University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Neonatal Staff Nurse

The closing date is 30 November 2025

Job summary

We welcome applications from those who currently hold a UK NMC registration. If you currently hold an overseas nursing qualification and require sponsorship, we are not currently direct hiring Internationally Qualified Nurses.

Our neonatal service is provided across four sites in the newly merged trust. This vacancy is for a nurse to work at the Special Care Baby unit at Worthing Hospital.

Our unit has 2 High Dependency and 10 Special Care cots. We take babies from 32 weeks and over 1.25kg. We work within the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Neonatal ODN.

We are currently recruiting for a nurse to join our team as a band 5. This post would suit an experienced band 5 with or without neonatal experience or a newly qualified nurse. Students that are soon to qualify are welcome to apply.

You will be offered support for your own career development and will be encouraged to pursue any areas of interest that you may have in line with our service improvement plans.

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25000), and any role-specific criteria.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be required to provide a high standard of research based nursing care to the neonate and support and advice to the family in the special care setting.

The post holder will work as part of the multidisciplinary team in the assessment, planning and implementation of care to the neonate, through the delivery of evidence based practice and be responsible for accurate record keeping.

The post holder will require excellent communication skills to enable effective team working and liaison with families and external agencies.

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer abuddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Candidate Pack https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Details

Date posted

14 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

279-7589580-NOV25

Job locations

Worthing Hospital

Lyndhurst Road

Worthing

BN11 2DH


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Take responsibility for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating neonatal nursing care of a designated group of babies on a shift by shift basis consistent with evidence based practice for babies and their families within the special care, high dependency and intensive care nursery
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the needs of all babies in the designated area and modify as necessary
  • Identify and meet the nutritional needs of the neonate assessing, planning and evaluating feeding regimes and calculating daily fluid requirements for term and pre term neonates
  • Assess, plan, implement and evaluate care of the neonate requiring phototherapy including fluid balance, temperature control and comfort needs
  • Assess, record and evaluate observations for neonates nursed in incubators including temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, oxygen requirement and respiratory effort
  • Identify the suitability of babies to be transferred home and implement the discharge plan
  • Discuss options and support parents in making informed choice in their plan of care e.g. feeding methods, audiology checks, and newborn screening programme
  • Analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of such care, making necessary modifications of any care pathway and give professional advice and support as required
  • Assess, plan, implement and evaluate the care of the neonate receiving a blood transfusion, including discussing rational for administering blood with parents
  • Act as the babys and parents advocate and empower them to participate in their babys care and well being
  • Respect the need for privacy and dignity of the neonate, such as religious and spiritual needs
  • Demonstrate competency in specific clinical skills, appropriate to the area, such as administration of intravenous drug infusions, antibiotics, and intravenous fluids
  • Demonstrate safe single practitioner administration of all medication to neonates, according to UHSx Trust and local policy

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Take responsibility for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating neonatal nursing care of a designated group of babies on a shift by shift basis consistent with evidence based practice for babies and their families within the special care, high dependency and intensive care nursery
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the needs of all babies in the designated area and modify as necessary
  • Identify and meet the nutritional needs of the neonate assessing, planning and evaluating feeding regimes and calculating daily fluid requirements for term and pre term neonates
  • Assess, plan, implement and evaluate care of the neonate requiring phototherapy including fluid balance, temperature control and comfort needs
  • Assess, record and evaluate observations for neonates nursed in incubators including temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, oxygen requirement and respiratory effort
  • Identify the suitability of babies to be transferred home and implement the discharge plan
  • Discuss options and support parents in making informed choice in their plan of care e.g. feeding methods, audiology checks, and newborn screening programme
  • Analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of such care, making necessary modifications of any care pathway and give professional advice and support as required
  • Assess, plan, implement and evaluate the care of the neonate receiving a blood transfusion, including discussing rational for administering blood with parents
  • Act as the babys and parents advocate and empower them to participate in their babys care and well being
  • Respect the need for privacy and dignity of the neonate, such as religious and spiritual needs
  • Demonstrate competency in specific clinical skills, appropriate to the area, such as administration of intravenous drug infusions, antibiotics, and intravenous fluids
  • Demonstrate safe single practitioner administration of all medication to neonates, according to UHSx Trust and local policy

Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered nurse / midwife / soon to qualify
  • Degree or working towards
  • Knowledge of Band 5 role Understanding of Accountability and Responsibilities Knowledge of Child Protection Procedures
  • Ability to use initiative Ability to calculate complex drug dosages

Desirable

  • Mentorship course
  • Neonatal pathway
  • Post registration experience Evidence of professional development since qualification

Experience

Essential

  • Previous experience working with babies or children
  • Ability to work as part of a team
  • Care planning skills
  • Basic skills and knowledge in all areas of clinical practice

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • Good written and spoken English
  • Ability to organise, prioritise and coordinate own work on a shift to shift basis
  • Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
  • Motivated and able to work under own initiative

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered nurse / midwife / soon to qualify
  • Degree or working towards
  • Knowledge of Band 5 role Understanding of Accountability and Responsibilities Knowledge of Child Protection Procedures
  • Ability to use initiative Ability to calculate complex drug dosages

Desirable

  • Mentorship course
  • Neonatal pathway
  • Post registration experience Evidence of professional development since qualification

Experience

Essential

  • Previous experience working with babies or children
  • Ability to work as part of a team
  • Care planning skills
  • Basic skills and knowledge in all areas of clinical practice

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • Good written and spoken English
  • Ability to organise, prioritise and coordinate own work on a shift to shift basis
  • Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
  • Motivated and able to work under own initiative

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Worthing Hospital

Lyndhurst Road

Worthing

BN11 2DH


Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Worthing Hospital

Lyndhurst Road

Worthing

BN11 2DH


Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Ward Sister

Abigail Seal

abigail.seal@nhs.net

01903285184

Details

Date posted

14 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

279-7589580-NOV25

Job locations

Worthing Hospital

Lyndhurst Road

Worthing

BN11 2DH


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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