Staff Nurse, Special Care Baby Unit

Job overview

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 Katie Allison, Ward Manager, on 01228 814271 or [email protected]

Detailed job description and main 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 the UK 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 £6.50 = £28.00 Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.

Enhanced Check: £49.50 + administration cost of £6.50 = £56.00 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