University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Paediatric Staff Nurse

The closing date is 09 February 2026

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and enthusiastic staff nurse to join our friendly well established Children's Nursing Team to cover Maternity Leave. We also welcome applications from registered nurses with an interest in paediatrics or with previous paediatric experience.

This is a full time position, fixed term for a year.

Howard Ward is an 20 bedded general Paediatric Ward. Our dedicated team cares for babies, children and young people from birth to 18 years. Our patients have a variety of medical and surgical conditions. The unit has an HDU area and separate Children's Assessment unit. You will build on essential skills in nursing sick children such as respiratory support, fluid and pain management and stabilisation of the critically ill child.

We welcome applications from those who currently hold a UK NMC registration. If you currently hold an overseas nursing qualification and require sponsorship we are not currently direct hiring Internationally Qualified Nurses

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

The service is committed to providing a high standard of nursing care for sick children and young people up to the age of 18 years, within the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, including outpatient, emergency and elective care within the division, by ensuring the most effective use of resources. Assist team members with the assessment and delivery of care, under the direction and supervision of the team leader.We provide excellent opportunities for ongoing professional development and leadership.

We have a strong multi disciplinary team and welcome enthusiastic, motivated nurses who are passionate about providing excellent care to children and their families.

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.

About us

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.

Candidate Pack https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Details

Date posted

26 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

279-7713666-JAN26

Job locations

St Richards Hospital

Spitalfield Rd

Chichester

PO19 6SE


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Participate in the assessment, implementation and delivery of individualised patient care seeking guidance where appropriate
  • To report on the condition of patients to the Clinical Leader/Medical staff, assisting them in ascertaining treatments and ensure these are carried out
  • To ensure that all patients' data is accurately recorded
  • Ensure that all patients have nutritional assessment and that individual needs are fully me
  • Be responsible for the control and custody of all medication and drugs in accordance with Trust polic
  • To administer drugs as prescribed, checking and witnessing controlled drugs
  • Ensure safe effective discharge planning, involving the multidisciplinary team as necessary
  • Maintain own professional development under the guidance of senior staff
  • Develop teaching and assessing skills through training and practical experience; becoming a mentor to learners
  • Take charge of a group of patients, taking into account patient/relative/carers wishes
  • Be able to confidently take charge of the ward when the occasion presents itself.
  • Ensure that all patients needs are identified and programmes of care implemented to meet individual needs
  • Ensure that best practice care is delivered
  • Mentor, teach, assess and facilitate education for all learners in the clinical are
  • Work as part of a team to ensure effective communication with all health care professionals within the clinical team and across all disciplines
  • Maintain own professional development
  • Work within the NMC Code of Professional Conduct
  • Act as a role model showing example in regard to behaviour, attitudes, conduct and appearance
  • To maintain correct standards of uniform and personal appearance, as indicated in the Dress Code & Uniform Polic
  • Report / action any accidents, incidents or undue occurrences reported or witnessed
  • Take an active role in the management of risks, in line with Trust and Directorate policy
  • Ensure that patient activity is monitored and that all patient information is entered into the SEMA system at the most timely point
  • Ensure your role has a positive influence on key performance indicators
  • Seek consistently to improve nursing practice in line with evidence, recent best practice innovations and new developments.
  • Proactively manage ward level complaints and report to senior staff so that they can be dealt with according to Trust Polic
  • Take charge regularly in the absence of a ward/departmental manager/deput
  • Maintain flexibility with staff rosters in order to provide cover with the optimum skill mix, making best use of available resource
  • Deal with patient/relative complaints proactively

-- Please see Job Description and Person Specs for full details --

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Participate in the assessment, implementation and delivery of individualised patient care seeking guidance where appropriate
  • To report on the condition of patients to the Clinical Leader/Medical staff, assisting them in ascertaining treatments and ensure these are carried out
  • To ensure that all patients' data is accurately recorded
  • Ensure that all patients have nutritional assessment and that individual needs are fully me
  • Be responsible for the control and custody of all medication and drugs in accordance with Trust polic
  • To administer drugs as prescribed, checking and witnessing controlled drugs
  • Ensure safe effective discharge planning, involving the multidisciplinary team as necessary
  • Maintain own professional development under the guidance of senior staff
  • Develop teaching and assessing skills through training and practical experience; becoming a mentor to learners
  • Take charge of a group of patients, taking into account patient/relative/carers wishes
  • Be able to confidently take charge of the ward when the occasion presents itself.
  • Ensure that all patients needs are identified and programmes of care implemented to meet individual needs
  • Ensure that best practice care is delivered
  • Mentor, teach, assess and facilitate education for all learners in the clinical are
  • Work as part of a team to ensure effective communication with all health care professionals within the clinical team and across all disciplines
  • Maintain own professional development
  • Work within the NMC Code of Professional Conduct
  • Act as a role model showing example in regard to behaviour, attitudes, conduct and appearance
  • To maintain correct standards of uniform and personal appearance, as indicated in the Dress Code & Uniform Polic
  • Report / action any accidents, incidents or undue occurrences reported or witnessed
  • Take an active role in the management of risks, in line with Trust and Directorate policy
  • Ensure that patient activity is monitored and that all patient information is entered into the SEMA system at the most timely point
  • Ensure your role has a positive influence on key performance indicators
  • Seek consistently to improve nursing practice in line with evidence, recent best practice innovations and new developments.
  • Proactively manage ward level complaints and report to senior staff so that they can be dealt with according to Trust Polic
  • Take charge regularly in the absence of a ward/departmental manager/deput
  • Maintain flexibility with staff rosters in order to provide cover with the optimum skill mix, making best use of available resource
  • Deal with patient/relative complaints proactively

-- Please see Job Description and Person Specs for full details --

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • RSCN / Diploma in Child Health
  • NMC Registration

Desirable

  • Mentorship or equivalent qualification
  • PILS
  • IV Drug Administration
  • Cannulation
  • Venepuncture
  • Paediatric experience in hospital setting

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Previous child care experience
  • Awareness of current government initiatives
  • Experience with medical devices
  • Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

  • Introduction to management course
  • Able to demonstrate leadership skills and the ability to respond to varying situations
  • Completion of Junior Band 5 competencies
  • Understanding of the NMC and their professional responsibilities and accountability
  • Completion of relevant clinical/specialist competencies

Skills

Essential

  • Communication skills
  • Team worker in multidisciplinary environment
  • Keyboard and IT system skills
  • Ability to use initiative
  • Computer skills (word, excel, email, internet)

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Positive and Adaptable
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Flexible

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • RSCN / Diploma in Child Health
  • NMC Registration

Desirable

  • Mentorship or equivalent qualification
  • PILS
  • IV Drug Administration
  • Cannulation
  • Venepuncture
  • Paediatric experience in hospital setting

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Previous child care experience
  • Awareness of current government initiatives
  • Experience with medical devices
  • Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

  • Introduction to management course
  • Able to demonstrate leadership skills and the ability to respond to varying situations
  • Completion of Junior Band 5 competencies
  • Understanding of the NMC and their professional responsibilities and accountability
  • Completion of relevant clinical/specialist competencies

Skills

Essential

  • Communication skills
  • Team worker in multidisciplinary environment
  • Keyboard and IT system skills
  • Ability to use initiative
  • Computer skills (word, excel, email, internet)

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Positive and Adaptable
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Flexible

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

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.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

St Richards Hospital

Spitalfield Rd

Chichester

PO19 6SE


Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

St Richards Hospital

Spitalfield Rd

Chichester

PO19 6SE


Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Ward Sister

Harriet Drew

harriet.drew@nhs.net

01243831444

Details

Date posted

26 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

279-7713666-JAN26

Job locations

St Richards Hospital

Spitalfield Rd

Chichester

PO19 6SE


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)'s privacy notice (opens in a new tab)