Senior Neonatal Practitioner

Countess of Chester; Chester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced Band 6 Neonatal Nurse to join the Local Neonatal Unit in Chester on a maternity cover contract. The role offers 37.5 hours per week with rotational days and nights, and part-time options.

You will provide high-quality, evidence-based care, lead shifts, and work with a multidisciplinary team to support families during their baby's journey. The post includes development opportunities within a modern neonatal service.

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in nursing (essential).
• Specialist Neonatal qualification or experience desired.
• Newborn Life Support certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide and coordinate high-quality, evidence-based clinical care.
• Lead the unit during shifts, ensuring safe and effective practice.
• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team and Neonatal Network to improve outcomes.

Skills

Neonatal nursing

Leadership

Communication

Time management

Coordination

Education

Degree or diploma in nursing

Neonatal specialty

Newborn Life Support

Teaching/mentoring qualification

Leadership qualification

Job description

Main area Senior Neonatal Nurse Grade Band 6 Contract Fixed term: 12 months (maternity cover until October 2027) Hours

• Full time
• Part time

37.5 hours per week (rotational days to nights) Job ref 210-2026-518-C

Site Countess of Chester Hospital Town Chester Salary £39,959 - £48,117 pa pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 01/11/2026 23:59

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence, but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement.

Our vision is to improve the lives of our community and provide excellence in healthcare, through partnership and innovation

Our High Performance Culture will support everyone to be the best version of themselves by being true to our Trust vision, values and behaviours.
We welcome applications from colleagues from our local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities, who are currently under-represented within our region such as Black, Asian, Minority ethnic and those with disabilities.

As a region we are reviewing the way we work, and exploring how new working practices that support flexible working can create a positive work-life balance. As part of our recruitment process we will explore how our inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums, Trust facilities and services can be of mutual benefit.

Job overview

Working Full time or Part time hours

We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for an experienced Band 6 Neonatal Nurse to join our highly skilled and dedicated team at theLocal Neonatal Unit in Chester.

This is a pivotal time to become part of our dynamic service within the new Women and Children’s Building featuring a purpose built neonatal unitwithin the Women and Children’s Building, designed to support Family Integrated Care.

Our unit is committed to delivering holistic, family-centred care, empowering parents to become active and confident partners in their baby’s journey through structured, competency-based education and support.

Main duties of the job

As a Senior Neonatal Nurse, you will:

Provide and coordinate high-quality, evidence-based clinical care

Lead the unit during shifts, ensuring safe and effective practice

Collaborate closely with the multi-disciplinary team and Neonatal Network to drive excellent outcomes for babies and families

Working for our organisation

The Trust’s services are provided from three locations:

• The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 473 general and acute beds.
• Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 60 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.
• Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs 5,964 staff (headcount) to provide care and treatment to a population of over 400,000 people living in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire.

The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. Due to its location on the border with North Wales, the Trust also works closely with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

The Trust treats patients from England and some parts of Wales. During 2024/2025, there were approximately 643,000 patient attendances (inpatient, A&E, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

See Job Description for further details.

Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’

Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.

The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

If a DBS is required for your role, you are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee applies which is payable to the DBS Service.Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costswill be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.

The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Good luck with your application.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in nursing.
• Qualified in Specialty - Neonatal
• Newborn Life Support Course
• Teaching and assessing qualification/998/997/ mentorship or equivalent
• Leadership qualification or equivalent.

Knowledge and Experience

• Post registration experience in speciality, including a minimum of 6 months post QIS.
• Be able to co-ordinate & prioritise own workload, and that of others.
• Have knowledge of professional and NHS issues, and an understanding of corporate objectives.
• Ability to manage complex problems and situations

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues at all levels of the organisation, and within the network.
• Ability to communicate in a variety of settings with families of varying levels of understanding.
• Ability to present written information in a logical manner.
• Initiation and implementation of change.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
If the role is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 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.

Enhanced DBS check applications that are submitted with omitted or incorrect information will be withdrawn. In the event errors are identified on your original application, a new application will need to be submitted and you will be required to pay the DBS application fee again.

The cost of the DBS application will be deducted from your salary over the first three months of employment.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK

The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet these immigration rules

For further details on skilled worker sponsorship, please consult the UK Home Office guidance: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK. Additionally, the New guidance for overseas applicants | NHS Employers provides helpful information on the recruitment process for candidates applying for roles in the UK.

Overseas candidates are responsible for their travel expenses.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependent's (over 18 years old) will also be subject to this requirement.

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.