Neonatal Unit Manager(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

Role Overview

We are looking for a confident, highly skilled Neonatal Unit Manager to lead our Special Care Baby Unit at Yeovil District Hospital. This is a key leadership position responsible for overseeing clinical practice, operational planning, workforce management, and service development across a 24/7 neonatal service.

The role involves regular collaboration with neonatal teams across Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (SFT), including routine cross-site working with Musgrove Park Hospital. You will act as a professional role model, ensuring our families receive the highest standard of evidence-based, compassionate neonatal care.

What You Will Lead and Deliver

• Provide clear leadership to the neonatal nursing workforce and maintain a culture of safe, effective, family-centred care.
• Ensure the service meets required national standards, including BAPM guidance and South West Neonatal Operational Delivery Network expectations.
• Oversee day-to-day operations, including rota planning, resource management, and allocation of clinical duties.
• Drive quality improvement, learning from audits, incident reviews, and governance processes to enhance patient outcomes.
• Ensure accurate data entry and reporting on platforms such as BadgerNet and NNAP, supporting service-wide monitoring and benchmarking.
• Support the professional development of staff through mentorship, appraisals, training plans, and competency assessments.
• Champion innovative practice, professional integrity, and compassionate, family-focused approaches to neonatal care.
• Build effective partnerships with parents, the multidisciplinary team, and external agencies to ensure a seamless care pathway.
• Work collaboratively with neonatal colleagues across both SFT sites to maintain consistent standards of care.

About Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

We are committed to supporting our team members with benefits that promote wellbeing, work-life balance, and career progression. These include:

• Flexible working options where appropriate
• Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme
• A generous annual leave package
• Access to ongoing training and leadership development opportunities
• Discounts through NHS-exclusive benefit schemes, including the Blue Light Card
• We value diversity and welcome applicants from all communities and backgrounds.

Why Work in Somerset?

Somerset offers a rare blend of scenic countryside, historic towns, outstanding coastline, and easy access to cities such as Bath, Bristol, and Exeter. Affordable housing, excellent education, and a relaxed pace of life make Somerset an ideal place to grow both your career and your family life.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership

• Demonstrate advanced neonatal clinical expertise and provide direct clinical support when required.
• Prioritise safe, family-centred neonatal care across all aspects of practice.

Governance & Quality

• Lead on clinical governance, safeguarding, incident reviews, and risk management.
• Ensure full compliance with Trust and national neonatal guidelines.
• Service Improvement
• Develop, update, and implement neonatal policies.
• Lead evidence-based practice improvements and drive service innovation.

Education & Workforce Development

• Identify training needs and promote continuous professional development.
• Ensure mandatory training compliance and support learning for all staff grades.

Operational & Resource Management

• Manage budgets effectively and ensure neonatal equipment is maintained and fit for purpose.
• Support efficient use of staffing, physical resources, and service capacity.

Communication & Collaboration

• Build strong multi-agency links and support seamless communication with parents, staff, and partner organisations.
• Provide consistent leadership across both Yeovil and Musgrove Park neonatal services.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

• RN/RGN/RSCN registration
• Neonatal specialty qualification
• Management qualification
• Degree-level study or equivalent experience
• Neonatal Life Support (NLS/NALS) certification

Essential Experience

• Significant experience in neonatal nursing
• Demonstrated leadership skills
• Previous experience working at Band 6 or equivalent

Desirable Experience

• Experience in change management
• Involvement with audit or quality improvement initiatives

Additional Requirements

• Strong understanding of care needs for preterm and unwell neonates
• Knowledge of national neonatal priorities and standards
• Awareness of current clinical and professional developments

Professional Checks

This post requires:

• A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to comply with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.
• UK professional registration.
• For overseas applicants, criminal record certificates from relevant countries (as required under Skilled Worker Visa rules).