Staff Nurse
Job Description
Job summary
The post holder is responsible for the assessment of care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care for the care of a patient requiring paediatric intensive care.
As a staff nurse in PICU you will be working in one of the UK's leading centres for Paediatric Intensive Care, where you'll have the opportunity to make a real impact every day. Our state-of-the-art 21-bed PICU cares for children aged 0-16 years with a diverse range of complex and specialist needs, including Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery, Neurology, Burns, Infectious Diseases, and Oncology. As a national ECMO centre and Major Paediatric Trauma Centre, you'll work with cutting-edge technology and be part of a team trusted to deliver the highest level of critical care. Our fast-paced, dynamic environment is supported by a strong multidisciplinary team culture, continuous learning, and a shared commitment to innovation and excellence. If you're passionate about developing your skills, embracing new challenges, and contributing to outstanding care for critically ill children, Alder Hey PICU is the place to grow your career.
This vacancy will close when the maximum number of applicants has been reached.
The interview date for this post will be Saturday 4th July.
Successful candidates will commence in post on the 5th October 2026.
Main duties of the job
- Undertake comprehensive nursing assessments of critically ill children.
- Plan, implement, and evaluate individualised care based on assessment findings.
- Manage and maintain the airway of critically ill children safely and effectively.
- Administer and manage complex drug regimens safely, involving patients and families in care planning and delivery.
- Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specialised equipment required in PICU.
- Maintain high standards of nursing care, ensuring the care environment is appropriate for children and that all interventions are evidence-based and reflect current research developments.
- Respect and uphold the privacy, dignity, and confidentiality of patients and their families, ensuring cultural and religious needs are met.
- Perform clinical assessment skills to support patient care.
- Work effectively to ensure patient safety, using clinical judgement to assess situations, analyse information, and evaluate care options.
- Accurately document all clinical observations, test results, and relevant records.
- Work effectively as an integral member of the MDT.
- Contribute to the efficient and effective use of resources.
- Provide clear, up-to-date information to families in collaboration with the MDT.
- Liaise with healthcare professionals and external agencies to ensure continuity of care and promote a coordinated, family-centred approach.
About us
For experienced paediatric nurses who have recent PICU experience and have completed a PCCS Foundation programme we offer a bespoke local induction package to meet your needs, created and overseen by the Paediatric Intensive Care education team.
For newly qualified nurses , we offer a 12-month Foundations in Critical Care course, aligned with the Paediatric Critical Care Society nursing competency framework, which includes a 12-week supernumerary period.
Sponsorship - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the government website.
Job responsibilities
Clinical Effectiveness
To assess, plan, implement and evaluate family centred care without direct supervision that is evidence based/ best practice.
To maintain high standards of nursing care and to promote an environment suitable for the care of children.
To maintain a role as a primary nurse at all times through admission to discharge addressing care requirements sensitive to the individual needs of the patient and family.
To manage and organise ward effectively as shift leader.
Maintaining patient records and confidentiality.
To contribute to and participate in quality improvement, clinical audit and research programmes.
Ensure the privacy and dignity of patients and their families is maintained and religious and cultural beliefs are respected at all times.
Resource Effectiveness
To contribute to the effective utilisation of resources and maintenance of adequate stock levels.
Risk Management
Maintaining patient records are legible and accurate at all times
To participate in incident reporting as required.
Promote and maintain a safe and comfortable therapeutic environment for patients and their families.
To ensure that all Trust policies and procedures are adhered to.
Maintain readiness of all equipment ensuring that it is decontaminated after use and report if equipment is broken or faulty.
Contribute to evidence-based nursing practice policies and procedures.
Communication
To provide up to date information for families in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary professional team.
To undertake liaison with other staff and outside agencies to ensure continuity of care.
Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills, both detailed and legible.
Ensure patient and family confidentiality at all times in line with NMC guidelines.
To participate in an effective communication system, which ensures that a team approach to family centred care is encouraged and adopted.
Continuous Professional Development
To support and teach new members of staff and work alongside pre-registration students.
To participate in professional development programmes, attend mandatory training days and keeping updated with new research findings, PDPs and role expansion.
Acknowledges any limitations of competence and comply with all professional and trust rules, codes, policies and procedures
Continuous Quality Improvement
To assist in setting and monitoring standards of patient care.
To participate in transformation projects relevant wards and patient experience.
User Views and Experience
Participate in audits, questionnaire development and focus groups that help to engage parents and carers and improve the quality of care provided
Person Specification
Essential and Desirable
Essential
- Education and training -RSCN, RN Child, Dip HE Children's nursing ?Current NMC registration ?Evidence of CPD and revalidation.
- Experience ?Experience in paediatric nursing care. ?Experience / knowledge of audit process and how it influences change and management ?Able to plan, prioritise and deliver safe patient care.
- Knowledge ?Effective verbal and written communication skills ?Able to plan, implement and assess family centred care ?Ability to recognise and escalate deterioration appropriately. ?Good organisational and problem-solving skills. ?Accurate documentation and IT/electronic record keeping skills. ?Able to support students and new staff.
- Skills ?Effective verbal and written communication skills ?Able to plan, implement and assess family centred care ?Ability to recognise and escalate deterioration appropriately. ?Good organisational and problem-solving skills. ?Accurate documentation and IT/electronic record keeping skills. ?Able to support students and new staff.
- Personal attributes ?Enthusiastic, flexible and committed to team working. ?Compassionate and sensitive to children and families. ?Ability to work effectively within the multi-disciplinary team ?Professional, accountable and reliable. ?Commitment to continuous professional development ?Willingness to undertake further PICU specific training and development.
Desirable
- Education and training
- Experience
- Knowledge
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab) .
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously ...
