Job summary
Welcome to the Children's Nursing Team at MKUH.
Services for babies, children and young people at Milton Keynes Hospital are growing, reflected in the MK New Hospital Programme - MK View.
We are looking for a qualified Nursing Associate to join our established Children's Nursing Team on Ward 5. Ward 5 is a 22 bedded acute paediatric inpatient ward caring for acutely unwell babies, children and young people up to the age of 16 years across a range of specialities.
You will work collaboratively with the wider MDT, co-ordinating and delivering family centred care for a cohort of babies, children and young people requiring admission to acute hospital.
You will require patience, understanding, creativity and most of all a sense of fun to ensure that our youngest patients cope well with their treatments and time in hospital.
If you are passionate about providing excellent care for children and think that you would fit well into our team, please apply. To allow us to shortlist effectively, please ensure that you address areas of the person specification within your application.
For an informal visit of the department please contact:
Philippa (Pip) Cullen- Prince, Ward 5 Manager
Email: Philippa.CullenPrince@mkuh.nhs.uk
Interview: W/C 13 October 2025.
Main duties of the job
We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute
NHS Staff Survey (2024): They embrace opportunities to demonstrate initiative within their roles, with an impressive 83.2% seizing such chances to drive improvements in their work areas.
The Nursing Associate has a breadth of knowledge across the lifespan and across the fields of nursing, providing holistic and person centred care and support for people of all ages and in a variety of settings. The Nursing Associate works independently under the leadership of registered nurses, working within the sphere of nursing and care and within all aspects of the nursing process.
Nursing Associates are equipped with the knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and behaviours relevant to employment as a Nursing Associate and will work to a nationally recognised code of conduct.
The following criteria identify the core components of the roles, responsibilities and accountabilities of Nursing Associates. They identify what Nursing Associates can contribute to the health and wellbeing of patients and service users, and apply across all health and care settings. Integral to all of these is the ability to communicate effectively, with sensitivity and compassion, and to manage relationships with people, making reasonable adjustments where necessary.
About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Job description
Job responsibilities
General
Deliver high quality, compassionate care under the direction of a Registered Nurse (or other registered care professional dependent on setting) to children, young people and their families.
Have appropriate attitudes and behaviors compatible with NHS and Trust values.
Work as part of a designated clinical team, delivering care that focuses on the direct needs of the individual.
Clinical Responsibilities
Have a sound understanding of all elements of the nursing process and be able to assist the registered nurse in the on-going assessment, planning, management and evaluation of care.
To provide the highest standard of evidenced based nursing care for children, young people and their families in line with local and nationally agreed standards and guidelines.
Professional Demonstrate a professional approach to work in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct.
Ensure that only those activities for which competence has been achieved are undertaken without supervision and that recognition is given to the impact and consequences of practicing outside capability.
Education Act as an excellent role model by upholding and implementing good practice in the workplace.
Act as a supervisor or assessor for both junior nursing associates, staff nurses and students supervising and participating in their orientation and education in line with Trust Policy. Participate in informal/formal teaching sessions.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
General
Deliver high quality, compassionate care under the direction of a Registered Nurse (or other registered care professional dependent on setting) to children, young people and their families.
Have appropriate attitudes and behaviors compatible with NHS and Trust values.
Work as part of a designated clinical team, delivering care that focuses on the direct needs of the individual.
Clinical Responsibilities
Have a sound understanding of all elements of the nursing process and be able to assist the registered nurse in the on-going assessment, planning, management and evaluation of care.
To provide the highest standard of evidenced based nursing care for children, young people and their families in line with local and nationally agreed standards and guidelines.
Professional Demonstrate a professional approach to work in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct.
Ensure that only those activities for which competence has been achieved are undertaken without supervision and that recognition is given to the impact and consequences of practicing outside capability.
Education Act as an excellent role model by upholding and implementing good practice in the workplace.
Act as a supervisor or assessor for both junior nursing associates, staff nurses and students supervising and participating in their orientation and education in line with Trust Policy. Participate in informal/formal teaching sessions.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nursing Associate (Registered with the NMC).
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of/adherence to the NMC code of conduct.
- Knowledge of current nursing issues.
- Knowledge of the scope of professional practice and ability to recognise own limitations.
- Understanding of holistic family centred care.
- Understanding of pressures within inpatient care.
- Knowledge and an understanding of safeguarding children and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
Desirable
- Acute paediatric experience in the NHS.
- Experience caring for neonates, children and/or young people.
- Experience using a range of nursing tools (PEWS, NEWTS2, PYMS, etc.) to inform and direct care.
Skills
Essential
- Able to work effectively either independently or as part of a team.
- Provides evidence-based care.
- Planning and prioritisation skills.
- Punctual, with a good attendance record.
- Ability to maintain concentration under stressful conditions.
- Ability to work within a high turnover, pressurised environment on a daily basis.
- Good documentation and record keeping.
- Up to date clinical skills appropriate to the work area.
- Able to undertake mathematical calculations (i.e., calculate medication doses)
- Computer literate and able to use eCare.
- Able to use initiative within the boundaries of the role.
Communication
Essential
- Good verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively with children, young people and their families/carers.
- Ability to work effectively and communicate with the multidisciplinary team.
- Be able to communicate effectively via telephone, individual or group discussion.
- Be able to speak English as necessary to undertake the role.
- Maintains confidentiality at all times.
Personal and People Development
Essential
- Understands own personal developmental needs.
- Willing to extend skills in caring for neonates, children and young people.
- Maintains professional portfolio.
- Resilient under pressure.
- Smart and presentable.
- Articulate, decisive, assertive, innovative, calm and motivated.
- Flexible approach to working hours.
- Team player.
Specific Requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nursing Associate (Registered with the NMC).
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of/adherence to the NMC code of conduct.
- Knowledge of current nursing issues.
- Knowledge of the scope of professional practice and ability to recognise own limitations.
- Understanding of holistic family centred care.
- Understanding of pressures within inpatient care.
- Knowledge and an understanding of safeguarding children and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
Desirable
- Acute paediatric experience in the NHS.
- Experience caring for neonates, children and/or young people.
- Experience using a range of nursing tools (PEWS, NEWTS2, PYMS, etc.) to inform and direct care.
Skills
Essential
- Able to work effectively either independently or as part of a team.
- Provides evidence-based care.
- Planning and prioritisation skills.
- Punctual, with a good attendance record.
- Ability to maintain concentration under stressful conditions.
- Ability to work within a high turnover, pressurised environment on a daily basis.
- Good documentation and record keeping.
- Up to date clinical skills appropriate to the work area.
- Able to undertake mathematical calculations (i.e., calculate medication doses)
- Computer literate and able to use eCare.
- Able to use initiative within the boundaries of the role.
Communication
Essential
- Good verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively with children, young people and their families/carers.
- Ability to work effectively and communicate with the multidisciplinary team.
- Be able to communicate effectively via telephone, individual or group discussion.
- Be able to speak English as necessary to undertake the role.
- Maintains confidentiality at all times.
Personal and People Development
Essential
- Understands own personal developmental needs.
- Willing to extend skills in caring for neonates, children and young people.
- Maintains professional portfolio.
- Resilient under pressure.
- Smart and presentable.
- Articulate, decisive, assertive, innovative, calm and motivated.
- Flexible approach to working hours.
- Team player.
Specific Requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.
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).
