Experienced Neonatal Nurse

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; Bristol; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting an Experienced Neonatal Nurse (Band 5) to join the NICU team in Bristol. This role encompasses inpatient neonatal care with a MDT approach and emphasis on family-centred care within a leading Trust.

Applicants should be registered in neonatal specialty, and demonstrate capabilities in critical care and continuous professional development within the NHS setting.

Qualifications

• RSCN Part 8 / RN (Child Branch, Part 15) or RN or RM.
• Qualified in speciality (QIS) in Neonatal care.
• GCSE A*- C in English Language and Mathematics or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Assess, plan, deliver and evaluate prescribed treatment and care for patients and their families.
• Communicate effectively and maintain confidentiality with patient’s carers and the MDT.
• Act as a professional role model setting standards of practice.
• Promote clinical effectiveness and opportunities for teaching junior colleagues and students.
• Promote and maintain a safe environment for patients.
• Administer medicines in accordance with Trust policy.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Documentation

IT literacy

Education

RSCN Part 8 / RN (Child Branch) or RN or RM

Specialist (QIS) in Neonatal care

GCSE English & Maths (A*-C)

Job description

Employer Bristol NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site St Michael’s Hospital Town Bristol Salary £32,073 - £39,043 per annum, pro rata for part time roles Salary period Yearly Closing 25/11/2026 23:59

Experienced Neonatal Nurse

Band 5

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

We are seeking dedicated and compassionate experienced staff to join our dynamic team.

Join our renowned Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) team, where you’ll have the opportunity to make a significant impact in the world of neonatal nursing.

Our expert team have a large multidisciplinary team (MDT) consisting of nurses, nursery nurses, medics, consultants, and allied health care professionals, all with a wealth of experience and knowledge. We are committed to following our unit philosophy: working together with families to provide high-quality, individualised care.

We have opportunities for registered nurses (adult or child) or registered midwives who have completed preceptorship in the NHS. We particularly welcome applications from registered nurses or midwives who are qualified in specialty (QIS) in Neonatal Care. Please make your qualifications and professional development clear in your application.

The opportunities for continued professional development while working in NICU are vast, including university-accredited courses and in-house training for specialist roles. Whether you’re an experienced QIS NICU nurse or have significant experience in neonatal or paediatric critical care, we offer ample opportunities for growth and advancement.

Main duties of the job

• Assess, plan, deliver and evaluate prescribed treatment and care for patients and their families.
• Communicate effectively and maintain confidentiality with patient’s carers and the multi-disciplinary team.
• Act as a professional role model setting standards of practice.
• Promote clinical effectiveness and opportunities for teaching junior colleagues and students.
• Promote and maintain a safe environment for patients.
• Administer medicines in accordance with Trust policy.
• Develop clinical skills and participate in continuous professional development.
• Provide accurate timely contemporary records of care and treatment in line with Trust record keeping policy and NMC.

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 2.6 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom.

Chaired by Ingrid Barker and led by Maria Kane as Chief Executive, Bristol NHS Foundation Trust aims to transform the way healthcare is delivered locally with a clear focus on making a difference for what we call our Four Ps:

• Better outcomes for our Patients
• More opportunities for our People
• Fairer more consistent care for our Population
• Best Value for Public Purse

Our vision for five years from now:

• Patients will wait less time to be diagnosed and treated, and they will have the same high-quality experience and outcomes, regardless of who they are or where they live.
• We will meet rising demand by maximising the use of our available resources.
• More care will be delivered nearer to patients, in their homes or the community.
• Digital technologies will have transformed the way we work and the way we deliver care.
• Our people will feel engaged, energised and empowered by their work.
• We will be known as a place where people enjoy working, training and building a career.
• Our volume of globally renowned research and innovation will have grown significantly.
• We will contribute to system financial balance

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

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

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

• RSCN Part 8 / RN (Child Branch, Part 15) or RN or RM
• Qualified in speciality (QIS) in Neonatal care
• GCSE A*- C in both English Language and Mathematics or equivalent in these two subjects e.g. Certificates in Adult Literacy and Numeracy at Level 2

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Effective communication skills, verbally and written
• Ability to work well in a team
• Able to complete appropriate documentation accurately
• Demonstrate an awareness of healthcare work and policies and procedures
• Committed to providing high quality patient care
• Committed to providing high quality patient care
• IT skills, basic word, Email, keyboard skills, data collection
• Ability and willingness to undertake appropriate training
• Enthusiasm and commitment to working within the health care setting

Experience

• Is Qualified in Neonatal speciality at degree or master’s level.
• Experience of working in an Acute Hospital setting.
• Teaching and mentoring experience.
• NBLS trained
• Has evidence of experience as a Neonatal nurse in a NICU environment.
• Supportive
• NLS trained

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.
• Please be aware of scams – unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.

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.