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Job requirements
Essential
34 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Experience
Experience of working in neonates, some of which is at a junior managerial level.
- Experience
Experience managing competing priorities, changing workloads, staffing pressures and operational demands within a complex clinical environment.
- Experience
Experience of managing staff performance, appraisal, attendance and wellbeing in line with Trust policies.
- Experience
Experience identifying training needs and supporting workforce development programmes.
- Experience
Experience of working within a team and of developing good working relationships with internal and external staff at all levels
- Experience
Experience of managing safeguarding concerns and referrals and applying safeguarding children policies and procedures.
- Experience
Experience collecting, interpreting and presenting data, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Experience
Experience coordinating discharge planning and working in partnership with parents/carers.
- Experience
Experience leading or contributing to change management, quality improvement, audit, service development or improvement initiatives.
- Experience
Knowledge of clinical governance frameworks and use of quality data to improve care.
- Experience
Experience of managing safety events and knowledge of patient safety systems including PSIRF and escalation processes.
- Experience
Experience of writing or contributing to development/writing of guideline or SOP (Standard Operating Procedure
- Experience
Experience supporting staff development, supervision and appraisal processes.
- Experience
Experience of workforce planning, roster management, sickness absence management and safe staffing escalation.
- Skills and aptitudes
Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to communicate sensitively and effectively in complex situations
- Skills and aptitudes
Highly organised, able to prioritise competing demands, manage deadlines and work effectively under pressure
- Skills and aptitudes
Demonstrates analytical and problem-solving skills
- Skills and aptitudes
Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire, develop, support and motivate staff and articulate a clear vision for high-quality neonatal care.
- Skills and aptitudes
Confident use of Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel, with accurate documentation and datahandling skills.
- Skills and aptitudes
Able to use initiative, make sound decisions and work with appropriate autonomy while recognising when escalation is required
- Royal Free shared commitments
Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust shared commitments.
- Personal qualities and attributes
Demonstrates commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
- Personal qualities and attributes
Compassionate, approachable and family-centred.
- Personal qualities and attributes
Excellent interpersonal, communication and influencing skills.
- Personal qualities and attributes
Resilient and able to work effectively under pressure.
- Personal qualities and attributes
Positive role model with professional credibility and integrity
- Personal qualities and attributes
Flexible, adaptable and able to lead change effectively
- Personal qualities and attributes
Committed to quality improvement, patient safety and service excellence
- Education and professional qualifications
Registered Children’s Nurse / RGN
- Education and professional qualifications
NMC Registration
- Education and professional qualifications
Neonatal Qualification in Specialty (QIS)
- Education and professional qualifications
Degree in Nursing or equivalent evidence of academic achievement; evidence of ongoing professional development relevant to neonatal care and leadership
- Education and professional qualifications
Current neonatal clinical competence, including Neonatal Advanced Life Support or equivalent relevant training
- Education and professional qualifications
Mentorship, practice assessor/supervisor or equivalent educational qualification
Desirable
2 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Experience
Experience of managing resources, budgets or delegated financial responsibilities
- Education and professional qualifications
Master’s qualification or equivalent or working towards qualification
Job overview
We are seeking an experienced, dynamic and compassionate neonatal nursing leader to join our team and play a pivotal role in delivering outstanding care for babies and their families. The successful candidate will provide visible clinical and operational leadership within the neonatal service, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and family-centred care in line with Royal Free London’s World Class Values.
The postholder will have joint responsibility with the other Neonatal Unit Charge Nurses and Ward Manager for the operational management and service delivery of the Neonatal Unit and Caring Together Scheme. They will be responsible for leading and developing nursing practice, maintaining high standards of quality, safety and patient experience, and supporting staff to deliver evidence-based care. They will oversee workforce planning, staff development, performance management and service improvement initiatives, while promoting a positive culture of learning, inclusion and continuous improvement.
The ideal candidate will be an effective team player who can work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams, inspire and develop others, manage change and drive improvements in patient safety and service delivery. They will demonstrate strong leadership, sound professional judgement and a commitment to excellence, innovation and compassionate care.
Main duties of the job
Join the Royal Free London Neonatal Team
Are you passionate about providing outstanding care to newborn babies and their families? The Royal Free London Neonatal Unit offers an exciting opportunity to work within a highly skilled, supportive, and innovative multidisciplinary team across one of the UK's largest NHS trusts. We provide care for babies requiring intensive, high dependency, and special care services, while promoting family-integrated care and continuous quality improvement. We are committed to staff development, wellbeing, and career progression, offering excellent training and leadership opportunities. Join us and help shape the future of neonatal care while making a real difference to the lives of babies and families every day.
To have joint responsibility with the other Neonatal Unit Charge Nurses and Ward Management team for the operational management and service delivery of the Neonatal Unit and Caring Together Scheme. This includes the line management of all neonatal unit staff; the management and monitoring of resources within a defined budget and the delivery of the Trust’s corporate agenda.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Band 7 Neonatal Charge Nurse with Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust in London, England. It is listed as a Band 7 Nurse (neonatal) role. The advertised salary is £55,524 - £62,652 per annum inclusive of HCAS (Pro-rata if LTFT). The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 04 Nov 2026.
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