Job Vacancies
Head of Nursing
8c
- Speciality Medicine
- 8c
- Secondment: 18 months
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (On call duties)
- 418-NUR6778-SJ
- Cross site
- Bedford
- £76,965 - £88,682 PA
- Yearly
- 17/11/2025 23:59
Job overview
Are you a dynamic and experienced nursing leader ready to shape the future of patient care across Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust?
An exciting secondment opportunity for experienced and ambitious senior nurse to join the team as a Head of Nursing for Speciality Medicine. We are seeking a Head of Nursing to inspire our nursing workforce, drive service excellence, and champion quality improvement across these clinical service lines.
Main duties of the job
To provide visible operational leadership, guidance, support and direction to clinical staff within the group.
Work in partnership with the Clinical Directors and General Managers in delivering the objectives of the clinical service lines within the group
To facilitate and drive service development across the clinical service lines in accordance with Trust vision and to do so in conjunction with clinical and managerial colleagues and service improvement managers
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
Be responsible for ensuring that all wards and departments are clean, safe and meet the relevant standards from the CQC and Health Act.
To have responsibility within the service lines for ensuring all staff have the necessary training in order to identify and protect vulnerable adults/children/your people /families at risk and that Trust policies are adhered to with regards to safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
Working for our organisation
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
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Head of Nursing is accountable for the delivery of nursing services, and developing a service strategy in conjunction with the clinical leads.
The Head of Nursing will work collaboratively with the General Manager and Clinical Director for the clinical service lines in order to set clear goals and objectives for staff within the service to ensure delivery of excellent clinical care.
Jointly accountable for delivery of the service line financial target, ensuring continual improvement, to make sure financial controls are established and maintained
Responsible for the effective management of human resource, financial resource, governance and business planning arrangements for nursing across the group.
Responsible for ensuring the smooth and safe day to day running of nursing services within the group and maintaining good staff and patient experience
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Registered Nurse (NMC)
- Post registration Master’s degree in nursing or related field or working at relevant senior level.
- Management/leadership qualification or equivalent experience at post graduate level
Desirable criteria
- Project Management Qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
- Proven experience of working in a senior management/leadership role.
- Experience of managing and motivating a large team or teams.
- Leading changes in practice in a complex environment to improve performance/services.
- Responsible for a significant budget and budget setting.
Desirable criteria
- Leading cross boundary projects
- Public speaking
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people and organisations
- Demonstrable evidence of ability to negotiate and influence across professional and divisional boundaries
- Ability to produce clear and concise reports for use internally and externally to the Trust
- Financial procedures including budget setting and knowledge of financial processes
- In depth understanding of the current NHS agenda and health policy including transformation and workforce.
Desirable criteria
- Representation of service at local health delivery level.
- Publication of written papers/articles.
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Belinda Wood
- Job title
- Deputy Chief Nurse
- Email address
- Belinda.Wood@bedsft.nhs.uk
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