Job summary
Are you a qualified neonatal nurse looking to take the next step in your career?
We are seeking skilled neonatal nurses to join us as we prepare for the reopening of our Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) in April 2026. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a new chapter for our services, where you will play a key role in shaping a positive, collaborative and forward-thinking culture from day one.
You'll provide outstanding care for preterm and unwell infants while supporting and empowering their families. As a fully integrated Trust, we offer opportunities to rotate across sites should you wish to broaden your skills and experience.
We value and invest in our nurses - offering development, training, and mentorship to help you thrive. Flexible working over a rota that includes nights and weekends is expected, and both full-time and part-time positions are available.
SCBU has been temporarily closed to prioritise safety improvements, and reopening in April 2026 marks a fresh, strengthened beginning for maternity services. Joining the team now means you will be part of: A safer, stronger service shaped by significant improvements
The Trust has taken several positive steps ahead of reopening, including:
- Appointment of five new Somerset paediatric consultants, joining between Nov 2025 and March 2026
- Midwifery and Neonatal nursing teams now working as one SFT team, sharing learning and improving pathways and experience.
This is a special, exciting time and we'd love you to be part of it!
Main duties of the job
- Lead and deliver highquality neonatal nursing care to preterm and sick infants, ensuring safe and effective clinical practice.
- Support and teach parents and families, providing reassurance, guidance, and clear communication during what can often be an emotional time.
- Assess rapidly changing clinical conditions, using specialist neonatal skills to plan and adapt care appropriately.
- Act as a role model and mentor to junior staff, students, and newly qualified nurses, supporting learning and professional development.
- Manage the neonatal unit on a shiftbyshift basis, including coordinating staffing, ensuring safe environments and maintaining accurate records.
- Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, contributing to service improvement, safeguarding processes, and maintaining high standards of care.
- Participate in neonatal emergency response, including attending deliveries and supporting resuscitation when required.
Informal visits and conversations are warmly encouraged - contact us to learn more or arrange a visit.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
- Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
- NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
- Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
- A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
In this role, you will utilise your specialist neonatal expertise to deliver safe, evidence-based care for infants requiring intensive, high-dependency, special, or transitional care. You will:
Clinical Care & Expertise
- Use advanced neonatal skills such as neonatal life support, blood gas interpretation, venepuncture and cannulation.
- Monitor infants' clinical status, interpreting data to identify changes and escalate or intervene promptly.
- Manage the care of babies requiring palliative support, offering compassionate guidance to families and colleagues.
- Ensure all equipment is safe, functional, and appropriately used by staff.
Family Support & Communication
- Communicate sensitive clinical information with empathy, clarity and professionalism.
- Empower parents by teaching them essential care skills and involving them as key partners in their baby's journey.
- Liaise with wider professionals--including medical staff, clergy, social workers and health visitors--to coordinate holistic support for families.
Leadership, Education & Teamworking
- Lead the unit team during shifts, ensuring safe staffing levels and effective delegation.
- Mentor students and junior staff, contributing to teaching, assessments and professional development.
- Promote an inclusive and collaborative culture, supporting staff wellbeing and positive team dynamics.
Governance, Safety & Service Development
- Uphold safeguarding responsibilities, ensuring early identification and escalation of concerns.
- Maintain accurate, contemporaneous records using systems including BadgerNet and electronic clinical platforms.
- Contribute to clinical governance, policy development, incident reporting and quality improvement initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with Trust policies on health and safety, infection control, confidentiality, sustainability and equality.
Job description
Job responsibilities
In this role, you will utilise your specialist neonatal expertise to deliver safe, evidence-based care for infants requiring intensive, high-dependency, special, or transitional care. You will:
Clinical Care & Expertise
- Use advanced neonatal skills such as neonatal life support, blood gas interpretation, venepuncture and cannulation.
- Monitor infants' clinical status, interpreting data to identify changes and escalate or intervene promptly.
- Manage the care of babies requiring palliative support, offering compassionate guidance to families and colleagues.
- Ensure all equipment is safe, functional, and appropriately used by staff.
Family Support & Communication
- Communicate sensitive clinical information with empathy, clarity and professionalism.
- Empower parents by teaching them essential care skills and involving them as key partners in their baby's journey.
- Liaise with wider professionals--including medical staff, clergy, social workers and health visitors--to coordinate holistic support for families.
Leadership, Education & Teamworking
- Lead the unit team during shifts, ensuring safe staffing levels and effective delegation.
- Mentor students and junior staff, contributing to teaching, assessments and professional development.
- Promote an inclusive and collaborative culture, supporting staff wellbeing and positive team dynamics.
Governance, Safety & Service Development
- Uphold safeguarding responsibilities, ensuring early identification and escalation of concerns.
- Maintain accurate, contemporaneous records using systems including BadgerNet and electronic clinical platforms.
- Contribute to clinical governance, policy development, incident reporting and quality improvement initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with Trust policies on health and safety, infection control, confidentiality, sustainability and equality.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse part 1, 7, or 10 of the NMC register.Specialist Neonatal Intensive Care Qualification.Degree or working towards a degreeTeaching/Mentorship Qualification
Experience
Essential
- Post registration experience in neonates.Teaching ability and experience.Ability to undertake complex drug and fluid calculations.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Knowledge of relevant NHS legislation to include Clinical Governance, COSHH, Risk Management, Infection Control, Waste Management, Manual Handling, Confidentiality and Data Protection.Current knowledge of evidence-based practice in neonatal nursing.Knowledge of Safeguarding Children policies.Understanding of the legal and ethical issues relating to babies and children.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse part 1, 7, or 10 of the NMC register.Specialist Neonatal Intensive Care Qualification.Degree or working towards a degreeTeaching/Mentorship Qualification
Experience
Essential
- Post registration experience in neonates.Teaching ability and experience.Ability to undertake complex drug and fluid calculations.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Knowledge of relevant NHS legislation to include Clinical Governance, COSHH, Risk Management, Infection Control, Waste Management, Manual Handling, Confidentiality and Data Protection.Current knowledge of evidence-based practice in neonatal nursing.Knowledge of Safeguarding Children policies.Understanding of the legal and ethical issues relating to babies and children.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such 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.
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had 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 dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such 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.
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had 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 dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
