Job summary
- Main area
- Paediatrics
- Grade
- Band 6
- Contract
- Fixed term: 12 months (Contract will end 14th August 2026)
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 360-D-6035-G
- Employer
- West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Watford General Hospital
- Town
- Watford
- Salary
- £40,617 - £48,778 pro rata per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 21/08/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Band 6 - Junior Sister/Charge Nurse, Woodland Neonatal Unit, WACS
Band 6
Job overview
We have a Band 6 vacancy in the Woodland Neonatal Unit, Watford General Hospital.
The Woodland Neonatal Unit is a busy local neonatal unit (LNU) within the East of England Neonatal network.
The unit admits baby requiring intensive care, high dependency and special care. In addition, we manage a 6 bedded Transitional Care Unit in postnatal ward.
We are committed to the provision of high quality evidence based practice to meet the needs of parents and babies incorporating family centred care.
Main duties of the job
The post holder should have expertise in working with complex cases that will require intensive support and excellent clinical knowledge.
The successful applicant will work in a highly autonomous manner and able to appropriately manage clinical risk during clinical practice, while having recourse to other professionals for guidance.
The post requires experience, knowledge and skills of working in a neonatal unit at senior level.
Previous Band 6 or management experience is desirable.
The successful candidate will lead/coordinate shifts, be able to work well independently and within the team and support junior staff as well as pre-registration student nurses.
Working for our organisation
With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us.
We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imaging models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.
Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.
Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.
We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance.
https://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking/
If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact
If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.
We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The post holder will:
Be responsible for the assessment of care needs, the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care without supervision.
Take charge of the Neonatal unit on a regular basis, acting as shift co-ordinator and will undertake designated management role.
Will actively participate and promote practice development and the creation of a learning environment.
Provides clinical, educational and emotional support to parents/carers.
Provides clear clinical leadership to staff, deputising for the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse in her/his absence.
Person specification
Education and qualifications
Essential criteria
- Registered Nurse (RGN/Midwife/Child) with NMC
- Neonatal Intensive Care qualification
- Current NLS certification
- Teaching and assessing qualification and or mentorship module Safeguarding Children training (Level1-3).
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable criteria
- Certificate in leadership and management training.
- Appraisal training Degree in Children’s/Neonatal Nursing.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Have a depth neonatal nursing knowledge, integrating theory and practice.
- Knowledge of handling complaints and clinical incidents.
- Knowledge of risk management and Health and safety issues.
- Knowledge of safeguarding children.
- Knowledge on audit processes, reporting and action planning.
Desirable criteria
- Current knowledge of research developments within neonatal care.
- Knowledge and active involvement of research/audit
- Knowledge of Neonatal network.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Previous experience at Band 6 level, Shift leading/Nurse in charge role.
- Attending emergency situations within neonatal and maternity setting.
- Previous experience of mentoring/ coaching.
- Formulation and monitoring of policies/guidelines.
- Change management.
- Experience working collaboratively and influencing the Multidisciplinary team.
Desirable criteria
- Management and leadership experience.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
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.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Elvira Baker
- Job title
- Matron
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01923217560
- Additional information
Imelda Portillo
Ward Manager
Woodland Neonatal Unit
01923 217329
If you have problems applying, contact
- Address
-
Watford General Hospital
Vicarage Road
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0HB
- Telephone
- 01442 365233
List jobs with West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in Nursing and Midwifery