Band 7 Neonatal Ward Manager

The Methodist Church in Britain; East Finchley; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Generous benefits

Next-level training and career dev

Job summary

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a senior clinical leader to run the day-to-day operations of the neonatal unit, alongside the Neonatal Matron and Head of Nursing. You will lead nursing practice, uphold clinical and safety standards, and drive workforce planning and service improvement.

This role requires a neonatal qualification, a nursing degree, and substantial junior management experience in neonates.

Qualifications

• Neonatal Qualification in Specialty (QIS).
• Degree in nursing or equivalent academic achievement.
• Neonatal Advanced Life Support or equivalent neonatal competence.
• Mentorship, practice assessor or supervisor qualification or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Provide visible clinical and operational leadership across the neonatal unit.
• Manage day-to-day operations to ensure safe, family-centred care for babies and families.
• Lead and develop nursing practice and maintain standards of quality, safety and patient experience.
• Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, rostering, staff supervision, development and performance management.
• Support staff to deliver evidence-based care and lead governance, risk management, audit and quality improvement.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Organisational skills

Analytical thinking

MS Office

Staff management

Education

Nursing degree

Neonatal Qualification in Specialty (QIS)

Neonatal ALS

Mentorship or supervisor qualification

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Senior clinical leadership role running the day-to-day operations of the neonatal unit at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, alongside the Neonatal Matron and Head of Nursing. Core work is leading nursing practice, keeping clinical and safety standards high, and managing workforce planning, staff performance and service improvement. Governance, audit and education sit within the remit, across neonatal services and sites. Fit turns on NMC registration with a neonatal specialty qualification and prior junior management experience in neonates.

What the job involves

• Provide visible clinical and operational leadership across the neonatal unit
• Manage day-to-day operations to ensure safe, effective, family-centred care for babies and families
• Lead and develop nursing practice and maintain standards of quality, safety and patient experience
• Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, rostering, staff supervision, development and performance management
• Support staff to deliver evidence-based care
• Lead governance, risk management, audit and quality improvement
• Drive service improvement, change and patient safety initiatives
• Contribute to education and research that improves outcomes for babies and families
• Promote a culture of learning, inclusion, wellbeing and continuous improvement
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams, neonatal services and sites to share learning and consistency

What’s required

Qualifications

• Neonatal Qualification in Specialty (QIS)
• Degree in nursing or equivalent evidence of academic achievement
• Neonatal Advanced Life Support or equivalent current neonatal clinical competence
• Mentorship, practice assessor or supervisor qualification, or equivalent educational qualification

Registration & licences

• NMC registration as a children's nurse or RGN

Experience

• Working in neonates, some of it at junior managerial level
• Managing competing priorities, staffing pressures, rostering, sickness absence and safe staffing escalation
• Managing staff performance, appraisal, attendance and wellbeing under Trust policy
• Managing safeguarding concerns, referrals and safeguarding children procedures
• Leading or contributing to change, quality improvement, audit and service development

Skills & knowledge

• Strong communication and relationship-building across teams, including in complex situations, with leadership that inspires and sets a clear vision
• Highly organised, prioritising competing demands and deadlines under pressure, with confident use of Word, Excel and Outlook
• Analytical, problem-solving and sound decision-making, working with appropriate autonomy and knowing when to escalation

Other

• Managing safety events and knowledge of patient safety systems, including PSIRF and escalation processes
• Resilient and flexible, a positive role model with professional credibility and integrity, able to lead change

Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, with a compassionate, approachable, family-centred approach

Nice to have

• Master's qualification or equivalent, or working towards one
• Experience managing resources, budgets or delegated financial responsibilities

What’s offered

• Flexible working hours
• Generous benefits
• Next-level training and career development
• High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS) included in pay