Paediatric HDU

Job overview

We are inviting anyone who is passionate about advancing their nursing career in Paediatric High Dependency and Critical Care to apply for this band 5 post. This opportunity allows you to gain experience in a dynamic, high-acuity environment, working as part of a multidisciplinary team committed to delivering exceptional patient care.

The Children’s High Dependency Unit accepts acute and planned admissions. The unit consists of four beds and undertakes major orthopaedic, ENT and complex surgery as well as emergency medicine. The unit provides a high level of high dependency care including non-invasive ventilation and invasive stabilisation ventilation.

Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.

Main duties of the job

1. Patient Assessment and Monitoring

• Conduct comprehensive and ongoing assessments of patients’ physical, psychological, and emotional status.
• Monitor vital signs and interpret clinical data (e.g., cardiac monitoring, oxygen saturation, invasive and non-invasive blood pressure, fluid balance).
• Recognize and promptly respond to changes in a patient’s condition, escalating concerns appropriately.
• Use advanced monitoring equipment and ensure accurate documentation of patient observations.

2. Clinical Care and Intervention

• Administer prescribed medications safely, including intravenous infusions and titrated drugs (e.g., inotropes, analgesics).
• Provide respiratory support such as oxygen therapy, non-invasive ventilation (e.g., CPAP, BiPAP), and airway management.
• Manage central lines, arterial lines, urinary catheters, and wound drains as per clinical protocols.
• Assist with procedures such as insertion of invasive lines, tracheostomy care, and bedside diagnostics.
• Deliver evidence-based nursing care tailored to individual patient needs.

Key Skills and Attributes

• Advanced assessment and critical thinking skills
• Competence in the use of high-dependency monitoring and equipment
• Excellent communication and teamwork
• Ability to prioritize and manage rapidly changing clinical situations
• Strong commitment to patient safety and evidence-based care

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Providing and delivering a high standard of nursing care by initiating and co-coordinating the assessment, planning, and evaluating of individual patients needs based on evidence.
• Reporting and documenting any relevant nursing/patient needs, communicating changes with other health care professionals in the multi-disciplinary team with on-going responsibility for patient care as they occur.
• Promoting and delivering health education within the clinical area and advise patient, family, and others in health promotion issues.
• Engage; interact with carers/family encouraging them to be actively involved in patient’s care, planning  as outlined in the ward/unit philosophy.
• Demonstrating and undertaking evidence-based practice playing an active part in the introduction of this evidence to improve patient centred care
• Supervising, assessing, mentoring and supporting junior Registered Nurses and Health Care Professionals including bank and agency staff in the clinical setting.
• Increasing the level of knowledge and skills within the Ward/Directorate through sharing best practice and supporting others to develop their professional abilities.
• Implementing and sharing good infection control practice.
• Undertaking manual handling assessments and ensuring identified actions are met.
• Have a working knowledge of child protection issues / processes and take responsibility for the ongoing care of children in need.
• Day to day direct supervision of team of patients and staff.