Deputy Divisional Nurse(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

Role Summary

Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS FT is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Deputy Divisional Nurse to help lead clinical quality, patient safety, and governance across the Division of Clinical Specialty Services.

This senior leadership position is ideal for a compassionate and driven nursing professional who is passionate about improving patient outcomes, strengthening team performance, and embedding a culture where safe, effective and person-centred care is at the heart of every decision.

Working closely with the Divisional Nurse and senior leadership colleagues, you will play a key role in shaping clinical standards, supporting staff, and ensuring services across multiple hospital sites consistently deliver excellent care.

Purpose of the Role

• Provide visible and credible professional leadership for nursing teams.
• Strengthen patient safety, experience, and clinical effectiveness across the division.
• Ensure services operate in line with national policy, regulatory expectations, and evidence-based practice.
• Promote a positive, open and learning culture that supports continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Support the Divisional Nurse in delivering high-quality services across Clinical Specialty departments.
• Lead and coordinate governance, risk, and quality assurance systems.
• Contribute to divisional planning, performance monitoring, and service improvement strategies.
• Ensure consistent standards of care across Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Bassetlaw Hospital and Mexborough Hospital.

Quality, Safety & Clinical Governance

• Drive improvements in patient safety and experience through robust governance processes.
• Embed a “just culture” that encourages openness, learning and reporting.
• Monitor quality indicators and implement sustainable improvement initiatives.
• Ensure safeguarding responsibilities are upheld across services.

Workforce Leadership

• Inspire, support and develop nursing teams through effective leadership and coaching.
• Contribute to workforce planning, recruitment, retention and career pathway development.
• Manage complex staffing matters and promote a positive working environment.
• Encourage professional development and lifelong learning.

Partnership Working

• Collaborate with senior clinicians, operational leaders and external partners.
• Influence service development and policy implementation at divisional level.
• Represent nursing within multidisciplinary forums and governance meetings.

About the Trust

Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of over 440,000 people across three main hospital sites and community services. With more than 7,000 colleagues, the organisation is committed to delivering safe, compassionate care guided by its values and behavioural framework known as the DBTH Way.

The Trust promotes flexible working where service needs allow and is dedicated to creating an inclusive workplace that welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.

Staff Benefits

• Access to extensive learning and leadership development programmes
• NHS Pension Scheme
• Generous annual leave aligned with NHS Terms and Conditions
• Health and wellbeing support services
• Salary sacrifice schemes including car lease options
• Retail, travel and lifestyle discounts

Person Requirements

Essential Experience

• Demonstrated success in a senior or middle-level nursing leadership role within the NHS or comparable setting
• Experience managing complex services and significant budgets
• Strong understanding of NHS policy, system reform, and quality frameworks
• Proven delivery of evidence-based service improvements
• Experience leading teams, managing staffing challenges, and supporting workforce development
• Practical knowledge of clinical governance and safeguarding

Desirable Experience

• Involvement in service redesign or large-scale change programmes
• Participation in research or innovation projects
• Experience developing or implementing organisational policies

Skills & Personal Qualities

• Excellent communication and influencing skills
• Inclusive leadership style with the ability to motivate teams
• Strong collaboration with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to manage change and maintain service performance
• Commitment to continuous improvement and learning

Essential Qualifications

• Current registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC)
• Degree in a relevant discipline
• Recognised leadership qualification or equivalent experience
• Evidence of ongoing professional and leadership development
• Confident use of digital systems and data

Desirable Qualifications

• Master’s degree or study at postgraduate level
• Quality Improvement or coaching qualification
• Postgraduate study in a related clinical field

Compliance & Pre-Employment Checks

• This role is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
• Successful candidates must provide original qualification certificates.
• Applicants must hold valid UK professional registration.
• Overseas applicants may need to provide criminal record documentation covering relevant residency periods.
• Skilled Worker or Health and Care visa sponsorship may be considered where eligibility criteria are met.

Guidance for International or Sponsored Applicants

• Check whether you require permission to work in the UK before applying:
  Check if you need a UK visa 
• Overview of the Skilled Worker visa requirements and eligibility
• Information for employers and applicants about Certificates of Sponsorship
• Guidance on providing police clearance documentation for overseas candidates
• Professional registration and careers information for nursing roles in the NHS

Why Join This Leadership Team?

This is a significant opportunity to influence clinical standards and patient outcomes across a large and diverse division. You will work within a supportive executive structure that values innovation, inclusive leadership and continuous improvement—while helping shape services that are safe, effective and centred on patient experience.