ability to prioritise workload of self and others
• Demonstrate effective time management skills
• Demonstrate effective resource management