Critical Care Nurse band 6

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279); Brighton; On-site; CAD 72,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare institution in Brighton is seeking an experienced ICU nurse for a leadership position in a new critical care unit. The role involves planning and evaluating patient care, mentoring staff, and ensuring effective communication within the team. Candidates should have an accredited critical care certificate and substantial experience in ICU nursing. This role offers competitive salary, eligibility for visa sponsorship, and the chance to be part of a supportive and innovative community.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in critical care and acute nursing.
• Excellent clinical skills and ability to delegate tasks.
• Willingness to complete the Band 5 Steps Programme in critical care.

Responsibilities

• Plan and provide skilled care for critically ill patients.
• Support and mentor colleagues in their roles.
• Ensure adherence to NMC documentation guidelines.
• Participate in multidisciplinary communication and case conferences.
• Guide families through complex medical discussions.

Skills

Critical Care Nursing

Leadership

Mentoring

Patient Communication

Documentation

Team Collaboration

Education

ICU Nursing Course

NMC Registration

Job description

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

The closing date is 20 January 2026

Brighton critical care in a brand new 31 bedded unit situated within the new Louisa Martindale building. We have beautiful views of the sea, the countryside and we are in Brighton which is a vibrant city.

The band 6 role is an exciting opportunity for an experienced ICU nurse with an accredited critical care certificate to take on a leadership role within our friendly unit.

We are a busy trauma centre and the tertiary referral unit within the Kent Surrey and Sussex Network. Our sister unit is at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath and the role will require some cross site working.

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25000), and any role-specific criteria.

Main duties of the job

• To plan, provide and evaluate skilled evidence-based care for the critically ill patient, L2 & 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 Team Leader, to undertake performance of development reviews and shift coordination/shift leading in conjunction with /absence of Band 7 Critical Care Nurse

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, 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 abuddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.Candidate Pack

Job 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 coordinator, 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 for accurate, appropriate and efficient communication between your team and in support / conjunction with Team Leader.

Person Specification

Experience/ Qualifications

• Experience as a band 5 in critical care with an ICU course
• NMC Registration/ Nursing Midwifery Council
• Aware of Trust Policies and financial position
• Up to date knowledge current clinical and professional issues
• Demonstrates excellent clinical skills
• Experience of delegation
• Be willing to complete Band 5 Steps Programme ( In-house critical care competency course)
• Evidence of acute nursing experience before commencing on critical care.
• Basic admin duties - phone, photocopying and computer data
• Experience in Neuro surgery
• Evidence of Quality improvement

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum pro rata