Job overview
Our neonatal service is provided across four sites in UHSussex. This Neonatal Staff Nurse role will be required to work in those units previously part of the UHSussex neonatal service: the Trevor Mann Baby Unit at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and the Special Care Baby Unit at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.
The Trevor Mann Baby Unit is a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit providing both medical and surgical neonatal care. Our unit has twenty-seven cots, nine of which are designated for intensive care; eight for high dependency and ten for special care.
The Special Care Baby Unit is led by a team of Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (ANNP's) who are supported by Consultant Neonatologists. The unit has eight special care cots.
This is a great time to join our neonatal service as we look to grow and develop our team. You will be offered support for your own career development and will be encouraged to pursue any areas of interest that you may have in line with our service improvement plans. This may include joining one of our special interest groups.
Full support given to complete the neonatal pathway when ready, which results in qualification in speciality either at degree or masters level.
We welcome applications from those who currently hold a UK NMC registration. If you currently hold an overseas nursing qualification and require sponsorship we are not currently direct hiring Internationally Qualified Nurses.
Main duties of the job
We are currently recruiting for nurse's to join our team as a band 5. This post would suit an experienced band 5 with or without neonatal experience or a newly qualified nurse. Students that are soon to qualify are welcome to apply.
You will be based on the Trevor Mann Baby Unit in Brighton as your main place of work, however you will be expected to cover SCBU at PRH as and when required to maintain safe staffing.
The post holder will be required to provide a high standard of research based nursing care to the neonate and support and advice to the family in the intensive, high dependency and special care setting.
The post holder will work as part of the multidisciplinary team in the assessment, planning and implementation of care to the neonate, through the delivery of evidence based practice and be responsible for accurate record keeping.
The post holder will require excellent communication skills to enable effective team working and liaison with families and external agencies.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. Take responsibility for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating neonatal nursing care of a designated group of babies on a shift by shift basis consistent with evidence based practice for babies and their families within the special care, high dependency and intensive care nursery
2. Demonstrate an awareness of the needs of all babies in the designated area and modify as necessary
3. Identify and meet the nutritional needs of the neonate assessing, planning and evaluating feeding regimes and calculating daily fluid requirements for term and pre term neonates
4. Assess, plan, implement and evaluate care of the neonate requiring phototherapy including fluid balance, temperature control and comfort needs
5. Assess, record and evaluate observations for neonates nursed in incubators including temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, oxygen requirement and respiratory effort
6. Identify the suitability of babies to be transferred home and implement the discharge plan
7. Discuss options and support parents in making informed choice in their plan of care e.g. feeding methods, audiology checks, blood transfusion, and newborn screening programme
8. Analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of such care, making necessary modifications of any care pathway and give professional advice and support as required
9. Assess, plan, implement and evaluate the care of the neonate receiving a blood transfusion, including discussing rational for administering blood with parents
10. Act as the baby’s and parents’ advocate and empower them to participate in their baby’s care and well being
11. Respect the need for privacy and dignity of the neonate, such as religious and spiritual needs
12. Demonstrate competency in specific clinical skills, appropriate to the area, such as administration of intravenous drug infusions, antibiotics, fluids and total parenteral nutrition
13. Demonstrate safe single practitioner administration of all medication to neonates, according to UHSx Trust and local policy
Person specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential criteria
14. Registered Nurse/Midwife, or Soon to Qualify
15. Degree or working towards.
Desirable criteria
16. Mentorship course or equivalent
17. Neonatal Pathway
Experience
Essential criteria
18. Previous experience working with babies or children.
19. Ability to work as part of a team
20. Care planning skills
21. Basic skills and knowledge in clinical practice
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
22. Good written and spoken English
23. Ability to organise, prioritise and coordinate own and others work on a shift to shift basis
24. Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
25. Motivated and able to work under own initiative
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
26. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
27. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications