Assistant Practitioner (Special Care Baby Unit)

Hywel Dda University Health Board; Carmarthen; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional health authority in Carmarthen is seeking an Assistant Practitioner for their Special Care Baby Unit. The role involves delivering direct care to infants, monitoring vital signs, and supporting junior staff. Candidates should hold a Level 4 vocational qualification and have experience in clinical care for children. This is a chance to work within a compassionate team focused on neonatal care. The position offers £27,898 to £30,615 per annum, subject to qualifications and experience.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in providing clinical care to neonates.
• Understanding of safeguarding legislation and treatment plans.
• Ability to work independently and manage challenging situations.

Responsibilities

• Deliver direct care to neonates, monitoring vital signs.
• Support handovers under supervision ensuring safety.
• Participate in teaching junior staff and student nurses.

Skills

Compassion

Clinical skills

Communication

Teamwork

Safeguarding knowledge

Education

Level 4 vocational qualification in healthcare

GCSE Maths and English Grade C or above

Job description

Overview

Assistant Practitioner (Special Care Baby Unit) – Glangwili General Hospital

Are you an experienced and compassionate healthcare professional with a passion for neonatal care? We're offering an exciting opportunity to join our evolving Special Care Baby Unit. Our unit provides short-term intensive care, high dependency, and special care, with a strong focus on evidence-based practice and family-centred care. Recent developments include a new 4-cot Transitional Care Unit and a Neonatal Outreach Service supporting families in the community.

We're looking for a motivated Assistant Practitioner to join our friendly, skilled team. You'll work across a day/night rotation, delivering direct care including monitoring vital signs, blood sampling, and maintaining accurate records (e.g. WNCR). You'll also support junior staff and student nurses, and contribute to safe handovers under supervision. You'll need excellent clinical and communication skills, the ability to work independently and within a team, and a sound understanding of safeguarding and information governance. Welsh language skills are desirable but not essential. If you're ready to make a real difference in neonatal care and grow within a supportive, forward-thinking team, we'd love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

Your Aim in This Role

To provide safe, effective, and compassionate care to neonates, supporting their families and contributing to the development of junior staff, while upholding the highest standards of clinical practice and professional integrity.

Job summary

Are you an experienced and compassionate healthcare professional with a passion for neonatal care? We're offering an exciting opportunity to join our evolving Special Care Baby Unit at Glangwili General Hospital. Our unit provides short-term intensive care, high dependency, and special care, with a strong focus on evidence-based practice and family-centred care. Recent developments include a new 4-cot Transitional Care Unit and a Neonatal Outreach Service supporting families in the community. We're looking for a motivated Assistant Practitioner to join our friendly, skilled team. You'll work across a day/night rotation, delivering direct care including monitoring vital signs, blood sampling, and maintaining accurate records (e.g. WNCR). You'll also support junior staff and student nurses, and contribute to safe handovers under supervision. You'll need excellent clinical and communication skills, the ability to work independently and within a team, and a sound understanding of safeguarding and information governance. Welsh language skills are desirable but not essential. If you're ready to make a real difference in neonatal care and grow within a supportive, forward-thinking team, we'd love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver direct care to neonates, including:
  • Monitoring and recording vital signs
  • Performing blood sampling
  • Maintaining accurate written and electronic records
• Support the handover of care under the supervision of qualified staff, ensuring continuity and safety.
• Promote and maintain confidentiality, adhering to information governance, and safeguarding legislation.
• Work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team with minimal oversight of registered nurses
• Actively participate in the teaching and support of junior staff and pre-registration student nurses.
• Contribute to a day/night rotation, ensuring consistent care across all shifts

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Interviews to be held on 06/10/2025.

About us

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties. We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services. We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

• Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
• Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
• Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
• 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
• Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

Job description and responsibilities

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

Welsh language and sponsorship

The Health Board is committed to bilingualism; applications from Welsh speakers are welcome. The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable. If you do not meet Welsh language requirements, learning options and staff support are available during employment. This post may require Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks. Applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

Qualifications and Knowledge

Essential

• Level 4 vocational qualification in a relevant health care subject or Certificate in Health Care Support Worker Education
• GCSE Maths and English Grade C or above or equivalent level 2 or above essential skills qualifications
• Evidence of continuing personal development relevant to the role in health care
• Clinical knowledge relevant to the role
• Understanding of following procedures and treatment plans
• Understanding of safeguarding legislation (adults/children), Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberties Safeguards
• Understanding of HCSW Code of Conduct, All Wales Delegation guidelines and All Wales Band 4 Assistant Practitioner Governance Framework

Desirable

• Local knowledge of statutory and voluntary services
• Teaching or assessment qualification

Experience

Essential

• Significant and recent experience of providing relevant clinical care to babies and/or children
• Interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to manage/diffuse challenging situations
• Experience in delivering a range of clinical skills per role scope (e.g. catheter care, monitoring vital observations, risk assessments, blood glucose, wound care support)

Desirable

• Wound care skills, palliative care experience, and administration of medicines enteral and parenteral

Language Skills

Desirable

• Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and will require DBS disclosure.

Salary

£27,898 to £30,615 a year (pro rata if part time)

Employer details

Hywel Dda University Health Board

Glangwili General Hospital

Dolgwili Road

Carmarthen

SA31 2AF