Job summary
We are excited to offer an exceptional opportunity for a dynamic and motivated registered nurse or midwife to join our team as a Professional Practice Lead. This pivotal Band 7 role will support the continued delivery and sustainability of our highly successful Pathway to Excellence and Professional Nurse Advocate (PNA) programmes, helping to shape the future of nursing and midwifery practice and the wider healthcare workforce within the Trust.

Working closely with the Associate Director of Professional Practice, you will drive forward shared governance including shared decision-making councils (SDMC), professional engagement, and shaping a positive practice environment where every voice is valued, focussing on sustaining and building a culture of engagement and inclusion.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support the development of Shared Governance and SDMCs across the Trust
• Support frontline staff to actively influence decisions that impact patient care and staff experience
• Support ongoing implementation and sustainability of the Pathway to Excellence programme
• Contribute to embedding Professional Advocates in practice. A role that has a significant impact on staff wellbeing, retention, and professional development
• Promote a positive practice environment aligned with transformational and collective leadership principles
• Collaborate with clinical teams to drive improvements in quality, safety, and staff wellbeing

Main duties of the job

• Work alongside teams to build and sustain a positive practice environment
• Encourage and support reflective practice, supervision, and learning opportunities to help colleagues grow and feel supported
• Spot opportunities for improvement and work with teams to embed and strengthen Pathway standards in everyday practice
• Support and coach SDMCs helping staff feel confident in their roles
• Share best practice using a variety of communication methods

This is a great opportunity to step into a Trust-wide role, gaining valuable experience in professional leadership, quality improvement, and programme delivery.

A secondment into this role will offer you the chance to:

• Develop your leadership skills and work at a strategic level
• Gain exposure to Trust-wide initiatives
• Build confidence in data analysis and influencing change
• Expand your professional network
• Strengthen your CV and career progression opportunities

We are looking for an enthusiastic colleague who is keen to develop and make a difference at a Trust-wide level.

You will ideally:

• Be confident in communicating and building relationships with colleagues at all levels
• Enjoy working collaboratively, supporting others to get involved and have their voice heard
• Be organised, proactive, and able to manage a variety of tasks and priorities
• Have a willingness to learn and develop new skills
• Be positive, enthusiastic and committed to creating an inclusive culture

About us
Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements. If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Details
Date posted: 14 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year
pro-rata for part-time
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
Reference number: C9155-CRNM-0726-29
Job locations: South Tyneside Nhs Foundation Trust, South Tyneside District Hospital, Harton Lane, SOUTH SHIELDS, Tyne And Wear, NE34 0PL, United Kingdom; Sunderland Royal Hospital, Kayll Road, SUNDERLAND, SR4 7TP, United Kingdom

Job description
The Chief Nursing Officer for England (CNO) has a vision of a collective leadership model across England with a focus on transformational leadership within which everyone has a voice, no matter where they work, or the role they undertake. The Pathway to Excellence programme is a global nursing excellence framework that aims to create a positive practice environment for nursing staff. The Trust is committed to implementing Shared Governance across the organisation. As part of this, you will support continuous progress with Shared Decision Making across the Trust.

Shared Decision Making involves front line staff in decision making to improve patient and staff experience and clinical outcomes, based on the premise that front line staff work most closely with patients and will be better informed about what will most make a difference to patient care. The successful candidate will work as a subject matter expert and report to the Associate Director Professional Practice

PLEASE REFER TO ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE POST.

Person Specification

Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Nurse / Midwife
• Current NMC Registration and no restrictions on practice
• First degree in Nursing/Midwifery
• Post-graduate qualification within a leadership programme/study or evidence of practical application of expertise at this level
• Evidence of continuing personal and professional development relevant to post.

Desirable

• Masters Degree level education
• Professional nurse / Midwifery advocate

Physical skills
Essential

• There is a requirement for the job holder to be able to travel independently to various sites.
• The ability to move and handle objects is required
• Ability to sit at workstations as necessary to perform the role
• Requirement for speed and accuracy with keyboard skills

Experience
Essential

• Significant knowledge and understanding of the Pathway to Excellence programme and designation process
• Knowledge and experience of supporting staff in a faciliatory role .
• Prior experience of communication with a range of staff groups and at all levels.
• Experience in quality improvement, with experience/ aware of QI methodologies, such as PDSA cycle
• Experience of shared decision making

Desirable

• NHS experience
• Experience in project management

Skills and Knowledge
Essential

• Excellent IT skills, with proficient use of MS Office packages
• Demonstrate ability to deliver presentations to a wide range of stakeholders
• Proven ability to lead meetings, including agenda setting, chairing the meeting and facilitating engagement
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent literacy and numeric skills
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team
• Ability to format and manipulate complex data
• Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines
• Maintain concentration and attention to detail whilst also dealing effectively with interruptions.
• Good organisational and project management skills
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of electronic information systems.
• Demonstrable Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• Ability to coach staff and remain impartial in challenging situations.
• Able to facilitate group sessions.
• Ability to establish credibility and develop maintain effective working relationships at different levels
• Has good influencing and negotiating skills.

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).