Neonatal Outreach Sister

Job summary

We are seeking dynamic and committed Band 6 nurses to join our Neonatal Outreach service. We will consider either part time or full time.

The Neonatal Outreach service was set up eight years ago and is well established. Walnut is a busy level one neonatal unit which moved to its current purpose built facilities in November 2009. We have twenty-two cots, three of which are currently designated as high dependency and four as transitional care. Our birth rate is rising, with 5200 deliveries predicted in 2023, and this is anticipated to continue to rise.

We are currently planning expansion of our cots from 22 to 26, and also to move from being a Special Care Baby Unit to a Local Neonatal Unit in the near future. The Neonatal Outreach service is expanding to meet this challenge and this role will support the current team. We care for babies in the home that are pre-term, requiring home oxygen and recently introduced home phototherapy to the service. We are the first Neonatal team in the Network to start offering phototherapy at home so you will be expected to play an active role in auditing this service and developing it further.

Main duties of the job

You will be working as a senior member of the Neonatal Outreach team and will be supported in your Outreach role by a senior nursing team of two Outreach based Band 7 Senior Sisters.

This role entails working in the hospital and in the community within the patient's home. You will play an important role in supporting the management of the team as well as managing a caseload of babies - sometimes with complex needs. You will also be expected to support junior members of the team.

The service runs 7 days a week 9-5pm. You will have a working pattern over 7 days a week. You will need to be flexible in the days and hours that you work in order to meet the needs of the Neonatal Outreach service in providing a comprehensive family focused service to babies and their families. For this post, previous extensive experience in a neonatal nursing setting is essential and some management experience would be preferable. Community nursing experience within neonatal nursing would also be preferable, along with the ability to drive and have access to a car as home visits are necessary.

About us

We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you'll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we've achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities.

If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all of our staff are double vaccinated against COVID-19, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and our patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.

Employer details

Employer name

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Address

Darent Valley Hospital

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA

Employer's website

https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

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Employer details

Employer name

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Address

Darent Valley Hospital

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA

Employer's website

https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

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