Part Time Resident Nurse in Bury St Edmunds

Part‑time Resident Nurse – Reporting to: Head of Health Services (Clinical). Working hours: 27.5hrs per week plus on‑calls (36 weeks a year, term time). Salary: £23,856 basic salary plus £7,100 on‑call allowance per annum. On‑site accommodation provided.

Job Summary: Provide a clinically effective, high‑quality nursing service to pupils and first‑aid care for the school community. Work collaboratively with pupils, parents, school personnel, GPs and other agencies to carry out health surveillance, promotion and public health initiatives. The post holder should ideally be experienced at NHS Band 6.

About Culford: Culford is a co‑educational independent boarding and day school situated on 480 acres of Suffolk countryside. It takes 700 pupils aged 2‑18 yrs, with approximately 270 boarders in four houses. The school offers a broad curriculum, extensive extracurricular programmes and excellent sporting facilities, including an on‑site sports centre, 25 m indoor pool and gym. The purpose‑built Health Centre has a six‑bedded Sanatorium for isolated pupils and is staffed by nurses, HCAs and an administrator; a local GP serves as School Medical Officer. Two GP clinics run each week plus drop‑in clinics led by the nurse. A school counsellor and local clinical psychologist provide additional support.

Role – Resident Nurse: This part‑time, residential position requires flexible management of the resident nurse’s own time. Working hours are term time, 36 weeks a year, including INSET days and two weeks for term preparation. During INSET and preparation days the resident nurse will work flexible office hours as needed.

Working Hours:

• Monday: 08:00‑08:30 (night off)
• Tuesday: 16:00‑20:00 and overnight on‑call
• Wednesday: 08:00‑20:00 and overnight on‑call
• Thursday: 08:00‑08:30 and 20:00 overnight on‑call
• Friday: 08:00‑08:30, 14:00‑20:00 and overnight on‑call
• Saturday: 08:30‑12:30 and Saturday afternoon/overnight on‑call
• Sunday: on‑call (day and night)

One weekend off each half‑term by agreement with the Head of Health Services (Clinical).

Accommodation: The post holder is required to live in the supplied accommodation during term time; the flat is available throughout the year. It is a two‑bedroom ground‑floor flat attached to the Health Centre, with a garden. No charge for accommodation or utilities; all meals during term time are included. Utilities will be a taxable benefit and employees will receive a P11D at the end of the tax year.

Key Responsibilities:

• Professional: Practice in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional. Be conversant with the Scope of Professional Practice and other NMC advisory papers. Maintain Registered Nurse status and comply with PREP requirements. Operate under best practice, local and national policies, including child protection. Apply evidence‑based practice for high‑quality nursing care. Ensure confidentiality to the code of practice. Contribute to efficient running of the Health Centre under the nurse manager. Assist in developing projects, policies and protocols relevant to health.
• Nursing: Provide a high standard of service within NMC guidelines to pupils, staff and visitors. Deliver first aid and emergency care as required. Assist senior nurses in developing and delivering nurse‑run clinics. Offer confidential advice and support to pupils, including referral or signpost to alternative services. Ensure care plans are written for pupils with medical needs and disseminated to appropriate staff. Assess, implement and evaluate in‑patient care of pupils admitted to the Sanatorium under the Senior Nurse’s direction. Support the MO during clinic times under their direction. Carry out child and adolescent surveillance programmes with the nursing team. Follow immunisation procedures for the school population. Practice within Universal Precautions and manage infectious disease control procedures. Hold and issue medication to pupils, maintaining safe storage, usage and disposal. Organise doctors’ surgeries and advise pupils to attend, referring to MO as appropriate. Arrange medical, dental or other health appointments for boarding pupils as needed. Maintain treatment room stock, hygiene and tidiness. Assist in maintaining and restocking first aid kits. Support training/updating of boarding staff on school medicine and other health policies.
• Health Promotions: Promote health education throughout the school using opportunities to deliver information to pupils and staff. Keep up to date with current health promotion initiatives. Ensure availability of publicity materials on issues relating to pupil health.
• Administrative: Ensure appropriate paperwork and records in line with NMC Code are completed. Maintain nursing records to a high standard for accurate and rapid retrieval of information. Participate in audits as required. Record drug dispensing following protocol. Maintain accurate records of pupils self‑administering medication. Maintain general office procedures.
• Health and Safety: Have awareness of health and safety issues affecting staff, children and the environment.
• Liaison: Communicate concerns and areas for development to the Senior Nurse. Coordinate with school nurses and other practitioners to facilitate national programmes such as immunisations. Work closely with Health Centre team to ensure seamless and continuous care. Communicate with staff and parents regarding pupils’ health and wellbeing. Attend meetings as required.

Person Specification:

• Knowledge / Qualifications: Essential: Registered Nurse with evidence of professional updating. Desirable: Knowledge and experience of first aid and care of children with chronic illnesses.
• Personal Circumstances: Essential: Able to work the necessary shifts to meet the needs of the service.
• Skills and Abilities / Experience: Essential: Effective verbal and written communication skills. Capacity to work under direction of Senior Staff as well as own initiative. Flexibility in approach and teamwork contribution. Basic IT skills. Experience working at NHS Band 6. Desirable: Counselling skills. Knowledge of child protection procedures. Sports injury management. Previous experience working with children. A&E experience.