Job summary
The Critical Care Unit at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust provides specialist care for critically ill adult patients requiring Level 2 (High Dependency) and Level 3 (Intensive Care) support. The service delivers high-quality, evidence-based care within a multidisciplinary environment, ensuring patients and their families receive safe, effective and compassionate care throughout their critical illness journey.

The post holder will participate in service improvement, patient safety initiatives, education and professional development activities while upholding the Trust's FIRST values of Fairness, Inclusivity, Respect, Safety and Teamwork.

Main duties of the job
The Band 5 Critical Care Nurse is responsible for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating care for critically ill patients. The post holder will work within the National Critical Care Competency Framework and develop the specialist knowledge and skills required to care for patients requiring advanced organ support.

About us
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community

We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.

The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.

Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.

Details
Date posted: 28 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
Reference number: 179-8355955-S
Closing date: 11 November 2026

Job responsibilities
Please see attached job description to view main duties and responsibilities.

We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.

With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.

We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.

Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?

Person Specification
Education and qualifications

• Essential: Registered Nurse (Adult) with current NMC registration.
• Essential: Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Desirable: Critical Care Course (in progress or completed).
• Desirable: Mentor/Practice Assessor qualification.
• Desirable: Degree level qualification.

Experience and knowledge

• Essential: Experience working in an acute healthcare setting.
• Essential: Understanding of professional accountability and patient safety principles.
• Essential: Knowledge of evidence-based nursing practice.
• Desirable: Previous Critical Care, Emergency Department, Theatre or Acute Medical experience.
• Desirable: Knowledge of GPICS standards and National Critical Care Competency Framework.

Skills and abilities

• Essential: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Essential: Ability to assess, plan and evaluate patient care.
• Essential: Ability to prioritise workload and respond to changing clinical situations.
• Essential: Competent IT skills.
• Essential: Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Desirable: Venepuncture and cannulation skills.
• Desirable: ECG interpretation.
• Desirable: Experience using critical care equipment and electronic patient records.

Personal qualities

• Essential: Compassionate and professional approach.
• Essential: Commitment to high-quality patient care.
• Essential: Flexible approach to working hours and duties.
• Essential: Reliable and resilient.
• Essential: Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Essential: Demonstrates Trust values.
• Desirable: Demonstrates leadership potential and commitment to a career in Critical Care nursing.

Visa and registration information
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. Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

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.

Employer contact details
Ward Manager: Claire Couch, claire.couch@Wsh.nhs.uk, 01284713130

Employer details
Employer name: West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Address: West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Hardwick Lane, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 2QZ, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.wsh.nhs.uk

Apply through our website.