Locum Consultant Neonatologist

University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust

Locum Consultant Neonatologist

The closing date is 25 March 2026

The post is based at Royal Stoke University Hospital (University Hospital of North Midlands). The role is for a Locum Consultant Neonatologist completing a team of 10 consultants to deliver neonatal care in the tertiary Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Maternity Unit.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a highly regarded team within an expanding neonatal intensive care service. The post holder will provide the full range of neonatology skills while working in collaboration with consultants and multidisciplinary teams in both Obstetric and Child Health Directorates.

Main duties of the job

The post holder (along with the 9 other consultant neonatologists) will share in the provision of neonatal care at UHNM. Responsibility for day-to-day management of the NICU and all associated work will be shared by the neonatal consultants. Consultant cover is required on a 24-hour 7-day week basis. The consultants are also available to provide 24/7 liaison and advice to local neonatal units via the regional specialist neonatal transport team (KIDS and NTS) as needed. This post will take an equal share of consultant of the week, leading to a 1:9 ratio for out of hours cover and on call.

• The consultant of the week (1) is the consultant covering the intensive care room on the neonatal unit. They supervise medical care on the intensive care room, liaise with nursing staff and act as a contact with obstetric staff from 8.45 am - 4.45 pm each weekday.
• All consultants contribute to the 1:9 on call rota (Resident 4.45 pm - 9:30 pm) and on call 9:30 pm - 9:15 am - 7 days per week.
• There is a second consultant of the week (2) to support and cover the lower dependency areas.

About us

There are approximately 6,500 births per year at Royal Stoke University Hospital, with around 520 NICU admissions and 1,219 admissions to the entire neonatal service including the Transitional Care Unit. We deliver around 1,850 intensive care days per year, care for more than 100 very low birth weight babies, and provide around 2,800-3,000 respiratory support days per year. We are a tertiary referral centre for units such as Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital and perform all modalities of intensive care, including HFOV, inhaled nitric oxide, and therapeutic hypothermia.

Job responsibilities

A detailed job description and the main responsibilities can be found within the job pack attached under supporting documents.

Qualifications and skills

• Full GMC Registration
• MBChB/MBBS or equivalent
• Level 3 safeguarding training
• Further higher degree (e.g., MD, PhD)

Clinical Experience

• CCT in Neonatal Medicine or within 6 months of obtaining CCT at interview date
• CCT in Paediatrics or within 6 months of obtaining CCT at interview date, including at least 24 months tertiary level 3 neonatal experience as a Registrar, of which at least 6 months was working in a surgical NICU
• 24 months working as a Locum Consultant Neonatologist in a tertiary level 3 NICU in the UK
• oCCT or CESR or 24 months Locum Consultant in a NICU in the UK

Knowledge, Skills, Training & Experience

• Evidence of thorough and broad training in neonatal medicine
• NLS Provider Certificate
• Ability to take full and independent responsibility for the clinical care of patients
• Experience and understanding of and ability to use evidence base and clinical audit to support decision making
• Good understanding of the structure and processes of the NHS
• Experience and understanding of clinical audit
• Experience of supervising junior medical staff
• Ability to teach clinical skills
• Specific area of expertise within neonatology to complement existing team
• Ability to carry out echocardiography
• NLS instructor certificate
• Formal management training
• Experience of teaching basic clinical skills to undergraduates
• Training the Trainers course
• Higher medical education qualification or working towards
• Proven research ability including publications in refereed journals

Personal Characteristics

• Good leadership skills and people management skills
• Ability to work in a multi disciplinary team and develop effective working relationships with staff at all levels within and outside the neonatal service
• Ability to work under pressure
• Good interpersonal skills, supportive and tolerant
• Enquiring, critical approach to work
• Caring, tolerant and empathetic attitude to patients and colleagues
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, relatives, GPs, nurses and other agencies
• Ability and means to meet the travel requirements of the post
• Residence or be able to return to base within 30 minutes if required
• To be accessible by telephone for on call duties
• Willingness to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional or national levels
• Good innovator

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.