Job summary
- Main area
- Acute & Speciality Medicine
- Grade
- Band 8b
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 279-7267808-JUN25
- Employer
- 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Princess Royal Hospital / Royal Sussex County Hospital
- Town
- Haywards Heath
- Salary
- £62,215 - £72,293 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 10/07/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Head of Nursing
Band 8b
About our Trust
At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First . In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job overview
Head of Nursing for the acute floor and DMS lead for PRH. If you would like to apply, then please submit your application, ensuring to state why you are suited to the position. Experience of leading on a service transformation is essential. This is a permanent and forms part of the senior medical divisional team, leading and aligning with the Trusts true north objectives. The Head of Nursing will lead the Daily Management System (DMS) across PRH and also lead the Fundamental Standards of Care (FSoC). Intrinsic to the role is leading with compassion, and continuous improvement for patient safety, quality, clinical governance. The post holder will also be the lead for transforming the nursing workforce and improving patient pathways, including reducing length of stay and emergency performance at PRH. These are exciting times ahead and this offers a great opportunity for a senior nurse to influence at a more strategic level.
We welcome applications from those who currently hold a UK NMC registration. If you currently hold an overseas nursing qualification and require sponsorship we are not currently direct hiring Internationally Qualified Nurses.
Main duties of the job
The Head of Nursing will be an integral member of the Divisional management team supporting the Division in the delivery of key performance targets and the clinical strategy. The post holder will provide proactive senior nursing leadership and management for the acute floor directorate within the Division.
As an experienced senior nurse, the post holder will be expected to focus on providing a clean, safe environment for patients in line with the highest clinical care and infection control standards ensuring patients receive optimum care whilst being treated with dignity and respect.
The post holder will be responsible for implementing and monitoring quality governance arrangements that are in place within the Division. In conjunction with and on behalf of the Head of Nursing, the post holder will address the FSoC, the CQC standards, risk management, review critical incidents, identify and review key clinical and service indicators/audit outcomes and implement information governance requirements.
The post holder will be responsible and accountable for the nursing budgets associated with their area of responsibility. This will include the oversight of the bank and agency expenditure and ensuring good financial grip and affordability within the defined staffing models.
They will be responsible for the performance and delivery of safe, high quality nursing services within the acute floor and providing cross cover to other areas as required.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme, for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop. We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.
Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The post holder will:
- Be responsible for the performance management and professional standards of Matrons, Ward/Department Managers and Nurse Specialists to ensure delivery of healthcare performance standards and Trust objectives within their designated area of responsibility.
- Take the lead for Fundamental Standards of Care (FSoC), safety and quality for all nursing services provided within their designated area of responsibility, undertaking investigations and producing reports where required.
- Act as a positive role model through the provision of effective senior professional nurse leadership and demonstration of competent, accountable, high quality clinical practice.
- Provide day-to-day visible (in uniform), accessible and authoritative leadership in clinical areas.
- Be responsible for the standards of ward based and outpatient-based care delivered within their area(s) to ensure the delivery of patient care is of the highest possible standard at all times and for improving patient experience.
- Actively support the Division in the provision and ongoing development of high quality, modern, dynamic and patient centred services.
- Provide support to patients, and their relatives/carers.
- Be responsible for optimising patient flow to ensure patients are in the right bed at the right time to receive the right care.
- Work in liaison with other Directorates and Divisions and the wider local health community and local service providers to ensure care pathways are optimised, supporting resolution of any issues where they are identified.
- To work closely with other Directorates and Divisions to ensure that related clinical pathways work in tandem with those in these areas and are as efficient as possible in all respects of the care delivered to patients.
- To ensure that the services within the Division work together seamlessly providing safe high-quality care to patients.
- Provide support in relation to workforce development, training, recruitment and performance management of the nursing teams within the Division.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Registered Nurse Level 1
- Masters degree in Nursing or equivalent experience
Experience
Essential criteria
- Extensive experience at a senior level
Skills
Essential criteria
- Evidence of excellent managerial, leadership and organisational skills
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Kimberly O'Hara
- Job title
- Divisional Director of Nursing
- Email address
- kimberly.o'[email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07977002052
- Additional information
Please contact with any questions.
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