Neonatal Ward Manager | Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust

Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Liverpool is seeking a responsible individual for operational management of Neonatal nursing services. The role involves providing expert specialized care to infants needing intensive care and developing staff within a collaborative team environment. Responsibilities include managing departmental resources, leading service improvements, and ensuring compliance with professional standards. The ideal candidate will be a registered nurse with strong leadership skills and experience in neonatal services.

Qualifications

• Experience in neonatal care and operational management.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to engage with families.
• Ability to make effective decisions autonomously.

Responsibilities

• Manage and co-ordinate a department team, providing professional clinical leadership.
• Communicate and work collaboratively with senior managers and professionals to improve service.
• Oversee staffing rotas and manage staff sickness in liaison with the Matron.
• Monitor resources effectively while ensuring a safe working environment.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Communication

Decision making

Team collaboration

Professional development

Education

Registered Nurse (NMC)

Job description

Overview

The post holder is responsible for the day-to-day operational management of Neonatal nursing services providing expert specialised care to infants requiring intensive care (ITU), high dependency (HDU), low dependency (LDU), transitional care (TC), community (NCOT) and screening services under the remit of the Neonatal Service. The role includes development within the department/ward, leading continuous improvements in standards for the benefit of patient care, and representing the department/ward and division at appropriate trust meetings.

The post holder will make effective decisions autonomously/in partnership with patients, families and the multi-disciplinary team. They will communicate and engage with staff at all levels to contribute to decision making at ward or department level.

Responsibilities

• Manage and co-ordinate a department team, providing professional clinical leadership and an environment of empowerment through coaching, teaching and facilitation.
• Develop staff rotas, respond to staff requests if safe for the service, and manage sickness in liaison with the Matron.
• Communicate and work collaboratively with senior managers, senior medical and nursing staff, service users, outside agencies and other professionals to develop and improve the neonatal service.
• Daily management of the NICU environment to ensure the most effective use of ward resources.

Key Relationships

1. Work within trust policies and protocols, ensuring staff comply with Trust and Professional Policies and standards.
2. Advocate for the patient.
3. Work with the multi-professional team including nursing and medical management, Governance, Education, NCOT, APH Team and other professionals.
4. Engage with external agencies (e.g., Social Services) to provide optimum service.
5. Maintain efficient communication with other professional groups within the trust.
6. Identify and liaise with inter-agencies regarding safeguarding issues.
7. Assist with orientation programmes for new staff.

Managerial & Leadership

• Ensure staff have personal development plans aligned with Trust objectives; identify development needs and support continuing professional development and performance.
• Enable staff to attend mandatory study days and other training identified through the PDR process, within rostering policies.
• Maintain a safe working environment for families, visitors and staff.
• Maintain effective communication within the multi-disciplinary team and with families, including empathetic and reassuring communication in challenging situations.
• Monitor resources to be managed effectively, efficiently and economically.
• Monitor staff sickness, annual leave and study leave in line with Trust policy; ensure documentation related to leave and shifts is completed accurately.
• Oversee staffing rotas to ensure safe care and manage bank shifts to maintain safe staffing levels.
• Promote equality, diversity and rights; assist with shift leadership to manage activity and bed status; follow escalation policies when necessary.
• Assist with trials of new equipment, products and procedures; assist with data collection and statistics as required.
• Work with teams on clinical audit, benchmarking and research; oversee stores and equipment usage and maintenance.
• Ensure controlled drugs and emergency resuscitation trolleys are checked daily.
• Investigate accidents/incidents and assist with investigations as needed; follow Trust policies.

Professional & Clinical Practice

• Work in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct; ensure neonatal care meets professional standards.
• Exercise autonomy and critical judgement; maintain accurate nursing records in line with NMC and Trust policies.
• Motivate colleagues to deliver high standards of care; advise junior staff and students on care strategies with evidence-based rationale.
• Manage challenging situations with professionalism; support families and staff in difficult times; communicate sensitively with parents and families.
• Refer to external agencies and services as needed; ensure equipment is serviced and maintained; comply with drug administration policies.
• Monitor cleanliness and infection prevention within the neonatal environment.

Education & Training

• Facilitate education of registered and non-registered staff; work with the Education team to develop protocols for nursing practice.
• Participate in appraisals and objective setting; counsel staff on personal and professional development with Matron support as needed.
• Ensure adherence to mandatory training requirements and develop action plans to address deficits.

Communication

• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and promote effective communication within the neonatal team and with families.
• Present information clearly to families and colleagues in complex situations; resolve conflicts and maintain a safe environment.

Service Improvement & Quality

• Assist/lead in clinical audit programmes; participate in ongoing research and lead in neonatal care developments and service initiatives.
• Lead in areas of service improvement; contribute to clinical practice guideline development.
• Ensure actions align with Trust clinical governance; promote quality and participate in quality improvement projects and benchmarking.

Professional Responsibilities

• Be professionally and personally accountable for practice; safeguard the well-being of infants and families.
• Act consistently with NMC professional standards and Liverpool Women’s NHS Trust policies; respect equality, privacy and confidentiality.
• Maintain clear, concise, accurate documentation; ensure safe drug administration within training/competence; follow policies.

This advert closes on Tuesday 16 Dec 2025.