Junior Sister/Charge Nurse - Paediatric ICU

Job overview

The paediatric intensive care unit is seeking a Band 6 nurse to cover part time and full time hours. The unit has 9 Intensive care beds and 4 High dependency beds. Your role will be to manage the unit in the absence of a senior nurse. We are looking for an enthusiastic, flexible and committed paediatric nurse with leadership and organisational skills with a vision to provide a quality service and to maximise a positive patient experience.

Development opportunities at a local level are actively encouraged and you will be supported in gaining relevant qualifications to your role and career progression

Main duties of the job

You will be responsible for competently providing safe and effective care, without direct supervision, to critically ill or injured children requiring all levels of high dependency / intensive care (Level 1, 2 and 3). Assess care needs, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care. Participate in the supervision, teaching, assessment and appraisal of pre and post registration staff. Participate in the development and continuous service provision of children’s services offering advice and support to the clinical areas.

Regularly co-ordinate the management of the nursing care delivered, taking charge of PICU/PHDU in the absence of a Lead Nurse for PICU and PHDU. Demonstrate leadership ability.

Undertake bed management of the children’s areas on a rota basis when the bed manager is not available.

Working for our organisation

Come Nurse with us…

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the country. It comprises Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital. We provide accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge and regional and national specialist services. It’s a great place to nurse, work and live. 

You will work on a vibrant hospital campus with a friendly community feel; we have excellent facilities to practise your skills and abilities to support your career pathway and development. Our values of Together – Safe, Kind, Excellent support the delivery of outstanding care. We have a fully electronic patient record system that is improving health-care quality; this is transforming services, improving patient safety and clinical outcomes.

Why choose Cambridge University Hospitals?

• Our values and reputation for outstanding care
• Opportunities to experience a range of specialities
• Career and development opportunities
• Preceptorship and mentoring programmes delivered by a dedicated clinical education support team
• Research experience and opportunities
• Lovely location and quality of life
• Excellent schools/colleges and transport links (road, rail and air)

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

This post is subject to a 12-week probationary period, during which performance, conduct and     attendance will be reviewed in line with Trust standards. The probationary period provides a structured and supportive approach to help new employees successfully transition into their role.

All roles in the Trust include a mandatory 12-week training period. Therefore successful candidates are expected to have the Right to Work for a period of at least 6 months from the proposed start date. Immigration and Right to Work status will be discussed with successful candidates at conditional offer. CUH will not offer sponsorship to candidates that have applied for a fee waiver.

Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:
-    applied for a Graduate visa
-    or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment

This vacancy will close at midnight on 20th September 2026

Interviews are due to be held in 28th September 2026

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff. 

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only café, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Completing your application - Information for Applicants

Relevant post registration paediatric critical care qualification (equivalent to ENB 415)

Evidence of degree level study or equivalent

Child protection training

Relevant teaching and assessing / mentorship course

Desirable criteria

Advanced level child protection training

Evidence of continuing professional development at degree level

Experience

Essential criteria

Evidence of delivery, and supervision of learners in the delivery, of evidenced based nursing care to level 1, 2 and 3 patients without supervision, at Band 5 to children in a paediatric intensive care setting

Evidence of assessment, planning, set-up and delivery of advanced ventilation in the form of HFOV, Nitric Oxide and Renal Replacement Therapy

Desirable criteria

Evidence of experience in retrievals

Supervision and teaching of staff in delivery of Haemofiltration / High Frequency Oscillation / NO therapy

NHS experience

Knowledge

Essential criteria

Works within the boundaries of government directives and professional nursing issues

Evidence of current paediatric nursing skills and knowledge

Desirable criteria

Current knowledge of research developments in paediatric nursing

Skills

Essential criteria

Competent to lead others in the care of children and their families in a safe and effective manner without direct supervision

Advocate of paediatric nursing

Evidence of excellent team work

Advanced computer skills

Desirable criteria

Evidence of participation in research and audit projects

Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)

Additional Requirements

Essential criteria

The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent

To be willing to undertake Mentoring and Mentor Module relevant to job banding and as required by your Line Manager

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Further details / informal visits contact

Name

Clare King/Sarah Hardwick

Job title

Senior Sister PICU

Email address

View email address on careers.cuh.nhs.uk

Additional information

View email address on careers.cuh.nhs.uk