Neonatal Unit Sister/Charge Nurse

NHS; Rockcliffe; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly simulation training

Career progression

Flexible long shifts

Job summary

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Band 6 Sister/Charge Nurse for the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU). The role involves leading shifts, autonomous clinical decisions, and delivering family-centred care in a Level 1 neonatal setting.

Candidates should be NMC Registered (Level 1) with leadership experience and a postgraduate qualification. The unit offers simulation training, career progression, and flexible long shifts to support staff and families.

Qualifications

• Able to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care.
• Evidence of PREP requirements.
• Knowledge of health and safety and clinical risk.

Responsibilities

• Take charge of shifts, coordinate care delivery and staffing.
• Lead by example with compassionate, evidence-based neonatal care.
• Communicate with MDT, families and external partners.
• Support and develop colleagues as a role model.
• Administer medications safely per policy and guidelines.
• Lead, prioritise and manage change in a fast-paced unit.
• Promote learning and continuous improvement across the team.
• Support Ward Manager and Band 6 colleagues with leadership duties.

Skills

Leadership experience

Communication

Teamwork

Prioritise care

Reflect & develop others

Work under pressure

Education

NMC Registered (Level 1)

Postgraduate diploma or equivalent

Knowledge of clinical governance

Job description

Main area Child Health Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Full rotational shift pattern including days, nights, weekends and bank holidays.) Job ref 388-8368679-FC&I

Site Special Care Baby Unit; ChildHealth. Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust. Town Torbay Salary £39,959 - £48,117 per annum (pro rata) Salary period Yearly Closing 20/11/2026 23:59

Job overview

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

Working for our organisation

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.

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

Detailed job description and main 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

You will be joining the organisation at an exciting time. As the first fully integrated care organisation in England, we are working to improve the way we deliver safe, high-quality health and social care. We have a positive and vibrant working atmosphere, we are proud of our investment in our staff both in terms of developing potential career skills and valuing people.

If you provide support to a family member or friend with health or care needs, we aim to be a Carer-friendly employer. We have a ‘Staff Carers’ policy which includes flexible working where possible and a Carer’s Passport scheme that links you into support and discounts.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Please read the job description carefully and tailor your application to reflect the requirements of the role.
• Applicants who identify in their application form they are a part of the Armed Forces community will be guaranteed an interview, provided they meet the minimum essential criteria outlined in the job description and person specification for the role. Step into Health guidance can be found on our NHS Employers website.
• Correspondence will be sent via Trac, text, and email. Please ensure you check your email and Trac account regularly.
• Applicants with no previous NHS experience will ordinarily be appointed to the minimum of the band.
• If you have not received an invitation to interview within 28 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
• It is your responsibility to ensure the timely receipt of appropriate references.

The Trust is committed to preventing discrimination, valuing diversity and achieving equality of opportunity. No person (staff, patient or public) will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of the nine protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. If you require support you can obtain this from our Equality Business Forum which has representatives from all protected groups.

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.