Job summary
An Exciting Opportunity to Shape the Future of Specialised Burn Care
Are you a visionary and compassionate nursing leader with a passion for improving outcomes in burn care? This is a unique and exciting opportunity to take on a strategic leadership role within the South West Burns Clinical Network (SWBCN), one of four specialised burns networks across England and Wales.
As Lead Nurse, you will be at the forefront of transforming how burn care is delivered across the South West region and influencing national collaborations. This role offers the chance to work alongside senior leaders, clinicians, educators, and commissioners to shape services that are equitable, patient-centred, and aligned with national standards and priorities.
You will lead on the nursing contribution to the Network's strategic direction, influencing workforce planning, education, quality improvement, and service transformation. Drive forward service development, research, and education initiatives that improve patient outcomes and experiences. Champion the voice of burn nurses across the Network, advocating for excellence in care and professional development.
This role requires flexibility to attend regional and national meetings, occasional home working, and travel across the Network. You'll work independently within a supportive leadership team, contributing to a dynamic and forward-thinking network.
Main duties of the job
The Lead Nurse is a key member of the SWBCN Leadership Team, representing and advocating for specialised burn nurses (adult and paediatric) across the Network. The role is a secondment position for an initial period up to 31 March 2027, with a possibility to extend at the end of this period.
The post-holder will provide strategic, professional and clinical nursing leadership across the SWBCN, ensuring high-quality, equitable and patient-centred care for adults and children. The post-holder will lead the nursing contribution of the Network's strategic direction in respect of workforce development and planning, education and training, quality improvement and service transformation in accordance with the British Burn Association (BBA) National Standards for the Provision Adult and Paediatric Burn Care and regional priorities.
As a member of the Network Leadership Team, the post-holder will develop productive working relationships and practices across the Network, working in partnership with other relevant agencies and organisations offering advice and providing support to all specialised burn services within the region.
About us
North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.
North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached document for detailed job description.
Main duties
- Collaborating with the Network Leadership Team and contributing nursing expertise in all aspects of the burn care pathway across the Network region and nationally. The post-holder will co-ordinate a Senior Burn Nurses Specialist Interest Group (SIG), providing leadership and direction to the group to develop a collaborative approach to delivering improvement across the Network.
- Represent the nursing group at the Network Board and in other regional and national meetings.
- Work with Directors of Nursing and Lead Burn Nurses from the Network member organisations to maintain a sustainable expert nursing workforce into the future.
- Contribute expertise in the development of an integrated approach to burn care, ensuring the SWBCN nursing membership are involved in the planning and implementation of service developments and improvements in line with the Ten Year Health Plan for England: Fit for the Future, regional commissioners objectives and the BBA National Standards for the Provision of Adult and Paediatric Burn Care.
- Work closely with all designated Specialised Burn Services within the SWBCN, primarily with nursing teams but also including medical and other allied health professionals.
- Work closely with the other Burns Clinical Networks Lead Nurses in order to deliver national nursing objectives as per the National Burns Clinical Network Groups annual work programme.
Strategic Leadership, Clinical Governance and Network Governance
- Lead the development and implementation of a regional nursing strategy aligned with BBA National Standards for the Provision of Adult and Paediatric Burn Care and NHS priorities
- Identify gaps in service provision and ensure development of appropriate mitigation
Network Co-ordination & Communication
- Present complex, sensitive or contentious information at Network Board and NHS England Programme Board meetings
- Chair the Burns Nurses Specialist Interest Group (SIG), driving delivery of the Network Annual Work Programme objectives
Service Delivery & Quality Improvement
- Drive sustainable continuous improvement throughout the SWBCN
- Turn strategic goals into practical plans that guide teams and drive improvements across the Network
Patient, Family & Carer Advocacy
- Lead on patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) in the SWBCN
- Champion patient, family and carer involvement in service planning and improvement project
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached document for detailed job description.
Main duties
- Collaborating with the Network Leadership Team and contributing nursing expertise in all aspects of the burn care pathway across the Network region and nationally. The post-holder will co-ordinate a Senior Burn Nurses Specialist Interest Group (SIG), providing leadership and direction to the group to develop a collaborative approach to delivering improvement across the Network.
- Represent the nursing group at the Network Board and in other regional and national meetings.
- Work with Directors of Nursing and Lead Burn Nurses from the Network member organisations to maintain a sustainable expert nursing workforce into the future.
- Contribute expertise in the development of an integrated approach to burn care, ensuring the SWBCN nursing membership are involved in the planning and implementation of service developments and improvements in line with the Ten Year Health Plan for England: Fit for the Future, regional commissioners objectives and the BBA National Standards for the Provision of Adult and Paediatric Burn Care.
- Work closely with all designated Specialised Burn Services within the SWBCN, primarily with nursing teams but also including medical and other allied health professionals.
- Work closely with the other Burns Clinical Networks Lead Nurses in order to deliver national nursing objectives as per the National Burns Clinical Network Groups annual work programme.
Strategic Leadership, Clinical Governance and Network Governance
- Lead the development and implementation of a regional nursing strategy aligned with BBA National Standards for the Provision of Adult and Paediatric Burn Care and NHS priorities
- Identify gaps in service provision and ensure development of appropriate mitigation
Network Co-ordination & Communication
- Present complex, sensitive or contentious information at Network Board and NHS England Programme Board meetings
- Chair the Burns Nurses Specialist Interest Group (SIG), driving delivery of the Network Annual Work Programme objectives
Service Delivery & Quality Improvement
- Drive sustainable continuous improvement throughout the SWBCN
- Turn strategic goals into practical plans that guide teams and drive improvements across the Network
Patient, Family & Carer Advocacy
- Lead on patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) in the SWBCN
- Champion patient, family and carer involvement in service planning and improvement project
Person Specification
Education/Training/Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse (Adult or Paediatric) registration part 1 of the NMC Register
- Degree in health related subject
- Evidence of Nursing at Master's level study or equivalent experience in specialist area.
- Highly developed specialist training in burns procedures and practices
- Successfully completed EMSB course and/or Accredited Burns Course
- Safeguarding of Children and Young People (Level 3), Safeguarding of Adults (Level 3) and The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism (Tier 2)
- Evidence of continuous professional development
Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification in leadership, education, or burn care
- Qualification in project management or service improvement
Work Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience in a burns nursing role at Band 7 or above, across inpatient and outpatient settings
- Highly effective leadership skills and ability to motivate
- Experience in providing advice to senior management teams within provider or commissioning organisations (e.g., adherence to National Burn Care Standards, governance and operational nursing issues
- Experience in service development, audit and quality improvement
- Experience in the delivery and evaluation of high quality multi-disciplinary education, training and mentoring
- Experience in project management
- Experience of writing guidelines and policy documents
Desirable
- Experience working across organisational boundaries or networks
- Experience contributing to national or regional policy or standards
- Involvement in research or publications in burn care
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Essential
- Relevant practical experience and theoretical knowledge in specialist burn care
- Knowledge of national pathways of care in a resource limited specialist environment in order to ensure patients are seen in the right place, at the right time and by the right people.
- In-depth understanding of the British Burn Association (BBA) National Standards for the Provision of Adult and Paediatric Burn Care related to nursing workforce and NHS England service specifications related to Specialised Burn Services (Adult and Children) and the Burns Clinical Network Specification
- Ability to make judgements involving highly complex facts or situations in order to support delivery of whole-system work programmes, aligned with national commissioning objectives and regional priorities
- Sound understanding of risk, clinical governance and PSIR Framework
- Clinical practice and knowledge of developments in nursing policy and practice
- Excellent inter-personal skills and communication skills when communicating with colleagues in potentially antagonistic or highly emotive environments
- Strong organisational and project management skills
- Ability to lead and work with multi-disciplinary teams
- Excellent partnership working skills and ability to build and sustain relationships with key stakeholders
- Ability to influence and negotiate across complex systems
- Ability to advocate for innovation and continuous improvement, strategic planning and workforce modelling
Desirable
- Digital communication skills including proficient use of Microsoft Office 365 and MS Teams and willingness to learn how to use burns specific data platforms
- Knowledge of regional commissioning and Clinical Network structures
- Knowledge of IBID and bench-marking clinical metrics related to burn care
Personal Qualities/Special Circumstances
Essential
- Commitment to equity, inclusion, and continuous improvement
- Proven leadership in clinical and/or strategic roles
- Commitment to patient-centred care, equity of access and inclusion
- Compassionate, inclusive and collaborative skills
- Ability to represent the Network impartially and build consensus
- Must have a current driving licence and/or be able to fulfil the travel requirements of post
- Self-motivated with the ability to work to set timelines, under own initiative and without direct supervision in the development of network wide strategies and polices
- Able to work flexibly according to the needs of the Network
Desirable
- Visionary leadership qualities with a national profile in burn care
Person Specification
Education/Training/Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse (Adult or Paediatric) registration part 1 of the NMC Register
- Degree in health related subject
- Evidence of Nursing at Master's level study or equivalent experience in specialist area.
- Highly developed specialist training in burns procedures and practices
- Successfully completed EMSB course and/or Accredited Burns Course
- Safeguarding of Children and Young People (Level 3), Safeguarding of Adults (Level 3) and The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism (Tier 2)
- Evidence of continuous professional development
Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification in leadership, education, or burn care
- Qualification in project management or service improvement
Work Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience in a burns nursing role at Band 7 or above, across inpatient and outpatient settings
- Highly effective leadership skills and ability to motivate
- Experience in providing advice to senior management teams within provider or commissioning organisations (e.g., adherence to National Burn Care Standards, governance and operational nursing issues
- Experience in service development, audit and quality improvement
- Experience in the delivery and evaluation of high quality multi-disciplinary education, training and mentoring
- Experience in project management
- Experience of writing guidelines and policy documents
Desirable
- Experience working across organisational boundaries or networks
- Experience contributing to national or regional policy or standards
- Involvement in research or publications in burn care
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Essential
- Relevant practical experience and theoretical knowledge in specialist burn care
- Knowledge of national pathways of care in a resource limited specialist environment in order to ensure patients are seen in the right place, at the right time and by the right people.
- In-depth understanding of the British Burn Association (BBA) National Standards for the Provision of Adult and Paediatric Burn Care related to nursing workforce and NHS England service specifications related to Specialised Burn Services (Adult and Children) and the Burns Clinical Network Specification
- Ability to make judgements involving highly complex facts or situations in order to support delivery of whole-system work programmes, aligned with national commissioning objectives and regional priorities
- Sound understanding of risk, clinical governance and PSIR Framework
- Clinical practice and knowledge of developments in nursing policy and practice
- Excellent inter-personal skills and communication skills when communicating with colleagues in potentially antagonistic or highly emotive environments
- Strong organisational and project management skills
- Ability to lead and work with multi-disciplinary teams
- Excellent partnership working skills and ability to build and sustain relationships with key stakeholders
- Ability to influence and negotiate across complex systems
- Ability to advocate for innovation and continuous improvement, strategic planning and workforce modelling
Desirable
- Digital communication skills including proficient use of Microsoft Office 365 and MS Teams and willingness to learn how to use burns specific data platforms
- Knowledge of regional commissioning and Clinical Network structures
- Knowledge of IBID and bench-marking clinical metrics related to burn care
Personal Qualities/Special Circumstances
Essential
- Commitment to equity, inclusion, and continuous improvement
- Proven leadership in clinical and/or strategic roles
- Commitment to patient-centred care, equity of access and inclusion
- Compassionate, inclusive and collaborative skills
- Ability to represent the Network impartially and build consensus
- Must have a current driving licence and/or be able to fulfil the travel requirements of post
- Self-motivated with the ability to work to set timelines, under own initiative and without direct supervision in the development of network wide strategies and polices
- Able to work flexibly according to the needs of the Network
Desirable
- Visionary leadership qualities with a national profile in burn care
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).
