Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Band 6 neonatal senior staff nurse
The closing date is 19 November 2026

Job summary
The postholder is required to plan, implement, evaluate and give all relevant forms of care to neonates requiring special, high dependency or intensive care on the unit consisting of 16 cots. This consists of 2 intensive care, 6 high dependency and 6 special care cots, in addition to 8 transitional care cots located on the post natal ward.

The post holder is expected to mentor/teach and supervise junior members of staff, students and parents as is appropriate. The post holder is required to keep themselves aware of the current practice and issues within the specialty as is appropriate to their band. The post holder is required to undertake expanding roles such as Champion, quality improvement project, Charity support and support or lead an area relevant to neonates.

Main duties of the job
The post holder will have the experience and confidence to work without supervision in the Neonatal Unit. You will be required to attend deliveries and assist in resuscitation and assist the medical team. The post holder must be able to support junior staff and parents. To support PE in training and education. To live within your clinical responsibilities and remain accountable and recognise your own limitations within the NMC Code of Conduct.

To contribute to the recruitment and retention of team members through professional leadership and managerial behaviours. To effectively communicate within all areas of the multidisciplinary team, ensuring parents and relatives and promote open and trusting relationships with our patients. To complete and undertake audits and QI on the Neonatal Unit. Ensuring new learning is evidence based and communicated to all. To report critical incidents and understand impact on service. Understanding and living our CARE Values:

• Compassion
• Aspiration
• Resourcefulness
• Excellence

Values and behaviours which all staff in the Trust should abide by and embody in all that we do. Understand the Trust Strategy Vision 2025

About us
Diversity makes us interesting. Inclusion is what will make us outstanding.
Inequality exists and the journey to eliminate it is not easy. Every step we take will be a purposeful step forward to deliver a truly inclusive culture where all our people are enabled to deliver outstanding care, where background is no barrier, and where everyone can be their authentic self and we truly represent our patient community.
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where possible. All applicants who have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the post can opt for a guaranteed interview.
We support flexible working wherever possible, with requests considered on an individual basis taking into account service requirements, operational needs and the requirements of the role.
Our primary method of communication will be via email. However, if you would prefer to be contacted through a different method, please inform the recruitment team.
If you need additional help with your application please get in touch by calling the recruitment team on 0118 322 6997 or 0118 322 5342.

Details
Date posted: 06 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year pa
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 193-8392060UCGB6-SSN
Job locations: Buscot ward, Royal Berkshire Hospital, London Road, Reading, RG1 5AN, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

• To take a lead in an agreed area of neonatal care and facilitate this in the service development.
• To act as a resource and supervisor to all staff working within the area.
• To act as a mentor/preceptor/supervisor to students and other learners.
• To promote an environment that is conducive to quality learning and assessment.
• Maintain own continuing professional development needs in education, research, clinic and leadership skills.
• Develop and maintain competence in the additional skills required to meet the needs of the service, neonates, and their families, with the aim of enhancing the quality of care and improving patient outcomes.

Clinical responsibilities

• To be professionally accountable and to recognise own limitations of work and practice within the NMC Code of Conduct.
• To be responsible for the assessment and planning, implementation and evaluation of care, in negotiation with the family adapting to the individual needs of the infant.
• To attend labour ward and competently assist in the resuscitation and stabilisation of a newborn.
• To act as an advocate for the child and their family ensuring the provision of appropriate information and support services.
• To take responsibility for a defined group of patients.
• To guide, advise, and direct other staff in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient/client care.
• To lead a team of staff in emergency and other acute situations, ensuring that the patients/clients needs are met and that significant others are supported.
• Utilise information and data from a range of sources to identify patient needs, inform clinical assessment, and support effective decision-making. Within the scope of professional expertise and organisational policy, request appropriate clinical investigations to assist in establishing a diagnosis.
• To promote service user involvement in the planning, delivery and evaluation of care, respecting their wishes, beliefs and dignity.
• To promote an open and trusting relationship by communicating effectively with service users, members of the multidisciplinary team and other agencies involved in the care of the patient/client.
• To contribute to the continuing development of the Neonatal Unit.
• Participate in the internal rotation of day and night shifts within the unit.

Leadership/managerial

• To contribute to the recruitment and retention of team members.
• To coordinate a team of staff, ensuring that clear systems of communication are developed within the team and any work-related issues raised by the team are addressed.

Person specification

• Essential: NLS
• Essential: Neonatal course (QIS)
• Essential: NMC registration
• Desirable: One year post QIS experience
• Essential: Quality improvement experience
• Desirable: Quality improvement project experience
• Desirable: Leadership qualification

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.

Employer details
Employer name: Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Employer's website: https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: ward manager Malgorzata Stanikowska, malgorzata.stanikowska1@nhs.net, 01183227434

Applicants must have current UK professional registration to be eligible for this post.