Job summaryReporting to the Group Chief Nurse/Executive Director Nursing, AHPs and Quality, the Deputy Chief Nurse is a senior leadership role within the Nursing and Quality Directorate. The post holder will provide visible, credible and compassionate professional nursing leadership across NHFT, supporting the delivery of safe, effective, high-quality care and strengthening assurance, professional standards and quality improvement across the organisation.
Main duties of the jobThe post holder will be a member of the Operational Directors' management team through the Trust Operational Management Group (TOMG) and Executive Management Board (EMB), contributing to corporate decision-making, operational grip, quality assurance and delivery of strategic priorities. Working with Care Delivery Pathway leadership teams, Operational Directors, Clinical Directors, Heads of Nursing, Matrons and corporate teams, the Deputy Chief Nurse will ensure nursing and quality priorities are embedded in operational delivery. This includes supporting strong clinical governance, regulatory compliance, patient safety, patient experience, risk management, safeguarding, professional standards and continuous improvement. The post holder will provide senior nursing leadership, support and challenge across Forensic and Secure Services and Specialist Services, ensuring services are safe, responsive, well-led and aligned to national standards, commissioner requirements and local population needs. They will deputise for the Group Chief Nurse/Executive Director of Nursing, AHPs and Quality as required and act as Deputy Director of Infection Prevention and Control, supporting Trust-wide IPC leadership, oversight and assurance. They will also participate in the senior on-call rota, providing advice and leadership on urgent operational, quality, safety and professional issues.
About usNHFT is an NHS Community and Mental Health Foundation Trust, providing physical, mental health and specialty services in hospital settings and in the community. We provide over 200 services across the county - as well as some specialist services in bordering and nearby counties. We work together with our partners to ensure that everyone who comes through our doors receives compassionate, person-centred care, regardless of their background or circumstances.
NHFT promotes a culture of learning, to improve the care and safety of our patients and colleagues. We have achieved our 'outstanding' rating by encouraging opportunity, innovation, development and growth across our workforce.
At NHFT we believe that work should be rewarded in every sense which is why we are proud to an accredited living wage employer.
We aim to support financial wellbeing and create an environment where are people feel valued and able to thrive.
Job responsibilitiesThe Deputy Chief Nurse is a senior nursing leader within the Nursing and Quality Directorate, reporting directly to the Group Chief Nurse/Executive Director of Nursing, AHPs and Quality. The post holder provides visible, credible and compassionate professional nursing leadership across the Trust, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality care. Working with significant autonomy, they support the Chief Nurse in driving quality improvement, professional standards, patient safety, workforce development and organisational assurance.
The role works closely with Operational Directors, Clinical Directors, Heads of Nursing and Care Delivery Pathway leadership teams to ensure nursing, quality and patient safety priorities are embedded in operational delivery and strategic planning. The Deputy Chief Nurse provides expert advice, support and constructive challenge in relation to clinical governance, risk management, safeguarding, patient experience, regulatory compliance and continuous improvement.
Key responsibilities include leading and contributing to Trust-wide quality improvement programmes; supporting robust ward-to-board assurance arrangements; overseeing the management of quality and safety risks; and ensuring learning from incidents, complaints, audits and patient feedback is translated into measurable improvements. The post holder contributes to Executive Management Board and senior governance forums, providing professional nursing leadership and assurance on complex issues.
The Deputy Chief Nurse acts as Deputy Director of Infection Prevention and Control, supporting the delivery of infection prevention strategies, assurance and improvement across the organisation. They also deputise for the Group Chief Nurse as required and participate in the senior on-call rota, responding to urgent operational, quality and safety issues.
The role requires strong partnership working with internal and external stakeholders, including regulators, commissioners, system partners and education providers, while promoting a culture of inclusion, continuous learning, professional excellence and compassionate leadership.
Person SpecificationKnowledge and experienceEssential- Registered Nurse in Mental Health (RNLD/RMN) or Registered Nurse in Learning Disabilities (RNLD) with current NMC registration and evidence of ongoing fitness to practise.
Knowledge and experienceEssential- Masters level qualification or equivalent senior leadership experience, supported by evidence of continuing professional development at strategic leadership level.
Knowledge and experienceEssential- Extensive senior nursing leadership experience within a large, complex NHS provider organisation, including experience of operating at or immediately below Executive Director level.
Knowledge and experienceEssential- Strong knowledge and experience of clinical governance, patient safety, CQC/regulatory requirements, risk management, quality improvement and board assurance arrangements.
Skills and abilitiesEssential- Proven ability to provide senior professional nursing leadership, support and challenge across multiple services/directorates, including working with Executive Directors, Operational Directors, Clinical Directors and senior leaders to improve quality, safety, patient experience and professional standards.
Knowledge and experienceDesirable- Experience of formally deputising for a Chief Nurse or Executive Director of Nursing, AHPs and Quality
Knowledge and experienceDesirable- Experience as Deputy Director of Infection Prevention and Control or equivalent senior IPC leadership responsibility
Knowledge and experienceDesirable- Leadership, management, QI, project management or coaching qualification
Knowledge and experienceDesirable- Experience of specialist commissioning, forensic and secure services, regional/national specialist services, or complex mental health/community service environments
Knowledge and experienceDesirable- Evidence of wider professional contribution, such as research, teaching, publication, coaching, mentoring, or regional/national professional representation
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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.Applicants must have current UK professional registration. 
