Job summary
Are you a caring, motivated nurse looking to make a real difference at the very beginning of a child's life? Join our dedicated team at the Somerset Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where every day brings the privilege of supporting preterm and sick babies -- and the families who love them.
As a Band 5 Neonatal Staff Nurse, you'll play a vital role in providing exceptional, compassionate care during some of the most vulnerable and precious moments a family can experience. Working alongside a highly skilled multidisciplinary team, you will develop specialist neonatal nursing skills, deliver personalised care, and help parents grow in confidence as they bond with and learn to care for their babies.
Whether you're newly qualified, returning to practice, or looking to develop within neonatal nursing, this is a rewarding opportunity to grow, learn and be part of a supportive team committed to outstanding care.
Main duties of the job
You will be responsible for managing and delivering high-quality nursing care to infants requiring neonatal support. This involves ongoing assessment of babies using specialist knowledge to interpret their clinical condition, enabling timely interventions and the development of tailored care plans. You will operate and maintain neonatal equipment, ensuring safety and escalating any faults in line with Trust procedures.
Family support is central to this role. You will communicate complex or sensitive information with empathy, helping families understand their baby's needs while providing emotional support, education and guidance throughout their neonatal journey. Working in partnership with parents is core to our philosophy of care.
You will work closely with colleagues across the neonatal team, maternity services, paediatrics and external agencies, contributing to effective communication and continuity of care. The role includes supervising and supporting junior nursing staff, students and members of the wider team, promoting a positive and collaborative working environment.
Other responsibilities include maintaining accurate records; ensuring infection control standards are met; participating in neonatal transfers where required; contributing to the care of babies receiving palliative or end of life care; and responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
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
- Deliver safe, effective and familycentred nursing care to preterm and sick infants.
- Communicate sensitively with parents and families, providing updates, reassurance and education.
- Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to ensure the best outcomes for babies and families.
- Use specialist neonatal skills, including assessment, monitoring and response to changes in clinical condition.
- Maintain accurate, contemporaneous documentation in line with Trust and NMC standards.
- Uphold infection prevention, cleanliness and safety standards within the neonatal environment.
- Supervise and support junior staff, students and trainees as required.
- Participate in neonatal emergencies, resuscitation and stabilisation of infants (with appropriate training).
- Support parents in developing confidence in caring for their baby, including parent craft and discharge preparation.
- Contribute to safeguarding, clinical governance and quality improvement within the unit.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Deliver safe, effective and familycentred nursing care to preterm and sick infants.
- Communicate sensitively with parents and families, providing updates, reassurance and education.
- Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to ensure the best outcomes for babies and families.
- Use specialist neonatal skills, including assessment, monitoring and response to changes in clinical condition.
- Maintain accurate, contemporaneous documentation in line with Trust and NMC standards.
- Uphold infection prevention, cleanliness and safety standards within the neonatal environment.
- Supervise and support junior staff, students and trainees as required.
- Participate in neonatal emergencies, resuscitation and stabilisation of infants (with appropriate training).
- Support parents in developing confidence in caring for their baby, including parent craft and discharge preparation.
- Contribute to safeguarding, clinical governance and quality improvement within the unit.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse -- Part 1,7 or 10 of the register
Experience
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.
Desirable
- Previous experience working with babies and families
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse -- Part 1,7 or 10 of the register
Experience
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.
Desirable
- Previous experience working with babies and families
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).
