Neonatal Senior Sister

To be an expert in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of all areas of neonatal care, working closely with other health professionals to ensure continuity of care for babies, utilising excellent communication skills to collaborate closely with parents and families.

H ave management responsibility for the efficient running of the unit on a shift-to-shift basis, with associated specialist clinical knowledge and the supervision of staff and w ill be r equired on a regular basis.

The post holder will coordinate care activity within the acute and transport setting, assuming responsibility for the seamless running of the unit on a 24/7 basis.

E nsur e that high st andards of care are achieved by efficient and effective use of reso urces, main taining associated records, utilising clinical audit, research, supervision of practice and teaching.

The post holder will work across sites to cover the neonatal servi ce, as r equired.

The post holde r will be r equi red to part icipate in the continuing professional development of the team members through appraisal and mentorship

To lead the neonatal team alongside the matron in setting standards and guidelines for best practice.

Provide excellent clinical nursing care.

Identify areas of quality improvement utilising patient first.

Support and motivate staff within the team in both clinical practice and personal development.

Be responsible for staff well being through 1:1 meets and the appraisal process.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

Communication
- Negotiate sensitively with parents and carers where consent is required for treatment that is vital for the welfare and survival of the baby and there are barriers to understanding through fear, lack of knowledge and language difficulties.
- Work in a consistent manner with babies, their carers, the multi-disciplinary team and visitors.
- Identify different learning needs of team members and liaise with the Neonatal Practice Educator
- Write precise, accurate and contemporaneous nursing records, reports, statements and other correspondence.
- Document all social interaction and communication between parents and the multidisciplinary team enabling the team to plan appropriate care, such as the recognition of a baby at risk.
- Act as a mentor for newly qualified staff and newly appointed staff.
- Communicate with a wide range of professional and non-professional people and organisations in difficult circumstances e.g. child protection cases.
- Use a range of skills to improve and maximise communication between individuals with varying levels of education.
- Consider parents’ dignity, wishes and beliefs and involve them in shared decisions about their infant’s care.
- Communicate sensitively, bad/sad news to families, in situations such as foetal abnormalities, death of a baby.
- Ensure that essential information on the client’s condition and progress is recorded by self and team members appropriately according to NMC guidelines and data protection Act 1998
- Agree the arrangements for communication with the client/family/carer and document these in accordance with Trust policy and the patient’s right to confidentiality.
- Identify clear benefits, goals and processes for developing knowledge, ideas and work practice and communicate these effectively.
- Communicate with a wide range of professional/non-professional people/organisations to explore difficult issues and make complex decisions e.g. transfer of care, substance misuse.
- Undertake clinical and personal data collection and data input on multiple occasions throughout the day e.g. medical history, record of care.
- Report all incidents, complaints or accidents to comply with Trust Guidelines and assi