Junior Sister/Charge Nurse - Neonatal ICU

Cambridge University Hospitals; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site leisure facilities

Bus travel discounts

Parking subsidies

Job summary

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Band 6 Neonatal Nurse for the NICU at Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. The role involves delivering safe, high-quality care across NICU/ITU/HDU and leading a supportive team within a busy neonatal unit.

Applicants should have Band 6 experience, NLS, and informative leadership skills. The post offers a comprehensive orientation, development opportunities, and a strong focus on family-centered care within an

Qualifications

• First Level registration (part 1, 8, 12 or 15)
• Safeguarding children Level 1, 2 and 3 training
• NLS course
• Evidence of degree level study
• ENP course

Responsibilities

• Providing safe and effective care to intensive care, high dependency and special care neonates without direct supervision.
• Assessing care needs, planning, implementing and evaluating programmes of care.
• Participating in supervision, mentorship and appraisal of pre- and post-registration staff.
• Regularly co-ordinating the management of the unit.
• Co-ordinating the management of special care, high dependency or intensive care room.
• Demonstrating leadership ability.

Skills

Leadership

Communication skills

Decision making

Education

First Level registration (part 1, 8, 12 or 15)

Safeguarding children Level 1, 2 and 3 training

NLS course

Evidence of degree level study

ENP course

Job description

Band 6

Main area Neonatal Intensive Care Grade Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Part time
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week (Full Time or Part Time / Flexible working hours may be considered.) Job ref 180-E-267252

Employer Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Addenbrookes Hospital - Division E Town Cambridge Salary £39,959 - £48,117 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 18/10/2026 23:59

Job overview

We are seeking passionate and enthusiastic Band 6 qualified in specialty neonatal nurses to join our NICU team at Cambridge University Hospitals to deliver excellence in neonatal care. Successful applicants will develop and maintain clinical, leadership and management skills in a highly supportive senior team structure working across the ITU, HDU and SCBU clinical areas.

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is one of the three tertiary centres for the Eastern Neonatal Network and part of the East of England Neonatal ODN. The unit admits babies requiring tertiary care including surgery and neurosurgery. A spacious and modern unit, it is part of the Perinatal Centre and is located in The Rosie Hospital. We have the Bliss Baby Charter Silver Award and as part of this, have updated areas of the unit to improve the neonatal journey for families. Also hosted in the trust are the Regional Transport Service (PaNDR) and the core ODN Team, which also offer unique opportunities to staff wishing to broaden their experience outside of the NICU.

We will offer you a full and comprehensive orientation package and professional support tailored to your individual needs with ongoing support from the Neonatal Clinical Education Team in order for you to achieve your full potential. You will have the opportunity to join a link team to have a positive impact on the family journey and we are starting to develop and offer dedicated QIS learning opportunities for your continued professional development.

Main duties of the job

You will be responsible for providing safe and effective care to intensive care, high dependency and special care neonates without direct supervision in any situation. Assess care needs, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care. Participate in the supervision, mentorship and appraisal of pre and post registration staff. Regularly co-ordinate the management of the unit. Coordinate the management of special care, high dependency or intensive care room. Demonstrate leadership ability.

Working for our organisation

Come Nurse with us…

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the country. It comprises Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital. We provide accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge and regional and national specialist services. It’s a great place to nurse, work and live.

You will work on a vibrant hospital campus with a friendly community feel; we have excellent facilities to practise your skills and abilities to support your career pathway and development. Our values of Together – Safe, Kind, Excellent support the delivery of outstanding care. We have a fully electronic patient record system that is improving health-care quality; this is transforming services, improving patient safety and clinical outcomes.

Why choose Cambridge University Hospitals?

• Our values and reputation for outstanding care
• Opportunities to experience a range of specialities
• Career and development opportunities
• Preceptorship and mentoring programmes delivered by a dedicated clinical education support team
• Research experience and opportunities
• Lovely location and quality of life
• Excellent schools/colleges and transport links (road, rail and air)

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

This vacancy will close at midnight on 18th October 2026.

Interviews are due to be held on 26th October 2026.

All appointments with a start date on or after 1 October 2026 will be subject to a 12-week probationary period. This provides a structured and supportive period to help you settle into your role, with regular reviews and feedback.

As there is a 12-week probationary period, successful candidates are expected to have the Right to Work for a period of at least 6 months from the proposed start date. Immigration and Right to Work status will be discussed with successful candidates at conditional offer. CUH will not offer sponsorship to candidates that have applied for a fee waiver.

Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full-time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full-time permanent contract unless you have:

• applied for a Graduate visa
• or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only café, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Qualifications

• First Level registration (part 1, 8, 12 or 15)
• Safeguarding children Level 1, 2 and 3 training
• NLS course
• Evidence of degree level study
• ENP course

Experience

• Minimum of 1 years’ experience at band 5 QIS in a level 2 or 3 neonatal unit
• Continuing experience as a mentor to student and learners
• Experience of ward management/ shift co ordinating
• Familiar with neonatal inter hospital transfer
• Experience of undertaking appraisals
• Experience in the care of neonates requiring surgical treatment
• NHS experience

Knowledge

• To display professional knowledge and understanding within own practice
• To have a depth of contemporary neonatal nursing knowledge, integrating theory and practice
• To have a contemporary knowledge of professional nursing strategy
• An overall understanding of neonatal care
• Willingness to acquire further skills and knowledge relevant to a band 6 post
• Leadership course

Skills

• Competent to care for all levels of infants in a safe and effective manner without direct supervision
• Able to carry the neonatal crash bleep and attend deliveries as an active member of the resuscitation team
• Ability to transfer babies internally unsupervised
• To work well under pressure and during time of high activity
• To effectively manage and co-ordinate an area/shift
• To work flexibly within a multi-disciplinary team
• Excellent communication and decision making skills
• Evidence of caring for infants requiring INO and high frequency oscillation or evidence of other specialist neonatal treatments and conditions

Additional Requirements

• The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent
• Calm and understanding approach
• Personal integrity and reliability
• Maintaining a neat and tidy appearance
• Demonstrate ability to manage time and prioritise effectively
• Willingness to assist with other duties as required
• To act in a professional manner at all times in accordance with the NMC Code of Conduct
• Capable of developing liaisons with other practice areas/academic institutions
• Evidence of a link nurse role or project development within the neonatal setting

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.

Name Helen Beavis/Stacey Miller Job title NICU Clinical Lead Nurses Email address [e-mail] Additional information
[e-mail]/[e-mail]