Job summary
The Band 6 Staff Nurse on the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) is a key member of the neonatal team, providing high-quality, evidence-based, family-centred care for preterm and sick neonates. The unit provides a range of neonatal services including special care, CPAP, high-flow oxygen therapy, and short-term ventilation for stabilisation prior to transfer by the Neonatal Emergency Transport Service (NNeTS).
As a senior nurse within the unit, the post holder will demonstrate advanced clinical skills in neonatal assessment, respiratory support, and stabilisation of unwell babies. The Band 6 nurse will act as a shift leader, ensuring safe and effective care delivery, coordinating the nursing team, and supporting clinical decision-making in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.
This role involves promoting a supportive learning environment, mentoring junior staff and students, and contributing to continuous quality improvement within the neonatal service. The post holder will uphold the trust's values, ensuring compassionate, safe, and effective care for babies and their families.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will deliver and oversee high-quality, evidence-based care for neonates requiring special care, CPAP, high-flow therapy, or short-term ventilation. Acting as shift leader, they will ensure safe, effective care delivery and appropriate staff allocation within the unit.
They will assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care for preterm and sick babies, including stabilising and managing critically ill infants before transfer or retrieval by NNeTS. The post holder will perform neonatal procedures, administer medications safely, and promote family-centred care by supporting and educating parents to participate in their baby's care.
As a senior member of the team, the Band 6 nurse will provide leadership, supervision, and mentorship to junior staff and students, ensuring a positive and supportive learning environment. They will contribute to clinical governance, audit, and service improvement, maintaining accurate documentation and upholding NMC and trust standards.
For more information, please contact Claire Brown, Ward Manager, on 01946 523106 or claire.brown2@ncic.nhs.uk.
About us
At NCIC, we have an ambition to deliver outstanding healthcare services to the population of North Cumbria. The Trust is committed to creating a centre of excellence in providing rural and remote healthcare and provides a wide range of community and acute services throughout our county.
Our 5 key principles demonstrate our belief in the delivery of 'safe, high quality care every time':
Being a clinically led organisation
Quality and safety at the heart of our Trust
A positive patient experience every time
A great place to work
Managing our money well
As an organisation we are serious about supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our local community and are very much focused on being an inclusive and compassionate place to work.
Across the North East and North Cumbria we are working together to deliver our ambition to be the greenest region in England by 2030. All staff are expected to support sustainability.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the role and the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants.
CERTIFICATE OF SPONSORSHIP
Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment.Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed. For further information visit theUK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and you meet all the essential criteria for a post, you will be guaranteed an interview.
Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants moving to the region for certain posts. Please see our Policy for eligible vacancies
Registered Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals returning to practice, moving into new roles or changing clinical environments, may access an agreed preceptorship period.
Disclosure and Barring Service:
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.
The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. DBS charges are as follows if applicable to the post:
Standard Check: £21.50 + Administration cost of £5.90 = £27.40. Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.
Enhanced Check: £49.50 + administration cost of £5.90 = £55.40. Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.
NCIC can offer successful future employees the following benefits:
27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years
Flexible working Scheme
NHS Discounts*
Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work*
Excellent opportunities for development*
Competitive NHS Pension scheme
Vivup is a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems
*Subject to eligibility
Important Information
Please ensure that you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in the supporting information.
If sufficient response is received this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered.
Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview will be asked via an email notification to log on to their Trac account to select an interview time. This will usually be within 2 weeks of the closing date.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the role and the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants.
CERTIFICATE OF SPONSORSHIP
Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment.Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed. For further information visit theUK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and you meet all the essential criteria for a post, you will be guaranteed an interview.
Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants moving to the region for certain posts. Please see our Policy for eligible vacancies
Registered Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals returning to practice, moving into new roles or changing clinical environments, may access an agreed preceptorship period.
Disclosure and Barring Service:
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.
The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. DBS charges are as follows if applicable to the post:
Standard Check: £21.50 + Administration cost of £5.90 = £27.40. Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.
Enhanced Check: £49.50 + administration cost of £5.90 = £55.40. Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.
NCIC can offer successful future employees the following benefits:
27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years
Flexible working Scheme
NHS Discounts*
Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work*
Excellent opportunities for development*
Competitive NHS Pension scheme
Vivup is a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems
*Subject to eligibility
Important Information
Please ensure that you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in the supporting information.
If sufficient response is received this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered.
Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview will be asked via an email notification to log on to their Trac account to select an interview time. This will usually be within 2 weeks of the closing date.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse (Child / Adult) with current NMC registration
- Completion of Neonatal Life Support (NLS) training or willingness to undertake within 6 months.
- Neonatal Intensive Care Course (Qualified in Specialty - QIS).
- Safeguarding Level 3 Children
- Evidence of continued professional development and reflective practice.
Desirable
- Mentorship / Practice Assessor qualification (ENB 998, SLIP, or equivalent).
- Relevant leadership or management training.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Substantial post-registration experience within a neonatal setting.
- Demonstrated competence in neonatal nursing skills (IV therapy, blood sampling, infection control).
- Experience in supporting and teaching junior staff and students.
- Understanding of family-centred and Family-Integrated Care approaches.
- Knowledge of safeguarding, clinical governance, and risk management processes.
- Ability to prioritise workload and manage rapidly changing clinical situations.
Desirable
- Experience working across all levels of neonatal care (special care, high dependency, intensive care).
- Experience of leading a shift or acting as nurse in charge.
Skills and Aptitudes
Essential
- Excellent clinical assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation skills.
- Strong leadership and decision-making skills, particularly in taking charge of the unit.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills with staff, parents, and multidisciplinary colleagues.
- Ability to manage and support a team, delegating appropriately.
- Competence in neonatal emergency care, including resuscitation and stabilisation.
- Ability to remain calm under pressure and act decisively in emergencies.
- Commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous improvement.
- Proficient IT skills and accurate record keeping.
Other requirements
Essential
- Ability to work across site and collaboratively when required on the Children's Ward and A&E paediatric area
- Willing to undertake teaching and educate other professionals and students
- Commitment to continuing professional development
- Flexible working
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse (Child / Adult) with current NMC registration
- Completion of Neonatal Life Support (NLS) training or willingness to undertake within 6 months.
- Neonatal Intensive Care Course (Qualified in Specialty - QIS).
- Safeguarding Level 3 Children
- Evidence of continued professional development and reflective practice.
Desirable
- Mentorship / Practice Assessor qualification (ENB 998, SLIP, or equivalent).
- Relevant leadership or management training.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Substantial post-registration experience within a neonatal setting.
- Demonstrated competence in neonatal nursing skills (IV therapy, blood sampling, infection control).
- Experience in supporting and teaching junior staff and students.
- Understanding of family-centred and Family-Integrated Care approaches.
- Knowledge of safeguarding, clinical governance, and risk management processes.
- Ability to prioritise workload and manage rapidly changing clinical situations.
Desirable
- Experience working across all levels of neonatal care (special care, high dependency, intensive care).
- Experience of leading a shift or acting as nurse in charge.
Skills and Aptitudes
Essential
- Excellent clinical assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation skills.
- Strong leadership and decision-making skills, particularly in taking charge of the unit.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills with staff, parents, and multidisciplinary colleagues.
- Ability to manage and support a team, delegating appropriately.
- Competence in neonatal emergency care, including resuscitation and stabilisation.
- Ability to remain calm under pressure and act decisively in emergencies.
- Commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous improvement.
- Proficient IT skills and accurate record keeping.
Other requirements
Essential
- Ability to work across site and collaboratively when required on the Children's Ward and A&E paediatric area
- Willing to undertake teaching and educate other professionals and students
- Commitment to continuing professional development
- Flexible working
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).
