Staff Nurse - Critical Care

The Band 5 Critical Care Nurse is responsible for delivering high-quality, patient-centred care to critically ill patients within a busy 24-bedded Critical Care Unit. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the post holder will assess, plan, implement and evaluate care for patients requiring Level 2 and Level 3 support, including those receiving advanced respiratory, cardiovascular and renal therapies. The role involves continuous patient monitoring, recognising and responding to deteriorating clinical conditions, administering medications and treatments safely, and supporting patients and their families throughout the critical care journey.

The post holder will contribute to maintaining a safe clinical environment, participate in service improvement initiatives, and engage in ongoing professional development to develop specialist critical care knowledge and skills.

• Deliver safe, effective, and compassionate care to critically ill patients requiring Level 2 and Level 3 care.
• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate individualised patient care programmes.
• Monitor patients' physiological status and promptly recognise and elevate signs of deterioration.
• Administer medications, intravenous therapies, blood products, and treatments in accordance with Trust policies.
• Care for patients requiring advanced organ support, including ventilation, vasoactive infusions, and renal replacement therapies following appropriate training.
• Operate and maintain specialist critical care equipment safely and effectively.
• Communicate effectively with patients, relatives, and the multidisciplinary team to ensure coordinated care.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and professional patient records and documentation.
• Adhere to infection prevention and control, safeguarding, and patient safety policies.
• Participate in audits, quality improvement activities, and service development initiatives.
• Maintain professional registration, mandatory training, and ongoing development of critical care knowledge and skills.
• Work flexibly across a 24-hour service, including days, nights, weekends, and bank holidays.
• Contribute to maintaining a safe, clean, and well‑organised clinical environment.
• Support the Matron, Team Leaders and Practice Educator in the delivery of flexible, integrated critical care services.
• Support a client centred approach that provides clinically effective and safe care to meet a wide range of critical care needs for patients and their significant others.
• Plan, implement and evaluate individual patient care for a span of duty, ensuring appropriate delivery and record keeping.
• Ensure all records and information used as part of their work are managed as per NMC guidelines and Trust's policies.
• Monitor changes in patient condition and prioritise emergency and urgent care appropriately. Instigate necessary treatments in accordance with medical instruction.
• Ensure effective communication and all aspects of care with the patient and their significant others in sensitive and difficult circumstances whilst maintaining confidentiality.
• Support communication between relatives and consultants and arrange meetings as required.
• Ensure effective communication with senior nurses and colleagues.
• Develop own practice to an exemplary level and be guided in practice by recommendations from Trusts, Network and National bodies.
• Access support and supervision to enhance continued development, attending and participating in unit development opportunities.
• Work with other MDT professionals to meet patient needs e.g Physiotherapy, Pharmacy and Dietetics.
• Maintain registration with the NMC and comply with statutory requirements.
• Arrange the admissions and discharges of patients in accordance with unit practice.
• Inter and intra hospital transfers of critically ill patients once appropriate training completed.
• Ensure appropriate use of all resources.
• Ensure prompt action to deal with any complaints as per Trust's policy. Aim to resolve any at local level where possible, participate in complaint investigation when required. Record and report complaints to senior nurses.

The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent communication, teamwork and organisational skills, delivering compassionate care whilst upholding professional standards and the Trust's values. Rotational shifts, including days, nights, weekends and bank holidays, are an integral part of the role.

• 6 months experience in an acute area, e.g medical/surgical ward, A&E, theatres. Student nurses must have had a…