Job overview
Brighton critical care in a brand new 31 bedded unit situated within the new Louisa Martindale building. We have beautiful views of the sea, the countryside and we are in Brighton which is a vibrant city.
The band 6 role is an exciting opportunity for an experienced ICU nurse with an accredited critical care certificate to take on a leadership role within our friendly unit.
We are a busy trauma centre and the tertiary referral unit within the Kent Surrey and Sussex Network. Our sister unit is at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath and the role will require some cross site working.
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25000), and any role-specific criteria.
Main duties of the job
1. To plan, provide and evaluate skilled evidence-based care for the critically ill patient, L2 & L3.
2. To support and develop colleagues by mentoring and assessing their skills.
3. To promote practice development within Critical Care.
4. To shift lead and support staff
5. To fulfil Local / Trust requirements in specified audit / project work.
6. Under guidance of Team Leader, to undertake performance of development reviews and shift coordination/shift leading in conjunction with /absence of Band 7 Critical Care Nurse
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, 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 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Candidate Pack
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Participate in ensuring effective multidisciplinary communication links both upwards and downwards within Critical Care (ICU/HDU) and the rest of the Trust. This involves all staff members, relatives and patients.
Attend Team Away-days/Unit meetings in order to communicate and discuss issues with senior members of staff.
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.
Involvement in complex patient ‘case conferences’ when discussing future treatments for patients which could involve ’withdrawal of treatment’ in situations of poor prognosis.
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 coordinator, 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.
Acknowledges the nature and progression of the critically ill patient, and the subsequent cognitive impairment of these patients, can recognise barriers to understanding by communicating verbal and written information, clearly, sensitively and diplomatically, ensuring that information is understood whilst displaying underpinning knowledge.
To initiate and take part in complex patient 'case conferences' when discussing future treatments for patients which can involve 'withdrawal of treatment' in situation of 'poor prognosis'.
To participate in mortality and morbidity meetings
To be responsible foraccurate, appropriate and efficient communication between your team and in support / conjunction with Team Leader.
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria.
Person specification
Experience/ Qualifications
Essential criteria
7. Experience as a band 5 in critical care with an ICU course
8. NMC Registration/ Nursing Midwifery Council
9. Mentorship
10. Aware of Trust Policies and financial position
11. Up to date knowledge current clinical and professional issues
12. Demonstrates excellent clinical skills
13. Experience of delegation
14. Be willing to complete Band 5 Steps Programme ( In-house critical care competency course)
15. Evidence of acute nursing experience before commencing on critical care.
16. Basic admin duties – phone, photocopying and computer data
Desirable criteria
17. Experience in Neuro surgery
18. Evidence of Quality improvement
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
19. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
20. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
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 Immigrations 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