Job summary We are looking for an engaging, charismatic and high performing senior nurse/midwife to join the executive chief nurse office as deputy chief nurse. The role will support the entirety of the executive chief nurse portfolio in delivering the strategic agenda for the nursing, midwifery and AHP professions across our acute and community services The Deputy Chief Nurse is an exciting and pivotal role at the heart of our organisation and integral to the Trust's vision. As a member of our corporate nursing team, you will provide strong, visible and professional leadership and ensure that patient safety and the delivery of high-quality care remain central to our strategic direction and decision-making. We are seeking a Deputy Chief Nurse who will role model our values, supporting positive and mutually respectful relationships at all levels in the organisation, always acting with kindness and championing inclusion. For a confidential discussion about this opportunity please email daniel.spooner@wsh.nhs.uk Main duties of the job Provide influential and visible clinical leadership, you will inspire our clinical and nursing workforce as well as Trust partners to build on our reputation of delivering the quality patient care The role will have the responsibility for development and delivery of the Trusts clinical quality strategy and ensuring that there are robust clinical governance systems and processes across the Trust Passionate and forward-thinking approach to clinical leadership, quality and improvement. Demonstrate clinical excellence and innovation in healthcare and possess the ability and charisma to engage staff and stakeholders locally and nationally Support the Executive Chief Nurse to deliver the bi-annual nursing establishment review. Reporting to board regularly on the impact of nurse staffing on patient care Lead the Trust response to delivery of the "Developing Workforce safeguards" recommendations Lead the Trust on delivery on financial sustainable initiatives ensuring corporate nursing services are sustainable and effective Work with internal and external stakeholders to identify and support implementation of workforce transformation initiatives Lead the enhanced/advanced and consultant level practice workstream Responsible for pre and post reg education, including career pathway frameworks The post holder will work with the executive team and patient safety leads in delivery of the safety agenda, continuous implementation of PSIRF About us #BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings. The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge. Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital. We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team. With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be. We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are. Join us. What will you #BeKnown for? Details Date posted 16 May 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 9 Salary £105,385 to £121,271 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working Reference number 179-7132321-P Job locations West Suffolk Hospital Hardwick Lane Bury Saint Edmunds IP33 2QZ Job description Job responsibilities See attached Job description and personal specification They will participate on the Executive Director Strategic Commander on call rota Lead the development and implementation of the long-term nursing, midwifery and AHP strategy, monitoring its implementation and evaluating its effectiveness. in particular ensuring that the Executive Chief Nurse Strategy is co-produced and implemented and embedded at ward and department level Job description Job responsibilities See attached Job description and personal specification They will participate on the Executive Director Strategic Commander on call rota Lead the development and implementation of the long-term nursing, midwifery and AHP strategy, monitoring its implementation and evaluating its effectiveness. in particular ensuring that the Executive Chief Nurse Strategy is co-produced and implemented and embedded at ward and department level Person Specification Education & Qualifications Essential NMC registration Masters degree level qualification or equivalent experience Evidence of continued professional development Ongoing evidence of leadership and management development Desirable Further professional or management qualification Project Management qualification or equivalent CNO safe staffing faculty Experience & Knowledge Essential Proven experience at senior nurse/midwifery level and recent experience in an acute setting with highly developed and detailed knowledge on current health policy Broad knowledge base of patient safety including participation in regional /national initiatives Capable of inspiring people to think and act innovatively and to challenge established ways of doing things; Aware of broader issues in relation to areas of responsibility both nationally and corporately Experience of analysing and making judgements involving situations where there are a number of conflicting issues Experience of interpreting national policies and initiatives and implementing these into the workplace In-depth understanding of the national reporting requirements for organisational compliance with Governance Desirable Evidence of effective working relationships both inside and outside the organisation Leadership Facilitator Experience of leading strategic/cross Trust changes Experience in preparing business cases Skills & Abilities Essential Heightened awareness of national Patient Safety initiatives Excellent communication skills, including the ability to liaise & negotiate Proven ability to lead teams effectively, exercising sound judgement Ability to plan and prioritise work programmes in the face of competing demands. The ability to work co-operatively with senior staff within the Trust & to develop effective working relationships across the Divisions Strong quality focus with an innovative approach & the ability to solve highly complex problems Knowledge & application of research methodologies Overview of clinical audit programme within the organisation Knowledge of strategies for effective change Have an ability to be able to analyse, interpret and act upon highly complex data An understanding and experience of staff and organisational development Extensive knowledge of investigatory processes underpinned by NCAS course for Case Investigators/or equivalent Desirable Carried out clinical changes in light of changing evidence base Developed Business Cases and successfully delivered change Experience of working to a strategic direction and have contributed to this. Knowledge of inquest procedures and information requirements A good understanding of Mortality Review processes in order to provide robust data for national reporting Other Essential Ability to work cohesively in a team Ability to communicate highly complex information effectively with colleagues and other agencies Willingness to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional or national levels A commitment to promoting equality & diversity in the workplace & in the delivery of patient care Strong sense of commitment to openness, honesty & integrity in undertaking the role Able to work under pressure to tight deadlines Approachable/builds rapport Expert facilitation skills and the ability to deliver challenging messages in a way that engages staff to emphasise the setting direction and holding to account Experience of occasionally dealing with exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances, or challenging behaviour Desirable Experience of managing change across a range of settings Person Specification Education & Qualifications Essential NMC registration Masters degree level qualification or equivalent experience Evidence of continued professional development Ongoing evidence of leadership and management development Desirable Further professional or management qualification Project Management qualification or equivalent CNO safe staffing faculty Experience & Knowledge Essential Proven experience at senior nurse/midwifery level and recent experience in an acute setting with highly developed and detailed knowledge on current health policy Broad knowledge base of patient safety including participation in regional /national initiatives Capable of inspiring people to think and act innovatively and to challenge established ways of doing things; Aware of broader issues in relation to areas of responsibility both nationally and corporately Experience of analysing and making judgements involving situations where there are a number of conflicting issues Experience of interpreting national policies and initiatives and implementing these into the workplace In-depth understanding of the national reporting requirements for organisational compliance with Governance Desirable Evidence of effective working relationships both inside and outside the organisation Leadership Facilitator Experience of leading strategic/cross Trust changes Experience in preparing business cases Skills & Abilities Essential Heightened awareness of national Patient Safety initiatives Excellent communication skills, including the ability to liaise & negotiate Proven ability to lead teams effectively, exercising sound judgement Ability to plan and prioritise work programmes in the face of competing demands. The ability to work co-operatively with senior staff within the Trust & to develop effective working relationships across the Divisions Strong quality focus with an innovative approach & the ability to solve highly complex problems Knowledge & application of research methodologies Overview of clinical audit programme within the organisation Knowledge of strategies for effective change Have an ability to be able to analyse, interpret and act upon highly complex data An understanding and experience of staff and organisational development Extensive knowledge of investigatory processes underpinned by NCAS course for Case Investigators/or equivalent Desirable Carried out clinical changes in light of changing evidence base Developed Business Cases and successfully delivered change Experience of working to a strategic direction and have contributed to this. Knowledge of inquest procedures and information requirements A good understanding of Mortality Review processes in order to provide robust data for national reporting Other Essential Ability to work cohesively in a team Ability to communicate highly complex information effectively with colleagues and other agencies Willingness to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional or national levels A commitment to promoting equality & diversity in the workplace & in the delivery of patient care Strong sense of commitment to openness, honesty & integrity in undertaking the role Able to work under pressure to tight deadlines Approachable/builds rapport Expert facilitation skills and the ability to deliver challenging messages in a way that engages staff to emphasise the setting direction and holding to account Experience of occasionally dealing with exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances, or challenging behaviour Desirable Experience of managing change across a range of settings 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 West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust Address West Suffolk Hospital Hardwick Lane Bury Saint Edmunds IP33 2QZ Employer's website https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab) Employer details Employer name West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust Address West Suffolk Hospital Hardwick Lane Bury Saint Edmunds IP33 2QZ Employer's website https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab). Location : West Suffolk Hospital, Hardwick Lane, IP33 2QZ Bury Saint Edmunds, United Kingdom