Staff Nurse Band 5

NHS National Services Scotland; Melrose; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

NHS Borders is inviting applications for a Band 5 Staff Nurse to join our Critical Care Team in the Intensive Therapy Unit.

You will care for critically ill patients with a wide range of medical, surgical and trauma conditions, working closely with a multidisciplinary team to deliver safe, compassionate care. This fixed term role is 34.5 hours per week and offers opportunities for professional development within our busy hospital environment.

Qualifications

• A first-level Registered Nurse (Adult) with current registration.
• Genuine interest in Critical Care nursing.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Motivation, enthusiasm and willingness to learn in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to high-quality patient care and shared values.
• Experience in acute or Critical Care is beneficial but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Care for critically ill patients with a wide variety of medical, surgical and trauma conditions.
• Work closely within a multidisciplinary team including medical staff, AHPs, pharmacists and support workers.
• Develop expert assessment, monitoring and clinical decision-making skills.
• Be supported to build confidence in caring for patients requiring advanced organ support.
• Contribute to service development, quality improvement and maintaining high professional standards.
• Demonstrate passion for Critical Care nursing and a desire to expand knowledge and skills.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Motivation

Willingness to learn

Critical Care interest

Education

First-level Registered Nurse (Adult)

Job description

** PLEASE NOTE THIS IS INTERNAL TO NHS SCOTLAND **

OUR VALUES IN ACTION

Compassion Kindness Integrity Teamwork Excellence

[LOCATION] Borders General Hospital

[DEPARTMENT] Intensive Therapy Unit

[JOB TITLE] Band 5 Staff Nurse

[CONTRACT TYPE] Fixed term 34.5 hours

Band 5

Band 5 Staff Nurse – Intensive Care Unit (ICU/HDU)

NHS Borders – Critical Care

OUR VALUES – AT THE HEART OF ALL THAT WE DO

Care and Compassion

Dignity and Respect

Openness, Honesty and Responsibility

Quality and Teamwork

“An NHS Organisation that is Striving Continuously to Improve Patient Safety, Experience and Outcomes.”

About Us

NHS Borders is proud to offer an exciting opportunity to join our skilled, dynamic and innovative multidisciplinary Critical Care Team.

Our Critical Care Unit is a combined 9‑bedded Intensive Care and High Dependency Unit, caring for Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 patients. We flex bed capacity and patient acuity depending on clinical need, offering exposure to a wide range of complex and high‑intensity care.

You will be joining a supportive, close-knit team dedicated to delivering high‑quality, patient‑centred care, while continually striving for improvement in outcomes and experience.

The Role

We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic Band 5 Staff Nurse to contribute to the delivery of safe, effective and compassionate care within our busy acute hospital environment.

As part of our team, you will:

Care for critically ill patients with a wide variety of medical, surgical and trauma conditions

Work closely within a multidisciplinary team including medical staff, AHPs, pharmacists and support workers

Develop expert assessment, monitoring and clinical decision‑making skills

Be supported to build confidence in caring for patients requiring advanced organ support

Contribute to service development, quality improvement and maintaining high professional standards

This role is ideal for individuals who are passionate about Critical Care nursing and keen to expand their professional knowledge and skills.

Professional Development

We recognise the importance of education, confidence-building and structured progression for our staff. As a Band 5 nurse in Critical Care, you will receive:

Full support to complete the National Critical Care Step Competency Programme

A dedicated preceptor/mentor to guide your development

Opportunities to undertake a formally recognised Critical Care Course

Ongoing training, simulation, and reflective practice sessions

Access to a multidisciplinary learning environment focused on continuous improvement

Whether you are newly qualified or an experienced nurse looking for a new challenge, we will support you to grow and succeed.

What we’re looking for

A first‑level Registered Nurse (Adult)

A genuine interest in Critical Care nursing

Excellent communication and teamwork skills

Motivation, enthusiasm and willingness to learn in a fast‑paced environment

Commitment to our shared values and delivering high‑quality care

Previous experience in an acute or Critical Care environment is beneficial but not essential—your passion and potential are what matter most.

Informal Enquiries

For more information or an informal discussion, please contact:

Senior Charge Nurse Lynsey Russell

01896 826295

Whether you’re early in your career or looking to take the next step into a more senior role, NHS Borders offers a supportive environment where you can grow, influence change, and make a real impact.

To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service.

As part of the pre-employment checks for a preferred candidate, NHS Scotland Boards will check your entitlement to work in the UK. It can be evidenced through a number of routes including specific types of visa as well as EU settled and pre-settled status. To find out more about these routes of permission, please refer to the GOV.UK websitehere.

For specific types of post, if you do not have the necessary eligibility to work in the UK, it might be possible (though not guaranteed) to secure sponsorship via a UK Skilled Worker/Health & Care Worker Visa. However, this is only possible if the employer is a licenced Sponsor, and if the post does not fall below the current minimum salary threshold or ‘going rate’. Further information on these criteria can be foundhere.

It is ESSENTIAL that you have checked that you either already have an appropriate right to work in the UK or that the post would be eligible to be sponsoredBEFORE submitting your application form

***PLEASE NOTE: We cannot accept late applications so please ensure your application is submitted early***

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your application—but your answers must be your own.

• Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
• Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
• Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.

Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you—not an AI tool.

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