Education Lead Nurse for Neonates (Band 8a)
Closing date: 26 April 2026
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Neonatal Services
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) is a large teaching trust providing tertiary neonatal care within the East Midlands Neonatal Operational Delivery Network (EMNODN). We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Education Lead Nurse for Neonates to provide strategic leadership for education, training, and professional development across neonatal services.
NUH's newly expanded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Queen's Medical Centre is now the largest in the East Midlands, providing 38 cots across intensive, high‑dependency and special care. In its first year, the unit cared for over 590 babies, reflecting the scale and complexity of care delivered to some of the region's most vulnerable newborns. Care is delivered by a large, highly skilled neonatal nursing workforce working across City and QMC sites, ensuring safe staffing, continuity of care, and consistent implementation of evidence‑based practice.
Increased capacity has reduced out‑of‑area transfers, enhanced family involvement, and improved outcomes and experience for babies and parents. This large tertiary environment offers exceptional opportunities for education, leadership and professional development, supporting a highly competent and resilient neonatal workforce across NUH and EMNODN.
Main duties of the job
The Education Lead Nurse will be responsible for the strategic planning, coordination, delivery and evaluation of neonatal education and training across NUH Neonatal Services.
The role will work collaboratively with senior nursing and medical leaders, practice development teams and the EMNODN to ensure education provision is aligned with national standards, regional network priorities and local service needs.
The position will support workforce development across all neonatal care settings – NICU, LNU and SCU – and play a key role in supporting workforce transformation initiatives and service sustainability.
Key responsibilities
* Providing professional and strategic leadership for neonatal education and training across NUH
* Working in partnership with the EMNODN to support regional education priorities, standardisation of training and network‑wide workforce development
* Ensuring compliance with national and regional standards, including NMC requirements, QIS, GIRFT and network education frameworks
* Leading the development, implementation and evaluation of neonatal competency frameworks and educational pathways
* Supporting the education and development of the neonatal workforce, including registered nurses, Neonatal Nurse Associates, Advanced Neonatal Practitioners and the wider multidisciplinary team
* Contributing to quality improvement, patient safety and service development initiatives through education and training
Person Specification
Essential criteria
* Registered Nurse with current NMC registration (Child or Adult)
* Significant post‑registration experience within neonatal services
* Postgraduate qualification in education or evidence of working towards one
* Demonstrable experience of leading education and training at a senior level
* In‑depth knowledge of neonatal education standards, competency frameworks and workforce development
* Excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills
* Experience of working across a neonatal network or with an Operational Delivery Network
* Experience within a tertiary neonatal unit and teaching trust environment
Desirable criteria
* Masters level qualification or equivalent experience
* Experience of working across a neonatal network or with an Operational Delivery Network
* Experience within a tertiary neonatal unit and teaching trust environment
Other requirements specific to the role
* Flexibility in shift/working patterns to meet the needs of the service
* Is able to participate as a team member
* Is of good health and good character as per NMC requirements
* Willing to accept additional responsibilities as delegated by senior staff
* Ability to support staff/colleague, patients, relatives/carers in distressing circumstances
* To help with recruitment and selection of staff
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.
Our Commitment to Diversity
We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, or Disabled, as we are striving to be better represented at NUH.
#J-18808-Ljbffr