Job summary
- Main area
- Women and Children's
- Grade
- Band 5
- Contract
- Fixed term: 12 months (covering maternity leave)
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job ref
- 210-2026-453
- Employer
- Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Countess of Chester Hospital
- Town
- Chester
- Salary
- £32,073 - £39,043 pa pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 29/06/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Neonatal Practitioner
Band 5
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence, but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement.
Our vision is to improve the lives of our community and provide excellence in healthcare, through partnership and innovation
Our High Performance Culture will support everyone to be the best version of themselves by being true to our Trust vision, values and behaviours.
We welcome applications from colleagues from our local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities, who are currently under-represented within our region such as Black, Asian, Minority ethnic and those with disabilities.
As a region we are reviewing the way we work, and exploring how new working practices that support flexible working can create a positive work-life balance. As part of our recruitment process we will explore how our inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums, Trust facilities and services can be of mutual benefit.
Job overview
Working Full or Part time hours
Exciting opportunity is available for Band 5 nurse with an interest in neonatal care. If you are a registered nurse or midwife with neonatal experience or looking for the challenge of a change of specialty then this is an opportunity for you. Our service is supported by a Practice Educator and Advanced Neonatal Nurse. The service offers a comprehensive Induction Programme and Qualification in Specialty.
This is an excellent opportunity to work within a new women and children's building with a purpose built Neonatal Unit, specialising in providing an environment promoting quality family integrated care.
We are committed to supporting our staff in their professional development and providing excellent opportunities for career progression. This includes extensive training following registration, a strong foundation in neonatal nursing, and the opportunity to gain specialist qualifications.
We are a friendly, supportive team who work tirelessly to improve standards and drive improvements.
Main duties of the job
As a Band 5 Registered Nurse, under supervision you will be responsible for the assessment and delivery of care to sick and preterm babies. You will work in collaboration with parents and carers to promote healthy family bonding, parent and baby relationships. You will work with a motivated team and will be expected to support the Baby Friendly Initiative. You will actively participate in the supervision of students in the neonatal unit.
Working for our organisation
The Trust’s services are provided from three locations:
• The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 473 general and acute beds.
• Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 60 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.
• Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs 5,964 staff (headcount) to provide care and treatment to a population of over 400,000 people living in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire.
The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. Due to its location on the border with North Wales, the Trust also works closely with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
The Trust treats patients from England and some parts of Wales. During 2024/2025, there were approximately 643,000 patient attendances (inpatient, A&E, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
See Job Description for further details.
Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.
If a DBS is required for your role, you are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee applies which is payable to the DBS Service. Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs will be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- RSCN / RN Child Diploma
- Achievement of teaching and assessing qualification 998 / 997 / mentorship or equivalent or date for this to be undertaken
- All newly qualified staff must be willing to complete the trust preceptorship programme
Desirable criteria
- Post-registration qualification or evidence of further study or working towards Relevant speciality qualification may be required for certain practice areas (critical care)
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- Understanding of quality and change in the clinical setting.
- Basic knowledge of professional and NHS issues.
- Basic IT skills in word processing
Desirable criteria
- Willingness to develop speciality knowledge
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Yvonne Griffiths
- Job title
- Neonatal Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01244362588
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