Hywel Dda University Health Board

Assistant Practitioner (Special Care Baby Unit)

The closing date is 28 September 2025

Job summary

Are you an experienced and compassionate healthcare professional with a passion for neonatal care?

We're offering an exciting opportunity to join our evolving Special Care Baby Unit at Glangwili General Hospital.

Our unit provides short-term intensive care, high dependency, and special care, with a strong focus on evidence-based practice and family-centred care. Recent developments include a new 4-cot Transitional Care Unit and a Neonatal Outreach Service supporting families in the community.

We're looking for a motivated Assistant Practitioner to join our friendly, skilled team. You'll work across a day/night rotation, delivering direct care including monitoring vital signs, blood sampling, and maintaining accurate records (e.g. WNCR). You'll also support junior staff and student nurses, and contribute to safe handovers under supervision.

You'll need excellent clinical and communication skills, the ability to work independently and within a team, and a sound understanding of safeguarding and information governance. Welsh language skills are desirable but not essential.

If you're ready to make a real difference in neonatal care and grow within a supportive, forward-thinking team, we'd love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

Your Aim in This Role

To provide safe, effective, and compassionate care to neonates, supporting their families and contributing to the development of junior staff, while upholding the highest standards of clinical practice and professional integrity.

Key Responsibilities
  • Deliver direct care to neonates, including:
    • Monitoring and recording vital signs
    • Performing blood sampling
    • Maintaining accurate written and electronic records
  • Support the handover of care under the supervision of qualified staff, ensuring continuity and safety.
  • Promote and maintain confidentiality, adhering toinformation governance, and safeguarding legislation.
  • Work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team with minimal oversight of registered nurses
  • Actively participate in the teaching and support of junior staff and pre-registration student nurses.
  • Contribute to a day/night rotation, ensuring consistent care across all shifts

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Interviews to be held on 06/10/2025.

About us

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.

We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.

We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

  • Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
  • Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
  • Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
  • 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
  • Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

Details

Date posted

17 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,898 to £30,615 a year per annum (pro rata if part time)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

100-ACS185-0925

Job locations

Glangwili General Hospital

Dolgwili Road

Carmarthen

SA31 2AF


Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

Essential

  • Level 4 vocational qualification in a relevant health care associated subject or Certificate in Health Care Support Worker Education
  • GCSE Maths and English Grade C or above or equivalent level 2 or above essential skills qualifications
  • Evidence of continuing personal development relevant to the role in health care
  • Clinical knowledge which is relevant to the role
  • Demonstrates understanding of the importance of following procedures and treatment plans
  • Demonstrates an understanding of the legislation related to Safeguarding e.g. adults/children, The Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberties Safeguards to keep adults within their care safe
  • Able to demonstrate understanding of the HCSW Code of Conduct, All Wales Delegation guidelines and all Wales Band 4 Assistant Practitioner Governance Framework

Desirable

  • Local knowledge of statutory and voluntary services
  • Teaching or assessment qualification

Experience

Essential

  • Significant and recent experience of providing relevant clinical care to babies and/or children
  • Interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to manage/diffuse challenging or threatening situations
  • Experienced in undertaking a range of clinical skills relevant to the post as per role scope of practice and the national governance framework e.g. Catheter care (including removal); Monitor and record vital observation and interpret results; Reviewing risk assessments; Monitor and interpret blood glucose; Experience of supporting an RN with wound care

Desirable

  • Skills in non-complex wound care
  • Experience in a range of clinical skills including palliative care
  • Administration of medicines via oral, topical, SC, IM routes

Language Skills

Desirable

  • Welsh Speaker (Level 1)
Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

Essential

  • Level 4 vocational qualification in a relevant health care associated subject or Certificate in Health Care Support Worker Education
  • GCSE Maths and English Grade C or above or equivalent level 2 or above essential skills qualifications
  • Evidence of continuing personal development relevant to the role in health care
  • Clinical knowledge which is relevant to the role
  • Demonstrates understanding of the importance of following procedures and treatment plans
  • Demonstrates an understanding of the legislation related to Safeguarding e.g. adults/children, The Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberties Safeguards to keep adults within their care safe
  • Able to demonstrate understanding of the HCSW Code of Conduct, All Wales Delegation guidelines and all Wales Band 4 Assistant Practitioner Governance Framework

Desirable

  • Local knowledge of statutory and voluntary services
  • Teaching or assessment qualification

Experience

Essential

  • Significant and recent experience of providing relevant clinical care to babies and/or children
  • Interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to manage/diffuse challenging or threatening situations
  • Experienced in undertaking a range of clinical skills relevant to the post as per role scope of practice and the national governance framework e.g. Catheter care (including removal); Monitor and record vital observation and interpret results; Reviewing risk assessments; Monitor and interpret blood glucose; Experience of supporting an RN with wound care

Desirable

  • Skills in non-complex wound care
  • Experience in a range of clinical skills including palliative care
  • Administration of medicines via oral, topical, SC, IM routes

Language Skills

Desirable

  • Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Hywel Dda University Health Board

Address

Glangwili General Hospital

Dolgwili Road

Carmarthen

SA31 2AF


Employer's website

https://hduhb.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Hywel Dda University Health Board

Address

Glangwili General Hospital

Dolgwili Road

Carmarthen

SA31 2AF


Employer's website

https://hduhb.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Senior Nurse Manager for Neonates

Leah Andrew

Leah.Andrew@wales.nhs.uk

01267283300

Details

Date posted

17 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,898 to £30,615 a year per annum (pro rata if part time)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

100-ACS185-0925

Job locations

Glangwili General Hospital

Dolgwili Road

Carmarthen

SA31 2AF


Supporting documents

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