Staff Nurse - Special Care Baby Unit

Are you a qualified general or children's nurse looking to take the next step in your nursing career?

We are seeking compassionate, motivated nurses with experience in a hospital environment to join our integrated trust as part of our dedicated Neonatal team.

This opportunity is based within the Special Care Baby Unit at Yeovil District Hospital, part of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. As a fully integrated trust, we offer a collaborative approach to your professional development, including the potential to rotate across sites should you wish-broadening your experience and supporting you to build a rich, varied neonatal career.

We value and invest in our nurses. You will have access to ongoing development, training, and support within a caring, knowledgeable team. We offer both full-time and part-time hours, with an expectation of flexible working across a rota that includes days, nights, and weekends.

If you are passionate about delivering high-quality care to sick and preterm infants and supporting families through some of their most vulnerable moments this could be the perfect next step.

Informal visits or chats are warmly welcomed. Contact us today to find out more or arrange a visit.

Main duties of the job

• Deliver high-quality, compassionate neonatal nursing care to sick and preterm infants.
• Work in partnership with parents, offering guidance, education, and emotional support.
• Communicate effectively with the multidisciplinary team, both within the Neonatal Unit and externally.
• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care using specialist neonatal knowledge and skills.
• Use and maintain neonatal equipment safely, escalating concerns and arranging alternatives when required.
• Support junior staff and students through supervision, teaching, and clinical guidance.
• Maintain accurate, contemporaneous documentation in line with Trust and NMC standards.
• Uphold infection control and health and safety principles to ensure a safe environment for infants and families.
• Participate in neonatal resuscitation and delivery attendance (following required QIS and NALS training).
• Contribute to safeguarding processes, acting promptly and appropriately on concerns.
• Assist in preparing infants and families for discharge through education and coordinated care planning.
• Contribute to the evaluation and continuous improvement of neonatal services.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job responsibilities

As a Band 5 Neonatal Staff Nurse, you will be responsible for the assessment, planning, delivery, and evaluation of care for infants within the Special Care Baby Unit at Yeovil District Hospital. You will:

Communication & Relationships

• Work collaboratively within a team of nurses to manage the care of allocated infants.
• Communicate sensitively and effectively with parents, providing clear information about their baby's condition, progress, and care needs.
• Liaise with consultants, junior doctors, midwives, allied health professionals, social care, external agencies, and regional neonatal networks.
• Use tact, empathy, and clear verbal/nonverbal communication to support families during emotionally demanding situations.
• Demonstrate competence in essential IT systems including word processing, email, and electronic patient record platforms (e.g., BadgerNet).

Planning & Organisation

• Manage your own clinical workload while ensuring safe, evidence-based care.
• Supervise junior staff, nursing associates, and students.
• Maintain accurate records and adhere to Trust policies, procedures, and clinical guidelines.
• Promote infection prevention and uphold cleanliness and safety standards.

Clinical Duties & Patient Care

• Provide holistic, specialist neonatal care, interpreting clinical changes and responding promptly.
• Perform specialised tasks including venepuncture, blood gas analysis, medication administration (including intravenous routes), and clinical assessments.
• Prepare for and assist with neonatal transfers, maintaining the safe function of equipment and supporting emergency action if required.
• Support parents in developing skills and confidence in caring for their baby, including feeding, handling, and understanding medical needs.
• Participate in the care of babies requiring palliative or end of life support, offering compassionate guidance to families.

Leadership, Education & Development

• Act as a positive role model, supporting effective teamwork and professional behaviour.
• Contribute to teaching for students and colleagues by demonstrating skills and relating theory to practice.
• Participate in appraisals and personal development planning for self and others.
• Provide feedback, assist with conflict resolution, and help explore service improvements.

Equipment & Resource Management

• Use neonatal medical equipment safely and effectively, reporting issues and arranging alternatives promptly.
• Ensure monitoring and resuscitation equipment is functional and safely maintained.
• Contribute to the evaluation of medical devices and consumables.

Safeguarding, Governance & Professional Standards

• Act in accordance with safeguarding procedures, documenting and escalating concerns appropriately.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to data protection standards.
• Participate in clinical governance, risk management, and audit activities to enhance service quality.
• Comply with infection prevention, health and safety, sustainability, and equality and diversity policies.

Person Specification Qualifications

• Registered Nurse - Part 1,7 or 10 of the register

Experience

• Previous experience working with babies and families

Additional Criteria

• Knowledge of relevant NHS legislation to include Clinical Governance, COSHH, Risk Management, Infection Control, Waste Management, Manual Handling, Confidentiality and Data Protection.Current knowledge of evidence-based practice in neonatal nursing.Knowledge of Safeguarding Children policies

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.