Head of Patient Services

Job responsibilities

About Oakhaven Hospice

At Oakhaven Hospice, we are dedicated to providing outstanding palliative and end-of-life care to individuals and their families in the New Forest, Totton, and Waterside communities. Our compassionate and holistic approach supports patients with life-limiting conditions, enabling them to live life as fully as possible. We are proud to be at the heart of our community, offering inpatient, outpatient, and at-home services that truly make a difference.

The Role

We are seeking a visionary and compassionate Head of Patient Services to lead, develop, and inspire our clinical teams. This senior leadership role is pivotal in ensuring the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care that aligns with Oakhavens values and strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Provide strategic and operational leadership across all patient services, including inpatient, day hospice, community, and Therapy Services.

Ensure compliance with relevant healthcare regulations and uphold CQC standards of excellence.

Lead and develop multidisciplinary teams to deliver holistic, responsive, and personalised care.

Work closely with the Deputy CEO to shape and implement clinical strategy and service development.

Champion a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and staff development.

About You

You will be an experienced and compassionate leader with a strong background in palliative care, nursing, or a related clinical field. Youll be confident managing teams, driving clinical excellence, and building relationships with stakeholders at all levels. You will be experienced in managing change, able to work under pressure and across organisational teams.

Essential Criteria

Registered healthcare professional (NMC, HCPC or equivalent)

Post registration Post Registration qualification in cancer/palliative care or relevant subject

Significant senior management experience within a healthcare or hospice setting.

Proven ability to lead and inspire multidisciplinary teams.

Deep understanding of palliative and end-of-life care.

Excellent interpersonal, organisational, and decision-making skills.

Non-Medical Prescriber (Level 6 or 7)

Desirable

Experience of working in the charity or voluntary sector.

Postgraduate qualification in healthcare leadership or management.

Experience of audit and research

What We Offer

In return for your commitment and hard work, we offer:

The opportunity to make a meaningful impact in your community.

A supportive, friendly, and inclusive working environment.

Training and development opportunities to help you grow in your role.

A chance to work as part of a dedicated and successful team.

Benefits

Holiday: 28 days plus bank holidays (Pro rata for part time employees)

Long service leave at 5 and 10 years

Auto enrolment company pension scheme (with ability to retain membership of NHS Pension Scheme subject to qualifying criteria)

Life Assurance

Cycle to work Scheme

Cash Health Plan

Employee Assistance Programme - Help@Hands App from Unum

Excellent Education & Development Opportunities

Wellbeing Support

A truly supportive and caring environment

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 5 years relevant post registration experience, at Band 7 or above, in cancer, palliative care/Hospice or speciality.
• Evidence of multi-professional working
• Evidence of operational service management and leadership at a senior level in a relevant environment, including people and finance.
• Demonstrable previous success in leading and delivering change and performance with and through clinical teams, by engaging them in the strategic direction and delivery plans, establishing clear work priorities with them, delegating effectively, ensuring a capability to deliver, monitoring performance and giving feedback.
• Proven ability to analyse complex problems and to develop and successfully implement practical and workable solutions to address them. Ability to think and plan strategically, tactically and creatively, and to prioritise work programs in the face of competing demands.
• Evidence of leading a change management initiative which improved patient care
• Experience of teaching and developing staff both formally and informally.
• Evidence of good communications skills
• Evidence of Line Management including managing employment relation issues, recruitment of staff and staff development

Desirable

• Experience of audit and research

Personal Attributes

Essential

• A strong sense of personal and team accountability alongside a clear understanding of the boundaries around delegated authority
• Diplomatic
• Assertive, confident, yet approachable
• Personally, and professionally mature with recognition of own limitations
• Demonstrates enthusiasm and commitment to the hospice ethos
• Ability to deal with complex and difficult emotional situations
• Evidence of recent personal development activity
• Demonstrate an ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Highly professional role model.
• Able to work under pressure
• To be flexible and approachable
• Able to demonstrate an awareness of the importance of self-care and stress management.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Demonstrates ability to meet Oakhaven Hospices values
• Demonstrate advanced clinical expertise
• Evidence of political awareness and professional issues in nursing
• Experience of managing and sustaining change
• Proven experience in managing incident investigations, complaints and patient experience
• Experience of developing and implementing new policies and guidance
• Evidence of clinical standard/ guideline setting
• Skilled in staff selection and development
• Thorough understanding and knowledge of key indicators of excellent quality care and nursing metrics
• Highly effective communication and relationship skills
• Evidence of involvement with patient/user groups to develop patient centre care.
• Demonstrate skills in IT systems and use of word, excel and PowerPoint.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered General Nurse
• First Level degree in related subject or demonstrate of equivalent experience or skill
• Post Registration qualification in cancer/palliative care or relevant subject
• Non-medical prescriber (Level 6 or 7)
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Recognised mentorship qualification
• Advanced Communication Skills training
• Evidence of management or leadership training

Desirable

• Recognised teaching qualification or prepared to work towards
• Research qualification
• Educated to Masters level or evidence of working towards

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).