Junior Sister/Junior Charge Nurse

Applications are invited for Junior Charge nurse/ Junior Sister posts on our level 2 Local Neonatal Unit within a large district general hospital. We are looking for highly motivated, skilled and experienced neonatal nurses with a positive attitude, good teaching and communication skills. As a successful candidate you will be supported by our education team with an appropriate competency structure.

The hospital has achieved full Baby Friendly Accreditation and we now committed to start the journey towards Neonatal Baby Friendly Accreditation. We have a pledge of improvement towards the Bliss Accreditation. We strive to provide high quality, safe and effective care and are looking for someone with the vision, skill and enthusiasm to help take the unit forward.

As a Band 6 you will work both clinically and coordinating the ward alongside staff on the neonatal unit working in conjunction with the nursing, medical teams and the multi professional teams.

Job description

Corporate Responsibilities

To work collaboratively with other colleagues across the Trust.

Act as a role model in customer service towards visitors to the hospital.

To facilitate any measures to help achieve directorate and Trust targets and disseminate all appropriate information to all members of the nursing team.

Undertake induction and competency programmes appropriate to the role.

Supporting Clinical Excellence

Take responsibility for the management and organisation of the clinical area.

Participate in setting and reviewing standards for practice and evaluating outcomes as part of the clinical governance agenda.

Undertake the Trust Corporate and Directorate / role specific development and competency programmes.

To contribute to annual appraisal and be responsible for own personal performance/development plan to achieve KSF outline for role.

Able to identify learning needs in self, negotiating a Personal Development Plan recognising own limitations.

To undertake any expanded roles deemed necessary for the role following the Trust policy Expansion of Professional Practice for Registered Healthcare Practitioners.

To be responsible for the safe supply, storage, administration, checking and disposal of medications including controlled drugs.

To promote and maintain effective communication both written and verbal.

Keep in date with Local and National Neonatal Initiatives.

Supporting Patient Excellence

Actively undertake education, development and supervision of other staff members, assisting them in meeting work demands to provide a quality patient experience.

Work collaboratively and co-operatively with others to meet the needs of patients and their families.

To be responsible for the assessment of care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of patient care.

To coordinate the patients discharge arrangements in accordance with NGH Neonatal Discharge Policy and liaise with Neonatal Home Care Team.

To ensure the education of neonates and their parents / carers.

People/Management Excellence

Assist the ward manager in the completion of their training needs and the team with Trust expectations in relation to mandatory training and appraisals.

Assist the ward manager in the development of team members, participating in the performance of staff appraisal using the NHS knowledge and skills framework.

Assist the Ward Manager in the monitoring of the workload and skill mix, planning off duty and ensuring the ward operates effectively and safely.

Assist the Ward Manager in managing the team in accordance with Trust policies and procedure i.e. performance management issues as necessary.

Participate in the recruitment and selection of staff for the ward including orientation of new staff.

To maintain a suitable learning environment for staff and act as a facilitator/mentor/preceptor in the supervision and teaching of less experienced staff, supporting and facilitating the development of competencies across all staff levels.

To plan, deliver and evaluate teaching sessions.

To provide work based learning to staff at all levels, highlighting any development concerns.

To identify learning needs for the clinical area in association with the ward manager and Practice Development facilitator.

To promote a positive learning environment.

To act as a mentor for students and to support mentors in the clinical area.

Quality Assurance and Monitoring

Actively promote evidence-based practice within the clinical area.

Contribute to audit initiatives.

Participate in setting and reviewing standards for practice and evaluating outcomes as part of the clinical governance agenda.

To maintain and promote an awareness of evidence-based practice and participate in its implementation.

To drive research and service improvement/ development programmes within the department.

Supporting Financial Excellence

To have an understanding of budgeting, exercising care and economy in the ordering and use of equipment, supported by the ward manager in the control of departmental budget.

To be responsible for the effective and efficient use of clinical and physical resources.

Person specification

Education, Training and Qualifications

Essential

• RSCN or RN(C), RN or RM
• Holds specialist course in Neonatal care (English National Board 405 or equivalent)
• Recognised mentoring and assessment qualification (ENB 998 or equivalent)
• Modules at post graduate level
• Holds a current Newborn Life Support (NLS) certificate

Desirable

• Holds a first level degree in nursing or related subject and willing to study to masters level

Knowledge and expereince

Essential

• Knowledge of child protection issues and procedures and in date level 3 training
• Knowledge of clinical governance relating to neonatal care
• Knowledge of current National Health Service (NHS) Policy and professional issues which have an impact on neonatal services
• Evidence of ongoing development through continuing professional development
• Knowledge of audit processes
• Ability to lead, manage, support and motivate both medical and nursing staff

Skills

Essential

• Able to provide excellent Clinical care to intensive care infants and support staff in emergency situations
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing
• Skills in clinical supervision/clinical support
• Computer literate across a range of IT programmes
• Skills and experience in implementing changes in practice, influencing for the good and overcoming barriers for all levels of staff
• Ability to prioritise workloads of self and team
• Able to communicate effectively with people from varied social, cultural and professional backgrounds
• Experienced in teaching both formally and informally

Desirable

• Skills and experience of implementing change in practice, influencing for the good and overcoming barriers for all levels of staff
• Evidence of extended clinical skills (i.e. venepuncture, Cannulation)

About the employer

Please submit your application as soon as possible, as we reserve the right to close adverts once sufficient applications have been received.

We recognise that AI tools can support application writing; however, candidates are asked to keep their use to a minimum. Responses should reflect your own experience, skills and knowledge, as over-reliance on AI-generated content may result in generic answers that do not accurately represent your abilities.

University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) brings together Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust. As a group, we are committed to improving services for our communities through collaboration, modernising care delivery and striving for excellence. Working together enables us to share expertise, strengthen services and create greater opportunities, and there may be a requirement to work across sites depending on service needs.

Our Excellence Values are Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Integrity and Courage. UHN welcomes applications from all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive working environment. We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and hold the Gold Award under the Employer Recognition Scheme. Candidates who identify as members of the Armed Forces community and meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.