Registered Nurse Critical Care

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Registered Nurse Critical Care

The closing date is 23 February 2026

We are seeking a motivated and compassionate Band 5 nurse to join our dynamic and supportive Critical Care team. You will provide high quality, patient centred care to critically ill patients requiring level 2 & level 3 support in line with GPICS standards.

We are welcoming patients following Vascular Surgery into our unit so it is an exciting time for new learning and an opportunity to be part of a developing service within Critical Care.

The role is suitable for ward experienced Band 5 nurses with an interest in Critical Care as a structured induction and ongoing education programme will be provided to support development.

Main duties of the job

• Deliver high quality evidence based nursing care to critically ill patients requiring level 2 and level 3 support.
• Undertake comprehensive patient assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of personalized care.
• Monitor and interpret physiological parameters and respond appropriately to patient deterioration.
• Safely manage critical care equipment including invasive monitoring and infusion devices in line with local policies.
• Administer medications and therapies in accordance with Trust guidelines and NMC standards.
• Work collaboratively with the MDT to support clinical decision making and patient flow.
• Communicate effectively with patients and relatives providing support.
• Maintain accurate, timely clinical documentation and conduct concise handover.
• Escalate concerns appropriately to senior staff.
• Adhere to GPICS standards, infection prevention, safeguarding, and health and safety requirements.
• Participate in education, and complete competencies, audit, and quality improvement activities.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Job responsibilities

Assess patient care needs and the development and implementation of programmes of patient care and participate in the evaluation of these.

To ensure a high standard of nursing care is performed at all times and assist in the review and regular update of these standards.

Ability to recognise and respond appropriately to changes in the patients condition and safety.

Adhere to all Trust Policies to maintain professional, clinical and patient safety.

Ability to administer oral drugs safely and independently and that they are administered in line with the NMC and Trust Policy guidelines.

Be aware of the principles of infection control and the prevention of cross infection in relation to patient care and the clinical environment.

Be able to communicate basic care information and answer queries to patients, their relatives/carers and the multidisciplinary team members.

To undertake intravenous drug therapy administration following a training programme which will assess the competencies and practical levels required to achieve safe working within the Trust policies and procedures.

Care and control of medication and controlled drugs used for patient care, being aware of the systems used for safe administration and the ordering and maintenance of stock.

Person Specification Qualifications

• RGN with current NMC registration
• Degree in Nursing
• Evidence of ongoing professional development
• Critical Care course
• Mentorship or teaching qualification

Experience

• Experience of working in an acute hospital setting
• Knowledge & understanding of safe evidence based nursing care
• Understanding of infection prevention practices, safeguarding & risk management
• Experience of taking charge of a ward area
• Awareness of GPICS standards

Professional attributes

• Willingness to undertake further training and complete critical care competences
• Demonstrates Trust values and professional accountability
• Willingness to contribute to audit and quality improvement
• Demonstrates enthusiasm & commitment to developing a career in critical care nursing

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.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust