Deputy Sister/Charge Nurse, NICU

NHS; Chertsey; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is looking for a Deputy Sister/Charge Nurse in the NICU, responsible for managing high standards of care. This role offers the chance to develop leadership and clinical skills while working within a supportive, research-oriented environment. Applicants must possess the necessary nursing qualifications and demonstrate a commitment to high-quality patient care.

Benefits

Excellent pension scheme and annual leave

On-site Nurseries

On-site staff cafes

On-site parking

Salary Sacrifice schemes including wage stream, lease cars, Cycle to Work, and home electronics

Qualifications

• Experience at band 5 in a Neonatal Unit/SCBU.
• Experience and consolidation of ITU post QIS qualification.
• Experience at band 6 in NICU/SCBU.

Responsibilities

• Promote quality nursing service and monitor clinical standards.
• Assess patient care needs and develop care programs.
• Support the Ward sister/Charge Nurse in leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Clinical Skills

Management of change

Education

RSCN/RNCB/RNAdult/RMidwife

1st Level Registered Nurse

Neonatal Critical Care course or equivalent

NMC Registration

Mentorship or relevant teaching qualifications

Management Course

Job description

Go back Ashford & St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Deputy Sister/Charge Nurse, NICU

The closing date is 26 July 2025

ASPH is home to the Lead level 3 NICU for Surrey and part of the KSS Network. We provide a full range of intensive, high, special and transitional care for 36 babies, with a strong underpinning philosophy of less invasive care. Our focus is on Family Integrated Care involving families every step of the way.

The Surrey Neonatal Transport Team operates from ASPH, providing emergency and planned transfers across the network, offering an excellent opportunity for further development and experience.

We value the skills and experience that all our nurses bring to the team and are looking for individuals keen to work in an innovative environment. You will be an essential role model and mentor and will develop skills to deputise and manage the unit. Opportunities to develop your own area of interest are encouraged, and we will support you to identify ongoing development goals.

The unit has a strong research ethos, being involved in many research projects. Our commitment to continuing education involves a wide range of regular MDT teaching.

We pride ourselves in being a friendly, vibrant, diverse and supportive team. We welcome applicants who can join us to further improve the quality of care and experience for our babies and their families.

For more information about the NICU department please visit: https://asph-careers.org/nicu

Main duties of the job

The post holder will:

1. Promote and help to manage delivery of a quality nursing service, setting and monitoring clinical standards in NICU and Transitional Care.
2. Be responsible for the assessment of patient care needs, the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care.
3. Work as a Shift Leader and Deputise for the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse after completion of unit specific competencies and shadow charging. This is based on working shifts rotating from night and day covering a 7-day week, in accordance with the nursing philosophy of Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust.
4. Take responsibility for an area of clinical practice appropriate to the ward environment, which could involve audit, Infection Control, Fire Warden, Manual Handling, Health & Safety, and others.
5. Rotation onto the Surrey and Sussex Transfer Service after completion of relevant competencies.

About us

Ashford and St. Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of more than 410,000 people living in North-West Surrey, parts of Hounslow and beyond.

Over 3,700 highly trained staff provide a wide range of services across two hospital sites, Ashford, Surrey and St Peter's, Chertsey, Surrey.

We also run many specialist clinics in the community and local community hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

Our vision is to be one of the best healthcare Trusts in the country. We are committed to continuous professional development and flexibility to shape our workforce around patient care.

We are expanding our theatres at Ashford Hospital to create a state-of-the-art centre for planned surgical procedures.

We offer NHS benefits and additional perks:

• Excellent pension scheme and annual leave
• On-site Nurseries
• On-site staff cafes
• On-site parking
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including wage stream, lease cars, Cycle to Work, and home electronics

Adverts may close early, so apply soon. For more information, visit www.asph-careers.org

Job responsibilities

Clinical & Professional Responsibilities

• Support the Ward sister / Charge Nurse in leading and supervising a safe, high standard of nursing practice and the delivery of evidenced-based patient care in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct, the Trusts Strategy for Nursing and Trust/Unit Policies and Procedures. This involves all dependency levels of babies including intensive care, high dependency, special care, and transitional care.
• Assist in providing and developing good nursing practice ensuring practices are in accordance with department and hospital policy.
• Assist in establishing, monitoring, and evaluating standards of patient care and quality service.
• Determine nursing care priorities, plan patient care, and ensure safe staffing levels at all times.
• Attend high-risk deliveries on Labour Ward and Abbey Birth Centre to ensure immediate post-partum care.
• Interpret clinical observations and records, make decisions, and plan patient care, reporting matters outside your responsibility promptly.
• Investigate and report on patient management issues, including accidents and complaints, following hospital policy.
• Monitor clerical and legal documents for accuracy and legibility.
• Establish effective communication with patients, carers, and multidisciplinary team members.
• Assist with evaluation projects and assess new equipment and technology.
• Ensure clinical and housekeeping practices follow policies to prevent hospital-acquired infections.

Management and Leadership Responsibilities

• Organise the ward/department effectively in conjunction with senior staff.
• Adhere to Shift Leader Responsibilities as per Trust standards.
• Demonstrate effective multidisciplinary working and act as a role model.
• Ensure safe medication administration and equipment use, maintaining competence and safety.
• Maintain a safe environment in accordance with health and safety policies.
• Report and record incidents via the Trusts Datix System and escalate complaints appropriately.
• Be competent in emergency resuscitation techniques and fire procedures.
• Assist in budget management through resource use.
• Participate in meetings, projects, audits, and quality improvements.
• Deputise for senior staff as required.

Education

• Maintain a suitable learning environment and support staff education and competency development.
• Contribute to teaching programmes and promote health education for patients and carers.
• Continue personal professional development and participate in research projects.

Clinical Governance

• Participate in quality and risk management initiatives, including audits and benchmarking.
• Lead staff appraisals and support clinical competency development.
• Ensure staff are trained in incident reporting and child protection policies.

Other duties as reasonably required within the scope of the role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• RSCN/RNCB/RNAdult/RMidwife
• 1st Level Registered Nurse
• Neonatal Critical Care course or equivalent
• NMC Registration
• Mentorship or relevant teaching qualifications
• Management Course

Experience

• Experience at band 5 in a Neonatal Unit/SCBU
• Experience and consolidation of ITU post QIS qualification
• Experience at band 6 in NICU/SCBU
• Experience in improving nursing practice for patient care

Knowledge

• Trust vision, values, and strategic objectives
• Management of change
• IT skills

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to a DBS check as per the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

£39,205 to £47,084 per annum, inclusive of HCAS, pro rata for part-time hours.