Job overview

An opportunity has arisen for a permanent band 6 role in the Children’s High Dependency Unit at Derriford Hospital. This would suit a current band 5 with Paediatric HDU experience and with can demonstrate leadership and management experience. The successful candidate will need have worked in a Children’s High Dependency or PICU for a minimum of 2 years, have experience of nursing ventilated children, has acquired the PHDU course and attended the APLS course.  Management skills and an awareness of trust policies are essential as is the mentorship qualification.

The Children’s High Dependency Unit accepts acute and planned admissions. The unit consists of four beds and undertakes major orthopaedic, ENT and complex surgery as well as emergency medicine. The unit provides a high level of high dependency care including non-invasive ventilation and invasive stabilisation ventilation.

The post holders will need to have a positive and innovative approach to caring for children especially in relation to high dependency/intensive care of children. The post holder should be able to work both autonomously and as part of a multi-disciplinary team. They will need a clear vision and direction for children’s services taking opportunities to be a representative of Children’s needs.

Family centred care is promoted and encouraged across the floor.

Main duties of the job

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

1. Perform comprehensive assessment of patients nursing needs. Plan, implement and evaluate care delivery according to patient’s health care needs.  To demonstrate high standards of clinical practice.
2. Have a good working knowledge of child protection issues / processes and take responsibility for the ongoing care of children in need.
3. Using critical care skills and knowledge, act as a resource to the wards regarding the care of critically ill children, providing advice and support.
4. Maintain a safe working environment, ensuring high standards and safe practice are maintained by:
   1. Teaching staff to understand and accept their responsibilities e.g. environmental cleanliness, maintenance and use of all equipment within clinical setting.
   2. Assist ward manager in the monitoring of incidents, accidents and complaints and participating in corrective action and the monitoring of outcomes.
   3. Adhering to the guidelines of the Health & Safety at Work Act.
   4. Utilisation of Trust Risk Assessment documentation, to ensure that Health & Safety and Clinical risk are reduced in the ward area.
5. Management of the area in the absence of a ward manager, including the deployment and supervision of staff.

Please see the attached JD for further details.

Working for our organisation

We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY.
If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. 
We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. 
It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.