Location
Wigan, England
Salary
£32,073 - £39,043 per annum, pro rata
Profession
Nurse (neonatal)
Grade
Band 5
Deadline
02 Jul 2026
Contract Type
Fixed term: 12 months (Maternity Leave Cover)
Posted Date
18 Jun 2026
Medical Protection — indemnity for locally employed doctors from £79

Job overview

We are looking for a Staff Nurse to  join our Neonatal Unit at  Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust. We are seeking an exceptional individual who has energy, commitment and enthusiasm to apply for this exciting post within our Paediatric Neonatal Unit.

We are looking to recruit to a 36 hour post. Working pattern based over 7 days, internal rotation days and nights.

Current NMC registration required.

This vacancy is open to all internal and external candidates. NHS Employees should ideally secure their manager’s agreement for a secondment arrangement ideally prior to applying, as this will be a condition of any offer made. This vacancy is advertised on a fixed term basis as It has been established to provide cover for an employee on maternity leave and will end in 12 months or when the substantive postholder returns. Whilst this post is advertised on an acting / secondment basis there is the potential that this post may become permanent in the future.

Main duties of the job

Identifying what is required of self in delivering individualised patient care. This includes assisting with the assessment of care needs, the development, implementation, and evaluation of these programmes of care within the agreed standards of care.

Support the Lead nurse in his/her role within the clinical setting and take appropriate action when standards of quality, quantity and timeliness are not met. Support the Lead Nurse in delivering the core values and beliefs of the ward/department.

Undertake, perform, and assess enhanced skills within the clinical area, to improve the patient experience and journey.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Developing competencies in self which safeguard practice and effectiveness in role.

Ensuring compliance with NMC Code of Conduct.

Demonstrating awareness of and participation in development to meet demands and adapt to the changing needs of the service.

Empowering self and colleagues to creatively meet professional and organisational objectives

Be actively involved in all aspects of the admission and discharge process.

Undertake, perform, and assess enhanced skills within the clinical area, to improve the patient experience and journey.

Acting as a catalyst in questioning expert professional knowledge within the team influencing application of theory in practice.

Identifying, maintaining, and improving the quality of care through evidence-based practice.

Person specification

Skills

Essential

  • Excellent IT, written and verbal communication skills
  • Clinically competent in clinical area/speciality
  • Proven ability of problem solving
  • Good analytical and clinical decision-making skills

Desirable

  • Evidence of teaching, assessing and development of others.

Knowledge

Essential

  • Evidence base for current NNU practice
  • Knowledge of current issues impacting on Neonatal care
  • Awareness of the Quality Improvement programmes within Neonatal Services
  • Able to recognise potentially stressful situations and help deal with appropriately
  • Ability to work within multidisciplinary team

Additional

Essential

  • Motivated to personal and professional development of self and other junior colleagues
  • Flexible approach to working hours
  • Willing to undertake internal rotation onto night duty
  • Speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to their role, i.e. with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation

Experience

Essential

  • Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate care for a group of infants.
  • Evidence base for current NNU practice.
  • Knowledge of current issues impacting on Neonatal care
  • Involvement in the Quality Improvement programmes within Neonatal Services
  • Ability to apply research to practice.
  • Evidence of lifelong learning/ continuing professional development

Desirable

  • Experience of change management and willingness to undertake the extended role.
  • Experience in undertaking Quality Improvement Projects
  • Mentorship and teaching.
  • Currently practising as a Neonatal Nurse in an acute setting

Qualifications

Essential

  • RN / RSCN / RM
  • Current NMC Registration or due to obtain within the next couple of months

Desirable

  • Evidence of level 7 study
  • Enhancing neonatal nursing practice course
  • Neonatal Intensive Care (405) module or equivalent
  • Leadership Course
  • Mentorship course
  • NLS Qualification

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Applying for this NHS job

This advert is for Staff Nurse - Neonatal Unit with Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Wigan, North West, England. It is listed as a Band 5 Nurse (neonatal) role. The advertised salary is £32,073 - £39,043 per annum, pro rata. The contract type is Fixed term: 12 months (Maternity Leave Cover). The application deadline is 02 Jul 2026.

Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (18 Jun 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.

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