Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Director for Clinical Accreditation and Professional Standards

The closing date is 31 March 2026

Job summary

We are seeking an experienced senior clinical leader to lead and further develop our Trust-wide Clinical Accreditation and professional standards Programme, supporting high-quality, safe and effective care across nursing, midwifery and AHP services.

In this senior role, you will provide expert professional leadership, work closely with Chief Nurse and Midwife leadership teams, and drive improvements through data analysis, accreditation standards, quality assurance, education and innovation. You will contribute to Trust strategy, support service groups, and provide assurance to executive and Board-level committees.

Please note the banding is indicative and subject to job matching.

Main duties of the job

  • Leading and evaluating the Clinical Accreditation Programme.
  • Providing senior professional advice across nursing, midwifery and AHP services.
  • Driving quality improvement, benchmarking and service redesign.
  • Analysing complex quality, workforce and safety data to inform decisions.
  • Producing high-quality reports and presenting at senior forums.
  • Deputising for senior leaders when required.
  • Supporting professional development and high-performing clinical teams.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

  • Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
  • NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
  • Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
  • A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Details

Date posted

17 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8d

Salary

£91,342 to £105,337 a year Please note banding is indicative and subject to job matching

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

184-OL-PU-4461

Job locations

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA


Yeovil District Hospital

Higher Kingston

Yeovil

Somerset

BA21 4AT


Job description

Job responsibilities

We are looking for a compassionate, strategic leader who embodies our values of Kindness, Respect and Teamwork, and can inspire improvement across the organisation.

If you are passionate about leading clinical excellence and driving professional standards, we would love to hear from you.

Please refer to attached job description for more information about the role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

We are looking for a compassionate, strategic leader who embodies our values of Kindness, Respect and Teamwork, and can inspire improvement across the organisation.

If you are passionate about leading clinical excellence and driving professional standards, we would love to hear from you.

Please refer to attached job description for more information about the role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered with NMC or HCPC.
  • Postgraduate/Master's-level study (or equivalent experience).

Experience

Essential

  • Significant senior leadership experience in a healthcare setting.
  • Proven experience in quality, governance, service improvement and change management.

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Excellent communication, influencing and analytical skills.
  • Ability to lead across complex systems and build strong partnerships.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered with NMC or HCPC.
  • Postgraduate/Master's-level study (or equivalent experience).

Experience

Essential

  • Significant senior leadership experience in a healthcare setting.
  • Proven experience in quality, governance, service improvement and change management.

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Excellent communication, influencing and analytical skills.
  • Ability to lead across complex systems and build strong partnerships.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications 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 Registration

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

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications 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 Registration

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

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA


Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA


Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Hiring Manager

Jayne Cooper

jayne.cooper@somersetft.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

17 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8d

Salary

£91,342 to £105,337 a year Please note banding is indicative and subject to job matching

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

184-OL-PU-4461

Job locations

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA


Yeovil District Hospital

Higher Kingston

Yeovil

Somerset

BA21 4AT


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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