Deputy Sister, Paediatrics (Fixed Term - 12 months)

Job overview

Deputy Sister – Band 6 (Fixed Term, 12 Months)

We have an exciting opportunity a for motivated, enthusiastic Registered Nurse to join our Inpatient Paediatric team on Ash Ward as a Band 6 Deputy Sister on a 12‑month fixed-term contract.

Ash Ward is a busy general paediatric ward providing care to children and young people aged 0–18 years with a wide range of medical, surgical and orthopaedic conditions. The ward also includes a High Dependency Unit (HDU) delivering both Level 1 and Level 2 care, offering a diverse and rewarding clinical environment. We work closely with our Paediatric Specialist Nurses, covering specialties such as Oncology, Diabetes, Respiratory and Epilepsy, who support both patients and staff and contribute to ongoing education.

As Deputy Sister, you will be a positive role model, leading by example in the delivery of high‑quality, evidence‑based, family‑centred care. You will support the Ward Manager in maintaining high standards of care, ensuring patient safety, and promoting the development and wellbeing of the ward team. You will provide visible clinical leadership on a shift‑by‑shift basis and actively encourage professional development, fostering a supportive learning environment in collaboration with our Paediatric Education Team.

If you would like further information, please contact Catherine Medlycott, Ash Ward Manager on- [email protected]

Main duties of the job

The main duties of this role are to be:

Responsible for managing the care provided to our patients on a shift by shift basis, supporting junior members of the team in providing high quality, evidence based care.

To support the ward manager in providing  clinical and managerial responsibility for Ash Ward

To oversee the development of junior colleagues, completing their appraisals with support from the Ward manager, working closely with the Education Team to ensure that each individual has the opportunity to develop their practice in areas specific to them

Act as a role model to other members of the multi-professional team, supporting and promoting an environment of learning and development.

To oversee and actively participate in the development of the ward within teams focusing on areas each team are responsible for.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

To be clinically able to undertake and direct high quality research based clinical nursing care , sharing expertise with the nursing team

To use appropriate skill set in the assessment planning implementation and evaluation of care delivery

To take overall responsibility of the clinical environment when on allocated shift ensuring safety is maintained including appropriate escalation to senior nursing team when support is required

To have excellent verbal and written communication skills so that professional advice or care guidance and instructions are well understood by patients , their relatives and/or carers and members of the multidisciplinary team .

To manage clinical situations that may be challenging and distressing for junior staff , ensuring the needs of the child and family are paramount

To ensure effective discharge planning so that individual patient needs are met with an appropriate plan of action involving the multidisciplinary team as required

Function as an effective role model in the clinical setting in demonstrating the application of breadth and depth of nursing knowledge and skills, and in advising and supporting members of the multi-disciplinary team.

Facilitate the professional development of other nurses in the appraisal process by guiding the junior nurses to identify their learning needs .Support and mentors junior colleagues

To work collaboratively with the Ward Manager/Matron to ensure that clinical governance processes at unit level encompass measures to ensure the quality of the fundamental and essential aspects of care at met

Leadership or managerial

To effectively manage the patient pathway from admission until discharge

To ensure appropriate patient allocation taking into consideration skill mix and patient acuity

To promote staff wellbeing by ensuring breaks are managed in a timely way that ensures the nursing service is clinically safe at all times.

Provide positive effective leadership and act a role model. Delegates appropriately , and empowers staff to problem solve effectively with their daily clinical workloads

Facilitates and supports nurses in working collaboratively with all other members of the multi-disciplinary team

Adopts an appropriate management style in accordance with changing circumstances

Undertakes annual appraisal for nursing staff as requested by the Ward Manager/Paediatric Matron. Ensuring that they have a Personal Development Plan, and to assist with the appraisal of other staff in liaison with the Ward Manger.

To participate in nursing research and clinical audit where appropriate and directed by the Paediatric Matron

Educational

Act as a role model to junior nurses and students rotating to the area

To ensure that all supervisors, mentors, and/or preceptors of learners provide adequate support and supervision

To undertake a recognised assessor training and subsequently participate in the formal assessment of learner nurses.

To plan and maximise opportunities to deliver work-based learning from an agreed educational programme for paediatrics

To develop education and training programmes in collaboration with the Practice Development Nurse and Paediatric Matron to ensure that knowledge, skills and competencies of the professional and support staff are able to meet patients' and carers' by develop learning outcomes and competency achievements for all staff

On a monthly basis to undertake a regular teaching /training shift to either deliver education or work clinically with a junior member of the nursing team to gain confidence knowledge and skills in an agreed subject .

General responsibilities

To support the department and organisation by carrying out any other duties that reasonably fit within the broad scope of a job of this grade and type of work