Job summary
Employer heading
Staff Nurse - OPAT
NHS AfC: Band 5
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the OPAT team at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. This is a permanent post of 19 hrs pw, with the possibility of the hours temporarily increasing. (Secondment would be considered).
Are you an experienced band 5 Registered Paediatric Nurse looking for a challenging new experience or wanting to develop new skills within paediatric nursing?
OPAT offers Intravenous antimicrobial therapy to patients who no longer require in-patient care. The service aims to manage children on IV antimicrobial therapy either in their own homes, or in an ambulant care setting.
You will need enthusiasm, motivation, ability to work both within a team and autonomously, and have a commitment to providing a high standard of clinical practice and care to our patients.
It is essential that you have a current driving licence and access to a car you can use for work.
You will care for patients with a range of medical and surgical conditions, both within the OPAT lounge and in the patient’s own home, supported by senior staff and the referring teams.
The OPAT service needs a band 5 nurse who can maintain professionalism and who takes pride in the care they give to the patients and their families, as well as being dedicated to their own personal and professional development and the development of the service.
Main duties of the job
- To co-ordinate and provide skilled nursing (without direct supervision) to patients, in accordance with responsibilities under the NMC Code of Conduct.
- To contribute to the continuing development of nursing, including the supervision of junior nurses and support staff.
- Act as an advocate for patients.
- To plan, implement and evaluate nursing care for an allocated patient group, in consideration of individual need, using prioritisation and delegation skills.
- To assist the team in managing and developing the Ward/Department.
- To work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, internal and external to the organisation, to facilitate holistic seamless care delivery for all Trust Patients.
Working for our organisation
About us
At Sheffield Children’s, our purpose is clear: to provide healthier futures for children and young people. Our three strategic aims are:
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Outstanding Patient Care
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Brilliant Place to work
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Leaders in Children’s Health
We work successfully with local, regional, and national partners to provide physical and mental healthcare across acute and community settings. Many of our clinicians are amongst the best in their field, recognised nationally and internationally for their expertise.
As well as having enormous pride in what we do, we are a friendly, welcoming, and motivated NHS Trust who are guided by our CARE values: Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence. Our nearly 4000 colleagues live these values, ensuring kind and compassionate care that makes patients and their families feel safe and at home.
As we approach our 150th anniversary in 2026, we remain committed to enhancing our reputation in children’s health leadership, improving the experiences of both patient and colleagues, and focusing on our communities and population health.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- To maintain confidentiality of information regarding children/ families at all times.
- To act as a positive role model and resource person to others including patients and relatives.
- To communicate and liaise effectively with all members of the multidisciplinary team, both verbally and in writing, providing and receiving complex or sensitive information
- Promote and maintain good and effective communication with patients, relatives, and visitors.
- Persuade patients and families to co-operate with treatment for their well-being, effectively deal with anxious relatives.
- Ensure parents/carers and the child (when appropriate), have the opportunity to agree and/or negotiate care.
- Communicate with senior nursing staff regarding any problems, untoward occurrences or accidents
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- To have RSCN or RN (Child) registration, and use this knowledge in the daily care of patients.
- To undertake administration of prescribed medication within the Trust policy for administration of medicines
Inclusive Recruitment & Selection
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and accurate data capture is an important part of that to ensure we are supportive and representative. Our aim is to ensure that all applicants can see themselves in the available categories on our application form, but we recognise that some of our data capture fields are not inclusive. We have flagged this with our system provider to ask for change.
We offer encouragement and active support to applicants with additional needs, including those from ethnic minorities, with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community. If you wish to adjust any aspect of the recruitment process or wish to find out more about our recruitment & selection processes, please get in touch with our Recruitment Manager: [email protected]
We are continually reviewing our recruitment & selection process to support the long-term aim of Sheffield Children’s being a champion of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. If you have any ideas for improvement, please get in touch with Catherine Gilbert at [email protected]
Trust Values
The Trust is committed to providing great quality patient care and keep children, young people and families at the heart of what we do by following our CARE values:
- Compassion – leading by kindness and showing empathy, understanding and respect
- Accountability – striving to do the right thing and owning responsibility
- Respect – value differences, tackling inequality and fostering a culture of inclusion
- Excellence – delivering a high-quality standard of care
Person specification
Qualifications / Training
Essential criteria
- Degree or Diploma Level Education as Registered Nurse (RN Child or RSCN)
- Current registration with NMC
Desirable criteria
- Teaching, mentoring and Assessors qualification
- Willingness to undertake study to Degree level
- Relevant Post Basic registration course
Experience
Essential criteria
- Ability to demonstrate a commitment to professional development
- Willingness to undertake Trust Band 5 competency pathway
Desirable criteria
- Post-registration experience in paediatric speciality
- Mentorship experience
- Understanding of the principles of Audit
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Role of Staff Nurse
- Accountability and Own limitations
- Health & Safety Safe Practices e.g. Moving and Handling, Sharps, COSHH
- Principles of Infection Control Principles of Safeguarding of children
Desirable criteria
- Experience in Nursing Speciality
- Ability to work within a team
- Understanding of the clinical governance agenda
- Health, Safety and Risk awareness
- Awareness of resource management
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to respect the cultural, social and religious diversity within society.
- Able to use own initiative Good decision making skills
- Effective interpersonal skills
- Basic IT skills & use of Microsoft Word
Desirable criteria
- Paediatric Life Support training
- Extended role skills eg IV practice Speciality Nursing Skills: Medical Nursing, Surgical Nursing, Critical Care, One to One Teaching
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
- Commitment to: Speciality Professional Values & manner Self Development Family Involvement and holistic care Internal Rotation/Flexible Working Patterns
Desirable criteria
- Leadership qualities
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Lucy Challenger
- Job title
- OPAT Nurse Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0114 3053592
- Additional information
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