Staff Nurse - Acute Assessment Unit NHS AfC: Band 5

Supportive Bridge Staffing & Recruitment is pleased to assist our valued client in recruiting a skilled Band 5 Staff Nurse to join their Acute Assessment Unit (AAU). Based at West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust—a busy partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge—this permanent part-time position (23 hours per week) offers an excellent opportunity to deliver fast-paced emergency and acute care in Bury St Edmunds, UK.

Working on a 24-hour unit featuring 23 assessment trolleys and an integrated Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) service, you will manage patients presenting with acute medical conditions. You will conduct rapid clinical assessments, initiate emergency treatments, identify and escalate deteriorating patients, and support ambulatory care pathways that enable safe same-day discharges.

Role Description

As a Band 5 Staff Nurse on the Acute Assessment Unit, you will deliver high-quality acute nursing care, perform rapid clinical assessments, manage deteriorating patients, and execute ambulatory care pathways within a high-turnover front-door hospital service.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform rapid clinical triage, assessments, and continuous monitoring for patients presenting with acute medical illnesses within AAU and SDEC.

• Recognise, manage, and promptly escalate deteriorating patient conditions while delivering safe intravenous drug administration, phlebotomy, and cannulation.

• Maintain clear electronic records using E-Care, manage patient handovers, and coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to facilitate safe, timely same-day discharges.

Requirements

• Active NMC Registration (or Newly Qualified Nurse status) with Basic Life Support (BLS) training.

• Previous acute nursing experience within the NHS, including demonstrated competence in cannulation, venepuncture, and IV drug administration.

• Strong communication, prioritization, and IT skills, with a flexible approach to shift patterns and acute care duties.

Benefits

• Calculated hourly rate of £16.45 to £20.02 per hour (based on £32,073 - £39,043 per annum pro rata across a standard 37.5-hour full-time equivalent work week).

• Full NHS Agenda for Change terms, including NHS Pension Scheme, generous holiday entitlement, and supportive flexible working arrangements.

• Structured professional development, mentoring opportunities, and leadership support from dedicated Matrons and Ward Managers.