Job summary
The Head of Nursing role at UCLH is a unique opportunity for an outstanding nurse leader. As of one of three Heads of Nursing for the Trust, you will be responsible for providing the highest standard of leadership to excellent nursing teams. You will be a member of a core team for the medicine clinical board and responsible to the executive medical director and directly reporting to the chief nurse.
You will be and will be responsible for leading patient safety, quality of care, patient and staff experience and delivering the highest standard of care in line with the UCLH Trust Strategy (2023-2027).
You will be joining an exceptional nursing and midwifery leadership team. We are looking for an individual who holds integrity, kindness, equity, and inclusion as core values. You will be a leader who strives to do the right thing, enables thought leadership, empowers the voice of our patients and staff and inspires the potential of your peers and those you lead. You will be a leader who values trust and transparency and who is continuously striving to improve - self and others.
As one of the top performing trusts in the UK these posts are an excellent opportunity for an aspiring Chief Nurse and as such, we are seeking to employ an individual with a visionary and inclusive leadership approach and with the credibility and academic credentials required for such a role. If this sounds like you, then please get in touch.
Main duties of the job
Reporting to the Chief Nurse, the Head of Nursing is responsible (with the Chief Nurse and nursing and midwifery leadership team), for development and delivery of the strategy for nursing and midwifery in alignment with the UCLH Trust Strategy (2023-2027) and the national strategic priorities for nursing and midwifery. This will include the development and delivery of the workforce plan, clinical and professional standards and the development of leadership capacity within nursing and midwifery.
The Head of Nursing, in collaboration with the medical director and clinical board core team, will be responsible for leading quality, patient safety and patient and staff experience for the clinical board. This will include setting the standards and expectations and monitoring divisional performance against key strategic objectives. It will involve leading on Trust, regional and national initiatives that strive to deliver quality, safe care, continuous improvement and promote a positive learning culture.
As Head of Nursing the post holder will provide professional leadership for the clinical board which meets both the Trust and national professional agendas. This role will contribute to delivering the Trust's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy (2023-2027) and role model the leadership attributes that promote inclusion and positive staff experience.
About us
At UCLH (University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust) our success starts with you. This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the largest and most successful Foundation Trusts in the UK with an international reputation and a tradition of innovation. UCLH prides itself on its investment in staff both in terms of developing career skills and also its commitment to staff health and wellbeing. In the 2022 staff survey, UCLH was rated as number one recommended Trust to work at in London and third best across England.
The Medicine Clinical Board (MCB) consists of Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, Infection, Pathology, Medical Specialties and Clinical Support Services led by Medical Director and senior core team including, Head of Nursing, Head of Operations, Heads of workforce and Finance
Job description
Job responsibilities
Informal discussion regarding this post is expected to discuss the post in more detail please contact, Vanessa Sweeney, Chief Nurse vanessa.sweeney@nhs.net 020 3447 9569. This will close Sunday 26th November, shortlisting and informing applicants will take place on Monday 27th November. Interviews/assessment will be an all day event and are scheduled to take place on Monday 4th December 2023.
Strategy: To contribute to the delivery of the UCLH nursing and midwifery strategy both within the Trust and to contribute to the national professional agenda. To contribute to the development and review of the Trusts service and business strategy in collaboration with others, to ensure that it is consistent with (i) the needs of patients and other stakeholders (ii) the Board vision and priority, (iii) Department of Health and NHS requirements. These strategies should pay special attention to the creation of new development opportunities within and outside the organisation and to leadership programmes which will enhance patient care.
Leadership: To be the professional lead for nursing within the clinical board. To deliver specific programmes of work for nursing and midwifery in line with the strategic aims. To provide professional leadership to all nursing, care assistant and assistant practitioner staff within the clinical board. Within the clinical board, advising, supporting and influencing nursing leadership and development. Contribute to the development and delivery of nursing and interprofessional education programmes, prioritising work, ensuring staff are appropriately developed and therefore efficient, effective, engaged and highly motivated.
Delivery Plan: To contribute to the development and delivery of the clinical board strategic plan, in line with the UCLH Trust Strategy (2023-2027) and wider system strategic objectives. To contribute to the development and implementation of Trust delivery plans to give effect to service and business strategy, including Trust wide and system and wider, partnership working, through the development and monitoring of clinical and professional standards.
Resources: To ensure expenditure and income is within budget, and to ensure compliance with financial protocols. Contribute to the delivery of financial improvement programmes that drive efficiencies and maintain quality and safety.
Performance: To lead performance monitoring of clinical care (quality, safety and experience) and professional standards within the Clinical Board, to ensure objectives and targets are achieved (internal and external) and performance reporting requirements are satisfied. To set clinical and professional standards within nursing and midwifery and promote the development of integrated interprofessional care pathways.
Risk and Governance: To contribute to the development and application of systems, control processes and risk management arrangements that ensure full compliance with internal and external governance and best practice requirements. To monitor and manage risk, undertaking assessments in local areas of responsibility in accordance with the Trust Risk Strategy.
Stakeholder Liaison: To represent the Trust in liaison with the NHS, the community and other partnership organisations and stakeholders on all professional and patient involvement issues, in order to enhance the reputation of the Trust and receive feedback on service delivery.
Service Improvement: In close collaboration with the Medical Director(s) and Chief Nurse, to contribute to the development of local service improvement projects; lead and participate in Clinical Board and Trust wide development programmes that contribute to the ongoing development and modernisation of services to patients.
Research and Development: To support the development and review of the Trusts nursing and midwifery research and development strategy, in collaboration with the Department of Research and Development and academic partners, ensuring this is consistent with (i) the needs of patient and other stakeholders, including academic partners, (ii) the Trusts vision and priorities and (iii) the Department of Health and NHS requirements.
Education: To ensure the development of training and education within the Clinical Board, as directed by the Trusts Nursing & Midwifery and Education Strategies and the UCLH Trust Strategy (2023-2027) and aligned to national priorities for professional development.
Operational: To participate in the Senior Manager (Silver) On-Call rota, to provide senior advice to General Manager on-call and to lead the Trust in adverse situations out-of-hours (such as major incidents and adverse media attention).
To contribute to the development and delivery of the operational plan across the emergency and elective patient pathways with a focus on patient safety, quality and person-centred care.
To lead and chair the Clinical Board in the absence of the Medical Director as required.or be added to, in accordance with the priorities of the Chief Nurse and the Trust.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Informal discussion regarding this post is expected to discuss the post in more detail please contact, Vanessa Sweeney, Chief Nurse vanessa.sweeney@nhs.net 020 3447 9569. This will close Sunday 26th November, shortlisting and informing applicants will take place on Monday 27th November. Interviews/assessment will be an all day event and are scheduled to take place on Monday 4th December 2023.
Strategy: To contribute to the delivery of the UCLH nursing and midwifery strategy both within the Trust and to contribute to the national professional agenda. To contribute to the development and review of the Trusts service and business strategy in collaboration with others, to ensure that it is consistent with (i) the needs of patients and other stakeholders (ii) the Board vision and priority, (iii) Department of Health and NHS requirements. These strategies should pay special attention to the creation of new development opportunities within and outside the organisation and to leadership programmes which will enhance patient care.
Leadership: To be the professional lead for nursing within the clinical board. To deliver specific programmes of work for nursing and midwifery in line with the strategic aims. To provide professional leadership to all nursing, care assistant and assistant practitioner staff within the clinical board. Within the clinical board, advising, supporting and influencing nursing leadership and development. Contribute to the development and delivery of nursing and interprofessional education programmes, prioritising work, ensuring staff are appropriately developed and therefore efficient, effective, engaged and highly motivated.
Delivery Plan: To contribute to the development and delivery of the clinical board strategic plan, in line with the UCLH Trust Strategy (2023-2027) and wider system strategic objectives. To contribute to the development and implementation of Trust delivery plans to give effect to service and business strategy, including Trust wide and system and wider, partnership working, through the development and monitoring of clinical and professional standards.
Resources: To ensure expenditure and income is within budget, and to ensure compliance with financial protocols. Contribute to the delivery of financial improvement programmes that drive efficiencies and maintain quality and safety.
Performance: To lead performance monitoring of clinical care (quality, safety and experience) and professional standards within the Clinical Board, to ensure objectives and targets are achieved (internal and external) and performance reporting requirements are satisfied. To set clinical and professional standards within nursing and midwifery and promote the development of integrated interprofessional care pathways.
Risk and Governance: To contribute to the development and application of systems, control processes and risk management arrangements that ensure full compliance with internal and external governance and best practice requirements. To monitor and manage risk, undertaking assessments in local areas of responsibility in accordance with the Trust Risk Strategy.
Stakeholder Liaison: To represent the Trust in liaison with the NHS, the community and other partnership organisations and stakeholders on all professional and patient involvement issues, in order to enhance the reputation of the Trust and receive feedback on service delivery.
Service Improvement: In close collaboration with the Medical Director(s) and Chief Nurse, to contribute to the development of local service improvement projects; lead and participate in Clinical Board and Trust wide development programmes that contribute to the ongoing development and modernisation of services to patients.
Research and Development: To support the development and review of the Trusts nursing and midwifery research and development strategy, in collaboration with the Department of Research and Development and academic partners, ensuring this is consistent with (i) the needs of patient and other stakeholders, including academic partners, (ii) the Trusts vision and priorities and (iii) the Department of Health and NHS requirements.
Education: To ensure the development of training and education within the Clinical Board, as directed by the Trusts Nursing & Midwifery and Education Strategies and the UCLH Trust Strategy (2023-2027) and aligned to national priorities for professional development.
Operational: To participate in the Senior Manager (Silver) On-Call rota, to provide senior advice to General Manager on-call and to lead the Trust in adverse situations out-of-hours (such as major incidents and adverse media attention).
To contribute to the development and delivery of the operational plan across the emergency and elective patient pathways with a focus on patient safety, quality and person-centred care.
To lead and chair the Clinical Board in the absence of the Medical Director as required.or be added to, in accordance with the priorities of the Chief Nurse and the Trust.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Qualifications
Essential
- First degree or equivalent qualification
- Higher professional or management degree (Masters level or higher)
- Current NMC registration: First level registered Nurse
Experience
Essential
- Significant senior clinical experience
- Proven Nursing/Midwifery leadership and management experience.
- Evidence of strong and positive leadership behaviours
- Substantial experience of working with a diverse range of stakeholders across boundaries and a successful track record of influence and engagement.
- Substantial evidence of leading and delivering successful strategic change and initiating strategic developments
- Experience of developing and leading high quality patient experience pathways
- A strong track record of managing complexity and risk whilst maintaining high standards of clinical and operational services.
- Experience of working and delivering Trust wide professional nursing objectives.
- Budgetary management and workforce development experience
- Demonstrable awareness of national professional issues
- Evidence of achievement and on-going personal professional development
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Able to analyse and interrogate data and performance information, using experience and judgement to make recommendations on actions.
- Ability to make decisions in a constantly changing environment (e.g. clinic setting) using judgement to deal with queries or escalate where necessary.
- A comprehensive understanding of the changing NHS environment and the challenges it faces.
- A commitment to improving patient services through an ability to sustain a clear performance focus on achieving demanding goals.
- Proven ability to foster an organisational culture that is positive about change and committed to the delivery of the strategic vision.
- Significant skill in managing changing effectively within an operational environment, building engagement and involvement and rewarding innovation.
- Advanced keyboard skills, and competent use of IT.
- Able to deal with sensitive information with tact, diplomacy and understanding.
Communication
Essential
- Able to communicate complex or sensitive information clearly and sensitively with a wide range of patients, in situations where there may be barriers to understanding (e.g. language difficulties, anxious or distressed patients or relatives).
- Excellent influencing and negotiating skills
- Ability to articulate a clear vision
- Ability to collaborate constructively with internal and external partners to create the conditions for successful partnership working.
Personal and People Development
Essential
- Able to work independently, managing own workload and allocating work appropriately to others.
- Demonstrate emotional intelligence, self-awareness, self-management (including self-control, transparency and optimism)
- Relationship management skills (ability to influence, develop others and act as a change catalyst)
- Skilled in reflection with a strong commitment to professional development
Specific Requirements
Essential
- Flexible approach to working hours and location
Person Specification
Knowledge and Qualifications
Essential
- First degree or equivalent qualification
- Higher professional or management degree (Masters level or higher)
- Current NMC registration: First level registered Nurse
Experience
Essential
- Significant senior clinical experience
- Proven Nursing/Midwifery leadership and management experience.
- Evidence of strong and positive leadership behaviours
- Substantial experience of working with a diverse range of stakeholders across boundaries and a successful track record of influence and engagement.
- Substantial evidence of leading and delivering successful strategic change and initiating strategic developments
- Experience of developing and leading high quality patient experience pathways
- A strong track record of managing complexity and risk whilst maintaining high standards of clinical and operational services.
- Experience of working and delivering Trust wide professional nursing objectives.
- Budgetary management and workforce development experience
- Demonstrable awareness of national professional issues
- Evidence of achievement and on-going personal professional development
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Able to analyse and interrogate data and performance information, using experience and judgement to make recommendations on actions.
- Ability to make decisions in a constantly changing environment (e.g. clinic setting) using judgement to deal with queries or escalate where necessary.
- A comprehensive understanding of the changing NHS environment and the challenges it faces.
- A commitment to improving patient services through an ability to sustain a clear performance focus on achieving demanding goals.
- Proven ability to foster an organisational culture that is positive about change and committed to the delivery of the strategic vision.
- Significant skill in managing changing effectively within an operational environment, building engagement and involvement and rewarding innovation.
- Advanced keyboard skills, and competent use of IT.
- Able to deal with sensitive information with tact, diplomacy and understanding.
Communication
Essential
- Able to communicate complex or sensitive information clearly and sensitively with a wide range of patients, in situations where there may be barriers to understanding (e.g. language difficulties, anxious or distressed patients or relatives).
- Excellent influencing and negotiating skills
- Ability to articulate a clear vision
- Ability to collaborate constructively with internal and external partners to create the conditions for successful partnership working.
Personal and People Development
Essential
- Able to work independently, managing own workload and allocating work appropriately to others.
- Demonstrate emotional intelligence, self-awareness, self-management (including self-control, transparency and optimism)
- Relationship management skills (ability to influence, develop others and act as a change catalyst)
- Skilled in reflection with a strong commitment to professional development
Specific Requirements
Essential
- Flexible approach to working hours and location
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.
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.
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).
