Sister / Charge Nurse, Band 6- Critical Care

As the team working within the Department of Critical Care, we aim to continue to employ competent, motivated and enthusiastic senior nurses to assist with leading the nursing team in the delivery of expert patient care.

As the shift co-ordinator, you will be required to consider the entire GHT Critical Care Service, in terms of patient numbers and dependency, in relation to staffing and other service pressures. There is the expectation that you will work within both units within Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General Hospital, on a continuous rotational basis, and sometimes on a day to day basis to help manage the fluctuating and ever changing patient and service demands.

Both units provide high dependency / intensive care (level 2 and 3) to adults requiring respiratory, cardiovascular and / or renal support. Post-surgical care is delivered to those patients undergoing complex urological, upper gastro-intestinal, vascular and head and neck surgery. Children are regularly admitted to the Gloucestershire Royal site for stabilisation prior to being retrieved by the paediatric retrieval service.

The critical care team encourages personal professional development and actively supports clinical education. It is the expectation that all band 6 nurses engage with clinical governance, continuous quality improvement and educational activities.

Main duties of the job

- To manage and professionally lead the nursing team as a key member of the multidisciplinary workforce.

- To directly deliver, co-ordinate and supervise patient care; ensuring that the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of that care is of a high standard, encompassing the Trust vision of 'best care for everyone'

- To contribute towards the entire GHT Critical Care Service, in terms of patient care, team support, quality improvement and service delivery and progression.

- Work within both units on both a planned rotational and a day to day basis to help manage the fluctuating and ever changing patient and service demands.

- To work alongside the Matron, the Band 7's and wider team to determine and deliver on service strategic objectives and to promote the overarching vision for the service

- To work collaboratively and cohesively with the entire critical care inter-professional team to meet the needs of critically ill patients and their families.

- To demonstrate clinical expertise, role modelling high standards of care, evidence based practice and effective leadership within UK law, NMC and Trust policies and guidelines., The critical care team work in a cohesive and collaborative manner where staff engagement is encouraged within an open and honest culture

The Matron and senior nursing team practice compassionate leadership and encourage active engagement and contribution from all members of the team.

Training and education are awarded high priority within critical care and all staff will be offered and encouraged to engage with professional development activities.

All staff are supported through an effective line management process as well as through peer support which is actively encouraged

The critical care team are recognised for their kindness, care and inclusivity and receive excellent feedback from staff, Patients and their families.

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the largest employer in the county and with over 8,000 staff, we are one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK. We offer a generous annual leave allowance, excellent bank rates, access to the excellent NHS Pension Scheme, discounts for local shops, restaurants and services, access to our health and well-being hub, access to our two on-site nurseries, flexible working options, discounted public transport, reward and recognition schemes, exercise and activity classes and membership to our popular hospital choir.