Junior Sister / Charge Nurse

University Hospital Southampton NHS FT; Southampton; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading hospital as a Band 6 Junior Sister in the Neonatal Unit, where you'll lead a team to provide high-quality, family-centered care. Utilize your clinical knowledge and leadership skills to enhance service delivery and create a positive experience for patients and families. This role offers a dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth and innovation.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in neonatal care including qualification in specialty.
• Evidence of post-registration education in neonatal nursing.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the nursing team across the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
• Ensure excellent standards of care and support staff development.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team Management

Clinical Decision Making

Compassionate Care

Education

Qualified Nurse (Degree/Diploma)

Job description

Job Overview

Are you a passionate and experienced neonatal nurse ready to take the next step in your career? Southampton Neonatal Unit is seeking highly motivated and enthusiastic individuals to join our friendly and supportive leadership team as a Band 6 Junior Sister.

We are proud to offer a dynamic and forward-thinking neonatal service, and we are looking for individuals who are committed to delivering high-quality, family-centred care. You will play a vital role in shaping a positive experience for babies and their families during their time with us.

As a Band 6 Junior Sister, you will take on a pivotal leadership role—leading and managing the nursing team across our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NNU) on a daily basis. You will be responsible for ensuring excellent standards of care, supporting staff development, and contributing to a positive team culture.

You will have the opportunity to use your clinical knowledge and leadership skills to influence change and drive the development of these services operationally. We encourage innovation and welcome fresh ideas to continue evolving our care delivery.

Come and be part of a vibrant team where your skills, compassion, and leadership will make a real difference to the lives of our smallest patients and their families.

Main duties of the job

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached.

Working for our organisation

University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

At UHS we’re committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We’re committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

What We’re Looking For:

• A registered nurse with significant experience in neonatal care including Qualification in Speciality.
• Evidence of post-registration education in neonatal nursing.
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• A proactive and supportive approach to team management
• Commitment to delivering safe, effective, and compassionate care

Person specification

Trust Values

Essential criteria

• Patients first
• Always improving
• Working together

Qualifications, Knowledge And Experience

Essential criteria

• Qualified Nurse (Degree/Diploma)
• Registered nurse on appropriate part of the register
• Significant post registration experience / qualification / training, including experience and knowledge within relevant speciality
• Ward management experience
• Knowledge of current issues within acute Health Service Experience in an acute hospital setting
• Provide evidence of supporting / managing a range of learners in practice
• Provide evidence of supporting colleagues to promote effective learning in practice
• Ability to demonstrate clinical decision making and judgement
• Commitment to the post and Care Group responsibilities
• Commitment to continuing professional development

Desirable criteria

• Experience in handling adverse events and complaints
• Appraisal skills
• Act in the role of Practice Assessor or supporting the progression of learners / supporting challenges as needed
• Some insight into budget management