Consultant in Paediatric High Dependency Care
The closing date is 05 January 2026
Interviews will be held at Alder Hey Children’s 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. The HDU sits within the Department of Critical Care in the Division of Surgical Care.
Applicants must have extensive experience in tertiary high‑dependency care including the care of general and subspecialty clinical patients. Additional experience in intensive care and relevant subspecialties—particularly cardiology, neurology, retrieval, respiratory or long‑term ventilation—would be advantageous.
Applicants must have completed the Paediatric High Dependency Care Special Interest (SPIN) module and a minimum of 12 months of Paediatric Intensive Care experience.
Main duties of the job
Clinical
* The postholder will contribute to a rota that provides daytime and out‑of‑hours cover for the HDU in combination with other consultant colleagues. A total of 10 programmed activities (PA) are payable per week. In respect of appropriate activities, increases beyond 1.5 SPA can be negotiated by mutual agreement following annual job‑planning reviews. Additional clinical PAS may be payable by mutual agreement.
* The HDU consultants direct the clinical care of all patients admitted to the HDU, working closely with specialty colleagues. Patients are admitted under a primary “lead” specialty clinician but the HDU Consultant leads care until discharge.
* The consultants work on a Hot Week model with a daytime consultant leading the care of the patients from week to week. From Monday to Thursday a second on consultant provides resident twilight cover and then non‑resident overnight on‑call cover until the following morning. The HDU consultant team works together flexibly to support the rota.
About us
Sponsorship – We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible roles and requirements on the Government website.
Job responsibilities
* This post attracts 10 programmed activities per week with a breakdown of 8 DCC + 2 SPA. Additional direct clinical care PAs may be available by mutual agreement between the Trust and the successful candidate.
* Daytime cover (08:30‑17:30) across seven days with the hot‑week system.
* On Mondays to Thursdays extended hours are provided by a second on Consultant who delivers resident twilight cover until 22:00 followed by a non‑resident overnight on‑call until the following morning. With further recruitment, coverage may be expanded to provide twilight and on‑call cover Monday to Friday and some weekends.
* Handovers start at 08:30 in the morning and then again with an evening handover round at 16:00.
* Non‑resident on‑call cover can be provided off‑site provided the postholder lives within 30 minutes of the hospital.
Job Plan (Programmed Activities for HDU Consultants)
Time – Hours – PA – PA/week
1st on Weekdays Monday‑Friday: 08:30‑17:30 – 9 hrs – 2.25 PA – 11.25 PA/week
1st on Weekends and Bank Holidays: 08:30‑17:30 – 9 hrs – 3 PA – 6 PA/week
2nd on Monday‑Thursday: 13:00‑22:00 – 9 hrs – 2.5 PA – 2 nd PA/week
2nd on Twilight Bank Holidays: 13:00‑22:00 – 9 hrs – 3 PA
On‑call (non‑resident following twilight) Monday‑Thursday: 22:00‑09:00 – Variable – 1 PA
HDU Meeting (Consultants not on shift): Monday 13:00 – 0.5 hrs – SPA 1.5 PA
Person Specification
Education and Training
* 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 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
* Additional 6–12 months of PICU experience
* Post‑CCT fellowship in critical care transport, cardiology or respiratory medicine
* APLS trainer
Experience
* Experience in the care of pre‑ and post‑operative cardiac surgical patients
* Experience in dealing with paediatric safeguarding cases
* Teaching experience
* Experience in care of patients with multisystem problems
Skills
* Able to take full and independent responsibility of critically ill paediatric patients (level 2)
* Proficiency with insertion of vascular access devices by ultrasound guidance.
* 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
* 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
* Ability to work in a multi‑disciplinary team
* Ability & experience in forming links inside & outside the HDU
* Caring attitude to patients and parents
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service will be required to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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