Head of Nursing(UK Visa Sponsorship Available)
Job Description
Job Summary
Please note:
If you currently work for another NHS Trust and wish to apply for this role as a secondment opportunity, you must first seek formal agreement and authorisation from your current employer. Secondments cannot be approved without this prior consent. If you are unable to gain approval, please refrain from applying unless you wish to accept the position as a fixed-term contract.
We are seeking an experienced, dynamic, and inspirational senior nurse or allied health professional (AHP) to take on the role of Head of Nursing for Patient Flow and Integrated Discharge during maternity leave.
This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious clinical leader seeking to broaden their strategic and operational management experience within an acute hospital setting.
Reporting to the Hospital Director of Nursing, the successful candidate will be an integral member of the Hospital Leadership Team, with overall responsibility for the safe, effective, and efficient management of patient flow across the St Richard’s Hospital site. You will play a key role in ensuring high-quality, coordinated care and timely discharge for all patients, while providing visible, compassionate, and values-based leadership.
You will also act as Deputy to the Hospital Director of Nursing, representing the site at key operational and leadership meetings as required.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Provide strategic and operational leadership for all aspects of patient flow and integrated discharge on the St Richard’s Hospital site.
Ensure the safe, effective, and efficient movement of patients from admission through to discharge, working collaboratively with Integrated Care System (ICS) partners.
Promote and role model visible, compassionate leadership, fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and excellence.
Lead and coordinate daily operational management of patient services, ensuring robust communication across clinical and operational teams.
Implement and sustain evidence-based best practice in discharge planning and patient flow.
Develop and maintain strong partnerships with community, primary care, and social care teams to enhance patient experience and continuity of care.
Support and develop staff through mentorship, coaching, and clear leadership to ensure continuous professional growth.
Deputise for the Hospital Director of Nursing when required, ensuring continuity of leadership and governance.
Further details can be found in the full Job Description and Person Specification (attached).
About Us
At University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (UHSussex), diversity is our strength — and inclusion is at the heart of everything we do.
We are proud to deliver “Excellent Care Everywhere”, reflected in our CQC rating of Outstanding for Caring. Your individuality, experience, and ideas will be valued as part of our innovative and supportive community.
We offer a range of staff networks, wellbeing programmes, and buddy systems to help new team members settle in. UHSussex is proud to be a Level 3 Disability Confident Employer and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential:
- Registered Nurse or Allied Health Professional (AHP)
- Master’s level qualification or equivalent experience
- Evidence of continuous professional development
- Significant post-registration experience within a relevant specialty
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across multi-disciplinary and cross-organisational teams
Desirable:
- Substantial post-registration experience at a senior level
- Recognised teaching or mentorship qualification
- Experience
Essential:
- Proven experience of leadership and management in a senior nurse or senior therapist role, ideally within an acute NHS Trust
- Demonstrable success in collaborative working across departments and organisational boundaries
- Strong planning, organisational, and problem-solving skills
- Proven ability to interpret, analyse, and present complex data and reports
- Experience in service improvement, audit, or research, with evidence of applying results to practice
- Effective communication and negotiation skills
- Commitment to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion
Desirable:
- Evidence of excellent interpersonal skills and ability to motivate and develop teams
- Experience managing patient flow and discharge planning
- Demonstrated success in performance management
- Knowledge of the local health economy
- People Management and Development
Essential:
- Ability to apply Trust operational and HR policies effectively
- Experience of managing staff and supporting wellbeing in the workplace
- Competence in service improvement and workforce planning
- Evidence of managing patient flow and complex discharge processes
- Ability to lead change, influence stakeholders, and maintain effective multidisciplinary relationships
- Capability to work autonomously under pressure while maintaining high standards
Desirable:
- Understanding of local and regional healthcare systems
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential:
- Demonstrated personal commitment to improving understanding of equality and diversity issues
- Evidence of championing inclusivity and diversity in previous roles
Additional Information
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS):
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a DBS check.
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS):
Applications from candidates requiring Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship are welcomed and will be considered alongside all others.
From 6 April 2017, applicants seeking Skilled Worker entry clearance must provide a criminal record certificate for any country where they have lived continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
Key Details
Closing Date: 29 October 2025
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Contract Type: Fixed Term / Secondment (Maternity Cover)
Location: St Richard’s Hospital
Employer: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (UHSussex)
