Band 5 Staff Nurse Critical Care

Job overview

Are you a motivated Registered Nurse looking to begin a rewarding career in Critical Care?

We are seeking enthusiastic and compassionate nurses to join our Critical Care Unit and develop the specialist knowledge, skills and confidence required to care for Level 2 and Level 3 critically ill patients. This developmental role provides an excellent opportunity to gain experience within a supportive multidisciplinary team while undertaking a structured programme of education and competency development.

You will complete our twelve-month Introduction to Critical Care Nursing Programme alongside the nationally recognised CC3N Step One Competencies, enabling you to develop expertise in advanced patient assessment, ventilation, renal replacement therapy, haemodynamic monitoring and the management of critically ill patients.

Supported by experienced Critical Care Practitioners, Educators and Senior Nurses, you will deliver high-quality, patient-centred care whilst developing the clinical and technical skills required for autonomous practice within Critical Care.

This post is ideal for Registered Nurses who are passionate about delivering excellent care, committed to continuous professional development and eager to build a career in one of the most challenging and rewarding specialties in healthcare.

Main duties of the job

Main duties of the job (describe what the candidate will do and the skills you’re looking for. Include the most important skills and qualities):

Clinical Care

Deliver high quality nursing care to critically ill Level 2 and Level 3 patients under appropriate supervision.

• Participate in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care for critically ill patients.
• Develop competence in undertaking comprehensive A–E assessment of critically ill patients.
• Learn to identify patient deterioration, initiate appropriate actions and escalate concerns promptly.
• Develop skills in interpreting physiological observations, haemodynamic parameters and arterial blood gas results.
• Participate in the administration of medications in accordance with Trust policy and competency framework.
• Administer vasoactive, sedative and neuromuscular blocking agents only under appropriate supervision until assessed as competent.
• Develop competence in titrating medications according to physiological parameters and prescribed treatment plans.
• Assist in the management of patients requiring invasive and non-invasive ventilation.
• Assist in the care of patients receiving renal replacement therapy and other advanced organ support therapies.
• Contribute to advanced nursing interventions including airway management, intubation and extubation support, endotracheal tube care, suctioning and pressure area management.

Working for our organisation

Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the way we look after our staff. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to the value of differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. The Trust believes that as a public sector organisation we have an obligation to have recruitment, training, promotion and other formal employment policies and procedures that are sensitive to these differences. We think that by doing so, we are better able to treat our patients as well as being a better place to work.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will be a Registered Nurse with current NMC registration who is developing the knowledge, skills and competencies required to deliver safe and effective care to critically ill Level 2 and Level 3 patients within the Critical Care Unit.

The post holder will work as part of the multidisciplinary team to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care under the guidance and supervision of experienced critical care practitioners. The role includes completion of the Critical Care Introduction Programme and CC3N Step One Competencies, enabling the post holder to develop the specialist knowledge and technical skills required for independent critical care practice.

The post holder will provide compassionate, patient-centred care to critically ill patients and their relatives whilst maintaining professional accountability and working within the NMC Code.

Person specification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• Recent acute hospital experience

Desirable criteria

• Previous Critical Care, Emergency Department or Acute Medicing experience

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria

• Compassionate and patient-centred approach
• Commitment to learning and development
• Professional and accountable attitude

Education and Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Registered Nurse (Adult) with current NMC registration
• Commitment to undertaking the Critical Care Introduction Programme

Desirable criteria

• Degree in Nursing or working towards degree level study
• Critical Care qualification
• Practice Assessor or mentorship preparation

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing with patients, relatives and colleagues
• Application form completed in full
• Ability to work within a mutlidisciplinary team

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND ADULTS

To comply with the Trust’s Safeguarding Children and Adults policies, procedures and protocols. All individual members of staff (paid or unpaid) have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults This will require you to:

• Ensure you are familiar with and comply with the London Child Protection Procedures and protocols for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people.
• Ensure you are familiar and comply with the London Multi Agency Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Pan London Procedures.
• Ensure you are familiar and comply with local protocols and systems for information sharing.
• Know the appropriate contact numbers and required reporting lines.
• Participate in required training and supervision.
• Comply with required professional boundaries and codes of conduct

Whittington Health is committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.