Deputy Sister/Charge Nurse, NICU

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

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust is seeking a Deputy Sister/Charge Nurse for their NICU. This role involves managing nursing services, supporting staff development, and ensuring high standards of patient care. The ideal candidate will have relevant qualifications and experience in neonatal care, along with strong leadership skills.

Benefits

Excellent pension scheme and annual leave

On-site Nurseries

On-site staff cafes

On-site parking

Salary Sacrifice schemes

Qualifications

• RSCN/RNCB/RNAdult/RMidwife required.
• Experience in Band 5 and Band 6 roles in NICU/SCBU.
• Knowledge of Trust vision and change management.

Responsibilities

• Promote and manage quality nursing service in NICU.
• Lead and supervise nursing practice and patient care.
• Ensure compliance with clinical standards and policies.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical assessment

Communication

Education

1st Level Registered Nurse

Neonatal Critical Care course or equivalent

Mentorship or relevant teaching qualification

Management course

Job description

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

Deputy Sister/Charge Nurse, NICU

The closing date is 23 May 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.

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 become a dedicated elective centre, creating a state-of-the-art centre for planned surgical procedures.

We offer NHS benefits and additional perks such as:

• 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 evidence-based patient care in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct, the Trusts Strategy for Nursing, and Trust/Unit Policies and Procedures.
• Assist in providing and developing good nursing practice, ensuring compliance with policies.
• Assist in establishing, monitoring, and evaluating patient care standards and quality service.
• Determine nursing care priorities and plan patient care, considering staff skill mix and safe staffing levels.
• Attend high-risk deliveries on Labour Ward and Abbey Birth Centre for immediate postpartum care.
• Interpret clinical observations, make decisions affecting patient care, and report issues promptly.
• Investigate and report on patient management, accidents, and complaints per hospital policy.
• Ensure clerical and legal documentation accuracy.
• Establish effective communication with patients, carers, and multidisciplinary team members.
• Contribute to evaluation projects and assess new equipment and technology.
• Ensure clinical and housekeeping practices follow infection prevention policies.

Management and Leadership Responsibilities

• Organise ward/department effectively with the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse/Matron.
• Adhere to Shift Leader Responsibilities as per Trust standards.
• Promote multidisciplinary teamwork and act as a role model.
• Ensure safe medication administration and equipment use.
• Maintain a safe environment complying with Health & Safety policies.
• Report incidents and escalate complaints using the Trust system.
• Be competent in emergency resuscitation and fire procedures.
• Assist in budget management and resource use.
• Participate in meetings, projects, audits, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Deputise for the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse when needed.

Education

• Create a learning environment and support staff and student education.
• Contribute to staff training and competency development.
• Promote health education for patients and carers.
• Maintain own professional development.
• Participate in research projects.

Clinical Governance

• Implement quality and risk management initiatives.
• Develop and audit evidence-based standards.
• Participate in benchmarking and appraisal processes.
• Support staff in acquiring clinical competencies.
• Ensure incident reporting and child protection awareness.

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
• Mentorship or relevant teaching qualification
• Management course

Experience

• Band 5 experience in Neonatal Unit/SCBU
• Post-QIS ITU experience
• Band 6 experience in NICU/SCBU
• Experience in improving nursing practices

Knowledge

• Trust vision, values, and strategic objectives
• Change management
• IT skills

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to DBS checks as per NHS policy.

Salary: £39,205 to £47,084 per year, including HCAS, pro-rata for part-time.