Neonatal Unit Sister/Charge Nurse

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Band 6 Neonatal Unit Sister/Charge Nurse to lead a busy Special Care Baby Unit. You will take charge of shifts, deliver family-centred care, and mentor junior staff in a Level 1 neonatal setting.

You'll drive clinical governance, support a skilled MDT, and develop leadership capabilities through structured advancement from Band 6 into advanced neonatal and leadership roles, with flexible and family-focused working patterns.

Qualifications

• NMC Registered (Level 1)
• Evidence of PREP requirements
• Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care
• Knowledge of clinical governance
• Awareness of health and safety and clinical risk requirements
• Postgraduate diploma or equivalent
• Leadership experience or training
• Knowledge of NHS plan and initiatives
• Knowledge of ICO initiatives within Torbay Trust

Responsibilities

• Take charge of the unit, coordinating care delivery and staffing safely
• Lead by example with compassionate, evidence-based neonatal care
• Communicate effectively with MDT, families and external partners
• Support and develop colleagues, role modelling leadership
• Administer medications safely per Trust policies and NMC guidelines
• Respond to change and manage priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Promote learning, reflection and continuous improvement
• Support Ward Manager and Band 6 colleagues with leadership responsibilities

Skills

Autonomous leadership

Communication

Team working

Clinical decision making

Flexible working

Education

NMC Registered (Level 1)

Postgraduate diploma or equivalent

Job description

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Neonatal Unit Sister/Charge Nurse

The closing date is 20 November 2026

Are you a neonatal nurse ready to take the next step in your career? Do you thrive in clinically challenging environments where your leadership, autonomy, and compassion truly make a difference? If so, we would love to hear from you!

About us

Our Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) is a busy, friendly Level 1 neonatal unit providing high-quality, family-centred care to babies and their families at the very start of their neonatal journey. The unit comprises 10 cots, including:

• 2 HDU cots
• 4 Special Care cots
• An established 4-bedded Transitional Care unit

We care for babies from 32 weeks gestation, provide stabilisation for more premature or critically unwell term neonates, and work closely with the Peninsula Neonatal Transport Team. As part of the Southwest Neonatal Network, we offer excellent exposure to wider neonatal pathways and best practice.

Main duties of the job

This is an exciting opportunity for a newly qualified or experience motivated and innovative Band 6 Sister/Charge Nurse to join a supportive and inclusive team.

You will take charge of shifts, work autonomously, and play a key role in shaping care delivery while maintaining a calm, professional presence in a dynamic clinical environment.

You will be supported to grow clinically, professionally, and as a leader, as we actively invest in developing our future neonatal leadership workforce.

What makes this role special?

• Autonomous working with senior clinical responsibility
• Exposure to all levels of neonatal care within a Level 1 setting
• Opportunity to use and maintain ITU-level skills through stabilisation and emergency care
• A strong family interface, giving babies and parents a positive, supportive start to their neonatal journey
• Close working with public health, community maternity, 0-19, health visiting, and child health teams
• You will be motivated to develop as a neonatal leader and educator

About us

You'll be joining a unit where you are known, supported, and valued, development is encouraged rather than delayed, leadership potential is actively nurtured, and every shift makes a real difference to babies, families, and the future of neonatal care.

We offer weekly simulation training with opportunities to both teach and learn, alongside genuine career progression with structured development from Band 6 into advanced neonatal and leadership roles.

You will work within a friendly, supportive culture where every voice matters, including families as active partners in their care plans, with flexible working patterns across days, nights, and long shifts (07:30-20:00 and 19:30-08:00) to support work-life balance wherever possible.

For information on our organisation benefits, browse our interactive booklet.

Please note: Priority will be given to applicants with recognised 'Priority' or 'At Risk' status, including NHS staff identified across Devon.

Job responsibilities

• Take charge of the unit, coordinating care delivery and staffing safely and effectively
• Lead by example, promoting high standards of compassionate, evidence-based neonatal care
• Communicate effectively with the MDT, families, and external partners to support seamless care
• Support and develop colleagues, acting as a role model at all times
• Administer medications safely in line with Trust policies and NMC guidelines
• Respond positively to change and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Promote learning, reflection, and continuous improvement across the team
• Support the Ward Manager and Band 6 colleagues, with opportunities to take on leadership responsibilities including:
  • Sickness management
  • Appraisals
  • Staff support and development (following induction and training)

The successful candidate will be a qualified NMC Registered (Level 1) individual who is Qualified in Specialty (QIS) or willing to work towards this.You will have experience in neonatal care, with confidence in leadership and clinical decision-making and be passionate about delivering family-centred care.

Full details can be found in the job description and person specification.

Please clearly demonstrate how you meet the role requirements in your supporting information.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

• NMC Registered (Level 1)
• Evidence of meeting PREP requirements
• Able to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care
• Knowledge of clinical governance
• Knowledge of individual responsibility to health and safety and clinical risk.
• Post graduate diploma degree in relevant subject or equivalent level experience
• Leadership experience or training.
• Awareness of the NHS plan and current initiatives.
• Knowledge of ICO initiatives within Torbay Trust
• Diverse and adaptable communication skills to enable effective communication with the MDT.

Specific skills

• Self-motivated with the ability to prioritise care
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
• Ability to work as part of a team as well as on own initiative
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Flexibility on working hours and location
• Able to work at short notice and at busy times including school holidays / outside of normal office hours
• To be an effective leader and role model
• Ability to be able to reflect and encourage others to do so to enhance their practice
• To be able to work under pressure and make safe clinical decisions

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Special Care Baby Unit; ChildHealth. Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust.

£39,959 to £48,117 a yearper annum (pro rata)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

388-8368679-FC&I

Job locations

Special Care Baby Unit; ChildHealth. Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust.