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Job summary

Main area
Neonatal
Grade
Band 7
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Part time - 30 hours per week (Home working with travel across the East Midlands)
Job ref
265-8218817-FAM
Employer
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
University Hospitals of Northamptonshire
Town
Northampton
Salary
£49,387 - £56,515 pro rata/per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
07/09/2026 23:59
Interview date
15/09/2026

Employer heading

Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust logo

Education and Practice Development Nurse

Band 7

Job overview

The role of the Network Education and Practice Development Nurse will involve supporting in the development and delivery of a Network-wide education and training strategy for neonatal services across the East Midlands. You will plan, deliver and evaluate training and educational programmes and events to neonatal nursing staff and support training and education across other multiprofessional groups within the speciality. 
 
You will work closely with the Education, Quality and Service Improvement Lead Nurse 
and the other Network Education and Practice Development Nurses to link with the  education teams within the neonatal units, providing targeted educational advice and 
support.  
 
You will be involved with undertaking training gap analysis and benchmarking exercises to 
ensure implementation of training and education is in line with local and national 
standards. You will also link in with regional and national education groups as well as the 
regional Higher Education Institutes (HEIs).

Main duties of the job

Educational and Professional Responsibilities 
 
• In conjunction with the Network Director/Lead Nurse and Lead Nurse for Education, Quality and Service Improvement, develop and deliver training and education within the Network. 
 
• Assist with the delivery of neonatal education and training within the Network, facilitating and/or providing teaching sessions, face to face or online, to the multidisciplinary neonatal team. 
 
• Plan, deliver and evaluate Network conferences, study days and study sessions. 
 
• Provide on-going educational support and leadership across Network units as required. 
 
• Support the Network Education and Practice Development Group. 
 
• Provide direct support to the Network units on clinical interventions related to Network Induction/Foundation Programme.  
 
• Develop the Network Education and Practice Development role in a way that is consistent with a philosophy of continuous improvement for quality care, and which contributes to improved neonatal outcomes and is cost effective. 
 
• Promote and assist with the development of standards of care which are based on best practice and research.  
 
• Work collaboratively with and contribute to education and training programmes delivered by Universities/HEIs (such as the Neonatal Qualified in Specialty programme) as required. This may include preparing and providing teaching sessions and marking assignments for large numbers of students. 
 
• Participate in appropriate national groups in order to influence, contribute to and review national guidance and policies that relate to specific project plans or education. Provide a timely response as required and disseminate to Network groups as 
appropriate. 
 
• Work closely with the Senior Network Team to ensure that professional guidance influences and supports the delivery of high-quality nurse education and the development of education projects. 
 
• Establish strong working relationships and work collaboratively with Trust Neonatal Clinical Leads, Neonatal Lead Nurses, Neonatal Educators and Practice Development Nurses, Midwifery and Obstetric leads, encouraging the active participation of all colleagues in education and practice development. 
 
• Support the development of educational guidelines and procedure documents to ensure that they are appropriate. 
 
• Provide comprehensive briefing documents, background papers, tables, reports and other materials pertaining to Network education and training as requested for stakeholder groups such as the Network Board, Clinical Governance Group, Commissioners and Education authorities, as required.  
 
• Participate in Clinical Governance activities within the Network and across organisational boundaries as appropriate.  
 
• Link with other Neonatal Operational Delivery Networks, at regional and national level, in respect of neonatal training and education. 
 
• Embrace innovative new ways to deliver education in the busy clinical setting. 
 
• Ensure effective communication is maintained within the Network, through formal and informal routes. 
  
 Managerial Responsibilities 
 
• Support and collaborate with the Network Senior Management Team in the development of any business cases for improving neonatal services, focusing on new innovative education and training projects. 
 
• Work in partnership with others, internal and external to the Network, to develop and support education, training and development strategies within the Network Neonatal Units. 
 
• Actively support the modernisation of Neonatal Services across the Network. 


• Along with the Network Director/Lead Nurse and Education, Quality and Service Improvement Lead Nurse, assist with the delivery of the Network Education Strategy. 
 
• In support of the Network Board, plan and deliver the requirements of the agreed Network education work plan ensuring national key deliverables are prioritised. 
 
• Provide educational support and leadership to the unit teams as required. 
 
 Patient Care and Experience Responsibilities 
 
• Ensure parent and public involvement in developing Network education and training programmes and events, by working closely with the Network Family Integrated Care Team and Network Parent Advisory Group and parent representatives. 
 
• Ensure that any project work undertaken considers co-production with families to include the voice of the parents and families to meet their needs. 
 
  Planning and Organisation Responsibilities  
 
• Use expert knowledge and understanding to make informed decisions about the curriculum for any Network education programmes, liaising with the neonatal unit Education and Practice Development Nurses across the Network to ensure the programme meets service needs.   
 
• Plan and coordinate all aspects of the education and training programmes and events as directed by the Network Senior Management Team and within the scope of the role. 
 
• Provide education and guidance to the unit teams. 
 
• In collaboration with local units, ensure that appropriate induction programmes are in place to support new neonatal nursing staff. 
 
• Prepare reports and project summaries in line with Network requirements. 
 
• Allocate own workload, providing regular updates to the Network Senior Management Team. This will include being able to provide advice relating to education and project management within the scope of the role. 
 
• Meet objectives as set and monitored in conjunction with the Director/Lead Nurse and the Education, Quality and Service Improvement Lead Nurse. 
 
   Financial and Resource Responsibilities 
 
• Has no responsibility for financial resources but is expected to work within, and have an awareness of, current financial instructions and policy. 
• Support and collaborate with the Network Management Team in producing business cases for developing and improving neonatal education and training programmes and events. 
 
• Assist with the development and implementation of the Network’s workforce development plans with special emphasis on practice development, education skill mix and key skills development programmes. 
 
• Responsible for the safe care and storage of allocated Network IT and 
telecommunications equipment. 
 
• Responsible for the timely submission of any expense claims in respect to the requirements of the role. 
 
   Research and Development Responsibilities 
 
• Review and interpret national, regional, and local service level data (for example National Neonatal Audit Programme data) to identify targeted education, training and/or quality improvement programmes required within the Network. 
 
• Required to have an overview and understanding of the latest nursing and neonatal research pertaining to neonatal care and to undertake education and training projects as agreed and defined by the Network team. 
 
• Actively participate in research and audit projects relating to education and support the implementation of findings to improve patient care across the Network.  
 
• Develop the role in a way that is consistent with a philosophy of continuous improvement to quality care, and which contributes to improved neonatal outcomes and is cost effective. 
 
• Actively promote and facilitate research, audit and evidence-based practice. 
 
• Where appropriate, disseminate any educational audit findings through Network, regional or national meetings or by presentation or publication. 
 
• Monitor and evaluate Network education and training programmes. 
 
   Professional Responsibilities 
 
• Must act in a manner which is consistent with the Network policy and the NMC Code.  
 
• Work independently, taking responsibility for planning and delivering own workload.  
 
• Undertake personal appraisal and individual performance review in line with Trust Policy. 
 
• Take an active role in self-development. Objectively review own performance and identify and address own development needs. 
 
• Take personal and professional responsibility for achieving agreed objectives as identified through annual appraisal. 
 
• Ensure all mandatory training required for the role is completed in line with Trust requirements. 
 
• Keep abreast of clinical, professional, local and NHS development and be able to demonstrate this at annual performance review. 
 
• Act in such a way as to provide a suitable and professional role model. 

Working for our organisation

Please submit your application as soon as possible, as we reserve the right to close adverts once sufficient applications have been received.

We recognise that AI tools can support application writing; however, candidates are asked to keep their use to a minimum. Responses should reflect your own experience, skills and knowledge, as over-reliance on AI-generated content may result in generic answers that do not accurately represent your abilities.

University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) brings together Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust. As a group, we are committed to improving services for our communities through collaboration, modernising care delivery and striving for excellence. Working together enables us to share expertise, strengthen services and create greater opportunities, and there may be a requirement to work across sites depending on service needs.

Our Excellence Values are Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Integrity and Courage. UHN welcomes applications from all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive working environment. We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and hold the Gold Award under the Employer Recognition Scheme. Candidates who identify as members of the Armed Forces community and meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Educational and Professional Responsibilities 
 
• In conjunction with the Network Director/Lead Nurse and Lead Nurse for Education, Quality and Service Improvement, develop and deliver training and education within the Network. 
 
• Assist with the delivery of neonatal education and training within the Network, facilitating and/or providing teaching sessions, face to face or online, to the multidisciplinary neonatal team. 
 
• Plan, deliver and evaluate Network conferences, study days and study sessions. 
 
• Provide on-going educational support and leadership across Network units as required. 
 
• Support the Network Education and Practice Development Group. 
 
• Provide direct support to the Network units on clinical interventions related to Network Induction/Foundation Programme.  
 
• Develop the Network Education and Practice Development role in a way that is consistent with a philosophy of continuous improvement for quality care, and which contributes to improved neonatal outcomes and is cost effective. 
 
• Promote and assist with the development of standards of care which are based on best practice and research.  
 
• Work collaboratively with and contribute to education and training programmes delivered by Universities/HEIs (such as the Neonatal Qualified in Specialty programme) as required. This may include preparing and providing teaching sessions and marking assignments for large numbers of students. 
 
• Participate in appropriate national groups in order to influence, contribute to and review national guidance and policies that relate to specific project plans or education. Provide a timely response as required and disseminate to Network groups as appropriate. 
 
• Work closely with the Senior Network Team to ensure that professional guidance influences and supports the delivery of high-quality nurse education and the development of education projects. 
 
• Establish strong working relationships and work collaboratively with Trust Neonatal Clinical Leads, Neonatal Lead Nurses, Neonatal Educators and Practice Development Nurses, Midwifery and Obstetric leads, encouraging the active participation of all colleagues in education and practice development. 
 
• Support the development of educational guidelines and procedure documents to ensure that they are appropriate. 
 
• Provide comprehensive briefing documents, background papers, tables, reports and other materials pertaining to Network education and training as requested for stakeholder groups such as the Network Board, Clinical Governance Group, Commissioners and Education authorities, as required.  
 
• Participate in Clinical Governance activities within the Network and across organisational boundaries as appropriate.  
 
• Link with other Neonatal Operational Delivery Networks, at regional and national level, in respect of neonatal training and education. 
 
• Embrace innovative new ways to deliver education in the busy clinical setting. 
 
• Ensure effective communication is maintained within the Network, through formal and informal routes. 
  
 Managerial Responsibilities 
 
• Support and collaborate with the Network Senior Management Team in the development of any business cases for improving neonatal services, focusing on new innovative education and training projects. 
 
• Work in partnership with others, internal and external to the Network, to develop and support education, training and development strategies within the Network Neonatal Units. 
 
• Actively support the modernisation of Neonatal Services across the Network. 


• Along with the Network Director/Lead Nurse and Education, Quality and Service Improvement Lead Nurse, assist with the delivery of the Network Education Strategy. 
 
• In support of the Network Board, plan and deliver the requirements of the agreed Network education work plan ensuring national key deliverables are prioritised. 
 
• Provide educational support and leadership to the unit teams as required. 
 
 Patient Care and Experience Responsibilities 
 
• Ensure parent and public involvement in developing Network education and training programmes and events, by working closely with the Network Family Integrated Care Team and Network Parent Advisory Group and parent representatives. 
 
• Ensure that any project work undertaken considers co-production with families to include the voice of the parents and families to meet their needs. 
 
   Planning and Organisation Responsibilities  
 
• Use expert knowledge and understanding to make informed decisions about the curriculum for any Network education programmes, liaising with the neonatal unit Education and Practice Development Nurses across the Network to ensure the programme meets service needs.   
 
• Plan and coordinate all aspects of the education and training programmes and events as directed by the Network Senior Management Team and within the scope of the role. 
 
• Provide education and guidance to the unit teams. 
 
• In collaboration with local units, ensure that appropriate induction programmes are in place to support new neonatal nursing staff. 
 
• Prepare reports and project summaries in line with Network requirements. 
 
• Allocate own workload, providing regular updates to the Network Senior Management Team. This will include being able to provide advice relating to education and project management within the scope of the role. 
 
• Meet objectives as set and monitored in conjunction with the Director/Lead Nurse and the Education, Quality and Service Improvement Lead Nurse. 
 
   Financial and Resource Responsibilities 
 
• Has no responsibility for financial resources but is expected to work within, and have an awareness of, current financial instructions and policy. 


• Support and collaborate with the Network Management Team in producing business cases for developing and improving neonatal education and training programmes and events. 
 
• Assist with the development and implementation of the Network’s workforce development plans with special emphasis on practice development, education skill mix and key skills development programmes. 
 
• Responsible for the safe care and storage of allocated Network IT and 
telecommunications equipment. 
 
• Responsible for the timely submission of any expense claims in respect to the requirements of the role. 
 
   Research and Development Responsibilities 
 
• Review and interpret national, regional, and local service level data (for example National Neonatal Audit Programme data) to identify targeted education, training and/or quality improvement programmes required within the Network. 
 
• Required to have an overview and understanding of the latest nursing and neonatal research pertaining to neonatal care and to undertake education and training projects as agreed and defined by the Network team. 
 
• Actively participate in research and audit projects relating to education and support the implementation of findings to improve patient care across the Network.  
 
• Develop the role in a way that is consistent with a philosophy of continuous improvement to quality care, and which contributes to improved neonatal outcomes and is cost effective. 
 
• Actively promote and facilitate research, audit and evidence-based practice. 
 
• Where appropriate, disseminate any educational audit findings through Network, regional or national meetings or by presentation or publication. 
 
• Monitor and evaluate Network education and training programmes. 
 
   Professional Responsibilities 
 
• Must act in a manner which is consistent with the Network policy and the NMC Code.  
 
• Work independently, taking responsibility for planning and delivering own workload.  
 
• Undertake personal appraisal and individual performance review in line with Trust Policy. 
 
• Take an active role in self-development. Objectively review own performance and identify and address own development needs. 
 
• Take personal and professional responsibility for achieving agreed objectives as identified through annual appraisal. 
 
• Ensure all mandatory training required for the role is completed in line with Trust requirements. 
 
• Keep abreast of clinical, professional, local and NHS development and be able to demonstrate this at annual performance review. 
 
• Act in such a way as to provide a suitable and professional role model. 

Person specification

Education, Training and Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • RN with extensive neonatal experience at Band 6 or above
  • QIS
  • Educated to degree or equivalent experience
  • Education & Mentorship course
Desirable criteria
  • Master's degree
  • PG Cert in Education
  • Leadership course
  • Trained Coach
  • PNA

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria
  • Post reg exp in neonatal nursing and able to demonstrate skills and knowledge
  • Exp of delivering education
  • Ev of own prof development
  • Ev of managing and leading teams
  • Sims,clinical skills training, formal pres
  • Communication across disciplines
  • Innovative
  • Human factors knowledge
Desirable criteria
  • Regional and National level Networking
  • Knowledge and skills in coaching
  • QI methodology experience
  • Working with HEI's

Key competencies/Personal qualities and attributes

Essential criteria
  • Values
  • Good IT skills
  • Personal resilience
  • Good communication in variety of mediums
  • ability to work with large group of learners
  • Team and remote working
  • Clean driving licence and able to travel
  • Passionate about education

Employer certification / accreditation badges

We are a Living Wage EmployerVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerPositive about disabled peopleJob share policyDisability confident leaderPathway to excellenceArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.We offer Wagestream - A financial wellbeing benefit which lets you access your pay as you earn it.ENEI Gold '22NHS Rainbow badgeAccessAbleNHS 75th BirthdayHappy to Talk Flexible WorkingNHS Rainbow Badge - Bronze111 Help Us Help YouCycle to Work

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.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Wendy Copson
Job title
Education, Quality Service Improvement Lead Nurse
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07518299377
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