Job summary
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Please see below for detailed job description of the role.
Main duties of the job
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the innovative and dynamic Neonatal Intensive Care Service at University Hospitals Southampton (UHS) as a Consultant Neonatologist. Applicants are invited to apply for the post of Consultant Neonatologist. This post is a substantive 8PA post appointment with scope to become full time in the future.
Join a team of 11 WTE neonatologists delivering comprehensive care to medical and surgical neonates in a 43-bed NICU (27 IC/ HDU, 16 SC) at Princess Anne Hospital. As the lead centre in the Wessex Neonatal Operational Delivery Network, the unit provides tertiary services including cardiology, surgery, and complex care across multiple specialties within Southampton Children's Hospital. The NICU also hosts the SONeT transport hub, managing around 600 transfers annually. The post includes clinical responsibilities for both the Neonatal Service and Network Transport within Wessex.
The department is research-active, led by Prof. Mark Johnson, Associate Prof. Brigitte Vollmer, and Associate Prof. Nigel Hall, with strong links to the Southampton NIHR Biomedical Research Centre and MRC. You will support ongoing research and participate in NIHR portfolio studies, with excellent opportunities for personal development, research, and teaching.
About us
As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated 'Good' by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.
We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.
Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.
We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You would be expected to deliver clinical excellence, be motivated and adaptable to changes within the NHS, and have a drive to improve patient care and services. A willingness to develop and work within a constantly changing environment is necessary together with an ability to remain calm under pressure. You will bring additional skills and special interests that complement the existing neonatal team. We are ideally looking for experience and/or willingness to develop an interest in infant feeding and supporting the breastfeeding initiative (BFI). Other interests might include, but is by no means limited to, an interest in perinatal care including antenatal counselling and liaison with fetal medicine, perinatal and neonatal palliative care, family integrated care, and transition to tertiary paediatric services. Skills and experience in point of care ultrasound, including echocardiography, would also be beneficial, but again not essential.
Candidates should have a CCT in Neonates or equivalent experience as defined by the Neonatal CSAC (either 36 months of level 3 neonatology or 24 months level 3 neonatal experience with 12 months allied specialities at ST6-8) or experience as a consultant in a level 3 neonatal unit, and be on the GMCs Specialist Register. Trainees who are within six months of obtaining their neonatal CCT on the date of the AAC may also apply.
For an overview of the position, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification document. This includes a detailed breakdown of the key responsibilities, role expectations, and the qualifications we are looking for. It outlines the essential criteria for the role and is designed to support you in preparing your application by helping you evaluate how your skills, experience, and professional background align with the requirements of the role.
Additional Information
The successful candidate will be employed under the terms and conditions of service for Consultants (England) 2003.
Proposed interview date: 17th March 2026
This vacancy closes on or before 6th January 2026
Job description
Job responsibilities
You would be expected to deliver clinical excellence, be motivated and adaptable to changes within the NHS, and have a drive to improve patient care and services. A willingness to develop and work within a constantly changing environment is necessary together with an ability to remain calm under pressure. You will bring additional skills and special interests that complement the existing neonatal team. We are ideally looking for experience and/or willingness to develop an interest in infant feeding and supporting the breastfeeding initiative (BFI). Other interests might include, but is by no means limited to, an interest in perinatal care including antenatal counselling and liaison with fetal medicine, perinatal and neonatal palliative care, family integrated care, and transition to tertiary paediatric services. Skills and experience in point of care ultrasound, including echocardiography, would also be beneficial, but again not essential.
Candidates should have a CCT in Neonates or equivalent experience as defined by the Neonatal CSAC (either 36 months of level 3 neonatology or 24 months level 3 neonatal experience with 12 months allied specialities at ST6-8) or experience as a consultant in a level 3 neonatal unit, and be on the GMCs Specialist Register. Trainees who are within six months of obtaining their neonatal CCT on the date of the AAC may also apply.
For an overview of the position, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification document. This includes a detailed breakdown of the key responsibilities, role expectations, and the qualifications we are looking for. It outlines the essential criteria for the role and is designed to support you in preparing your application by helping you evaluate how your skills, experience, and professional background align with the requirements of the role.
Additional Information
The successful candidate will be employed under the terms and conditions of service for Consultants (England) 2003.
Proposed interview date: 17th March 2026
This vacancy closes on or before 6th January 2026
Person Specification
Qualifications, Training & Experience
Essential
- MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
- GMC registration with a licence to practise
- Appropriate knowledge base, and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems
- MRCPCH/MRCP (or equivalent)
- Paediatric CCT or equivalent experience with equivalent neonatal training as per Neonatal CSAC May 2018 (36 months level 3 neonates at ST6-8)
- Minimum 24 months level 3 neonatal training at ST6-8 level plus 12 months allied specialities at ST 6-8).
- Neonatal Life Support (NLS) Provider
- Wide neonatal intensive care experience including experience of working within a neonatal service with a high risk prenatal/obstetric referral centre.
- Neonatal Surgical experience
- Teaching skills and experience
- Appropriate knowledge base, and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems
- Neonatal CCT eligible within 6 months or equivalent experience
- Previous experience as a substantive consultant in a level 3 neonatal unit
Desirable
- MSc, DM, PhD or equivalent higher degree
- Neonatal Life Support Course Instructor or Director
- Formal training in teaching
- Evidence of research of innovative service developments
- Neonatal transport experience
- Experience of BFI / infant feeding team involvement
- Formal management training for medical staff
Aptitudes and skills
Essential
- Evidence and ability to work effectively in multi-professional teams
- Understanding of equality and diversity and how this affects patients, visitors and staff
- Evidence and ability to communicate and liaise effectively with patients and colleagues (verbal and written communication skills in English).
- Evidence of management & administrative experience
- Evidence of experience in clinical governance and audit
- Advanced skills in Neonatal Medicine
- Knowledge and training in Child Protection
- Ability to perform and interpret Cranial Ultrasound scans.
- Competence in the transport of sick neonates.
- Evidence of basic management skills
- Good understanding of the structure and processes of the NHS
Desirable
- Competence in echocardiography
- Appraisal and assessment
- training and skills
- Experience in counselling
- Experience in simulation training
- Experience in neurodevelopment follow-up
Person Specification
Qualifications, Training & Experience
Essential
- MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
- GMC registration with a licence to practise
- Appropriate knowledge base, and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems
- MRCPCH/MRCP (or equivalent)
- Paediatric CCT or equivalent experience with equivalent neonatal training as per Neonatal CSAC May 2018 (36 months level 3 neonates at ST6-8)
- Minimum 24 months level 3 neonatal training at ST6-8 level plus 12 months allied specialities at ST 6-8).
- Neonatal Life Support (NLS) Provider
- Wide neonatal intensive care experience including experience of working within a neonatal service with a high risk prenatal/obstetric referral centre.
- Neonatal Surgical experience
- Teaching skills and experience
- Appropriate knowledge base, and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems
- Neonatal CCT eligible within 6 months or equivalent experience
- Previous experience as a substantive consultant in a level 3 neonatal unit
Desirable
- MSc, DM, PhD or equivalent higher degree
- Neonatal Life Support Course Instructor or Director
- Formal training in teaching
- Evidence of research of innovative service developments
- Neonatal transport experience
- Experience of BFI / infant feeding team involvement
- Formal management training for medical staff
Aptitudes and skills
Essential
- Evidence and ability to work effectively in multi-professional teams
- Understanding of equality and diversity and how this affects patients, visitors and staff
- Evidence and ability to communicate and liaise effectively with patients and colleagues (verbal and written communication skills in English).
- Evidence of management & administrative experience
- Evidence of experience in clinical governance and audit
- Advanced skills in Neonatal Medicine
- Knowledge and training in Child Protection
- Ability to perform and interpret Cranial Ultrasound scans.
- Competence in the transport of sick neonates.
- Evidence of basic management skills
- Good understanding of the structure and processes of the NHS
Desirable
- Competence in echocardiography
- Appraisal and assessment
- training and skills
- Experience in counselling
- Experience in simulation training
- Experience in neurodevelopment follow-up
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).
