Job summaryThe role of the Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (ANNP) is a position with a high degree of autonomy and complex decision making and incorporates the skills of assessment, examination, diagnosis and treatment. DCHFT is a rural, district general hospital, with approximately 1700 births per year and a level 1 Special Care Baby Unit. ANNP's working here have a diverse role which may differ somewhat to ANNPs working in larger neonatal units. The role can vary day by day and hour by hour, depending on clinical demands and services requirements.Main duties of the jobThe ANNP balances the responsibility of oversight of the care of babies both on the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU), Transitional Care (TC) and postnatal ward, as well as carrying the emergency neonatal resuscitation bleep and attending high risk deliveries. They provide advanced nursing care in accordance with all local and national guidelines and demonstrate a high level of specialist neonatal knowledge and skills.They achieve this by working closely with both the antenatal midwives, postnatal team and neonatal nurses. They have the support of the wider paediatric medical team who, when required, assist and support with premature or unwell neonates.The ANNP will be expected to undertake duties expected of Tier 2 practitioners as outlined by the British Association of Perinatal Medicine (BAPM) medical workforce standards and support the Tier 1 duties undertaken routinely by junior medical doctors, over a 24/7 rota. The ANNP will cross clinical boundaries between nursing and medical care, taking on aspects of the role and responsibilities formerly undertaken solely by medical staff. Clinical supervision will be provided by Paediatric Consultant.About usDCHFT is a general district hospital, providing care to families across West Dorset.It has a birth rate of approximately 1600-1700 infants a year.It has a dedicated level 1 SCBU which routinely cares for infants >32/40 and >1250g.Cot capacity is between 9-12 infants, depending on acuity.It is part of the Thames Valley and Wessex Neonatal ODN.Stabilisation, intensive and high dependency care is delivered when required, whilst supporting parents through the necessary transfer to other hospitals for ongoing care.Developmental care of infants is paramount, and the team is augmented by our AHP colleagues form occupational health and physiotherapy.There is a newly developed Transitional Care model, which shares care with the midwifery colleagues.Family integrated care is our aim for all babies and DCH prides itself on its parents' facilities to help achieve this.Baby Friendly Initiative accreditation work is underway on SCBU.Bereavement care is supported by the colleagues from the paediatric team and either the dedicated bereavement suite on the children's ward or the facilities on SCBU are utilised, dependent on parental wishes.Job descriptionJob responsibilitiesBecause of the nature of the care delivered at DCH the practitioner will have to be able to demonstrate clinical expertise, competence, confidence and be able to work within an autonomous and defined scope of practice.Teaching and support of colleagues is a routine part of the ANNP role at DCH. Ranging from supervising nursing and midwifery students, assisting with the induction of new medical staff, teaching on midwifery emergency situation training days, partaking and leading simulation training for the neonatal team or delivering more formal teaching sessions to preceptor midwives. This list is not exhaustive!Non-clinical time is allocated to allow the ANNP to undertake managerial and governance responsibilities, in support of their ongoing requirements of the four pillars of advanced clinical practice. This includes the writing and reviewing of guidelines and protocols, audit and data review, compiling of presentations for local and regional governance and mortality and morbidity meetings and service development with other members of the wider Trust team. Again, this list is not exhaustive!In summary, an ANNP at DCH has a diverse and exciting job role with no two days looking the same. The successful candidate will need to be able to demonstrate flexibility, good time management, ability to delegate, excellent clinical skills, excellent team working and team leading capabilities, and high level communication skills. They will act as a point of contact for midwifery and neonatal staff, answering questions, undertaking tasks and reassuring the team.Person SpecificationQualificationsEssentialRegistered nurseQualification in neonatal specialityoANNP qualification/ Master's degree in Advanced clinical practice: Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.Registered non-medical prescriberDesirableNeonatal Life Support InstructorExperienceEssentialEvidence of management and leadership skillsAware of research and evidence-based practice in the clinical settingDesirableExperience in the use of computersEvidence of personal and professional developmentDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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 (Opens in a new tab).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 (Opens in a new tab).UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).Employer detailsEmployer nameDorset County Hospital NHS Foundation TrustAddressDorset County Hospital Foundation TrustDorchesterDT1 2JYEmployer's websitehttps://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)