Job overview
****This vacancy is only available to current UHSussex employees****
St Richards Critical Care is a 10 bedded unit with 6 level 3 ICU beds and 4 level 2 HDU beds.
The band 6 role is an exciting opportunity for an experienced, motivated and enthusiastic ICU nurse with the critical care course to take on a leadership role within our friendly, hardworking team.
We receive both medical and surgical patients.
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
To plan,provide and evaluate skilled evidence- based care for critically ill patients, both L2 and L3.
To support and develop colleagues by mentoring and assessing their skills.
To promote practice development within Critical Care.
To shift lead and support staff.
To fulfil local/trust requirements in specified audit/project work.
Under guidance of B7 team leader ,to undertake performance development reviews .
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
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 Co-ordinator, 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.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. RGN /1st Level RN UK NMC registration
2. Adult Critical Care Course or equivalent
3. Mentorship Course or Equivalent
4. ILS Course
5. 1st Degree or willingness to undertake
Desirable criteria
6. Experience in other Critical Care Units
7. Leadership Course
8. Masters level Study
9. ALS
Knowledge, Training and Experience
Essential criteria
10. Supervised and assessed Management experience or practice
11. Evidence of competent clinical and professional practice knowledge
12. Record of continuing professional development
13. Involvement and knowledge of relevant reasearch in practice
Desirable criteria
14. Relevant competency records completed
15. Research Training
Clinical
Essential criteria
16. Advanced nursing skills -defibrillation, haemodynamic monitoring and haemofiltration
Desirable criteria
17. Venepuncture and Cannulation
Communication and relationship skills
Essential criteria
18. Evidence of verbal and written skills
19. Excellent interpersonal skills with all members of the Multidisciplinary Team, patients and relatives.
Desirable criteria
20. Conflict resolution training
21. Counselling Course
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
22. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
23. 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