Job overview
****This vacancy is only available to current UHSussex Employees****
We are looking for an enthusiastic, highly motivated nurse with extensive acute / critical care experience to join the Worthing Critical Care Outreach team.
This is an ideal opportunity for a critical care or acute care nurse who wishes to expand their clinical skills, to work autonomously within a supportive and progressive team. The post holder will be expected to work flexibly, currently day shifts over 7 days.
Please note that this role is a secondment opportunity. Before applying you must seek agreement and authorisation from your current line manager. Secondments can’t be agreed without your current manager’s approval. If you are unable to gain your managers approval you should refrain from applying unless you wish to take this role as a fixed term position
Main duties of the job
The Critical Care Outreach service provides expert assistance and support to acutely and critically ill patients outside the critical care unit. This includes patients recovering from critical illness and those at risk of deterioration (in ward and emergency care environments). You will work in collaboration with ward based teams and take part in education programmes for all groups of staff.
The post holder will complete an orientation period in accordance with the Trust’s induction programme. You will also be supported completing the National CCO Professional Framework.
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
1. Liaises with all members of the multidisciplinary team on the management of acutely and critically ill patients under care of the Critical Care Outreach team.
2. Ensure that appropriate, consistent, and realistic information is provided to patients and families.
3. Provide sensitive and complex information to relatives and patients in sometimes hostile and highly emotive environments.
4. Participate in complex patient case reviews as required.
5. Liaises with other wards, departments, and relevant Health Care professionals. Institute of Nursing & Midwifery on the purpose of the Critical Care Outreach service.
6. To ensure all incidents are reported appropriately.
7. Keep concise records of Outreach patients for audit purposes (including Critical Care Outreach Database).
8. Document concise patient assessment and recommendations in the patient’s medical notes.
Service Delivery and Improvement
9. Participates in the nursing audit programme, quality Improvement cycle and practice development within Critical Care, particularly within the Outreach service.
10. Work in collaboration with the multi-professional team to support and develop research projects.
11. To actively contribute to the development of high-quality evidence-based service Critical care outreach across the Trust.
12. To contribute to the ongoing development of the University Hospitals Sussex NHS foundation Trust Strategy for Nursing and Clinical Governance.
13. To be aware of Unit, Trust and National guidelines, standards, and procedures for service area.
14. Participate in presentation and publication of outreach data to local and international level.
15. Participates in the National Outreach forum.
Education and experience
16. Ensures appropriate development and education for members of the critical care outreach team.
17. To identify ward staff learning needs in conjunction with Matrons, Senior nurses / Senior Practice development nurses.
18. Assist in the formal and informal educational and training of members of the multi- professional team
19. Act as mentor for staff undertaking post registration education relevant to Critical care Outreach.
Training
20. Proactively maintains and develops own personal and professional development as part of lifelong learning.
21. To be familiar with and attend annual updates of mandatory training.
22. To provide day to day supervision and teaching to the multi-professional staff in ward areas.
23. Facilitate study days to support the management of the acutely / critically ill patient.
24. To contribute to critical care-based education programmes with UHS and University of Brighton.
25. participate and support competency-based assessments / ongoing practice reviews for staff undertaking expanded role activities e.g. Tracheostomy care / Non-invasive ventilation.
Leadership
26. To act as an expert resource for all members of the multi-professional team, participating in review of patients outside of Critical Care, liaising with clinicians in the transfer of patients to critical care when appropriate.
27. Act as a professional role model who leads by example in regard to behaviour attitudes, conduct and appearance.
28. Independently manages a case load of referrals / follow-up of patients from critical care.
29. To effectively lead, manage and evaluate change in clinical practice.
People Management and Development
30. To provide critical care outreach support to inpatients and staff, supporting the service development within the Trust.
31. To ensure that high quality service is provided within allocated resources, informing the critical care matron of any potential or actual budgetary pressures or savings.
32. To be an expert practitioner in critical care nursing and be able to use these skills in a variety of clinical settings
33. To work flexibly within the multi-professional team, to deliver high quality care to the acutely and critically ill ward patient.
34. To provide support and advice to patient, family, and ward staff on prior to and following the discharge of the patient from critical care.
35. To take part in the recruitment and retention process, ensuring all new staff are supported with an appropriate induction programme.
36. To implement the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Absence Policy.
Patient Care Delivery
37. Acts as a self-directed practitioner who directs, provides and evaluates patient care based on nursing and medical models.
38. Works independently and without direct supervision in a variety of clinical settings Trust wide.
39. Monitors the use of the track and trigger scoring system for the timely recognition of significant deterioration in acutely and critically ill patients.
40. Performs comprehensive patient assessment based on history taking and physical assessment of acutely ill patients to arrive at differential nursing / medical diagnosis. Independently suggest solutions and make recommendations.
41. Participates in the provision of direct patient care supporting the management of haemodynamic instability and other appropriate respiratory and organ support.
42. Demonstrates clinical competence and confidence in using highly developed specialist knowledge, equipment and skills in a variety of clinical settings across the hospital site.
43. Demonstrates the ability to work independently and prioritise workload in a variety of clinical settings.
44. Demonstrates critical thinking, problem solving and decision-making skills.
45. Makes and receives direct referrals to and from members of the multi-professional teams e.g. medical team, palliative care, physiotherapy, Speech language therapy, dietician, pain team.
46. Provides rapid response and support for patients identified by ward staff at risk by the Track and trigger tool / Medical emergency / Cardiac Arrest / Anaesthetic Emergency or Trauma call.
47. As appropriate, following attainment of competency - develop the ability to; make clinical judgements about patients, order diagnostics, interpret results, advise, or prescribe treatment and refer to relevant health care professionals to achieve treatment targets.
48. Advise and support on the stabilisation and transfer of acutely and critically ill patients to the appropriate environment.
49. Provides expert clinical advice to ward staff on the management of acutely and critically ill patients at UHS
50. Follows the Trust’s Bed Management Policy facilitating discharge of patients from Critical Care.
51. Practices in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and Scope of Professional Practice.
Please see attached Job Description for further details.
Person specification
Essential
Essential criteria
52. Registered nurse with valid PIN on NMC register
53. Critical Care/Acute Care course
54. Extensive experience in a senior role
55. Post registration qualification or evidence in specialist area e.g ITU/A&E/Theatre
56. Mentorship course/ ENB 998 or equivalent
57. Masters level or equivalent level of experience
Desirable criteria
58. ALS/ILS
59. Quality Improvement Experience
60. Critical Care Outreach Experience
61. Variety of Acute Care Settings
62. Advanced Physical Assessment Module
63. Teaching qualification
64. Research Experience
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
65. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
66. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
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