Deputy Department Lead

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Employer: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Site: St Richards Hospital, Chichester
Salary: £38,682 - £46,580 per annum (pro rata)
Closing date: 06/01/:59

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a B and 6 Duty Department Lead Nurse post within the supportive friendly team within the Gynaecology Outpatients Department at St Richards Hospital in Chichester. We are looking for an enthusiastic nurse who is passionate about delivering efficient and holistic patient care. The Gynaecology Outpatient department supports patients requiring gynaecological investigations and assessments, delivering care to patients attending Early Pregnancy, Hysteroscopy, Colposcopy, and Rapid Access (urgent suspicion of cancer). The role will involve supporting patients, nursing staff and clinicians to sensitively deliver a consistent high standard of care.

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route; sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25,000) and any role specific criteria.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will oversee the day to day delivery of clinical services, staff coordination, and demonstrate strong leadership. They will provide high quality nursing care, supporting patient assessment and treatment while ensuring all interactions reflect excellence and compassion.

• Maintain exemplary communication and foster positive staff attitudes and behaviours.
• Assist with the smooth operation of the Early pregnancy service, Hysteroscopy, Minor Procedures, Colposcopy, Rapid Access clinics within the outpatient setting, and regularly take charge as required.
• Adapt, flexibly respond to changing priorities and provide clear leadership.
• Contribute to policy and practice change arising from audits, feedback and complaints, and implement them within the outpatient setting.
• Support and lead staff to ensure a high quality of service is delivered.
• Act as a role model and assist in effective staff supervision with clinical practice, working with staff and patients in an advisory, teaching and support capacity.
• Work collaboratively with clinical nursing experts to develop expert, person centred care.
• Develop, motivate and lead a team using objectives in line with department, subspecialty and corporate goals, in conjunction with the Gynaecology Matron.
• Demonstrate a high degree of motivation and innovation.
• Communicate effectively with the departmental nursing team, participating in monthly team meetings and ensuring robust systems inform staff.
• Work with PALS and the complaints department with the Gynaecology Matron to address concerns timely.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team, ensuring effective use of all professional members.
• Display strong leadership and positivity during times of increased pressure on resources or staffing crises.
• Evaluate risks across the division and minimise them with divisional leads.

Service delivery and improvement

• Demonstrate a logical, flexible and innovative approach to problem solving and to analysing complex data.
• Assess patients with complex needs and plan person centred care.
• Monitor key performance indicators, identify trends and take action to maintain acceptable performance levels.
• Align department objectives with divisional and trust objectives.
• Lead Patient First initiatives and raise safeguarding issues appropriately.
• Ensure adherence to Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty assessments.
• Maintain equipment and ensure it is serviced in line with policy.
• Keep medical device folders updated with new equipment and training records.
• Report and act on accidents, incidents or undue occurrences via Datix.
• Conduct root cause analysis of clinical incidents and develop action plans.
• Proactively raise risks with divisional management to ensure adequate controls.
• Collaborate on national initiatives such as CNST/NHSLA, CQC standards and NICE guidelines.
• Contribute to risk management and health and safety within the division.
• Help maintain a healthy and safe working environment by adhering to H&S regulations and Trust policies.
• Assist in managing the department budget, reviewing pay and non pay costs and flagging cost pressures.
• Embed lean working principles into department culture to ensure efficient use of resources.
• Support IT systems required for patient safety and data collection.
• Collect key performance indicators and display them to staff.

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength. We want you to feel included and help us deliver Excellent Care Everywhere. Our wellbeing programme supports you and allows flexible working to enhance work life balance.

Person specification

• Significant years of experience.
• Practice Supervisor / Practice Assessor.
• Evidence of commitment to continuing professional development.
• NMC Registered Nurse.
• Experience in outpatients or a related area.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles.
• Evidence of own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.

Important information for applicants

We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations. Applications that rely heavily on AI generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in rejection.

In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified. Some adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; the advert will close once the cap is reached. Submit your application as soon as possible to avoid missing the opportunity.

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore flexible working options, please speak with the recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcomed for roles that meet the UKVI eligibility criteria. For further information, visit the gov.uk website and search for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility to ensure you meet the criteria.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Further Information

For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email .

For help with the application process for Non Nursing vacancies, please email .

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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.

Contact: Roz Lewry, Gynaecology Matron
Email:
Telephone: