Deputy Chief Nurse

The 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.

The 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.

NHFT 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.

Knowledge and experience

Knowledge and experience

Knowledge and experience

Knowledge and experience

Skills and abilities

Knowledge and experience

Desirable: - Experience of formally deputising for a Chief Nurse or Executive Director of Nursing, AHPs and Quality

Knowledge and experience

Desirable: - Experience as Deputy Director of Infection Prevention and Control or equivalent senior IPC leadership responsibility

Knowledge and experience

Desirable: - Leadership, management, QI, project management or coaching qualification

Knowledge and experience

Knowledge and experience

Desirable: - Evidence of wider professional contribution, such as research, teaching, publication, coaching, mentoring, or regional/national professional representation