Neonatal Practice Development Matron(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

Role overview

This is a senior neonatal leadership opportunity for an experienced nurse who wants to influence practice, culture and quality at both bedside and organisational level. As Neonatal Practice Development Matron, you will shape how care is delivered across the neonatal unit — ensuring it remains compassionate, evidence-based and consistently safe for babies and their families.

You will act as a visible clinical leader who supports staff confidence, professional growth and learning. Working alongside the Children and Young People’s Matron and multidisciplinary colleagues, you will strengthen standards, embed best practice and help build a culture where reflective learning and improvement are routine.

The role combines frontline credibility with strategic thinking. You will use audit findings, benchmarking, family feedback and service data to guide improvement initiatives, education programmes and competency development — helping create a highly skilled neonatal workforce prepared for evolving care demands.

Key responsibilities

Practice leadership

• Champion high standards of neonatal clinical care and safety.
• Translate evidence and guidelines into everyday practice.
• Support complex clinical decision-making within agreed frameworks.

Quality improvement

• Lead audits, benchmarking and improvement projects.
• Use service data to inform change and enhance outcomes.
• Promote learning from incidents and feedback.

Workforce development

• Guide education planning and competency progression.
• Mentor staff and encourage reflective professional development.
• Support appraisal and training needs analysis.

Collaboration

• Work closely with ward leaders, educators and multidisciplinary teams.
• Maintain a positive learning environment that values wellbeing and inclusion.

Working environment

The trust provides acute and community healthcare across a large and diverse population. Teams operate in a supportive, inclusive culture focused on staff wellbeing, professional growth and delivering care that families can trust. Clinical leadership, kindness and teamwork are central expectations.

Person profile (summary)

Essential

• Registered Nurse qualification with specialist neonatal training
• Neonatal Life Support (NLS) certification
• Degree-level education and ongoing professional development
• Proven Band 7 leadership/management experience in the NHS
• Ability to analyse complex situations and implement safe solutions
• Strong communication, reporting and data interpretation skills

Desirable

• Research or audit experience
• Teaching or education qualifications
• Master’s-level study or equivalent development

Safeguarding, governance & legal framework

This role requires adherence to UK professional and safeguarding standards. Successful candidates will complete enhanced vetting and must work within national workforce expectations.

• Disclosure and safeguarding guidance
• NHS employment checks standards
• Professional nursing regulation (overview of UK registration principles)

Visa & eligibility guidance

• Not all NHS roles qualify for sponsorship. Applicants who may require a visa should review current eligibility rules before applying.
• Skilled Worker visa overview
• Shortage occupation & eligibility guidance

Why this role matters

This post is ideal for a neonatal nurse leader who wants to:

• Influence standards of neonatal care at system level
• Develop future workforce capability
• Lead meaningful quality improvement

• Support families through safe, compassionate practice