Special Care Baby Unit Ward Manager

NHS; Carmarthen; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent health organization in Carmarthen seeks an exceptional Neonatal Nurse to join as a Band 7 Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) Ward Manager. This role demands deep clinical expertise and leadership skills to inspire a dedicated team while driving operational excellence and enhancing care quality. Candidates should possess a Nursing Degree and experience in managing a neonatal unit. A supportive leadership environment and professional growth opportunities are offered.

Benefits

Professional growth opportunities

Supportive leadership team

Qualifications

• Current NMC registration required.
• Comprehensive Band 6 nursing experience in Neonatal care.
• Demonstrable post-registration experience in a management/leadership role.

Responsibilities

• Support the Senior Nurse in Neonates to drive operational excellence.
• Manage and mentor a dedicated team in Neonatal care.
• Champion quality improvement initiatives.

Skills

Leadership skills

Empathy

Problem-solving

Clinical expertise

Communication

Education

Nursing Degree (Adult/Child)

Qualification in Speciality (QIS) for Neonatal Intensive Care

Newborn Life Support

Job description

Overview

Are you a dynamic,forward-thinking Neonatal Nurse ready to take the next step in your leadership journey? Do you thrive in a fast-paced,compassionate environment where your clinical expertise and people skills truly make a difference? We’re looking for an exceptional leader to join our Neonatal team as a Band 7 Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) Ward Manager. This is more than a job--it’s a chance to shape the future of neonatal care, support strategic innovation, and lead with clinical credibility.

Who we are looking for? A qualified and experienced Neonatal Nurse with a proven track record in team leadership and service development. A natural communicator with empathy, resilience, and the ability to manage staff with compassion and professionalism. A problem-solver and innovator who thrives on autonomy, initiative, and driving positive change. Someone who brings energy, enthusiasm, and adaptability to everything they do.

Main duties

Why is this role special?

• Lead with Impact: Support the Senior Nurse in Neonates to drive operational excellence and strategic development.
• Inspire and Empower: Manage and mentor a dedicated team, fostering a culture of compassion, adaptability, and professionalism.
• Be the Change: Champion quality improvement and change management initiatives that enhance care for our small and vulnerable patients.
• Stay Hands-On: Maintain clinical visibility and credibility while influencing service delivery at a strategic level.
• Work with Excellence: Benefit from state-of-the-art equipment, including new SLE6000 ventilation systems and laminar flow isolation rooms, supporting the highest standards of neonatal care.
• Collaborate with Strength: Be part of a strong perinatal team with well-established working relationships and a shared ethic of integrated, family-centred care across both Maternity Services and Paediatrics.

What you will gain?

• A supportive leadership team and opportunities for professional growth.
• A chance to make a real difference in neonatal care across Hywel Dda UHB.
• A role that blends clinical leadership with strategic influence.

About us

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties. We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services. We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers. Our services are provided in:

Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest.

Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire.

Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings. 47 general practices, 97 community pharmacies, 43 general ophthalmic practices, and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers. Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services.

Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. We welcome applications from Welsh speakers. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements, the Health Board offers learning options and staff support to help you meet these requirements during your employment.

Interviews to be held on 13/10/2025.

Job description & Person specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

• Current NMC registration, or RCN, or RN part 8 of the Register.
• Nursing Degree (Adult/Child).
• Comprehensive Band 6 nursing experience in Neonatal care with demonstrable expert knowledge of neonatal nursing.
• Qualification in Speciality (QIS) for Neonatal Intensive Care.
• Newborn Life Support.
• Understanding of professional and current issues in neonatal nursing, resource management, health and safety, clinical risk and quality issues.
• Extensive knowledge of NMC code for practice/guidance.
• Understanding of child protection issues.
• Knowledge of research and evidence-based practice relating theory to practice.
• Clinical supervision / reflective practice / coaching experience.

• Demonstrable post-registration experience in a management/leadership role including managing a ward/unit.
• Experience as mentor/coach/practice assessor/supervisor.
• Contributions towards developing clinical practice, change management and quality improvement.
• Supervisory management and involvement in recruitment and selection.
• Mandatory and statutory training compliance.
• Understanding of Governance, risks, incidents and complaints.
• Awareness of audit and policy importance.
• Leadership and management experience.
• Quality Improvement Qualification / Foundations / Fundamentals of improvement.
• Welsh Speaker (Level 1).

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a DBS disclosure is required.