Overview
Main area PICU Grade Band 8a Contract Secondment: 1 year (or fixed term 1 year post). Hours: 37.5 per week (80% clinical, 20% leadership, research, education as per ACP role). Job ref 411-SUR-25-7578200.
Employer: Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust. Site: Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool. Salary: £55,690 - £62,682 pro rata. Salary period: Yearly. Closing: 21/11/2025 23:59. Interview date: 25/11/2025.
Organisation
Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust is a provider of specialist health care with community outreach and local clinics across Merseyside, Cumbria, Shropshire, Wales and the Isle of Man. The Trust provides inpatient care for children with complex mental health needs in Sunflower House. The Trust employs over 4,000 staff and is a teaching and training hospital.
Benefits
We offer an outstanding benefits package including:
* Great flexible working opportunities
* Lease car scheme and Home Electronics Scheme
* Generous annual leave and pension scheme
* Extensive staff health and well-being programmes
Job overview
We are looking for two [1.8 WTE] experienced and dynamic ACPs for a one-year secondment, or one-year fixed term post, within the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). The post will begin in March 2026. On completion of the one-year period, there is potential for successful candidates to apply for substantive posts.
PICU is a busy 24-bed Unit (funded to open 21 beds). The team provides PCCS level 3-4, acute critical care for cardiac surgical, general paediatric, specialty paediatric, trauma and ECMO patients. Direct clinical management is provided by a hybrid team of middle grade resident doctors, clinical fellows and Advanced Nurse Practitioners. The service operates with a 24/7 PICU Consultant on-site. The successful candidate will have a strong clinical profile, with experience of working as an ACP in a critical care setting (PICU, NICU, AICU, paediatric retrieval service or tertiary paediatric HDU). Experienced paediatric acute care ACPs with more than 5 years PICU/PCICU experience may be considered. Paediatric cardiology and/or cardiac surgical experience is advantageous.
Main duties of the job
Direct PICU clinical care is provided 7 days per week in 12.5-hour shifts (08:30–21:30 or 20:30–09:30), with expectation of covering nights and weekends, pro-rata. The hybrid team provides safe and proactive clinical management to enhance the patient experience and clinical outcomes. It requires excellent communication skills within the multi-disciplinary team and with families. The successful candidate will be supported by a strong ACP team and will be required to complete the local PICU ACP illustrations/competencies. There are opportunities for development including ultrasound-guided vascular access.
For secondments, ensure you have manager support prior to applying. For further detail or informal discussions, please contact Gerri Sefton, Consultant Nurse Critical Care at gerri.sefton@alderhey.nhs.uk.
Interview date: 25 November 2025
Working for our organisation
As one of Europe’s biggest and busiest children’s hospitals, Alder Hey treats a wide range of conditions. We operate from the main hospital site and several community sites with local clinics across Merseyside, Cumbria, Shropshire, Wales and the Isle of Man. We provide specialist inpatient care for children with complex mental health needs in Sunflower House and have a strong research portfolio.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
PICU
The 24-bed Paediatric Intensive Care Unit is a busy mixed general and cardiac ward with 1000 admissions per year (40% post-op cardiac). We are a designated ECMO, Major Trauma Centre, and High Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) Centre. There is a separate staffed 15-bed High Dependency Unit. The role offers broad experience in paediatric intensive care including cardiac surgery/cardiology, ECMO, and acute illness management. Shifts are 12.5 hours, with long days, nights and weekends pro-rata. Self-rostering for ACPs is in operation; consultants are on-site 24/7.
Successful candidates will gain experience in the PICU illustrations/competencies and be mentored within the established PICU ACP team.
Job Summary
This multi-professional role is designed to transform and modernise pathways of care, enabling safe and effective sharing of skills across traditional professional boundaries. Advanced clinical practice focuses on four pillars: Clinical Practice, Leadership, Education, and Research. The post holder will work autonomously at an advanced level, with 80% clinical practice and 20% for service improvement activities. The exact balance may be localised via the job plan and development review.
Main duties and responsibilities
1. Work autonomously within their scope of practice, providing high-quality consultations with advanced communication and decision-making.
2. Conduct autonomous clinical assessments, procedures, labs, and diagnostics within scope.
3. Diagnose, plan, implement and initiate changes to care; monitor response to treatment and interpret clinical data.
4. Manage risk in complex/unpredictable situations and escalate as needed.
5. Work autonomously in unpredictable situations, remaining flexible to service needs.
6. Evaluate personal accountability and practice quality, including reflection and adaptation.
7. Evaluate performance and engage in self-development and CPD.
8. Communicate effectively with the multidisciplinary team and families to coordinate care.
9. Ensure practice is informed by current evidence and aligns with Trust policies.
10. Counsel and support patients and families, with escalation/referral as required.
11. Initiate, adjust, or supply medications and devices within legal parameters (independent prescriber, PGD, or equivalent).
12. Engage with local and national advanced practice governance, including governance processes and supervision.
13. Comply with Trust policies and mandatory training.
14. Promote family-centred care in a safe, welcoming environment.
15. Provide up-to-date information and records for families and the MDT.
Successful applicants will be expected to fulfil local PICU illustrations/competencies within 6 months. A strong PICU ACP team will mentor and support development.
Person specification
Clinical, Education, Leadership/Management, Research, Personal attributes
* Active professional registration with the relevant body (e.g., NMC, HCPC, GPhC, GOC). Evidence of ACP experience in critical care (PICU, NICU, AICU, retrieval service or tertiary paediatric HDU) – minimum 2 years. May consider >5 years PICU/PCICU experience. Current APLS certification. Meets PICU ACP illustrations or willingness to complete within 6 months. Experience with paediatric cardiology/cardiac surgery. An ACP portfolio demonstrating advanced decision-making, autonomous assessments, and relevant skills.
* Evidence of Advanced Practice qualification (MSc in ACP or equivalent) and recognition via NHSE e-portfolio. Evidence of leadership activities, governance, and education/training supervision. Legally authorised to prescribe within scope (independent, supplementary, PGD, or PSD).
* Evidence of advanced practice governance, supervision, and CPD. Strong IT and communication skills. Experience in research, audit, and QI. Ability to write reports and procedures. Strong team-working, time management, and ability to work under pressure.
* Significant experience in advanced clinical and diagnostic skills relevant to PICU, including ultrasound-guided vascular access. PCICU experience. Active participation in education/training supervision; leadership qualifications; engagement in clinical governance and change management. Track record in research, audit, QI; publications or presentations; involvement at local/regional/national levels.
We reserve the right to close vacancies without notice. Please apply without delay. For assistance during application, contact the recruiting manager or recruitment team at recruitment@alderhey.nhs.uk or call 0151 282 4599.
Please declare within the supporting information if artificial intelligence (AI) has been used in your application. The selection processes monitor AI use to ensure accuracy of skills described.
Employer certification / accreditation
You must have appropriate UK professional registration. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and a DBS disclosure.
Name: Gerri Sefton, Job title: Consultant Nurse Critical Care, Email: gerri.sefton@alderhey.nhs.uk
Available to clarify detail or informal discussions regarding this post.
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