University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Lead Neonatal Clinical Educator

The closing date is 24 November 2026

Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Lead Neonatal Practice Educator to join our tertiary Neonatal Service. This is an exciting opportunity to lead education, workforce development and practice improvement within a specialist neonatal setting, supporting the delivery of safe, high-quality care for babies and their families.

As a senior clinical leader and expert neonatal practitioner, you will lead the development and delivery of education and training programmes across the service, including induction, preceptorship, Qualified in Specialty (QIS) development, competency assessment, simulation training and continuing professional development.

Working closely with the Neonatal Matron, multidisciplinary teams and regional partners, you will promote a culture of continuous learning, innovation and quality improvement. You will play a key role in developing a skilled and sustainable workforce, embedding evidence-based practice and supporting the implementation of national standards to improve patient outcomes and staff experience.

The successful candidate will be a Registered Nurse with a specialist neonatal qualification (QIS), significant neonatal experience and a passion for education, leadership and workforce development. You will be committed to supporting others to achieve their potential and driving excellence in neonatal care.

***Please note that applications from temporary workers who have been engaged with the Trust for a minimum of 3 months are welcome.***

Main duties of the job
The Lead Neonatal Practice Educator will provide leadership for education, training and workforce development across the Neonatal Service. The post holder will lead the development, delivery and evaluation of educational programmes that support staff to provide safe, high-quality, evidence-based care to babies and their families.

Key responsibilities include leading induction, preceptorship, Qualified in Specialty (QIS) development, competency assessment, simulation training and continuing professional development programmes. The post holder will support staff throughout their learning journey, ensuring the workforce maintains the specialist knowledge and skills required to deliver care across intensive care, high dependency and special care settings.

Working closely with the Neonatal Matron and multidisciplinary team, the post holder will promote a culture of continuous learning, quality improvement and clinical excellence. They will support the implementation of national standards, embed learning from incidents and audits, and contribute to service development initiatives that improve patient safety, staff experience and clinical outcomes.

The role will provide professional leadership and expert guidance to support recruitment, retention, succession planning and the development of future neonatal leaders, helping to build a sustainable and highly skilled neonatal workforce.

About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details
Date posted: 10 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 216-AM-DA8403365
Job locations: Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, PL68DH, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Education and Workforce Development

• Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of the neonatal education strategy.
• Coordinate and deliver induction, preceptorship and Qualified in Specialty (QIS) programmes for neonatal staff.
• Develop, implement and monitor neonatal competency frameworks and skills passports.
• Support staff undertaking specialist neonatal education and professional development programmes.
• Identify workforce learning needs and develop education plans to address service requirements.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning, reflective practice and lifelong professional development.
• Facilitate simulation training and emergency skills education to support safe neonatal practice.
• Work collaboratively with Higher Education Institutions and regional neonatal networks to enhance learning opportunities.

Clinical Leadership and Practice Development

• Act as an expert neonatal practitioner and visible clinical role model.
• Support the delivery of evidence-based neonatal care across intensive care, high dependency and special care environments.
• Promote the implementation of national guidance, professional standards and best practice.
• Support clinical teams to translate research and emerging evidence into everyday practice.
• Provide specialist advice and support to staff on clinical practice, education and professional development matters.
• Maintain clinical credibility through regular engagement within the clinical environment.

Quality Improvement and Patient Safety

• Lead and support quality improvement initiatives that enhance patient outcomes and experience.
• Ensure learning from incidents, complaints, audits and mortality reviews is embedded into clinical practice.
• Support implementation of recommendations arising from national reports, Operational Delivery Network reviews and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor and provide assurance regarding workforce competence, training compliance and educational governance.
• Contribute to clinical audit, service evaluation and quality assurance programmes.

For further details please see attached JD&PS.

Person Specification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential

• Demonstrable experience within neonatal intensive care, high dependency and special care settings.
• Comprehensive understanding of neonatal clinical practice, patient safety and quality standards.
• Proven knowledge of clinical governance, risk management, incident investigation and learning from patient safety events.
• Understanding of national neonatal guidance, including BAPM standards, ODN recommendations and NHS quality agendas.
• Demonstrable experience supporting staff development, competency assessment and clinical education.
• Proven evidence of involvement in service improvement, change management or practice development initiatives.
• Ability to undertake the physical requirements of the role.

Desirable

• Demonstrable experience in a practice development, education or workforce development role.
• Demonstrable experience developing and delivering education programmes, simulation training or competency frameworks.
• Demonstrable experience of QIS pathway coordination, preceptorship or professional development programmes.
• Demonstrable experience of staff supervision, coaching, mentorship and performance support.
• Demonstrable experience working within a tertiary neonatal service and regional neonatal network structures.

Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Nurse/ Midwife (Adult or Child Branch) with current NMC registration
• Neonatal Qualified in Specialty (QIS) qualification
• Proven evidence of continuing professional development.
• Educated to degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent level knowledge and experience.
• Proven evidence of neonatal clinical competence across intensive care, high dependency and special care settings.

Desirable

• Teaching, assessing or education qualification (e.g. PGCert Education, Practice Assessor/Supervisor preparation).
• Leadership or management qualification.
• Quality Improvement training or qualification.

Aptitude & Abilities
Essential

• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with staff, multidisciplinary teams, families and external stakeholders.
• Strong influencing and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage, motivate and support staff at all levels.

Desirable

• Demonstrable experience of successfully leading and embedding change within clinical services.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Address: Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, PL68DH, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Interim Matron for Neonatal and Transitional Care, Sarah Underwood, s.underwood3@nhs.net, 01752439076

Supporting documents
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