CRITICAL CARE AT UHBW
Our GICU ward is expanding with bed numbers increasing so that we can continue to deliver the best possible care to our patients across the region. We are therefore looking for qualified nurses with acute experience ideally within critical care, to enable this expansion.
With excellent training and development, supported by a dedicated team of practice education facilitators, we provide substantial opportunities for professional growth to our nurses. The unit is also an early adopter of IT systems with fully integrated bedside patient monitoring.
We can offer job security in these uncertain times within an organisation that is dedicated to the wellbeing of its staff. We understand that we work to live (not live to work) and support flexible and part-time working patterns.
WHY UHBW?
We are a Trust where patient safety is our top priority. With opportunities to progress in a CQC Rated ‘Good’ Trust why would you want to go anywhere else?
We like to show our appreciation to all our staff for the hard work they put in every day. This includes a generous annual leave allowance, as well as generous maternity, shared parental, partner and adoption leave & entitlements. As a Trust we’re also committed to ensuring the wellbeing of our staff, with a range of support services, resources and provisions on hand to enable this.
WELCOME TO GICU
The General Intensive Care Unit (GICU) at the Bristol Royal Infirmary is designed and equipped to provide care to seriously ill patients requiring specialized monitoring and treatment. Recently expanded, our unit now accommodates patients from a diverse range of specialties across the region. We specifically care for patients aged 16 and above who require management for critical illnesses.
Patients are admitted to the Critical Care Unit from various sources such as the emergency department, operating theatres, or hospital wards. Additionally, we serve as a tertiary referral centre for Thoracic, Ear Nose and Throat (ENT), Gastrointestinal (GI) surgery, and the newly commissioned collaborative Bristol ECMO service with North Bristol Trust. Our unit admits patients with a spectrum of conditions, including sepsis, acute kidney injury, cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, and post-operative care, among other reasons.
Our highly dedicated, multidisciplinary team comprising doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and dieticians work collaboratively to ensure patients receive top-quality treatment and individualized care.
Please contact us below for more information about joining this exciting and committed team.
ECMO
Bristol was appointed as an ECMO centre (Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation) last year, with the service officially initiated in November 2022. It operates collaboratively between UHBW and NBT, based on A600 at UHBW. Our responsibility includes caring for up to 4 vvECMO patients simultaneously. The upcoming year, 2023, marks the introduction of our Bristol ECMO service retrievals, extending its coverage to the South West region.
Presently, the ECMO team comprises 16 ECMO Nurse Specialists (ENS) specially trained to provide advanced care to patients requiring vvECMO. During periods without active ECMO procedures, ENSs return to their respective critical care base units at either UHBW or NBT. Each ENS possesses a background in critical care and undergoes regular training and simulation sessions throughout the year to uphold their ECMO skills. The ENS team collaborates closely with Bedside ICU Nurses, Perfusionists, ECMO Consultants, and AHPs (Allied Health Professionals).
Welcome to CICU
The Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) is situated in the Bristol Heart Institute (BHI), a purpose-built cardiac centre valued at £61 million and renowned for its exceptional cardiac care. Treating over 4000 patients annually for a spectrum of cardiac issues, the 19-bedded CICU caters to level 3 and level 2 patients on the cardiac surgical pathway, both pre and post operatively.
Comprising CICU (Zone D) and the cardiac high dependency unit (Zone C), our multidisciplinary team collaborates closely, involving the Surgical Team, Anaesthetists, Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, and Allied Health Professionals.
The CICU unit hosts a dedicated Critical Care Practice Educator team supporting staff transitioning from ward-based nursing to the intensive care environment, along with ongoing support and training. There is an excellent in-house progression pathway for future development and career-building within CICU. Collaboration with the General Intensive Care Unit (GICU) extends to staff education and training, with available opportunities for Band 5 rotational posts through both units.
We highly value our staff and offer permanent, part-time, and flexible working arrangements within the unit.
Equipped with cutting-edge technology and an innovative bedside clinical information system, our unit optimizes patient flow by welcoming General Elective Surgery patients into Zone C.
WESTON INTENSIVE CARE
Weston General Intensive Care (WICU) operates as a four-bedded unit with a compact yet welcoming team dedicated to caring for a range of Level 2 and 3 patients, including emergency and elective admissions. We prioritize a close-knit, multidisciplinary approach to deliver optimal care for all patients in WICU. Our nursing team operates with a high level of autonomy in providing and managing prescribed care and treatment goals. Focusing on providing high-quality care and therapies, WICU caters to patients with diverse medical and surgical conditions during their critical care stay and beyond. We offer comprehensive multi-organ support, including hemofiltration, ventilation, chemical cardiac support, and invasive monitoring.
Collaborating closely with the Critical Care Outreach team, we conduct follow-up reviews for ICU step-down patients on the wards. To foster a proactive learning environment, we have a dedicated Clinical Educator who customizes learning according to the national competencies frameworks specific to Critical Care – Steps competencies. Opportunities for ongoing professional development are available annually. As a unit, we are dedicated to appraisal, education, and continuous professional growth.
BRISTOL
Our Critical Care department is based in the heart of Bristol, a diverse, historic, and vibrant city bursting with food, music, and culture. Whether you like shopping, eating out, or sport and leisure activities, there’s something here for everyone.
Bristol is consistently tipped as one of the UK’s top cities to live, rated for its stunning scenery and social scene. In 2015 it was also named the UK’s first ever European Green Capital, in recognition of what its citizens have done in terms of making the city a healthier, happier place to live. We’ve put in place a number of green travel schemes, to ensure as a Trust we operate as sustainably as we can.
On top of all this, we’ve negotiated a wide range of discounts with local service providers and retailers, meaning you get great deals on anything from holidays to hairdressing and insurance to theatre tickets.
For more information on housing, schools and transport click here.
Contact us today!
Apply today
Please note these vacancies are likely to close early due to the high volume of expected applications.
We urge you to apply early to avoid disappointment.
