Deputy Ward Sister Blossom Ward

Job details

• Branch: Craigavon Area Hospital (SHSCT)
• Location: Craigavon Area Hosp-Blossom C&YP Centre
• Directorate: Children & Young People's Services
• Salary: Band 6 (£38,682 - £46,580)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 01/06/26
• Closes: Tue, 16 June 2026 @ 4:00 PM
• Interview Dates: TBC

Notes

If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR. Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage. “A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026”. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week.” Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE

Deputy Sister (Children’s)

BAND

6

DIRECTORATE

Children & Young Peoples Services

INITIAL LOCATION

Southern Health & Social Care Trust – CAH, Blossom Ward

REPORTS TO

Ward Manager

ACCOUNTABLE TO

Head of Service

JOB SUMMARY

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

The following are Key Duties & Responsibilities of the post holder.

The overall aim of this post is to assist with efficient, effective and safe ward management.

The post holder will be expected to take charge on a regular basis and deputise for the ward Manager as required.

The post holder will be expected to contribute to the pursuit of excellence within acute paediatric services.

The post holder will have responsibility to participate in the delivery of clinical and nursing care.

He/ She will be required to ensure the correct skill mix and staffing levels are maintained through close monitoring of the duty rota ensuring that there is senior cover on all shifts.

He/she will play a significant role in the development and support of junior staff and leadership of the ward, working collaboratively with all paediatric staff and the multidisciplinary team.

He/she will lead in the development of all aspects of children’s nursing through the professional development of nursing staff, the implementation of evidence based practice, quality improvement and audit.

The contract is trust wide with the post being on the children’s ward CAH in the first instance however the post holder may be required to cover shifts in either Children’s ward when a clinical need has been identified to minimise/reduce risk.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Promote and adhere to the NMC statutory framework i.e. Code of Professional Conduct: Standards for Conduct, Performance and Ethics, Scope of Professional Practice, Standards for Administration of Medicines and Standards for Record Keeping

2. Participate in the prevention and early detection of abuse in all age groups. Adhere to the Child Protection Procedures laid down by the Southern Area Child Protection Committee. Fulfils the legislative requirements of the Children’s Order (NI) and works co-operatively with the Trust Named Nurses for Child Protection and Child Protection Nurse Specialists to ensure standards in child protection are developed and maintained.

3. Undertake the role of clinical supervisor within the framework of Clinical Supervision.

4. Provide effective clinical leadership to support and inspire colleagues to improve standards of care and promote continuous improvement in the management of children/young people.

5. Keep accurate records, submits statistical returns and compile reports as required in accordance with the requirements of clinical governance and NMC requirements.

6. Work in partnership to develop policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines to improve own practice and that of others.

7. Assist the Unit Manager with the setting and monitoring standards of paediatric care and the reporting of deficiencies in care.

8. Play a lead role in establishing research based practice to enable other nursing staff to implement research findings for the enhancement of patient care.

CLINICAL AND PRACTICE RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Manage the ward and nursing staff on a regular basis in the absence of the Manager

2. Undertake the duties of the Ward Manager in their absence

3. Supervise the delivery of high quality nursing care to children and young people

4. In partnership with other professionals and disciplines develop individual programmes which provide measurable outcomes of patient care. The process should include assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care in accordance with Trust and department policies and procedures.

5. Continually assess children/young people, recognise deviations from normal and initiate interventions according to ward procedures

6. Safely transfer children/young people to other hospitals for ongoing specialist treatment or diagnostic procedures

7. Competently discharge children/young people including, booking appointments and liaising with the multidisciplinary team

8. Take a lead role in reducing the risk of hospital acquired infection by maintaining high standards of cleanliness in the clinical area and a well maintained ward/department environment.

9. Identify children/young people at risk of infection and take precautions in line with infection control policy and ward procedures

10. Maintain and develop own clinical skills by ensuring that direct care is incorporated into their work schedule for a minimum of 80% of the working week.

11. In liaison with the Ward Manager, ensure that holistic paediatric care is evidence based.

ORGANISATIONAL AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Deputise for the Ward Manager when required and work shifts of duty in accordance with the Ward Manager’s arrangements.

2. Exercise leadership and coordinate patient care and activities

3. Organise and participate in annual leave arrangements to ensure that appropriate skill mix is maintained on the ward at all times as delegated by the Ward Manager.

4. Reassess staffing rotas in response to unexpected absences and adjust accordingly or redeploy staff as necessary, to meet the needs of the service.

5. Supervise junior staff and continually assess the care given to ensure that it is appropriate

6. Ensure a safe environment for care of children/young people and, in the presence of risk, complete a risk assessment, inform the appropriate department and develop an action plan to reduce the risk identified.

7. Ensure that all staff are familiar with and adhere to all Policies and Procedures within the Trust.

8. Prepare, implement and review orientation and induction programmes for students, new members of staff in association with Ward Manager and other staff.

9. Participate in the assessment of staff performance and progress.

10. Observe any signs of ill health or stress in staff and report to the Ward Manager.

11. Act on, investigate and report complaints, incidents and accidents to the Ward Manager.

12. Implement and audit quality assurance programmes, to optimise patient care within the ward, under the direction of the Ward Manager.

13. Introduce new ideas for improving practice and care, and suggests measures for the effective use of ward resources

14. Keep ward manager and department leads informed when it appears a safe level of care cannot be provided

15. Participate in staff meetings.

16. Accurately maintain and monitor clinical information within the ward

17. Monitor the record keeping of junior staff

18. Supervise the maintenance of stores and equipment and with due economy requisition supplies, repairs and replacement of equipment, ensuring all members of the team make proper and economic use of equipment and supplies.

19. In conjunction with the Ward Manager, participate in the short and long term strategic development of the paediatric service.

20. Maintain professional integrity at all times and promote a positive image of the Paediatric Service.

EDUCATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Act as an effective role model for all staff

2. In conjunction with senior staff and university link tutors acts as a facilitator and mentor for pre and post registration students and staff undertaking the return to practice programme.

3. Participate in the development and implementation of induction and preceptorship programmes for newly appointed staff.

4. Assist in the education of families, including health education and promotion.

5. Support and help facilitate the professional development of colleagues’.

6. Participate in Trust mandatory training ie Fire, Resuscitation, Child Protection and Manual Handling.

7. Provide structured feedback to colleagues

8. Assist in assessing learning needs or all staff, maintaining a suitable learning environment within the ward and participate in the clinical teaching of students, junior members of staff, including health care assistants to ensure staff develop the competencies relevant to their practice

9. Encourage and facilitate the sharing of ideas and examples of good practice.

10. Act as a mentor to learners and preceptor to newly registered staff.

11. Take responsibility for own professional development by identifying training needs with the Ward Manager and undertake any training required to attain competency in these skills.

12. Keep up to date with current research based practice

COMMUNICATION AND LIAISON

1. Communicate with parents, relatives and visitors being sensitive to their needs, dealing with problems and referring onward as necessary

2. Maintain and promote the ward philosophy of family centred care.

3. Maintain good communication/liaison with all members of the acute and community health teams and support services to ensure the best possible care is given

4. Maintain good working relationships with support and voluntary agencies

5. Communicate and liaise closely with the professional development team, link lecturer and college of nursing and midwifery to ensure a good teaching environment

6. Liaise with support services as required e.g. catering, portering, estates and ensure the fabric of the Ward is maintained

GENERAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILTIES

1. Review individually, at least annually, the performance of immediately subordinate staff, provides guidance on personal development requirements and advises on and initiates, where appropriate, further training.

2. Maintain staff relationships and morale amongst the staff reporting to him/her.

3. Review the organisation plan and establishment level of the service for which he/she is responsible to ensure that each is consistent with achieving objectives, and recommend change where appropriate.

4. Delegate appropriate responsibility and authority to the level of staff within his/her control consistent with effective decision making, while retaining overall responsibility and accountability for results.

5. Participate, as required, in the selection and appointment of staff reporting to him/her in accordance with procedures laid down by the Trust.

6. Take such action as may be necessary in disciplinary matters in accordance with procedures laid down by the Trust.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The post holder will be required to

Ensure the Trust’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.

Co-operate fully with the implementation of the Trust's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.

Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example

Smoke Free policy

IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct

standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour

Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.

Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.

All employees of the Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Trust including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the [org name] policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.

Represent the Trust’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within the Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

Deputy Sister (Children’s) Band 6 – Blossom ward

Children & Young Peoples Services

HOURS: 37.5

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Qualifications/ Registration &

Experience

Registered Nurse (Child) on the live NMC Register

And

2. 3 years’ experience within Acute Paediatric Nursing, exclusive of post basic courses, career breaks and maternity leave.

Application Form

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities &

Knowledge

Evidence of Continuing Professional Development relevant to the post

Ability to influence and manage change effectively

Ability to prioritise effectively the workload within a busy acute paediatric ward

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary setting

Flexible with regard to working arrangements including working Day Duty, Night Duty, Bank Holidays and Weekends

Interview

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

SECTION 3: these will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

Hold a full current driving license valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment

Application form

(TO BE INCLUDED FOR TEMPORARY POSTS)

If this post is being sought on secondment then the individual MUST have the permission of their line manager IN ADVANCE of making application.

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

Successful applicants may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

THE TRUST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times