Job overview
The Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at GOSH is a 17-bedded acute unit providing care for critically ill children from birth up to 18 years of age. As a tertiary centre, we care for a wide range of Level 3 and HDU patients across multiple specialties, including neurology, metabolic medicine, oncology, respiratory, genetics, and post-surgical cases. Patients are admitted via specialist paediatric transport services, internal ward collapses, and following surgical interventions. As the designated metabolic and neurosurgical centre for the North Thames region, our unit sees some of the most unwell and complex paediatric patients. This presents a unique and rewarding opportunity to gain experience across a broad spectrum of clinical presentations and develop advanced critical care skills. As a Band 5 Staff Nurse in PICU at GOSH, you will be supported through a dedicated foundation programme which includes nine structured study days covering key topics such as respiratory, cardiac, and neurological. You will also be part of a large, sociable, and supportive team of over 120 staff, all committed to delivering excellent patient care while supporting each other’s development and wellbeing. This is an excellent opportunity for nurses who are passionate about paediatric critical care and looking to build a strong foundation within a world-leading children’s hospital.
Please note: If you have applied to this role within the last 3 months, we kindly ask that you do not reapply at this time
Main duties of the job
To be able to apply for this position you must be a
* Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) registered Nurse in child branch with at least 12 months of relevant registered nursing experience
* Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) registered Adult Nurse with at least 12 months of relevant registered nursing experience working in either ICU or ED
* For Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN’s) an active Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) PIN – registered Adult or Child Nurse with at least 12 months of relevant registered nursing experience in the UK
To provide the highest standard of nursing care for the children, young people and their families at all times.
* To plan, assess, implement and evaluate programmes of care for individual children and to supervise other staff in this activity.
* To ensure an ongoing welcoming, caring and safe environment is provided for the children, young people and their families.
* To act as an advocate for the child, young person and family, providing them with information and support and directing them to the relevant support services where appropriate.
* To communicate complex and sensitive information effectively to patients, carers and other staff, overcoming any barriers to understanding and providing support during distressing or emotional events.
* To start planning discharges from admission, liaising with the multidisciplinary team, other departments and community services as necessary.
Working for our organisation
GOSH is committed to recruiting the best person for the job, based solely on their ability and individual merit as measured against the criteria for the role; through a process that is fair, open, consistent and free from bias and discrimination.
We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture where all staff are valued, respected and acknowledged. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, disability status or length of time spent unemployed.
We particularly welcome applications from BAME communities, people with disabilities and/or long-term health conditions and LGBT+ community members.
We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants and employees are treated fairly and consistently. We are proud to be accredited as a Disability Confident Employer, a member of Business Disability Forum and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.
We have active and Executive supported BAME, LGBT+ and Allies, Disability and Long-Term Health Conditions and Women’s staff networks. Staff networks are employee-led groups formed around interests, issues and a common bond or background. Staff network members create a positive and inclusive work environment at Great Ormond Street Hospital by actively contributing to the Trust’s mission, values and efforts specific to inclusion. All of our staff networks are open to any employee.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.
Person specification
GOSH Culture and Values
Essential criteria
* Our Always values
* Experience of contributing to an inclusive workplace culture.
* Experience of working as part of a diverse team.
* Knowledge and understanding of diverse backgrounds and perspectives
Academic/Professional qualification/Training
Essential criteria
* Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) registered Nurse in child branch Or Able to join the NMC child branch register for candidates educated outside of the UK Or Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) registered Nurse in Adult branch with at least 1 year experience working in an ITU, A&E or paediatric setting
* Relevant nursing qualification
* Evidence of ongoing professional development linked to demonstrable competencies
Desirable criteria
* Practice Assessor & Preceptorship course or equivalent
Experience/Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Demonstrable experience of having worked with acute/chronically sick children and young people or transferable specialist skills
* Understanding of professional and current issues in children’s nursing
* Understanding of the importance of research and evidence-based practice
* Understanding of safeguarding issues according to Trust policies and procedures
* Understanding and evidence of fulfilling requirements for NMC revalidation
* Understanding of principles of clinical governance ( risk management, audit, quality)
Desirable criteria
* Understanding of nursing practice and innovation outside of GOSH
* Knowledge of clinical incidents, complaints and reporting
* Previous experience in the relevant speciality
* Knowledge of ward specialities
Skills/Abilities
Essential criteria
* Ability to plan and prioritise care for patients
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills
* Excellent numeracy skills
* Able to confidently use and navigate IT systems to provide care and complete duties
* Advanced time management skills
* Able to prioritise own work and delegate tasks as appropriate
* Able to work well both in a team and on own initiative
* Ability to teach and supervise other staff members
* Able to escalate concerns and seek assistance when appropriate
* Committed to family centred care
* Demonstrates compassion in practice