Critical Care Band 5 Nurse

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust; Brighton; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated critical care team at a leading NHS foundation trust in Brighton. This full-time role will involve caring for critically ill patients in a busy intensive care unit with opportunities for professional development. You'll play a key role in ensuring quality care while collaborating with a diverse healthcare team.

Benefits

Extensive Wellbeing Programme

Flexible Working Options

Professional Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• Candidates must be NMC registered.
• Experience in acute care is preferred.
• Ability to advocate for patients and engage in multidisciplinary teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Provide care for critically unwell patients in a busy unit.
• Participate in shift handovers and interdisciplinary rounds.
• Engage in continuous professional development through in-house training.

Skills

Critical Care Nursing

Multidisciplinary Communication

Patient Advocacy

Education

NMC Registration

Job description

View all our vacancies across our hospitals in Sussex. Search, find and apply for a job with us today.

Main area Critical Care Band 5 Nurse Grade Band 5 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Including Nights and Weekends) Job ref 279-7267285-JUN25

Employer 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Royal Sussex County Hospital Town Brighton Salary £29,970 - £36,483 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 01/07/2025 23:59

About our Trust

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts , we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First . In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. 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 ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - 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.

Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity to join the critical care team in Brighton. The intensive care unit is based in the new part of the hospital and has excellent facilities for staff and patients. We are a very busy unit and you will gain experience in trauma, neuro surgery, cardiac and general intensive care. We currently have 31 beds open within a 55 bedded unit, so there is room for expansion.

Our sister hospital in Haywards Heath has a smaller unit and there will be times when you will be rotated to this site.

We are looking for someone who has more than a year of acute experience to join our friendly and diverse team.

Main duties of the job

You will be part of the critical care team and will be looking after critically unwell patients. The unit is a tertiary trauma centre and patients from the around the region are moved to Brighton for specialist treatment.

Your role will involve becoming proficient in critical care nursing and you will be expected to study outside of work in order to achieve your competencies within the national frame work.

We will support this professional development with a number of in house study days, a neuro and trauma course, the university based critical care course and a number of 1:1 coaching shifts with a practice educator.

You will be expected to adhere to our local guidelines and policies and join in with the unit safety and governance.

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. 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 ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - 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 and the rest of the Trust. This involves all staff members, relatives and patients.
  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.
• Participate in medical ward rounds showing a thorough knowledge of the patient’s medical history, current condition and recent clinical events. Ability to present this concisely, at the appropriate time, and in the appropriate manner.
• Involvement in complex patient ‘case conferences’ when discussing future treatments for patients which could involve ’withdrawal of treatment’ in situations of poor prognosis.
• Participate in mortality and morbidity meetings (where appropriate).
  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.

Person specification

Interview

• NMC Registration (already in place)

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

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

Further Information

For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This advert has been capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, it 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 this post to prevent you from missing out on applying for this opportunity.

Name Lucy Pitt Job title Matron Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 07341884379 Additional information

Please contact Lucy, Matron for critical care or Julie Francis Practice Educator for critical care on Julie. [e-mail]