Neonatal Senior Sister
The closing date is 18 March 2026
To be an expert in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of all areas of neonatal care, working closely with other health professionals to ensure continuity of care for babies, utilising excellent communication skills to collaborate closely with parents and families.
Have management responsibility for the efficient running of the unit on a shift-to-shift basis, with associated specialist clinical knowledge and the supervision of staff and will be required on a regular basis.
The post holder will coordinate care activity within the acute and transport setting, assuming responsibility for the seamless running of the unit on a 24/7 basis.
Ensure that high standards of care are achieved by efficient and effective use of resources, maintaining associated records, utilising clinical audit, research, supervision of practice and teaching.
The post holder will work across sites to cover the neonatal service, as required.
The post holder will be required to participate in the continuing professional development of the team members through appraisal and mentorship.
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25000), and any role‑specific criteria.
Main duties of the job
* To lead the neonatal team alongside the matron in setting standards and guidelines for best practice.
* Provide excellent clinical nursing care.
* Identify areas of quality improvement utilising patient first.
* Support and motivate staff within the team in both clinical practice and personal development.
* Be responsible for staff well being through 1:1 meets and the appraisal process.
About us
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. 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 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Job responsibilities
Communication
* Negotiate sensitively with parents and carers where consent is required for treatment that is vital for the welfare and survival of the baby and there are barriers to understanding through fear, lack of knowledge and language difficulties.
* Work in a consistent manner with babies, their carers, the multi-disciplinary team and visitors.
* Identify different learning needs of team members and liaise with the Neonatal Practice Educator.
* Write precise, accurate and contemporaneous nursing records, reports, statements and other correspondence.
* Document all social interaction and communication between parents and the multidisciplinary team enabling the team to plan appropriate care, such as the recognition of a baby at risk.
* Act as a mentor for newly qualified staff and newly appointed staff.
* Communicate with a wide range of professional and non-professional people and organisations in difficult circumstances e.g. child protection cases.
* Use a range of skills to improve and maximise communication between individuals with varying levels of education.
* Consider parents dignity, wishes and beliefs and involve them in shared decisions about their infants care.
* Communicate sensitively, bad/sad news to families, in situations such as foetal abnormalities, death of a baby.
* Ensure that essential information on the clients condition and progress is recorded by self and team members appropriately according to NMC guidelines and data protection Act 1998.
* Agree the arrangements for communication with the client/family/carer and document these in accordance with Trust policy and the patients right to confidentiality.
* Identify clear benefits, goals and processes for developing knowledge, ideas and work practice and communicate these effectively.
* Communicate with a wide range of professional/non-professional people/organisations to explore difficult issues and make complex decisions e.g. transfer of care, substance misuse.
* Undertake clinical and personal data collection and data input on multiple occasions throughout the day e.g. medical history, record of care.
* Report all incidents, complaints or accidents to comply with Trust Guidelines and assist and support in the investigation and resolution of the same.
Service Delivery and Improvement
* Adhere to and evaluate current policies and procedures and identify the impact they have within the clinical environment.
* Identify outcomes of evaluation and offer constructive views on how the service should change as a result.
* Take an active role in the implementation of the emerging Nursing & Midwifery agenda.
* Embrace the public health agenda and support the delivery of local plans.
* Implement and propose changes to policies and practices in the team.
* Implement Clinical Governance initiatives by acting as a change agent and taking an initiative‑taking role in the service development.
* Work closely with the clinical risk management lead and be actively involved in clinical risk management issues and investigations.
* Take an active role in achieving CNST standards through the implementation and maintenance of identified initiatives/objectives in the service provision by efficient and effective use of human resources and material management.
Please see attached Job Description for full details.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Registered Nurse
* Teaching & Assessing (Mentoring/998)
* NLS
* ARNI
* Neonatal transport service
* Experience in ward management
Experience
* Experience of working in a level 3 NICU
* Proven skills and knowledge in clinical practice
* Experience of working in a surgical NICU
Knowledge and skills
* Ability to organise, prioritise and coordinate own and others work on a shift to shift basis
* Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
* Motivated and able to work under own initiative
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
* Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
* Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
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.
£47,810 to £54,710 a yearper annum pro rata
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