Critical Care Outreach Nurse (Band 7)

Job details

• Branch: Belfast Area (SEHSCT)
• Location: UH, Critical Care Block
• Salary: Band 7 (£47,810 - £54,710)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 23/06/26
• Closes: Tue, 07 July 2026 @ 5:30 PM
• Interview Dates: TBC

Notes

Online and manual applications accepted. Important Information If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR. Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage. A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week. Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE

Critical Care Outreach Nurse

BAND

Band 7

DIRECTORATE

SURGERY, ELECTIVE, MATERNITY & PAEDS

INITIAL LOCATION

Ulster Hospital

REPORTS TO

Lead Nurse ICU

ACCOUNTABLE TO

Assistant Director

JOB SUMMARY

Job Purpose

The post holder is accountable for their service and will

Promote and monitor safe and effective practice, including implementation of deteriorating patient management plans and updating of patient records.

Enhance the patient/client experience by providing highly specialist critical care advice based on acquired knowledge and skill

The critical care outreach nurse will work as an autonomous practitioner, providing specialist advice, education and support to facilitate high quality care to the acutely deteriorating and critically ill patient in partnership with the multi-disciplinary team.

The post holder manages an unpredictable caseload requiring frequent reassessment, reprioritisation, and immediate response to urgent and emergency referrals throughout the shift.

Contribute to the delivery of the organization’s objectives & provide effective leadership and management.

Adhere to trust values

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will work in collaboration with the line manager for critical care services to develop and deliver outreach services.

The main functions of the service is to follow up patients following discharge from critical care to the wards and all patients with tracheostomy tubes.

To provide a patient at risk service, where an early warning system prompts a referral following patient deterioration.

Critical care outreach team members will then review the patient with the aim of preventing critical care admission.

They will have responsibility for a caseload of patients across a number of specialties and exhibit effective decision making skills demonstrating the ability to prioritise and reprioritise patients to prevent further deterioration.

They will provide specialist clinical support / education and guidance relating to critically ill patients and demonstrating mentorship and role modelling to support clinical staff.

The post holder manages an unpredictable caseload requiring frequent reassessment, reprioritisation, and immediate response to urgent and emergency referrals throughout the shift.

The post holder will support the line manager / head of service in the management of an effective and efficient service.

The post holder is a member of the cardiac arrest team and may be required to lead Advanced Life Support and resuscitation until senior medical assistance is available.

Clinical/Professional/Specific Managerial Responsibilities

The post holder will focus and lead on the following key areas, within the organization’s governance framework:

1. Ensure safe and effective practice

1.1Professional, ethical and legal

Adhere to DHSSPS and the NMC guidelines for practice requirements/competencies and learning and assessment.

Ensure that Trust and directorate learning and development goals are reflected in own, and that of the nursing staff.

Maintain own professional and personal development in accordance with the NMC Code (2015), standards and professional guidelines.

Adhere to Trust guidelines, policies and procedures.

Contribute to the development of the Trust’s policies and strategies, where appropriate.

Adhere to the Trust Code of Conduct, value and behaviours.

Establish and maintain relationships based on mutual respect, communicating on a regular basis with the directorate leads, department managers and nursing teams on matters relating to learning and development.

Ensure appropriate systems are developed and operational to facilitate dissemination of learning and development information within the Trust, directorate and each site.

Adhere to the Data Protection Act (1998).

Maintain effective records management ensuring all documentation written or electronic is managed as per HSC Trust and NMC (2009) guidelines.

Participate in the Trust Staff Development and Performance Review Scheme.

Promote good relationships and morale amongst staff.

Act as a role model in practising the highest standards of conduct in accordance with the NMC Code of Conduct and all relevant Trust policies.

1.2Evidence-based practice

To act as a role model to promote a culture of research promote a culture of research and reflective practice within the ward/department to enhance person centered care.

Ensure evidence- based care is provided to agreed standards within the ward/department

Create an environment which supports a culture of life-long learning and reflective practice for all staff.

Act as a change agent, developing clinically effective practice through the effective utilization and integration of evidence.

1.3Environment

Maintain a safe and clean environment for staff, patients/clients and visitors by ensuring compliance with legislation, policies and protocols including health and safety, healthcare associated infection, risk management and critical incident reporting.

Ensure staff awareness of environmental issues and take appropriate action as per HSC Trust policy.

Participate in the analysis, assessment and management of actual and potential risks to health and well-being.

Ensure safe and effective use of equipment as per HSC Trust policy.

Ensure near misses, incidents, accidents and faulty devices are recorded, reported, investigated and learning disseminated as per HSC Trust policy.

Maintain a Risk Register incorporating generic clinical and non-clinical risks as per HSC Trust with regards to learning and development of nursing staff.

Multi-professional working

Establish systems and processes to ensure effective communication and continuity with regards learning and development needs for all nursing staff including students.

Maintain effective collaboration partnership with education providers and all other interested parties to enhance learning and development experiences.

Prepare reports for learning and development service evaluation.

2. Enhance the patient/client

Person-centred care

Develop and maintain a culture of person-centred care within the Directorate and departments that will enhance the staff learning and the patient/client experience.

Promote a caring open and honest learning environment where equality and diversity issues are respected for staff and patient/clients and carers.

Within the scope of learning and development develop strategies for effective communication between staff, managers, directorate leads and patients/clients, relatives and their carers, showing awareness of barriers to understanding.

Support learning and development between all members of the multi-disciplinary/multi-agency team, and across care settings.

Promote appropriate care values including: compassion, respect, empathy, treating people with dignity, integrity, courage, responsibility and adaptability.

2.2 Coordination of the patient/client journey

Support the safety and quality of the patient’s/client’s journey through effective learning and development processes.

Support effective admission/discharge planning with relevant multi-disciplinary and multi-agency teams through effective learning and development processes.

Demonstrate the skills required to guide and support the management of dependent patients outside the Critical Care environment.

Monitor and report on patient’s/client’s progress and maintain contemporaneous records

Competently identify level 0, 1, 2, 3 patients in the ward environment and ensure all receive appropriate nursing care.

Develop and review patient specific treatment plans.

Provide follow up and on-going care for patients discharged from Critical Care including patients with a tracheostomy.

Liaise with MDT and effectively plan and lead the transfer of patients to ICU or other appropriate departments as required in a safe and timely manner.

Independently use expertise and diagnostic skills to initiate appropriate treatment

Perform comprehensive patient assessments based on history taking and physical examination. Independently advise solutions and make recommendations for acutely unwell adult ward-based patients

Advise on management plans independently, using initiative, while acting in the patient’s best interests and make changes when required. Alerting the appropriate team members within the patients care in highly emotive situations.

Request where appropriate, further investigations e.g. 12 lead ECG, biochemistry, CXR, ABG etc.

Undertake the advanced practice and interpretation of

- ABG’s

- Patient history taking and physical assessment

- Basic interpretation of CXR

- Use of PGD’s

- ECG recognition

- Respiratory support in form of NIV/CPAP/AIRVO

- Care of patients with tracheostomy/laryngectomy

- Intravenous cannulation and phlebotomy

- Collection of blood cultures

- Supporting the ICU & anaesthetic team when outreaching to other wards

2.3 Patient/client involvement

Ensure compliments and complaints are managed in line with HSC Trust policy including the dissemination of shared learning.

Engage with effective systems to understand patients/clients and carer’s feedback on their experience of care to support learning and development meets.

Collaborate in discussions, where appropriate, with the MDT, relatives and patients on the highly sensitive and complex issues surrounding the futility of continuing treatment, the appropriateness of resuscitation and life threatening conditions

Generic managerial responsibilities both within an operational and strategic

Context.

3. Provide effective leadership and management

3.1 Role model

Act as a visible clinical educational support within the Trust, directorate, and departments.

Provide effective leadership with regards the learning and development for all nursing staff including students.

Empower and enable staff to contribute to the learning needs of the directorate, departments, become effective contributors to their own learning needs and deliver high quality person-centred care.

The post holder delivers frequent formal and informal education sessions, independently organising and delivering specialist training programmes and providing adhoc clinical teaching to MDT members across all shifts.

Support clinical expertise within the directorate and departments by role modelling evidence-based person-centred care.

3.2 Develop performance

Promote, develop and facilitate a learning culture within the directorate and departments.

Promote equality of opportunity for all, in accordance with HSC Trust Equality Opportunity Policy.

Participate as and when required in staff appraisal/development review, ensuring effective implementation of the Knowledge and Skills Framework (DH, 2004).

Participate in learning needs analysis and facilitate personal and team development plans.

Contribute to the implementation of an effective infrastructure supporting learning and development for all staff.

Challenge appropriately and confidently where standards of care fall below that expected by the Trust, directorate, patient/clients and their carers.

Support, promote and participate in the preceptorship and induction programmes for nursing staff within directorate and departments.

Support the clinical skill development of health care support workers within the directorate and departments.

Understand the Trust and UK standards and policies relating to education and learning.

Promote a person-centred culture to facilitate good staff relationships and morale among all staff.

Contribute to the development of policies, guidelines and strategies related to nursing students.

Contribute to the education commissioning process for nursing staff.

Support the management of poor performance and practice of staff in line with HSC Trust policies.

Work in partnership with Higher Education Institute staff.

Ensure supervision, mentorship and preceptorship is embedded for pre-registration nursing students, registered nursing staff and health care support workers, as appropriate.

Work in ICU as requested by line manager to meet demands of the service.

Work in ICU for a minimum of a five hour shift per month to ensure clinical skills are update and maintained.

Support and develop nursing health care support workers within the ward/department.

Complete National Outreach Regional Framework, Critical Care Outreach Competencies

Collaborate with other critical care outreach teams within the Critical Care Network NI and participate in various Trust working groups, facilitating policy and guideline changes. Advise where appropriate and support implementation of new processes and guidelines relating to acute and critical care.

Develop, deliver and evaluate specialist core training in conjunction with consultant anaesthetist, related to tracheostomies and laryngectomies, adhering to trust policy in a multi-disciplinary format to all members of the MDT.

To participate in the delivery of national courses for multi-professional staff trust wide such as ALERT & AWARE. To share acute/critical care skills and deliver training on appropriate courses

3.3 Manage the ward /department environment

Ensure appropriate delegation to nurses and health care support workers and monitoring of outcomes for effective care / service delivery.

Challenge appropriately and confidently where standards of care fall below that which the line manager would expect.

Ensure best use of resources within the ward/department and ensure services are managed in accordance with yearly financial instructions.

Participate in multi-professional procurement processes to ensure appropriate selection of products which meet relevant quality and safety standards.

Provide direct support at the bedside as required and in the Provide direct support at the bedside as required and in the absence of the cardiac arrest team, utilise Advanced Life Support skills, with the ability to lead where necessary and appropriate.

The post holder is frequently exposed to highly emotive and distressing situations including endoflife care, sudden patient deterioration, resuscitation decisions, and supporting patients, families and staff following adverse outcomes.

.

3.3 Effective use of resources

Deliver a safe and effective service within allocated resources, ensuring the resources are used to maximum effect.

Monitor budgetary performance, develop and implement action plans, organise the necessary resources and monitor outcomes.

Adhere to financial policies and procedures, particularly Standing Financial Instructions, Authorisation Frameworks, Procurement Legislation and associated processes, and Prompt Payment Code.

Adhere to HSC Trust financial controls and fraud awareness principles (e.g. verification of authenticity / accuracy of the Staff-in-Post records).

Adhere to HSC Trust systems for effectively managing stock and safeguarding fixed assets.

The role involves physical effort including emergency response, patient transfers, prolonged walking, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the handling and transport of equipment.

Promote the principles of good governance and protects the directorate from financial risk, particularly in respect of patient/client monies and property and charitable fund.

Display managerial and organisational skills to ensure that products required for learning and development purposes are procured in timely fashion and demonstrate value for money.

Show a commitment to effectively manage resources and achieve statutory financial targets.

4. Contribute to the delivery of the organisation’s objectives

Continuous quality and improvement

Promote a culture of continuous learning, development and quality improvement through the use of audit, feedback and recognised evaluation mechanisms.

Participate in learning and development research and audit activities as required.

Promote nursing through participation in Trust and education providers’ career events.

Service improvement, development and modernisation

Work in partnership with a range of parties in the planning and or development of the clinical educational service needs.

Work in partnership with a range of parties and systems to analyse the on-going quality of practice placement experiences for nursing students.

Support the development of strategies and action plans to address deficits of practice placement for nursing students.

Support the review processes /practices including those within the site to support patients/clients to improve their own health and wellbeing through learning and development processes.

Maintain professional standards of practice and contribute to continuous quality improvement

Take responsibility for ensuring all outreach data is accurately inputted on a database for generating monthly reports on activity and patient outcomes in order to improve and build effectiveness of the outreach service

Actively participate in audit to improve service.

Support the review of processes/practices to ascertain if there are better ways of working within the directorate and departments to enhance patient/client care, service delivery and deliver required efficiencies through learning and development processes.

Staff Management

Support the process of ensuring all staff working in the directorate and departments are professionally qualified and registered with the NMC.

Support the directorate and departments to ensure compliance with statutory and mandatory training requirements are being met.

Liaise with directorate leads and department managers on all professional learning and development issues.

Promote the health and wellbeing of staff and observe for any signs of ill health or stress factors in staff assigned to the area and take appropriate action in line with HSC Trust policies and NMC guidelines.

Manage duty rotas/annual leave and study leave to ensure adequate clinical educational cover is provided within the Directorate.

Participate in the recruitment and selection of staff.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will be required to

The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust’s Raising Concerns Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

Ensure the Trust’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.

Co-operate fully with the implementation of the Trust's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.

Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example

Smoke Free policy

IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct

standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour

Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.

Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.

All employees of the South Eastern HSC Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the South Eastern HSC Trust including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the South Eastern HSC Trust’s policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.

Represent the Trust’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within the Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.

eHealth

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has invested in eHealth to deliver better, faster, safer care to our community and is committed to supporting staff to utilise associated information systems that directly and indirectly inform care. Trust staff are therefore required to commit sufficient time to ensure that they acquire and/or retain the core technology skills required to support their role.

Personal and Public Involvement (PPI)

Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community were relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal and Public Involvement (PPI).

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information. PPI_leaflet.pdf (hscni.net)

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND

Critical Care Outreach Nurse

DEPARTMENT /DIRECTORATE

SURGERY, ELECTIVE, MATERNITY & PAEDS

SALARY

Band 7

HOURS

37.5 hours per week

Ref: 55737192

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience / Registration/ Qualifications

Registered Nurse on Part 1 of the live NMC Register.

Have 5 years post registration experience including 3 years within the Critical Care environment(adult)

Have a Nursing Degree or equivalent

Recognised post registration qualification in Critical Care Nursing

Have completed the Trust mentorship programme and demonstrate application of same.

Or

Have completed the Trust facilitation & learning Course and demonstrate their application of same.

Non-medical prescribing qualification V300 (or be willing to undertake this at the earliest available opportunity )

ALS course (or willing to undertake this at the earliest available opportunity )

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.

Shortlisting by Application Form

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities

Provide evidence of continuous personal and professional development.

Be conversant with current professional issues in relation to nursing.

Ability to provide effective leadership to meet the needs of the post in full.

Provide evidence of maintaining and monitoring standards which have enhanced the patient / client experience of care.

Ability to influence and manage change, including the promotion of evidence based practice.

Have effective communication skills to meet the needs of the post in full.

Demonstrate ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Interview / Test

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

To access a copy of the Access NI Code of Practice, please Click here

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has guidance on the Recruitment of People with Criminal Convictions. To access a copy of this guidance, please Click Here

Protecting and using your information

To access a copy of the Trust’s Data Protection Policy Statement,

Click Here

THE TRUST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Successful applicants

may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant & equivalent to the post. Request for recognition of previous service with non-direct NHS/HSC organisations towards starting salary and incremental credit must be made via the Retained Recruitment team within 3 months from commencement of employment. Requests made after 3 months will not be considered. If the successful candidate is an existing HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.

are able to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. A number of flexible working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations including Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Flexi-time, Compressed/elongated hours, Average hours working patterns, Term-time working, Job-share or Homeworking for some or all of the working pattern, depending on the role being undertaken. Successful applicants are encouraged to discuss with their manager what Flexible Working provisions may be available in the role they are taking up, prior to commencing employment, to help them achieve a positive Work/Life Balance

All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times