Interim Associate Director of Health and Research

Job responsibilities

Strategic

Oversee clinical governance arrangements across Health and Research Services defined within this role providing strategic direction and assurance to the Board and Executive Team on safeguarding and compliance matters.

Creating strategic aims and objectives in line with Young Epilepsys values that are easily translated and understood.

Strategic oversight and operational management of relevant Health and Research budgets ensuring quality is not compromised through efficiency.

Overall responsibility for Health and Research Policies and Procedures ensuring they are regularly updated and correctly implemented across the service provision.

Develop positive working relationships with other clinicians and managers to ensure that the organisation is at the forefront of best professional practice and service delivery.

Lead the Health and Research Strategy as part of the 5 year plan including PPI development, partnership building, public awareness and education and health information and support.

Attend Executive meetings on a monthly basis providing reports and updates.

Attend the Strategy Steering Group as required to inform and update.

Lead on discussion at Health Services Committee Meeting updating the committee with relevant and timely reporting and information.

Leadership and Management

Mentor and support staff within nursing, Pharmacy, EEG, and research teams, promoting a collaborative and inclusive working environment. Identify training needs and facilitate opportunities for professional development.

Nursing & Pharmacy Leadership: Provide strategic direction and operational oversight for nursing and pharmacy services, ensuring excellence in patient care, staff development, and adherence to regulatory requirements. Lead initiatives to enhance nursing and medical practice and support professional growth within the team.

External Health Management: Oversee the delivery and quality assurance of EEG services, ensuring compliance with clinical standards and best practice. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate EEG diagnostics effectively into patient pathways and support ongoing education for staff.

Lead, manage and develop the external health teams to provide effective delivery of external health services at Young Epilepsy and support the provision of health provision for St Piers students as necessary and within the framework of CQC requirements and Young Epilepsy standards.

Research Oversight: Provide oversight and support for clinical research, fostering a culture of enquiry and evidence-based practice. Support the development and implementation of research projects, secure necessary approvals, and ensure ethical standards are upheld throughout all research undertakings.

Ensure that the leadership, management and governance structures of all Health and Research services within Young Epilepsy and St Piers are appropriate and effective to maximise the quality of children and young peoples experiences, within the framework of CQCs regulatory requirements and the mission, vision and values of Young Epilepsy and St Piers.

Promote a culture of inclusion and belonging for staff.

Lead the development, implementation, and review of Health and Research policies, procedures, and practices, ensuring alignment with current legislation and best practice.

Monitor and report on Health and Research performance, risks, and incidents, ensuring robust investigation, learning, and improvement processes are in place.

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of regulatory requirements, sector developments, and emerging risks as and act as the organisations principal point of contact with external agencies, regulators, and inspection bodies relevant to the role.

Lead on internal audits and reviews relating to relevant Health and Research services and ensure that recommendations are actioned and embedded in practice.

Foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement across the relevant Health and Research services.

Chair the Clinical Governance Committee and lead compliance across staff teams.

Quality & Compliance

Be the CQC Nominated Individual for Health-related services across Young Epilepsy and St Piers and ensure compliance to relevant standards, policies and procedures.

Develop and lead the process for compliance across the relevant Health and Research services providing assurance and accountability through rigorous and robust systems of quality assurance ensuring NMC requirements are met.

Develop and deliver or source as appropriate, training programmes to promote a culture of awareness and compliance at all levels of the organisation.

Drive continuous improvement initiatives across Health and Research functions. Monitor performance metrics, implement best practices, and contribute to the development of policies and procedures that promote patient safety and service excellence.

Lead on any concerns or complaints from parents, carers etc relating to Health and Research services as appropriate.

Finance

Partner with executive colleagues to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of Young Epilepsy and St Piers by ensuring proper financial systems are established and effectively monitored.

Ensure that all budgetary targets are met in all cost centres associated with the directorate.

Act as the Health and Research representative at relevant meetings and annual conferences, promoting our services and ethos.

Promote patient and public involvement in the evaluation and improvement of services.

Review the results of patient satisfaction surveys and utilise findings to improve services.

Contribute to the development of clinical protocols in accordance with valid evidence.

Ensure a patient focussed multidisciplinary approach to care in collaboration with carers, health care professionals and other agencies.

Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement

Lead and develop initiatives relating to public awareness, training and information for young people and their families in relation to epilepsy.

Act as a key spokesperson and representative of the organisation engaging and informing others around epilepsy and the work of Young Epilepsy.

Develop and lead a partnership strategy building professional networks.

Develop and maintain strong relationships with parents/carers, students, staff, Directors, Governors and Trustees across the Charity.

Act as a key liaison with internal and external partners, including clinicians, academic institutions, and regulatory bodies.

Represent the organisation at relevant forums and contribute to strategic planning and decision-making.

General

Ensure all duties are carried out in accordance with health and safety regulations as given by the Young Epilepsy health and safety policy and procedures.

This job description is not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake other reasonable and appropriate tasks.

Young Epilepsy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree educated or equivalent relevant experienced at a senior level
• Masters level post graduate degree
• Medical qualification
• Paediatric qualification

Desirable

• Experience of having been a Registered Manager for a service
• Mentorship qualification.
• Leadership/management qualification.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with/in:
• Children- special/complex needs,
• Epilepsy/neurology,
• Previously held CQC Registered Manager post within a clinical setting
• Good understanding of CQC regulations
• Significant post qualification experience in a variety of relevant health and research settings
• Demonstrable experience of managing a team/department.
• Excellent understanding of Clinical Governance
• Evidence of leadership in a variety of settings

Desirable

• Experience of working with/in:
• Accident and emergency, School/practice nursing,
• Nurse led service.
• Experience of leading audit or clinical research.
• Experience of having chaired Clinical Governance Committee
• Epilepsy Nurse Specialism

Skills, Knowledge and Aptitude

Essential

• Ability to manage teams and budgets
• Evidence of relative and extensive CPD
• IT Skills
• Ability to work as part of the team and/or autonomously.
• Good organisational skills
• Effective communication skills
• Ability to prioritise conflicting demands.

Desirable

• Evidence of having undertaken/been involved in relevant nursing research projects

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).