Job Description

Job Summary As a role model for the Trusts vision and values, the chief nurse / director of quality and professions is responsible for providing visible and professional leadership to the nursing, allied health professional and psychological professions workforce which enables the delivery of the compassionate, safe, high quality and service user/patient focused services. The post holder, in partnership with the chief medical officer, will be responsible for ensuring the Trust has effective clinical governance and clinical safety. The role will work as part of an executive trio with the chief medical officer and the chief operating officer, to ensure that services are delivered in line with Trusts vision, mission and values, that clinical risks are effectively managed, staff wellbeing is supported and staff are effectively engaged. As an executive/voting member of the Trust Board and Executive team, the postholder will be expected to support the development of an open, engaging and inclusive culture for service users and staff that encourages excellence in clinical practice, facilitates team working and multi-disciplinary delivery of care.



Key Result Areas Strategic Responsibilities The postholder will be responsible for providing professional advice to the Trust on matters relating to nursing, allied health professions and psychological professions services and will be the executive lead for: Safeguarding of adults and children Patient safety Patient experience including complaints management Infection prevention and control (including the role of director of infection prevention and control) Quality improvement Clinical governance and clinical safety Nursing, allied health professional and psychological professions Professional development and training for nursing, allied health professional and psychological professions staff Relationship with Care Quality Commission (CQC) including registration, compliance with standards and organisation rating Protecting the confidentiality of health and care information (Caldicott Guardian) Serious incidents and management of external reviews Professional leadership To provide the Trust Board, chief executive and executive management team with professional advice and guidance on nursing, allied health professions and psychological professions matters. To provide strong visible professional leadership to the nursing workforce, including the development of professional practice and clinical leadership. To develop and implement a clear vision and strategic direction for nursing, allied health professions and psychological services in line with the Trusts strategic direction and new service models. To ensure that there is appropriate clinical engagement and involvement in support of the modernisation of services and the delivery of safe and effective services.



To ensure and actively support strong professional leadership arrangements for all disciplines as part of a multidisciplinary and multi-agency approach. (In the case of the medical workforce, this will necessitate close working with the medical director). To foster strong clinical and professional engagement and leadership for nurses, allied health professionals and psychological professions across the Trust. Professional development, education and training To lead the provision of professional development, education and training for nursing, allied health professional staff and psychological services.



Work closely with chief people officer on the development of the education and learning strategy and activities ensuring the needs and aspirations of nursing, allied health professional staff and psychological professions are represented. To ensure that the Trusts approach to clinical effectiveness and evidence-based practice is supported by effective education and training programmes. To foster a culture that values continuing professional development and strives for excellence in the delivery of patient care, ensuring the maintenance of professional standards of care and compliance with respective codes of practice. Clinical governance and safety To ensure, with the chief medical officer, that the Trust has effective clinical governance arrangements which support the delivery of the Trusts strategic direction and objectives and meets the organisations statutory obligations.



To ensure that there are effective and well embedded clinical governance and clinical safety arrangements at all levels of the Trust which supports the delivery of safe and effective care. Jointly, with the chief medical officer, responsibility for all aspects of clinical quality which includes establishing the standards and processes for clinical practice required to deliver the quality agenda, develop high level clinical performance indicators and to ensure robust mechanisms are in place to regularly monitor performance and determine the audit requirements that are necessary to ensure standards are met. To provide leadership to continually improve the patient/service user experience in accordance with the Trusts values through ensuring they are the centre of all we do. To lead, establish and monitor systems that measure and improve clinical and environmental standards, particularly ensuring that the fundamental and essential aspects of care are of a high standard.



To lead on the management of patient safety incidents and external reviews on behalf of the Trust. Work closely with the chief medical officer to implement best practice and disseminate learning from patient safety incidents, clinical risks and complaints which prevent re-occurrence of events and ensures lessons are learnt. To act as the Trusts Caldicott Guardian. Ensure the appropriate resources, people and systems are in place to protect and safeguard children and young people and vulnerable adults including developing robust, up to date policies and systems.



Quality To ensure that the Trust Board has appropriate arrangements in place for the assurance of the quality of all services provided, including leading on the production of the annual quality account. To ensure through the governance structure, issues regarding service quality improvement and monitoring are communicated to the Trust Board and partner agencies. Oversight of clinical quality improvement assessments as required. To work with the deputy chief executive/director of strategy and inclusion on the development and implementation of the Trusts quality strategy and clinical strategy, to ensure that there is strong clinical and service user engagement.



Assurance To ensure that the Trust achieves and maintains required registration with the Care Quality Commission and other appropriate national/local accreditation. Ensure effective systems are in place to comply with the requirements for regulation, including the essential standards of quality and safety (CQC). To lead the Trusts ambition to achieve outstanding in the CQCs organisational ratings. To ensure that robust action plans are developed, implemented, and monitored to achieve agreed compliance standards.



Infection prevention and control As director of infection prevention and control, to provide visible leadership in the development of systems and processes for the prevention and management of healthcare acquired infection. Ensure consistency of care across all clinical settings and that evidenced based practice is applied to reducing healthcare acquired infections. Ensure that the Trust Board, executive and operational management teams, and clinical staff have access and are provided with the latest information, advice and guidance in the prevention and control of healthcare acquired infections. Safeguarding Act as the Trusts executive lead for the oversight and assurance of the safeguarding of adults and children.



Report any concerns regarding the safety or wellbeing of children, adult service users, members of their families etc, in accordance with Trust Policy. Prevent and respond appropriately to abuse and understand own role in this by undertaking safeguarding training. Ensure they carry out their duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people under the age of 18 years, as issued under Section 11 of The Children Act 2004, by being familiar with and adhering to Trust safeguarding policies and participating in relevant training. For full details of the role please see the supporting documents attached.