Band 7 Neonatal Ward Manager in London

This Band 7 post leads the neonatal unit at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust as a senior clinical role running the unit day to day. The postholder sets clinical standards, supervises staff and oversees workforce planning, recruitment, education and wellbeing, while leading governance, risk and audit. The role also works across neonatal services and sites to promote consistent practice and shared learning. Fit depends on NMC registration, a neonatal specialty qualification and experience in neonates, some at junior management level.

What the job involves

• Provide visible clinical and operational leadership across the neonatal unit
• Manage the day-to-day operational running of the neonatal unit
• Lead and develop nursing practice and maintain standards of quality, safety and patient experience
• Oversee workforce planning, staff development, performance management and service improvement
• Supervise staff and manage recruitment, education, wellbeing and professional development
• Lead on governance, risk management, audit and quality initiatives
• Support evidence-based, family-centred care
• Contribute to patient safety, quality assurance, education and research
• Drive change and improvements in patient safety and service delivery
• Collaborate across neonatal services and sites to promote consistency and shared learning
• Work with the Neonatal Matron, Head of Nursing, consultants and multidisciplinary teams
• Promote a positive culture of learning, inclusion and continuous improvement

What’s required

Qualifications

• Neonatal Qualification in Specialty (QIS)
• Degree in nursing or equivalent academic achievement, plus ongoing neonatal and leadership development
• Current neonatal clinical competence, including Neonatal Advanced Life Support or equivalent
• Mentorship, practice assessor or supervisor, or equivalent educational qualification

Registration & licences

• NMC registration as a registered children's nurse or RGN

Experience

• Neonatal nursing, some at junior management level, managing competing priorities and staffing pressures in a complex setting
• Managing staff performance, appraisal, attendance and wellbeing, and identifying training needs
• Workforce planning, rostering, sickness absence management and safe staffing escalation
• Leading or contributing to change, quality improvement, audit or service development
• Coordinating discharge planning and working in partnership with parents and carers
• Managing safeguarding concerns and referrals under children's safeguarding policies

Skills & knowledge

• Excellent written and verbal communication, sensitive in complex situations
• Organised, prioritising competing demands, making sound decisions and working with autonomy
• Analytical and problem-solving skills, data handling, and confident use of Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel
• Inspiring, developing and motivating staff, with a clear vision for neonatal care

Other

• Compassionate, family-centred and resilient, committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and the Trust's values

Nice to have

• Experience of managing resources, budgets or delegated financial responsibilities
• Master's qualification or equivalent, or working towards one

What’s offered

• Flexible working
• Generous benefits
• Training and career development
• High cost area supplement (HCAS), pro rata

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