The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Lead Nurse - Ward Accreditation

The closing date is 15 March 2026

Job summary

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is launching its new Ward Accreditation Framework, designed to strengthen quality, safety and excellence across our wards and units. We are seeking an experienced and motivated senior nurse to lead this exciting programme from into the implementation phase.This fixed-term position (9-months) will lead the Trust's Ward Accreditation (QCAT) programme, working closely with Matrons, Divisional Nurse Directors and the Deputy Chief Nurse. You will provide visible leadership, coordinate improvement activity, support clinical teams to achieve excellence, and guide the successful rollout of a consistent, evidence-based assessment framework. You will also contribute to Trust-wide clinical projects focused on quality improvement, patient safety and transformation?You will be a credible and compassionate nurse leader with strong communication skills, experience in quality or service improvement, and the ability to influence and support teams through change. Experience at Matron level or within cancer nursing is desirable.

If you are motivated to drive improvement and shape a Trust-wide programme, we welcome your application.

Main duties of the job

  • Lead on the ward accreditation scheme (Quality Care Assessment Tool, QCAT) supporting and facilitating clinical areas to progress to achieve the gold standard.
  • Lead on clinical projects, initiatives, programmes of improvement and transformation to improve patient safety.
  • Promote the development of staff through planning, delivering and evaluating ad hoc programmes of ward based training and supporting regular classroom based training.

About us

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.

Details

Date posted

09 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£72,921 to £83,362 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

9 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

282-OD1327

Job locations

The Royal Marsden Hospital

Chelsea

SW3 6JJ


Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information please refer to the Job Description & Person Specification

  • Lead the effective and appropriate scoping and implementation of ward accreditation.
  • Support the strategic planning of ward accreditation and clinical projects.
  • Coordinate and lead the piloting and implementation of ward accreditation Lead and contribute to clinical projects
  • To support a culture of continuous quality improvement, formally evaluating standards of care and leading in the implementation of changes and nursing developments in the light of such findings.
  • To develop external relationships and represent the trust while peer reviewing ward accreditation programs to ensure a robust implementation throughout the trust.
  • Lead upon the development of a comprehensive framework of assessment tools that will underpin the accreditation process.
  • Identify areas of service improvement opportunity and lead on business case production, agreement and implementation. Use change management skills and techniques to lead the implementation.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information please refer to the Job Description & Person Specification

  • Lead the effective and appropriate scoping and implementation of ward accreditation.
  • Support the strategic planning of ward accreditation and clinical projects.
  • Coordinate and lead the piloting and implementation of ward accreditation Lead and contribute to clinical projects
  • To support a culture of continuous quality improvement, formally evaluating standards of care and leading in the implementation of changes and nursing developments in the light of such findings.
  • To develop external relationships and represent the trust while peer reviewing ward accreditation programs to ensure a robust implementation throughout the trust.
  • Lead upon the development of a comprehensive framework of assessment tools that will underpin the accreditation process.
  • Identify areas of service improvement opportunity and lead on business case production, agreement and implementation. Use change management skills and techniques to lead the implementation.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

  • First level registration
  • Oncology Qualification
  • Degree in relevant specialty
  • Charge nurse or equivalent
  • oQualified MSc in a relevant specialty

Desirable

  • Recent experience at Matron level
  • Non-medical prescriber qualification
  • Advanced life support qualification
  • ENB 998 - Mentorship

Experience

Desirable

  • Significant relevant post-registration experience, including experienced at Band 7 sister / charge nurse or equivalent
  • Clinical management experience
  • Experience of managing staff
  • Demonstrate experience in a range of cancer surgical nursing
  • Relevant formal teaching experience

Skills, Abilities/Knowledge

Essential

  • Evidence of good leadership qualities, including delegation and co-ordination of teams
  • The ability to communicate effectively in both written and spoken English to wide range of people both internally and externally, often involving highly complex or sensitive information
  • Ability to interpret and implement new policies into workplace procedures
  • Evidence of commitment to patient & carer involvement in care
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with particular ability to liaise effectively with multi- disciplinary team member

Desirable

  • Experience and ability to manage conflict situations
  • Experience of budget management
  • Computer literacy

Other

Essential

  • Ability to work clinical shifts as required
  • oFlexibility to meet services needs and participate in hospital cover on a rotation basis including senior nurse on call cover if required
Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

  • First level registration
  • Oncology Qualification
  • Degree in relevant specialty
  • Charge nurse or equivalent
  • oQualified MSc in a relevant specialty

Desirable

  • Recent experience at Matron level
  • Non-medical prescriber qualification
  • Advanced life support qualification
  • ENB 998 - Mentorship

Experience

Desirable

  • Significant relevant post-registration experience, including experienced at Band 7 sister / charge nurse or equivalent
  • Clinical management experience
  • Experience of managing staff
  • Demonstrate experience in a range of cancer surgical nursing
  • Relevant formal teaching experience

Skills, Abilities/Knowledge

Essential

  • Evidence of good leadership qualities, including delegation and co-ordination of teams
  • The ability to communicate effectively in both written and spoken English to wide range of people both internally and externally, often involving highly complex or sensitive information
  • Ability to interpret and implement new policies into workplace procedures
  • Evidence of commitment to patient & carer involvement in care
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with particular ability to liaise effectively with multi- disciplinary team member

Desirable

  • Experience and ability to manage conflict situations
  • Experience of budget management
  • Computer literacy

Other

Essential

  • Ability to work clinical shifts as required
  • oFlexibility to meet services needs and participate in hospital cover on a rotation basis including senior nurse on call cover if required

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).

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.

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

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Royal Marsden Hospital

Chelsea

SW3 6JJ


Employer's website

https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/working-royal-marsden (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Royal Marsden Hospital

Chelsea

SW3 6JJ


Employer's website

https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/working-royal-marsden (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Deputy Director Patient Safety &Clinical Assurance

Tom Kirby

Tom.Kirby@rmh.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

09 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£72,921 to £83,362 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

9 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

282-OD1327

Job locations

The Royal Marsden Hospital

Chelsea

SW3 6JJ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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