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University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Deputy Sister / Charge Nurse

The closing date is 27 July 2025

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Job summary

We are looking for an experienced neonatal nurse who is qualified in specialty, to join our team at SCBU in St Richards Chichester as a Deputy sister / Charge Nurse.

We are a Level 1 unit with 12 cots and are looking for motivated, enthusiastic team players to lead our talented team of nurses.

The post holder will be a proficient clinical practitioner who will take charge of the ward in the absence of the ward sister. They will support the ward sister in her role and will be able to supervise, mentor and teach junior staff, acting as a role-model, in order to ensure that optimum standards of care are delivered at all times to neonates and their families.

They will be involved in the recruitment and selection of staff and in developing their personal development plans. In conjunction with the ward sister they are responsible for ensuring that trust policies and procedures are adhered to and that trust objectives are met.

Main duties of the job

To provide care for babies born 32 weeks gestation and above with 2 high dependency and 10 special care cots. We are working towards Family Integrated Care in order to support families to learn to care for their babies in preparation for discharge with the support of our neonatal outreach teams in order to continue to provide support at home.

If you are an experienced neonatal nurse with a passion for neonatal and special care looking to a change or to advance your practice, please do contact us for more information.

We are looking to recruit highly motivated Deputy Sisters with a neonatal specialty qualification. The successful candidates must be motivated, enthusiastic, possess good communication and clinical skills. If successful, you will be supported in your development and provided with opportunities to work on your leadership and academic skills further.

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. 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 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

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

Details

Date posted

11 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

1 years

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

279-7298506-JUL25

Job locations

St Richards Hospital

Spitalfield Lane

Chichester

PO19 6SE


Job description

Job responsibilities

To be a proficient clinical practitioner who will take charge for the ward in absence of the ward sister.

To support, supervise and mentor junior colleagues and student nurses as as well as act as a role-model in order to given the highest standards of care to our neonates and families.

To provide specialist advice and support whilst working collaboratively with all the Multi-disciplinary teams.

Be involved in recruitment and selection of staff and in developing their personal development plans. In conjunction with the ward sister, be responsible for ensuring trust policies and procedures are adhered to and that the trust objectives are met.

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details

Job description

Job responsibilities

To be a proficient clinical practitioner who will take charge for the ward in absence of the ward sister.

To support, supervise and mentor junior colleagues and student nurses as as well as act as a role-model in order to given the highest standards of care to our neonates and families.

To provide specialist advice and support whilst working collaboratively with all the Multi-disciplinary teams.

Be involved in recruitment and selection of staff and in developing their personal development plans. In conjunction with the ward sister, be responsible for ensuring trust policies and procedures are adhered to and that the trust objectives are met.

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details

Person Specification

Evidence at inetrview

Essential

  • NMC/RM/RSCN
  • Qualified in Speciality, ENB 405
  • Educated at Diploma Level
  • Recent acute neonatal experience
  • Experience in post qualified in speciality training

Desirable

  • Leadership Qualification
  • Newborn Life Support
  • Previous Tertiary experience
  • Experience in shift leadership

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

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

Evidence at inetrview

Essential

  • NMC/RM/RSCN
  • Qualified in Speciality, ENB 405
  • Educated at Diploma Level
  • Recent acute neonatal experience
  • Experience in post qualified in speciality training

Desirable

  • Leadership Qualification
  • Newborn Life Support
  • Previous Tertiary experience
  • Experience in shift leadership

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

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

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

St Richards Hospital

Spitalfield Lane

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 Lane

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

Rachael Rye

rachael.rye@nhs.net

01243831442

Details

Date posted

11 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

1 years

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

279-7298506-JUL25

Job locations

St Richards Hospital

Spitalfield Lane

Chichester

PO19 6SE


Supporting documents

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