Job overview

PICU is a 14 bedded regional lead centre providing care for critically ill children from birth up to 18 years of age.  We care for some of the most complex illnesses and injuries and work closely with specialists from all surgical and medical areas, including cardiac surgery, cardiology, neurosurgery, neurology and neonatology as well as treating major trauma patients. Southampton General Hospital is a designated major trauma centre offering full onsite major trauma provision for both children and adults.  

The unit looks after 950 to 1000 patients per year across southern and central England; it is the sixth largest PICU by numbers of admissions and has one of the best survival rates.

Main duties of the job

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting. 

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached.

Working for our organisation

UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care. 

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and only an hour on the train from central London. The New Forest National Park and the beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than those in London, 13 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted and 13 nearby green spaces to enjoy.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

What we are looking for:

Applicants should have experience working in an acute Paediatric care environment.  The applicant should be motivated, enthusiastic and able to work with maturity in pressurised situations. You will be expected to provide safe care of the highest quality to all of our patients and their relatives. The flexibility to work the full range of shift patterns within a 24 hour shift pattern is essential.

What you will do:

• Be a skilled member of the nursing team caring for critically ill patients in a highly complex environment.

• Provide a high standard of individualised care to the patients in accordance with agreed policies and within available resources.

• Help create an environment that is conducive with learning and development.

• To co-operate fully in all PICU, Trust and University based developmental programmes and take responsibility for personal growth in an enthusiastic manner

Person specification

Qualifications / training required

Essential criteria

• RN Child or equivalent
• Evidence of on-going personal development
• Child Protection and Domestic Violence Awareness

Desirable criteria

• Specialist qualification
• IV Therapy course/skills
• Recognised teaching qualification

Previous or relevant experience necessar

Essential criteria

• Post registration experience in relevant speciality
• Ward/department management experience
• Knowledge of current issues within acute Health Service
• Understanding of personal accountability
• Mentorship experience
• Awareness of responsibilities for management of infection control

Aptitudes and skills required

Essential criteria

• Good written and oral communication skills
• Able to use initiative
• Analytical decision-making skills
• Team player
• Awareness of evidence based practice
• Commitment to professional development

Desirable criteria

• Enthusiasm to participate fully with PICU Foundation Programme and to consolidate appropriately

Special requirements of the post

Essential criteria

• Flexible in working to cover full range of shift patterns and willingness to care for critically ill patients in other settings if required
• Clear rationale for applying for post

Values and behaviours

Essential criteria

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if large numbers of applications are received.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to acknowledge receipt of your application. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date of this post, please presume that you have not been selected for interview.

Applicants from University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust whose posts are considered to be ‘At Risk’ will be given prior consideration for this post

Our Trust runs the return to practice course each year for nurses who have been out of the profession and wish to return. To find out more please visit our website:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/WorkingHere/Typesofjob/Nurses/Returntonursing.aspx

http://www.discoversouthampton.co.uk/   Information on Southampton as a place to live and enjoy

https://www.uhs-vle.co.uk/   See what fantastic training and development we have on offer at UHS

http://www.youtube.com/user/SouthamptonHospitals learn about the Trust through visiting our YouTube channel 

Getting to Work

Application can be made for parking on site at UHS or through one of the park and ride schemes. This will be based on specific criteria to determine eligibility for site parking as this can be very limited.  UHS encourages staff to utilise other green methods of getting to work such as cycling or walking where possible. UHS is well connected through bus services to the city centre and other areas.

Please note that we will not accept any applications or queries via agencies, under any circumstances.

Our staff are positive about working at UHS and rate us above average compared to other NHS Trusts in the Staff Attitude Survey. We are rated strongly on a number of areas including teamwork, communication and engagement.

Equality remains at the centre of all Trust policy making, service delivery and employment practice with all employees being given equality of opportunity to develop, apply for promotion and have working arrangements that enable them to achieve a manageable work-life balance.

The Trust actively promotes a work environment free from harassment and discrimination and provides training for managers and staff to ensure this happens. The Trust also closely monitors recruitment activity, training and development and employment practices to ensure equality of practice with regard to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status and age.

As a service provider the Trust ensures equality of access and delivery of our services through the provision of interpreter services, facilities for the disabled and sensitivity for patients ethnic and religious differences and needs.

Relocating to Southampton

If you are thinking of moving to the Hampshire area, please find below a link to our website which offers guidance on finding accommodation:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/relocating-to-southampton

The Trust is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes.