Job summary
Come and join our amazing Critical Care team at Northampton General Hospital. We strive for excellence and are proud to deliver compassionate care to all of our patients.

You may have the opportunity to become part of a team that is forward thinking and is consistently striving for excellence. This is an opportunity that cannot be missed.

Main duties of the job
We are seeking highly motivated, forward thinking and enthusiastic Band 5 Registered Nurses to work within our 16 Bedded Critical Care Unit.

Being skilled, you will want to push your CPD for more, as you are supported through dedicated mentorship, Critical Care Practice Educator and competencies. All staff members are assigned to one of 6 nursing teams where they are supported and guided by their peers and Band 6 and 7 senior staff.

You will need to love your job as this is a challenging role so you will need to ensure that you maintain a good work/life balance.

Having at least 6 months acute experience, you will be caring for some of our most vulnerable patients. Your skills and courage will be tested on a daily basis while you are delivering the best possible care to your 1 or 2 patients. Newly qualified nurses can be considered for the position if they have 3rd year experience of working within Critical Care.

About us
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.

Our Excellence Values

• Compassion
• Accountability
• Respect
• Integrity
• Courage

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.

We are a Defence positive trust, supporting our reservists, veterans, spouses and partners.

The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.

We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.

We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.

Details
Date posted: 30 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum / pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 265-8376219-SUR

Job responsibilities
Corporate Responsibilities

• To adhere to the Trusts vision and standards at all times.
• The post holder will be expected to aspire to the Values of the Trust in their day to day work and behaviours in order to support the Trust in achieving its Vision.
• The post holder will be expected to work to any Corporate/Division/Directorate/Department objectives and standards in order to provide an acceptable level of service.
• The post holder will act, at all times, in a courteous, dignified and respectful manner when dealing with patients, staff and visitors to the Trust.
• The post holder will be expected to participate in the Trusts objectives, contractual obligations and governance agenda. Supporting Clinical Excellence.
• Responsible for the assessment of patient care and the implementation and evaluation of patient care plans.
• Takes responsibility during a shift for the care of a patient, ensuring the use of evidence based practice.
• Be conversant with emergency procedures. Supporting Patient Excellence.
• Ensures that agreed standards of care using evidence based research are adhered to. People/Management Excellence.
• Acts as a mentor or associate mentor to other qualified and unqualified staff following an appropriate and agreed period of experience.
• Shift co-ordination duties may be required when the appropriate skills and experience has been gained.

Professional Responsibilities

• To act in accordance with the NMC Code ensuring standards and behaviours are adhered to as laid down by the Nursing and Midwifery council.
• Maintains a professional portfolio and takes responsibility for own continuing professional development.
• Completes band 5 competencies within an agreed time frame.
• Ensures effective communication both verbal and written to all members of the multi-disciplinary team.
• The post holder may be required to carry out other relevant duties as required.
• The post holder will adhere to, at all times, any Professional, NHS Code of Conducts and legislation relevant for their area of work.
• The post holder will be expected to undertake training, including mandatory and role specific training, relevant to their role and ensure it is renewed as required.

Policy and Service Development Responsibilities

• To have some knowledge of the Health and Safety at work Act, COSHH and Risk Management.
• Become conversant with the policies of the unit and trust.
• The post holder will make themselves familiar with, and adhere to, at all times, the policies and procedures of the Trust, and their area of work.

Person Specification
Personal Qualities
Essential

• Good communication skills verbal and written.
• A willingness to undertake a post registration Critical Care course if financial and human resources are available.
• Punctual, reliable and flexible.
• A good attendance at work record.
• Physically able to carry out a full range of duties expected of a Band 5 staff nurse.

Skills & Abilities
Essential

• An ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team and contribute to team building.
• An ability to recognise own limitations and to seek advice from senior members of staff.
• An ability to remain calm in any situation.

Knowledge & Experience
Essential

• Minimum of 6 months experience as a registered nurse (adult) within an acute hospital environment.

Desirable

• Critical Care experience

Education and Qualifications
Essential

• Registered General Nurse.
• Up to date professional portfolio as proven knowledge base.

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. 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 or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: Northampton General Hospital
Address: University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire, Northampton, NN1 5BD, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Ward Manager, Clare Hinchley, clare.hinchley@nhs.net, 01604544864

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