Job summary
Interviews will be held at Alder Hey Childrens NHS Foundation Trust on 10th February 2026
This an exciting and innovative opportunity join an enthusiastic, well-motivated team in the High Dependency Unit at Alder Hey Children's Hospital. HDU sits within the Department of Critical Care that resides in the Division of Surgical Care.
Applicants must have extensive experience in tertiary high dependency care including the care of general and subspecialty (including cardiology and surgical) patients. Additional experience in intensive care, relevant subspecialties particularly cardiology, neurology, retrieval, respiratory or long-term ventilation, would be advantageous.
Applicantsmust have completed the Paediatric High Dependency Care Special Interest (SPIN) module. This should include a minimum of 12 months of Paediatric Intensive Care.
Main duties of the job
Clinical
The postholder will contribute to a rota which provides daytime and out of hours cover for HDU in combination with other consultant colleagues. A total of 10 programmed activities (PA) are payable per week. As per Trust Policy for new consultants, increases beyond 1.5 SPA, in respect of appropriate activities can be negotiated by mutual agreement following annual job planning reviews. Additional clinical Pas may be payable by mutual agreement
The HDU consultants direct the clinical care of all patients admitted to HDU. The role requires effective co-working with specialty colleagues. Currently patients are admitted under a primary "lead" specialty clinician but the care of the patients whilst on HDU are led by the HDU Consultant until they are discharged from the unit. Patient's are admitted from the emergency department, as step up care from the general wards or ward HDU areas, stepdown care from PICU or transfer in from regional hospitals.
The consultants work on a Hot Week model with a daytime consultant leading the care of the patients from week to week. On Mondays to Thursdays second on consultant is later available and then subsequently provides resident twilight cover and then non-resident on call cover until the following morning. The HDU consultant team work together flexibly to support the rota and each other.
About us
Sponsorship - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship.You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the government website.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This post attracts 10 programmed activities per week with a breakdown of: 8 DCC + 2 SPA. Additional direct clinical care PAs may be available by mutual agreement between the Trust and the successful candidate.
Currently, the HDU Consultants are provide daytime (0830-1730) cover across 7 days with the hot week system. On Mondays to Thursdays, extended hours are provided by a second on Consultant who delivers resident twilight cover until 2200hrs followed by a non-resident overnight on call until the following morning. With further recruitment, there will be expansion of cover to provide the twilight and on call cover Monday to Fridays and some weekends (frequency to be confirmed). Handovers start at 0830 in the morning and then again with an evening handover round at 4pm.
Non-resident on-call cover can be provided off site provided that the postholder lives within 30 minutes of the hospital.
Below is an indication of the current Job Plan for Consultants in HDU. The plan is programmed activities week for HDU (i.e. total of all consultants):
Time
Hours
PA
PA/week
1st on Weekdays Monday to Friday
0830-1730
9
2.25
11.25
1st on Weekends and Bank Holidays
0830-1730
9
3
6
2nd on Monday to Thursday
1300-2200
9
2.5
2nd on Twilight Bank Holidays
1300-2200
9
3
On call (non-resident following twilight) Monday to Thursday
2200-0900
Variable
1
HDU Meeting (Consultants not on shift)
Monday 1pm
0.5
SPA
1.5
Job description
Job responsibilities
This post attracts 10 programmed activities per week with a breakdown of: 8 DCC + 2 SPA. Additional direct clinical care PAs may be available by mutual agreement between the Trust and the successful candidate.
Currently, the HDU Consultants are provide daytime (0830-1730) cover across 7 days with the hot week system. On Mondays to Thursdays, extended hours are provided by a second on Consultant who delivers resident twilight cover until 2200hrs followed by a non-resident overnight on call until the following morning. With further recruitment, there will be expansion of cover to provide the twilight and on call cover Monday to Fridays and some weekends (frequency to be confirmed). Handovers start at 0830 in the morning and then again with an evening handover round at 4pm.
Non-resident on-call cover can be provided off site provided that the postholder lives within 30 minutes of the hospital.
Below is an indication of the current Job Plan for Consultants in HDU. The plan is programmed activities week for HDU (i.e. total of all consultants):
Time
Hours
PA
PA/week
1st on Weekdays Monday to Friday
0830-1730
9
2.25
11.25
1st on Weekends and Bank Holidays
0830-1730
9
3
6
2nd on Monday to Thursday
1300-2200
9
2.5
2nd on Twilight Bank Holidays
1300-2200
9
3
On call (non-resident following twilight) Monday to Thursday
2200-0900
Variable
1
HDU Meeting (Consultants not on shift)
Monday 1pm
0.5
SPA
1.5
Person Specification
Education and Training
Essential
- Full GMC Registration and Licence to Practice
- MBBS or equivalent
- MRCPCH or equivalent
- High Dependency Care Special Interest Module completed and signed off
- On the Specialist Register or within six months of obtaining a CCT at the time of scheduled interview. Portfolio Pathway (formerly CESR) applicants must be on the Specialist Register at the point of application.
- 6 months experience in Paediatric Intensive Care Medicine
- Valid Level 3 Safeguarding training
- Valid APLS provider certification
Desirable
- Additional 6-12 months of PICU experience
- Post CCT fellowship in critical care transport, cardiology or respiratory medicine
- APLS trainer
Experience
Essential
- Experience in the care of pre and post-operative cardiac surgical patients
- Experience in dealing with paediatric safeguarding cases
- Teaching experience
Desirable
- Experience in care of patients with multisystem problems
Skills
Essential
- Able to take full and independent responsibility of critically ill paediatric patients (level 2)
- Proficiency with insertion of vascular access devices by ultrasound guidance.
- Excellent written & verbal communication skills
- IT competent and able to work in a paperless environment
- Ability to research, develop and implement best clinical practice
- Ability to organise and manage the clinical team
Desirable
- CATCUS accreditation or developing experience in point of care ultrasound
- Experience of quality and safety improvements - e.g. critical incident & mortality reviews
- Simulation training
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team
- Ability & experience in forming links inside & outside the HDU
- Caring attitude to patients and parents
Person Specification
Education and Training
Essential
- Full GMC Registration and Licence to Practice
- MBBS or equivalent
- MRCPCH or equivalent
- High Dependency Care Special Interest Module completed and signed off
- On the Specialist Register or within six months of obtaining a CCT at the time of scheduled interview. Portfolio Pathway (formerly CESR) applicants must be on the Specialist Register at the point of application.
- 6 months experience in Paediatric Intensive Care Medicine
- Valid Level 3 Safeguarding training
- Valid APLS provider certification
Desirable
- Additional 6-12 months of PICU experience
- Post CCT fellowship in critical care transport, cardiology or respiratory medicine
- APLS trainer
Experience
Essential
- Experience in the care of pre and post-operative cardiac surgical patients
- Experience in dealing with paediatric safeguarding cases
- Teaching experience
Desirable
- Experience in care of patients with multisystem problems
Skills
Essential
- Able to take full and independent responsibility of critically ill paediatric patients (level 2)
- Proficiency with insertion of vascular access devices by ultrasound guidance.
- Excellent written & verbal communication skills
- IT competent and able to work in a paperless environment
- Ability to research, develop and implement best clinical practice
- Ability to organise and manage the clinical team
Desirable
- CATCUS accreditation or developing experience in point of care ultrasound
- Experience of quality and safety improvements - e.g. critical incident & mortality reviews
- Simulation training
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team
- Ability & experience in forming links inside & outside the HDU
- Caring attitude to patients and parents
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.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 (Opens in a new tab).
