View all our vacancies across our hospitals in Sussex. Search, find and apply for a job with us today.
Main area: Critical Care
Grade: Band 5
Contract: Permanent
Hours:
* Full time
* Part time
37.5 hours per week (Part time may be considered)
Job ref: 279-7065112-MAR25
Employer: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Royal Sussex County Hospital
Town: Brighton
Salary: £29,970 - £36,483 per annum pro rata
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 31/03/2025 23:59
About our Trust
At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, ambition, and values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First. In fact, our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto, and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
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 our Wellbeing 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.
Job overview
Are you interested in developing your nursing skills and have a desire to care for critically ill patients? You must have some recent acute ward experience post-registration. Previous experience in Critical Care is not necessary. We have 31 beds currently within a 55 bed area with plans to expand. The ICU is brand new with fantastic sea views and wide bed spaces.
We will offer you five weeks supernumerary time when you join us. The Critical Care steps one programme will include five full in-house study days. We will provide study days with a variety of topics including ventilation, cardiac, neurosurgery, and a simulation day. You will also be allocated to one of our practice educators to support you.
University Hospitals Sussex are one of the leading acute Trusts on the South Coast. The Royal Sussex County in Brighton is located just a few minutes from the sea and close to our lively town centre! The Unit is within easy access to the seaside, countryside, and a frequent train service to London and Gatwick airport. We are the Major Trauma Centre and Teaching Hospital for our area.
Main duties of the job
To plan, provide, and evaluate skilled evidence-based care for the critically ill patient under the supervision of Band 6 and Band 7 critical care nurses. To complete the Network Critical Care Foundation Programme and progress towards the adult Critical Care Course if appropriate.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. 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 our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - 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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
COMMUNICATION
Maintains effective communication with people about routine and daily activities overcoming any differences in communication between the people involved.
Attends Unit meetings / Team Away days in order to communicate needs and discuss problems with senior staff.
Identifies needs and provides support for patients, relatives, and friends with support from the shift coordinator.
Behaves in a consistent manner with visitors, patients, and the MDT.
Articulates current status of patients in their care to the shift coordinator.
Informs the shift coordinator when assistance is required / support needed.
Maintains communication with people about routine and daily activities constructively overcoming any differences in communication between the people involved, and modifying communication accordingly e.g. using tact, diplomacy, discretion, empathy.
Participate in ensuring effective multidisciplinary communication links both upwards and downwards within Critical Care and the rest of the Trust. This involves all staff members, relatives, and patients.
Adhere to NMC guidelines on documentation; accountability and responsibility for accurate, professional record keeping either on paper and/or the electronic system.
Display competent use of Trust e-mail, CIS message centre (where applicable), visitors intercom system, and telephone.
Responsible for effective shift handovers ensuring relevant detail is communicated and identifies and challenges any unprofessional or subjective comments made about patients.
Participate in medical ward rounds showing a thorough knowledge of the patient’s medical history, current condition, and recent clinical events. Ability to present this concisely, at the appropriate time, and in the appropriate manner.
Involvement in complex patient ‘case conferences’ when discussing future treatments for patients which could involve ’withdrawal of treatment’ in situations of poor prognosis.
Participate in mortality and morbidity meetings (where appropriate).
Support families on a 1:1 basis using knowledge, experience, and skill to explain complicated medical conditions. Provide adequate and appropriate information and education, whilst ensuring this information is understood.
Provide and receive highly complex information on clinical conditions, which could be sensitive and occasionally contentious. Information given to patients and relatives could involve breaking bad news and may result in conflict with relatives understanding of the critically ill patient. E.g. communicating ‘withdrawal of treatment’, deterioration in condition, or sudden death. This must be done with great tact and skill.
Ability to guide relatives through withdrawal of treatment, tissue/organ donation in conjunction with relevant personnel e.g. Trust Donation Nurse Specialist, Transplant Co-ordinator, Trust personnel available for distressed/bereaved relatives.
Recognition of poor standards of care among MDT. Ability to highlight these to appropriate personnel, at an appropriate time, and in an appropriate manner.
PERSONAL AND PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT
At no time should the post holder work outside their defined level of competence. If the post holder has concerns regarding this they should immediately discuss this with their Team Leader. The post holder has the responsibility to inform those supervising their duties if they are not competent to perform a duty.
To practice in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and Professional Practice.
To complete Trust orientation objectives including IV drug administration.
To attend statutory/mandatory training/updates as required by Unit/Trust.
To complete Network Critical Care Foundation Programme.
To provide effective, safe evidence-based care to a standard prescribed by the Unit/Trust Policies and Procedures under the supervision of the shift coordinator.
To assess, plan, implement, and evaluate individual patient care in consultation with the shift coordinator and Primary Nurse.
To perform and record observations appropriate to the patient’s condition, where possible interpreting their significance, and where not informing the shift coordinator of any relevant change.
To manage and prioritise your patients workload after a period of training under the supervision of Practice Educator/shift coordinator.
To undergo further training that enables the use of specialised critical care equipment.
After agreement with your Team Leader, to take on the role of associate nurse to support primary nurses.
To have a working knowledge of KSF/eKSF and take part in Development Reviews as required by Team Leader, producing a Personal Development Plan which shows responsibility for own development in line with KSF/PREP and supported with portfolio evidence.
To make use of educational facilities offered by the Unit/Trust in maintaining personal and junior colleagues development.
Develop own knowledge and skills and contribute to development of others.
To complete and maintain Band 5 competencies.
To have successfully completed adult care of the critically ill course (level 2 or 3).
To be responsible for own personal, clinical, and professional development in line with NMC/PREP/KSF supported with portfolio evidence.
To have applied for or completed Mentorship course at level 2 or 3 with annual updates as applicable.
To demonstrate the ability to work without supervision and to accept additional responsibility as agreed with Team Leader.
To practice in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and scope of Professional Practice. At no time should the post holder work outside their defined level of competence. If the post holder has concerns regarding this they should immediately discuss this with the Shift Co-ordinator / Team Leader. The post holder has the responsibility to inform those supervising their duties if they are not competent to perform a duty.
To assist with orientation and supervision of new members of staff, Critical Care course students, Pre Registration Nursing Students and provide mentorship for this group of staff in conjunction with the Practice Educator whilst acting as a role model.
To undertake the Primary Nurse role.
Participate in teaching in the clinical area providing records of same. Provide written/verbal feedback from study days/courses to team members.
To participate in competency-based assessments and ongoing reviews of scope of professional practice within Critical Care.
To promote evidence-based practice within Critical Care with portfolio evidence.
To partake in annual Development Reviews in line with KSF by producing a Personal Development Plan in conjunction with your Team Leader.
Person specification
Post registration NHS experience
* Active NHS pin with NHS experience
* 12 months acute ward experience
Registration
* NMC Registration
* ALS/ILS/ALERT
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
* Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
* Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
Important information for applicants:
Please note, the use of AI-generated applications will be closely monitored. It is at the manager's discretion to reject your application if they feel the majority has been created through the use of AI tools.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working, please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigration eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications.
Further Information
For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email uhsussex.nursingteam@nhs.net.
For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email uhsussex.nonnursingteam@nhs.net.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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.
Name: Lucy Pitt
Job title: Matron
Email address: lucy.pitt4@nhs.net
Telephone number: 07341884379
Please contact Lucy if you have any questions or would like an informal visit.
#J-18808-Ljbffr