Job summary
Join our team and play a leading role in shaping and delivering an exceptional community neonatal service. We are seeking a committed professional to lead the development of the local MDT community pathway, supporting early identification, safe discharge planning and effective cross-site working. You will oversee the creation and maintenance of community policies, SOPs, escalation frameworks and treatment guidance, ensuring alignment with national outreach standards and evidence-based practice.
You will drive service improvement through innovative projects and by evaluating pathway performance using audit and outcome data. A core part of the role involves facilitating the safe discharge of neonates and providing early support to families in their homes. You will work closely with the multidisciplinary team and liaise with Social Services when concerns arise.
You will continue to develop your clinical skills, represent the Neonatal Unit at case conferences and deliver resuscitation training for parents. You will also lead the RSV immunisation programme. As a senior practitioner, you will supervise students and junior staff, maintaining the highest standards of care in line with the NMC Code and Trust policies. You will assess, plan, implement and evaluate care for infants in the community, always advocating for babies and their families.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will shape an integrated vision for the development of neonatal outreach care, ensuring the service delivers safe, compassionate, and holistic support for babies and their families at home. They will lead innovative, family-integrated care practices and promote a culture of excellence across all outreach and hospital-at-home activities.
Central to the role is maintaining strong and effective communication with all stakeholders, including families, the neonatal unit, community teams, and wider partner services. The post holder will ensure that all outreach practice follows evidence-based standards and aligns with neonatal unit governance protocols and relevant network guidance.
They will act as a key link between the service and allied health professionals, as well as other multidisciplinary colleagues within the community. Responsibilities include documenting all relevant clinical information in patient records, ensuring robust handovers, and maintaining communication with GPs and any other professionals involved in the infant's ongoing care. The post holder will also support optimal data quality and collaborate closely with regional or network outreach leads to ensure accurate reporting and service continuity.
About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job
Details
Date posted
20 February 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 7
Salary
£47,810 to £54,710 a year per anum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number
418-NICU1447-EH
Job locations
Bedfordshire Hospital FT
Lewsey Road, LU4 0DZ
Luton
LU4 0DZ
Job description
Job responsibilities
Other Clinical Responsibilities:
Act as an effective role model and demonstrate effective organisational and leadership skills
Listen appropriately and take into account any sensitive issues and communicate these to the appropriate persons/agencies ensuring that children are protected and that disclosures are acted upon appropriately commence referrals, early health assessment as required
Feedback the views and needs of the infant/family to the Community Sister as necessary to enable appropriate interventions to be implemented
Participate in planning and implementation of quality initiatives and targets, in conjunction with the Operational Lead/ Head of Nursing
To be conversant with Child Protection policies and procedures and ability to recognise those at risk
Actively promote and implement research and evidence-based practice
Maintain accurate, legible, and timely records.
Other Managerial Responsibilities:
Be aware of and adhere to the Supervisory Responsibilities guidelines as per the Trusts Standards for Practice and Care
Ensure safe use of equipment, ascertaining that both self and staff are competent to operate the equipment and that the equipment is in safe working order
Be proficient in the use of information technology
Ensure nursing staff under your supervision have a clear understanding of their duties and responsibilities, and of the standards of performance and conduct expected of them
Lead on the management of babies that include home oxygen, immunisation clinics or other area identified by Operational Lead
Ensure that complaints and incidents are dealt with proactively in conjunction with Divisional Governance Team
Initiate and lead on and projects and instigate improvements in nursing care and / or management of the ward/Department
Contribute to the recruitment and selection process. Taking a lead in the retention of nursing staff on the Unit and in the outreach team.
Liaise and provide information to report into neonatal network management teams and share practice/guidance with Integrated Care Boards (ICBs); Local Maternity and Neonatal System structures (LMNSs) and Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnerships (MNVPs).
Oversee referral outreach support required for discharge
Coordinate MDT discussions with neonatology, social services, safeguarding or other services required
Lead operational planning for outreach services
Provide line management to pathway staff, including appraisals, performance review and supervision.
Lead recruitment, induction and ongoing competency development for outreach services
Support training needs analysis and promote continuous improvement in practice across team
Please see attached Personal Specification and Job description for further information.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Other Clinical Responsibilities:
Act as an effective role model and demonstrate effective organisational and leadership skills
Listen appropriately and take into account any sensitive issues and communicate these to the appropriate persons/agencies ensuring that children are protected and that disclosures are acted upon appropriately commence referrals, early health assessment as required
Feedback the views and needs of the infant/family to the Community Sister as necessary to enable appropriate interventions to be implemented
Participate in planning and implementation of quality initiatives and targets, in conjunction with the Operational Lead/ Head of Nursing
To be conversant with Child Protection policies and procedures and ability to recognise those at risk
Actively promote and implement research and evidence-based practice
Maintain accurate, legible, and timely records.
Other Managerial Responsibilities:
Be aware of and adhere to the Supervisory Responsibilities guidelines as per the Trusts Standards for Practice and Care
Ensure safe use of equipment, ascertaining that both self and staff are competent to operate the equipment and that the equipment is in safe working order
Be proficient in the use of information technology
Ensure nursing staff under your supervision have a clear understanding of their duties and responsibilities, and of the standards of performance and conduct expected of them
Lead on the management of babies that include home oxygen, immunisation clinics or other area identified by Operational Lead
Ensure that complaints and incidents are dealt with proactively in conjunction with Divisional Governance Team
Initiate and lead on and projects and instigate improvements in nursing care and / or management of the ward/Department
Contribute to the recruitment and selection process. Taking a lead in the retention of nursing staff on the Unit and in the outreach team.
Liaise and provide information to report into neonatal network management teams and share practice/guidance with Integrated Care Boards (ICBs); Local Maternity and Neonatal System structures (LMNSs) and Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnerships (MNVPs).
Oversee referral outreach support required for discharge
Coordinate MDT discussions with neonatology, social services, safeguarding or other services required
Lead operational planning for outreach services
Provide line management to pathway staff, including appraisals, performance review and supervision.
Lead recruitment, induction and ongoing competency development for outreach services
Support training needs analysis and promote continuous improvement in practice across team
Please see attached Personal Specification and Job description for further information.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* oRegistered Nurse
* oQIS trained with substantial consolidation of learning
* oCurrent NLS training
* oLeadership / management training or course
Desirable
* Educated to degree level
* Research experience
* Quality Improvement experience
Communication Skills
Essential
* oGood inter-personal and communication skills
* oClear and concise written & documentation skills
* oGood level of IT i.e. Email/Internet
Desirable
* oProject leadership skills
Experience
Essential
* oExperience in leading Nurse Education on a level 3 NICU
* oSubstantial time working in a Neonatal unit
* oSubstantial experience at Band 6 in a NICU/SCU/Community Outreach Team
* oImplementing changes in nursing practice to improve patient care
* oDesigning and implementing training programmes on NICU
* oExperience of preparing infants with complex health needs for discharge
* oExperience Social Care/Safeguarding involvement
* oExperience Bereavement/CDOP/PRMT process
* oDemonstrable experience of managing staff, including sickness absence, appraisals, performance and conduct.
Desirable
* oEvidence of involvement in project management
Knowledge
Essential
* oKnowledge of teaching and learning
* oAble to evaluate and analyse results of audit in order to improve the service
* oComputer literacy including using an excel spreadsheet, power point and word
* oExperience in change management and/or quality improvement initiatives
* oKnowledge of National Neonatal policies & guidelines
* oFully aware of the children's Act & National/Local Safeguarding Children Board legislation
* oCare of and discharge preparation for the infant with complex health needs
* oParticipation on Baby Friendly Initiative
Desirable
* oKnowledge with RSV immunisation programme
Skills
Essential
* oChange management skills
* oAbility to work and communicate as part of the multidisciplinary team
* oAbility to train others
* oAbility to support mothers to feed their babies in a non-judgemental, empathetic and mother-centred way
* oAbility to prioritise in order to meet deadlines when writing reports
* oEffectively carries out tasks related to audit and evaluating services
* oAbility to plan workload and supervise others effectively to meet service needs
* oAbility to deal with operational issues
* oAbility to deliver on the Key NICU performance indicators
* oA knowledge & awareness of diversity and human rights and the competencies appropriate to your role
* oTeam worker
* oSubject to the provisions of the Equality Act, the post holder should possess a current valid UK driving licence, have access to a vehicle for work and provide evidence on an annual basis that the vehicle is insured for business use.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* oRegistered Nurse
* oQIS trained with substantial consolidation of learning
* oCurrent NLS training
* oLeadership / management training or course
Desirable
* Educated to degree level
* Research experience
* Quality Improvement experience
Communication Skills
Essential
* oGood inter-personal and communication skills
* oClear and concise written & documentation skills
* oGood level of IT i.e. Email/Internet
Desirable
* oProject leadership skills
Experience
Essential
* oExperience in leading Nurse Education on a level 3 NICU
* oSubstantial time working in a Neonatal unit
* oSubstantial experience at Band 6 in a NICU/SCU/Community Outreach Team
* oImplementing changes in nursing practice to improve patient care
* oDesigning and implementing training programmes on NICU
* oExperience of preparing infants with complex health needs for discharge
* oExperience Social Care/Safeguarding involvement
* oExperience Bereavement/CDOP/PRMT process
* oDemonstrable experience of managing staff, including sickness absence, appraisals, performance and conduct.
Desirable
* oEvidence of involvement in project management
Knowledge
Essential
* oKnowledge of teaching and learning
* oAble to evaluate and analyse results of audit in order to improve the service
* oComputer literacy including using an excel spreadsheet, power point and word
* oExperience in change management and/or quality improvement initiatives
* oKnowledge of National Neonatal policies & guidelines
* oFully aware of the children's Act & National/Local Safeguarding Children Board legislation
* oCare of and discharge preparation for the infant with complex health needs
* oParticipation on Baby Friendly Initiative
Desirable
* oKnowledge with RSV immunisation programme
Skills
Essential
* oChange management skills
* oAbility to work and communicate as part of the multidisciplinary team
* oAbility to train others
* oAbility to support mothers to feed their babies in a non-judgemental, empathetic and mother-centred way
* oAbility to prioritise in order to meet deadlines when writing reports
* oEffectively carries out tasks related to audit and evaluating services
* oAbility to plan workload and supervise others effectively to meet service needs
* oAbility to deal with operational issues
* oAbility to deliver on the Key NICU performance indicators
* oA knowledge & awareness of diversity and human rights and the competencies appropriate to your role
* oTeam worker
* oSubject to the provisions of the Equality Act, the post holder should possess a current valid UK driving licence, have access to a vehicle for work and provide evidence on an annual basis that the vehicle is insured for business use.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Bedfordshire Hospital FT
Lewsey Road, LU4 0DZ
Luton
LU4 0DZ
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
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Employer details
Employer name
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Bedfordshire Hospital FT
Lewsey Road, LU4 0DZ
Luton
LU4 0DZ
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
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