Job summary This is an exciting opportunity for a senior nurse to act as deputy head of nursing for medicine cross-site between Luton Hospital and Bedford Hospital. Working with the Head of Nursing for Medicine and Elderly Care, the General Managers and the Clinical Directors, the successful candidate will be accountable for the delivery of nursing services and developing a service strategy. They will assist with the setting of goals and objectives for staff within the service to ensure delivery of excellent clinical care. Main duties of the job The post holder in conjunction with the Head of Nursing will be responsible for the effective management of human resource, financial resource, governance and business planning arrangements for nursing across the group. They will be responsible for ensuring the smooth and safe day to day running of nursing services within the group and maintaining good staff and patient experience. They will work with the Head of Nursing to ensure business continuity and resilient service delivery, supported by robust operational and capacity planning They will act as a champion for patient safety, operational effectiveness and quality. They will work in partnership with colleagues across the organisation to ensure the delivery of the Trust's corporate objectives and transformation programmes, ensure collaboration between services to support quality improvements and collective achievement of performance standards incorporating quality, safety, contractual, access, financial and workforce and lead by example and act at all times as an ambassador for the Trust, championing the Trust's values and upholding the highest standards of behaviour and compassion for colleagues The successful candidate will support matrons and lead clinical professionals in the implementation of the nursing strategy, quality strategy and associated strategies, such as dementia, patient and carer involvement and learning disabilities. About us Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available. Our values We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences. Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job Date posted 21 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8b Salary £62,215 to £72,293 a year per annum Contract Fixed term Duration 12 months Working pattern Full-time Reference number 418-CORP2755-EH Job locations Cross-site Lewsey Road Luton LU4 0DZ Job description Job responsibilities The successful candidate will provide a clear focus for clinical leadership across the clinical service lines on both sites. The post holder will ensure that the departments and their staff deliver a high quality service that is patient focussed, efficient and safe. They will be responsible for co-ordinating care, monitoring expenditure, monitoring the quality of clinical support and managing specialist nursing staff. Leadership: To provide visible operational leadership, guidance, support and direction to staff within the group. Work in partnership with the Clinical Directors and Head of Nursing in delivering the objectives of the clinical service lines within the group To facilitate and drive change across the clinical service lines and care units in line with the trust change agenda and to do so in conjunction with clinical and managerial colleagues and service improvement managers Ensure that staff within the group understand the relevant performance and access targets and lead, manage and motivate staff in the delivery of those targets To focus on continuous improvement of the performance and financial position of the clinical service lines and embed systems to manage performance against objectives and quality targets to ensure that the service position is continually strengthening In conjunction with the Head of Nursing develop planning and business processes that are effective and embedded throughout the clinical service lines to ensure resilient and efficient delivery of care Work collaboratively with business partners to ensure effective financial, quality and workforce planning that meets the needs of both current and future service developments Ensure that all staff receive appropriate education and training opportunities which supports the workforce strategy and therefore, the strategic aims of the Trust Act as senior leader within the organisation, deputising for colleagues as required and acting at all times with maturity and sensitivity to the organisational priorities Work as a core member of the senior leadership team, offering suggestions, guidance and advice to others based on own experience and supporting the operational and strategic agenda as required. To always work in a way that is constructive and collaborative with colleagues. Participate in the Senior Manager on-call rota Job description Job responsibilities The successful candidate will provide a clear focus for clinical leadership across the clinical service lines on both sites. The post holder will ensure that the departments and their staff deliver a high quality service that is patient focussed, efficient and safe. They will be responsible for co-ordinating care, monitoring expenditure, monitoring the quality of clinical support and managing specialist nursing staff. Leadership: To provide visible operational leadership, guidance, support and direction to staff within the group. Work in partnership with the Clinical Directors and Head of Nursing in delivering the objectives of the clinical service lines within the group To facilitate and drive change across the clinical service lines and care units in line with the trust change agenda and to do so in conjunction with clinical and managerial colleagues and service improvement managers Ensure that staff within the group understand the relevant performance and access targets and lead, manage and motivate staff in the delivery of those targets To focus on continuous improvement of the performance and financial position of the clinical service lines and embed systems to manage performance against objectives and quality targets to ensure that the service position is continually strengthening In conjunction with the Head of Nursing develop planning and business processes that are effective and embedded throughout the clinical service lines to ensure resilient and efficient delivery of care Work collaboratively with business partners to ensure effective financial, quality and workforce planning that meets the needs of both current and future service developments Ensure that all staff receive appropriate education and training opportunities which supports the workforce strategy and therefore, the strategic aims of the Trust Act as senior leader within the organisation, deputising for colleagues as required and acting at all times with maturity and sensitivity to the organisational priorities Work as a core member of the senior leadership team, offering suggestions, guidance and advice to others based on own experience and supporting the operational and strategic agenda as required. To always work in a way that is constructive and collaborative with colleagues. Participate in the Senior Manager on-call rota Person Specification Education Essential 2 years at a 8A or equivalent experience Education, knowledge and experience to masters level or equivalent Management/leadership qualification or equivalent experience Evidence of Continuous Professional Development. Desirable Project Management Qualification Experience Essential Good analytical and problem solving skills - ability to respond to unexpected demands Proven experience of managing and motivating a large team or teams Leading changes in practice in a complex environment to improve performance Leading complex projects and business case development Ability to organise and prioritise own workload and direct the work others and adjust plans as required both in the short and long term Desirable Emergency planning / critical incident management course (this could be HMIMMs / ALS) Knowledge Essential Financial procedures including budget setting and knowledge of financial processes Heightened awareness of national nursing initatives Business planning/annual planning/long term planning Understanding of the current NHS agenda and health policy including transformation and workforce Knowledge of service improvement and project management Knowledge of risk management and governance Desirable Knowledge of NHS IT systems Understanding of the relationship between providers and commissioning organisations. Personal skills Essential Good analytical and problem solving skills - ability to respond to unexpected demands Ability to work independently and make autonomous decisions Strong communication skills both written and verbal - able to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive information and use persuasion, influencing and negotiation with individuals and groups including stakeholders Negotiation on controversial issues including performance and change Ability to organise and prioritise own workload and direct the work others and adjust plans as required both in the short and long term Able to work flexibly to meet the demands of the role Able to lead and direct others to accomplish organisational goals and objectives Able to form and maintain excellent professional relationships with all members of the multi professional team Person Specification Education Essential 2 years at a 8A or equivalent experience Education, knowledge and experience to masters level or equivalent Management/leadership qualification or equivalent experience Evidence of Continuous Professional Development. Desirable Project Management Qualification Experience Essential Good analytical and problem solving skills - ability to respond to unexpected demands Proven experience of managing and motivating a large team or teams Leading changes in practice in a complex environment to improve performance Leading complex projects and business case development Ability to organise and prioritise own workload and direct the work others and adjust plans as required both in the short and long term Desirable Emergency planning / critical incident management course (this could be HMIMMs / ALS) Knowledge Essential Financial procedures including budget setting and knowledge of financial processes Heightened awareness of national nursing initatives Business planning/annual planning/long term planning Understanding of the current NHS agenda and health policy including transformation and workforce Knowledge of service improvement and project management Knowledge of risk management and governance Desirable Knowledge of NHS IT systems Understanding of the relationship between providers and commissioning organisations. Personal skills Essential Good analytical and problem solving skills - ability to respond to unexpected demands Ability to work independently and make autonomous decisions Strong communication skills both written and verbal - able to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive information and use persuasion, influencing and negotiation with individuals and groups including stakeholders Negotiation on controversial issues including performance and change Ability to organise and prioritise own workload and direct the work others and adjust plans as required both in the short and long term Able to work flexibly to meet the demands of the role Able to lead and direct others to accomplish organisational goals and objectives Able to form and maintain excellent professional relationships with all members of the multi professional team 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. Certificate of Sponsorship 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. Certificate of Sponsorship 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). Employer details Employer name Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Address Cross-site Lewsey Road Luton LU4 0DZ Employer's website https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)