Job summary
Interviews will be held at Alder Hey Childrens NHS Foundation Trust on 10th February 2026.
This is an exciting and innovative opportunity to join an enthusiastic, well‑motivated team in the High Dependency Unit at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. HDU sits within the Department of Critical Care that resides within the Division of Surgical Care.
Eligibility
Applicants must have extensive experience in tertiary high‑dependency care including the care of general and sub‑specialty (cardiology and surgical) patients. Additional experience in intensive care, relevant sub‑specialties particularly cardiology, neurology, retrieval, respiratory or long‑term ventilation would be advantageous. Applicants must have completed the Paediatric High Dependency Care Special Interest Module. This should include a minimum of 12 months of Paediatric Intensive Care.
Responsibilities
The postholder will contribute to a rota which provides daytime and out of hours cover for HDU in combination with other consultant colleagues. A total of 10 programmed activities (PA) are payable per week. Additional clinical PAs may be available by mutual agreement.
The HDU consultants direct the clinical care of all patients admitted to HDU. The role requires effective co‑working with specialty colleagues. Currently patients are admitted under a primary “lead” specialty clinician but the care of the patients whilst on HDU is led by the HDU Consultant until they are discharged from the unit. Patients are admitted from the emergency department, from step‑up care from general wards or ward HDU areas, step‑down care from PICU or transfer in from regional hospitals.
The consultants work on a Hot Week model with a daytime consultant leading the care of the patients from week to week. On Mondays to Thursdays the second‑on consultant is later available and then subsequently provides resident twilight cover and then non‑resident on‑call cover until the following morning. The HDU consultant team work together flexibly to support the rota and each other.
Person Specification
Education and Training – Essential
* Full GMC Registration and Licence to Practice
* MBBS or equivalent
* MRCPCH or equivalent
* High Dependency Care Special Interest Module completed and signed off
* On the Specialist Register or within six months of obtaining a CCT at the time of scheduled interview. Portfolio Pathway (formerly CESR) applicants must be on the Specialist Register at the point of application.
* 6 months experience in Paediatric Intensive Care Medicine
* Valid Level 3 Safeguarding training
* Valid APLS provider certification
Education and Training – Desirable
* Additional 6‑12 months of PICU experience
* Post CCT fellowship in critical care transport, cardiology or respiratory medicine
* APLS trainer
Experience – Essential
* Experience in the care of pre and post‑operative cardiac surgical patients
* Experience in dealing with paediatric safeguarding cases
* Teaching experience
Experience – Desirable
* Experience in care of patients with multisystem problems
Skills – Essential
* Able to take full and independent responsibility of critically ill paediatric patients (level 2)
* Proficiency with insertion of vascular access devices by ultrasound guidance.
* Excellent written & verbal communication skills
* IT competent and able to work in a paperless environment
* Ability to research, develop and implement best clinical practice
* Ability to organise and manage the clinical team
Skills – Desirable
* CATCUS accreditation or developing experience in point of care ultrasound
* Experience of quality and safety improvements – e.g. critical incident & mortality reviews
* Simulation training
Personal Attributes – Essential
* Ability to work in a multi‑disciplinary team
* Ability & experience in forming links inside & outside the HDU
* Caring attitude to patients and parents
Location
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust – Eaton Road, Liverpool, L14 5AB
Contract
Permanent – Full‑time
Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.
For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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