Deputy Chief Nurse
| Company: | NHS Jobs |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £112,782 to £129,783 a year |
| Hours: | Full-time |
| Location: | Harlow, CM20 1QX |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Posting date: | 16 Sept 2026 |
| Closing date: | 30 Sept 2026 |
Summary
Main Duties of the Deputy Chief Nurse The Deputy Chief Nurse is a senior leadership role responsible for supporting and deputising for the Chief Nursing Officer, ensuring the delivery of outstanding patient care, professional standards, and workforce excellence across the Trust. Key responsibilities include: Providing strategic nursing leadership across the Trust, helping to shape and deliver the nursing, midwifery and AHP agenda. Leading quality, patient safety and governance initiatives, ensuring high standards of care, harm-free practice and continuous improvement. Overseeing key portfolios including safeguarding and vulnerable people, infection prevention and control, falls prevention, workforce safeguards, recruitment and retention, practice development, and ward accreditation programmes. Driving workforce transformation, including safe staffing, workforce productivity, new roles, international recruitment, retention strategies and succession planning. Providing visible and inspirational professional leadership, supporting and developing nursing, midwifery and AHP teams to deliver exceptional patient experiences. Representing the Trust internally and externally, working with system partners, regulators and professional bodies, and deputising for the Chief Nursing Officer at Board and committee level when required. Leading organisational improvement and service transformation programmes, helping to deliver the Trust's long-term strategic objectives and quality ambitions. Managing performance, budgets and people, including line management responsibilities, disciplinary processes and delivery of key operational and financial targets. Participating in the Trust Gold Commander on-call rota, providing senior leadership and decision-making during operational incidents and emergencies. In summary: this is a high-profile executive nursing leadership role focused on delivering safer care, stronger teams, workforce innovation and exceptional patient outcomes across PAHT. Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities Professional Leadership Provide expert professional leadership, advice and support to nurses, midwives, AHPs and clinical professionals across the Trust. Develop clinical leadership capability and support professional practice, education and research. Promote collaborative and integrated working across disciplines and services. Deputise for the Chief Nursing Officer at Board meetings, Trust Committees and external stakeholder forums. Lead complex workforce, professional practice and disciplinary investigations where required. Quality, Governance and Patient Safety Lead implementation of the Trust's Quality Strategy and Ward Accreditation Programme. Promote a culture of safe, reliable, patient-centred care and continuous improvement. Oversee quality governance systems, ensuring professional standards are maintained and enhanced. Monitor quality indicators, risks, incidents and patient safety concerns, ensuring effective action plans are implemented. Lead key portfolios including: Vulnerable People (safeguarding, dementia, learning disabilities and mental health) Harm Free Care (falls prevention, tissue viability, nutrition, infection prevention and control) Practice Development and Workforce Safeguards Fundamentals of Care Programme PACE Ward Accreditation Programme Ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, including safeguarding and infection prevention standards. Workforce Development and Planning Lead the nursing, midwifery and AHP workforce agenda across the Trust. Ensure safe staffing, workforce productivity and effective workforce planning. Develop and implement recruitment and retention strategies, including international recruitment programmes. Support succession planning, talent management and leadership development. Lead actions arising from national workforce reviews and external inspections. Operational and Financial Management Hold accountability for services and budgets within the delegated portfolio. Ensure financial targets and efficiency programmes are achieved. Monitor service performance and take corrective action where required to meet Trust objectives. Provide professional advice and support to divisional nursing and midwifery teams to improve operational delivery and performance. People and Leadership Responsibilities Lead, motivate and inspire teams to deliver excellent patient care. Support Divisional Directors of Nursing and senior clinical leaders in achieving operational, quality and workforce objectives. Act as a role model for compassionate, inclusive and effective leadership. Coach and mentor senior nursing, midwifery and AHP leaders, supporting career progression and professional development. Promote innovation, research, learning and the sharing of best practice locally, regionally and nationally. Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including: Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) NHS England Care Quality Commission (CQC) Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Local Authorities Safeguarding Boards Universities and education partners Represent the Trust in system-wide initiatives and healthcare partnerships. Engage patients, carers and the public in service development and improvement. Additional Responsibilities Maintain a visible leadership presence within clinical environments. Produce reports and presentations for the Board, committees and organisational forums. Participate in the Trust's Gold Commander On-Call rota, providing senior leadership during major incidents and operational pressures. Maintain professional registration, ongoing professional development and compliance with all Trust policies and mandatory training requirements. In summary: This is a highly influential executive nursing leadership position responsible for driving quality, safety, workforce excellence and professional leadership across the Trust, while supporting the delivery of outstanding care and long-term organisational transformation.