Clinical Fellow in Neonatal Transport (SONAR)

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; Bristol; On-site; GBP 68,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Clinical Fellow in Neonatal Transport (SONAR) to join the South West Neonatal Network transport team. The post supports 24/7 transfers with consultant supervision from a busy tertiary setting.

The role requires level three NICU experience, with flexible working and opportunities for OOPE or CST widening neonatal transport skills. The Trust values diversity and equal opportunity employment.

Qualifications

• General professional training of at least 3 years in approved UK paediatric training posts including NICU exposure.
• MRCPCH or equivalent is expected for paediatric specialists.
• NLS/APLS provider status is desirable for neonatal transport roles.
• Higher degree (MD/PhD) or ARNI provider/instructor supports academic and teaching aims.

Responsibilities

• Deliver the majority of transfers with consultant support.
• Develop transport triage, call conferencing and prioritisation of journeys.
• Maintain excellent handover and communication between units.

Skills

NICU experience

Communication skills

Teaching/education

QA/Audit

Education

MB, ChB or equivalent; GMC registration

MRCPCH or equivalent

NLS or APLS provider

Higher degree (MD or PhD)

ARNI provider or instructor

Tools

Trac system

Job description

Main area Neonatal Grade NHS Medical & Dental: Local Appointment nodal point 4b (MT07) Contract 12 months (Fixed Term) Hours

• Full time
• Part time

40 hours per week Job ref 387-WC8564-KL

Employer Bristol NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site St Michaels Hospital Town Bristol Salary £67,998 - £77,348 Pa Pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 09/11/2026 23:59

Clinical Fellow in Neonatal Transport (SONAR)

NHS Medical & Dental: Local Appointment nodal point 4b (MT07)

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1 st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job overview

The SoNAR Team is the neonatal transport service covering the South West Neonatal Network (ODN). This region has over 45,000 deliveries per year. The team runs 24 hours a day and undertakes approximately 1200 journeys per year. The transport team is able to undertake cooling, and delivery of Nitric Oxide and HFOV during transfer. The service covers both acute transfers and repatriations between the twelve neonatal units in the region as well as acute transfers to the Bristol Children’s Hospital. The north team of SoNAR is based at the shared SoNAR/WATCh/Retrieve base in Aztec West (unit 350, Ash Ridge Road, Bradley Stoke, BS32 4QA). This is a hub for all three retrieval teams and houses the clinical teams, kit, drivers and vehicles all together.

We are seeking to appoint either an experienced, enthusiastic Clinical Fellow in Paediatrics/Neonates or a neonatal grid trainee seeking out of programme training from outside the Severn Deanery. The successful candidate must have level three NICU experience.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate would be expected to become proficient and competent at delivering the vast majority of transfers on their own with consultant support although where necessary a consultant may also attend the transfer.

Knowledge and skills gained during this placement would include effective transport triage, call conferencing, prioritisation of journeys, appropriate team composition, enhanced patient assessment, management of the critically ill child during transfer and other transport related clinical skills. They would be expected to have excellent communication skills in order to facilitate good handover of information between units.

Applicants post CST wishing to widen their neonatal transport skills or considering an OOPE are actively encouraged to apply.

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the attached job description.

Person specification

Knowledge and Experience

• General professional training of at least 3 years in approved UK or equivalent paediatric training posts. This must include at least 6 months in a neonatal intensive care post. 6 months of the remaining time may be in a relevant non-paediatric post
• At SpR level – 6 months experience in NICU
• Neonatal post in a large tertiary unit capable of providing all levels of intensive care
• Paediatric sub-specialty experience, including community child health, developing world paediatrics, and other subspecialties

Skills and Abilities

• Commensurate with competencies outlined for ST4 level posts
• Computer Literate
• Experience of and willingness to participate in teaching of other professionals
• Evidence of passion for developing education and training activities
• Knowledge of the principles of QI and audit and evidence of participation in relevant projects
• Early achievement of MRCPCH (or equivalent) after graduation
• Evidence of training and/or skills in teaching and learning

Qualifications and Training

• MB, ChB or equivalent; GMC registration or eligible for GMC registration
• MRCPCH or equivalent
• NLS or APLS provider
• Higher degree (MD or PhD)
• ARNI provider or instructor

Additional and Aptitudes

• Evidence of adherence to Trust values - respecting everyone, embracing change, recognising success, working together
• Commitment to the care of children and a career in child health
• Evidence of self-motivation
• Commitment to learning
• Ability to organise own learning and time
• Evidence of initiative

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.

BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.

If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.

The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

IMPORTANT:

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.