Job summary
This is a Trust grade Clinical Fellow post for a whole-time ST4/5 in General Paediatrics and Neonatology, based at Watford General Hospital. The duration of the post is for 6 months from the 3rd March 2025- 31st August 2025.
This is an exciting opportunity to work within a busy and vibrant Paediatric department and Level 2 Neonatal Unit.
The post will include the assessment and management of children and young people in the Children's Emergency Department, Paediatric Assessment Unit, Inpatient ward and Outpatient/Day-care settings as well as providing care for preterm & term babies on the Neonatal Unit.
The post holder would work as part of the acute middle grade rota including daytime, out of hours and weekend work.
Applicants should have prior experience working in General Paediatrics and Neonatology. Support can be given towards career development. This includes exposure during this post to General Paediatrics, Neonatology and subspecialty work alongside Consultants with specialist interests in Paediatric Oncology, Cystic Fibrosis and Complex Respiratory, Cardiology, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Allergy, Epilepsy and Neurology, Renal, Rheumatology and Neonatal neurodevelopment.
Main duties of the job
The post holder would rotate between the Paediatric department at Watford Hospital comprising an 18-20 bed Starfish Children's Ward with dedicated 2 bedded HDU, the Children's Emergency Department and 7 bedded Paediatric Assessment Unit and the level 2 Neonatal Unit which also covers labour ward, postnatal and transitional care. These rotations would be for fixed periods of time in paediatrics or neonates with flexibility to cross cover if needed.
The post holder would also be expected to cover the Neonatal and Paediatric clinics supervised by a consultant.
The post holder should have previous experience working in acute paediatrics with relevant APLS and NLS (or equivalent skills) and Level 3 Safeguarding training. Teamwork and leadership are key skills in working with colleagues, children/young people and their families. Successful candidates should demonstrate skills and experience in these areas. Practical procedural skills relevant to paediatric middle grade work are required.
About us
With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us.
We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.
Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.
Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.
At West Herts we offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance and the ability to work flexibly.
www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking
We kindly invite you to consider submitting an application.
If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact westherts.recruitment@nhs.net
If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.
If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Job description
Job responsibilities
General Paediatrics and Neonatology:
Responsible for supervising and supporting the SHOs covering the acute problems in the inpatient ward, Childrens Emergency Department, Paediatric Assessment Unit and Neonatal unit (including attending deliveries on labour ward and postnatal and transitional care reviews)
Working alongside the neonatal consultants to manage preterm and term babies on the neonatal unit.
Covering the Safari Day unit adjacent to the in-patient ward.
Regular General Paediatric Out-Patients in Consultant led clinics
Supervision of SHOs, liaison with Consultants and other professionals involved in patient care
In addition, opportunities can be made available in Community Paediatrics by negotiation.
The post holder would be expected to participate in all activities of the department including:
Weekly Paediatric and Neonatal teaching, Simulation and Journal Clubs
Audit and Clinical Governance meetings
Attendance at Paediatric sub-specialty clinics
Study leave entitlement
Audit and research activities
Job description
Job responsibilities
General Paediatrics and Neonatology:
Responsible for supervising and supporting the SHOs covering the acute problems in the inpatient ward, Childrens Emergency Department, Paediatric Assessment Unit and Neonatal unit (including attending deliveries on labour ward and postnatal and transitional care reviews)
Working alongside the neonatal consultants to manage preterm and term babies on the neonatal unit.
Covering the Safari Day unit adjacent to the in-patient ward.
Regular General Paediatric Out-Patients in Consultant led clinics
Supervision of SHOs, liaison with Consultants and other professionals involved in patient care
In addition, opportunities can be made available in Community Paediatrics by negotiation.
The post holder would be expected to participate in all activities of the department including:
Weekly Paediatric and Neonatal teaching, Simulation and Journal Clubs
Audit and Clinical Governance meetings
Attendance at Paediatric sub-specialty clinics
Study leave entitlement
Audit and research activities
Person Specification
Education and qualifications:
Essential
- Eligible for GMC registration to cover the scope of employment
- MBBS/MBChB or equivalent
Desirable
- Distinctions, Scholarships, prizes
- MRCPCH Part 1 and/or 2 Other degrees e.g. BSc. Masters, PhD (or equivalent)
Knowledge:
Essential
- Experience managing acutely unwell children
- Keeps professional knowledge and skills up to date
- APLS and NLS or equivalent up to date
- Level 3 safeguarding up to date
Desirable
- Demonstrates a critical and enquiring approach to knowledge acquisition
- Understands the purpose and process of basic professional training
Experience:
Essential
- Competent in basic procedures (which may be post specific) e.g. CPR, infection control, physical examination, history taking etc
- Sufficient clinical experience in Paediatrics/Neonatology
- Able to prioritise clinical need
- Understands current clinical issues in specialty
- Aware of own limitations, escalates to consultants senior colleagues appropriately and knows when to ask for help
- Understands the principles of patient confidentiality and data protection
- Understands the need for and appreciates the role of audit in clinical practice
- Understands the principles of clinical governance - ensures patients are not put at risk
Desirable
- Knowledge or UK health systems and practices including the relationship between primary and secondary care and inter-professional relationships
- Middle grade experience
- Tertiary Neonatology experience
- Knowledge of current issues in the NHS
- Information Technology Skills - Electronic Patient Record Systems
- Understands the importance and impact of information systems in health care
- Has participated in clinical audit
Person Specification
Education and qualifications:
Essential
- Eligible for GMC registration to cover the scope of employment
- MBBS/MBChB or equivalent
Desirable
- Distinctions, Scholarships, prizes
- MRCPCH Part 1 and/or 2 Other degrees e.g. BSc. Masters, PhD (or equivalent)
Knowledge:
Essential
- Experience managing acutely unwell children
- Keeps professional knowledge and skills up to date
- APLS and NLS or equivalent up to date
- Level 3 safeguarding up to date
Desirable
- Demonstrates a critical and enquiring approach to knowledge acquisition
- Understands the purpose and process of basic professional training
Experience:
Essential
- Competent in basic procedures (which may be post specific) e.g. CPR, infection control, physical examination, history taking etc
- Sufficient clinical experience in Paediatrics/Neonatology
- Able to prioritise clinical need
- Understands current clinical issues in specialty
- Aware of own limitations, escalates to consultants senior colleagues appropriately and knows when to ask for help
- Understands the principles of patient confidentiality and data protection
- Understands the need for and appreciates the role of audit in clinical practice
- Understands the principles of clinical governance - ensures patients are not put at risk
Desirable
- Knowledge or UK health systems and practices including the relationship between primary and secondary care and inter-professional relationships
- Middle grade experience
- Tertiary Neonatology experience
- Knowledge of current issues in the NHS
- Information Technology Skills - Electronic Patient Record Systems
- Understands the importance and impact of information systems in health care
- Has participated in clinical audit
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).
