Job summary
Band 6 Senior Staff nurse - AAU/SDEC/MDCU
12 Month Fixed Term (Maternity Cover)
We are seeking a motivated and dynamic Band 6 Nurse to join our senior nursing team, rotating across the AAU, SDEC and the MDCU. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the leadership and ongoing development of three essential front door services.
Our purpose built SDEC, opened in August 2025, supports patients referred from medical, surgical and orthopaedic pathways, with referrals received from primary care, internal wards and clinics and the Emergency Department.
Alongside this, our 55 bedded AAU and newly developed MDCU provide rapid assessment, treatment and supported early discharge for a diverse medical population.
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.
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25000), and any role-specific criteria.
Main duties of the job
- Provide visible and effective leadership while rotating across AAU/SDEC and MDCU
- support safe, timely and efficient patient flow through all three units
- Deliver high quality clinical assessment and care within fast paced acute environments
- Act as a role model, supporting, supervising and developing junior staff
- Contribute to maintaining staff wellbeing, team morale and a positive working culture
- Ensure safe standards of care through adherence to policies, procedures and governance processes
- Participate in service development, pathway improvement and the ongoing development of the new SDEC and MDCU services
- Work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team to support seamless patient journeys
About us
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 abuddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Candidate Pack
Job description
Job responsibilities
- In conjunction with the unit sisters develop policies, protocols and procedures necessary to support practice.
- In conjunction with the unit sister take an active role in Risk Management in line with the Trusts policy, report risks appropriately and assist in ensuring controls in place.
- Assisting in setting objectives in line with Units and Corporate objectives.
- Report/action any incidents or undue occurrences reported or witnessed. Undertake appropriate investigation of clinical incidents as indicated.
- Undertake Early Learning Reviews of any clinical incidents as required, and working with the sister ensure that any resulting actions are embedded within the clinical area.
- Ensure that patient activity is monitored and that all patient information is entered into the PAS system at a timely point.
This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- In conjunction with the unit sisters develop policies, protocols and procedures necessary to support practice.
- In conjunction with the unit sister take an active role in Risk Management in line with the Trusts policy, report risks appropriately and assist in ensuring controls in place.
- Assisting in setting objectives in line with Units and Corporate objectives.
- Report/action any incidents or undue occurrences reported or witnessed. Undertake appropriate investigation of clinical incidents as indicated.
- Undertake Early Learning Reviews of any clinical incidents as required, and working with the sister ensure that any resulting actions are embedded within the clinical area.
- Ensure that patient activity is monitored and that all patient information is entered into the PAS system at a timely point.
This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.
Person Specification
Professional registration
Essential
- NMC registration with current PIN
Experience/Qualifications
Essential
- Minimum of 3 years post registration experience in an acute NHS hospital setting
- Minimum of 2 years post registration experience in an AAU/ED/SDEC
- Mentorship course or equivalent
- Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
- Evidence of post registration development
- Extensive knowledge on the management of acutely ill patients
Desirable
- Leadership qualification or evidence of study
- ALS Provider
- Post registration qualification in acute care
Skills
Essential
- Management on non-invasive ventilation and Optiflow
- Management of all types of venous access devices
- Intravenous drug administration
- Administration of blood products
- Venepuncture and cannulation
- Interpretation of diagnostic information, inclusive of ECG and ABG interpretation
- Tracheostomy/laryngectomy care
- Defibrillation
- Ability to communicate complex and potentially distressing information with all members of the MDT, patients and relatives
- Excellent interpersonal and conflict management skills
- Able to work autonomously
- Able to make decisions in unique situations and circumstances
Desirable
- Evidence of participation in audit
People Management and Development
Essential
- Delegation skills
- Innovative
- Ability to lead and motivate a team
- Act as a positive role model
Desirable
- Experience of undertaking appraisals
- Experience of supporting staff with their personal and professional development
Specific Requirements
Essential
- Experience with Careflow - inclusive of admissions, discharges and transfers
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
Person Specification
Professional registration
Essential
- NMC registration with current PIN
Experience/Qualifications
Essential
- Minimum of 3 years post registration experience in an acute NHS hospital setting
- Minimum of 2 years post registration experience in an AAU/ED/SDEC
- Mentorship course or equivalent
- Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
- Evidence of post registration development
- Extensive knowledge on the management of acutely ill patients
Desirable
- Leadership qualification or evidence of study
- ALS Provider
- Post registration qualification in acute care
Skills
Essential
- Management on non-invasive ventilation and Optiflow
- Management of all types of venous access devices
- Intravenous drug administration
- Administration of blood products
- Venepuncture and cannulation
- Interpretation of diagnostic information, inclusive of ECG and ABG interpretation
- Tracheostomy/laryngectomy care
- Defibrillation
- Ability to communicate complex and potentially distressing information with all members of the MDT, patients and relatives
- Excellent interpersonal and conflict management skills
- Able to work autonomously
- Able to make decisions in unique situations and circumstances
Desirable
- Evidence of participation in audit
People Management and Development
Essential
- Delegation skills
- Innovative
- Ability to lead and motivate a team
- Act as a positive role model
Desirable
- Experience of undertaking appraisals
- Experience of supporting staff with their personal and professional development
Specific Requirements
Essential
- Experience with Careflow - inclusive of admissions, discharges and transfers
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
