Band 6 Duty Department Lead Nurse

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust; Chichester; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in Sussex seeks a Band 6 Duty Department Lead Nurse for the Gynaecology Outpatients Department. You will oversee the delivery of clinical services while providing high-quality patient care in a supportive team environment. Responsibilities include leading nursing staff, implementing policies, and enhancing patient experiences. This role offers the chance to develop your leadership skills in a dynamic setting dedicated to holistic care and patient satisfaction. Visa sponsorship options are available for eligible candidates.

Benefits

Comprehensive training and development programs

NHS employee benefits

Support for flexible working

Qualifications

• Keen interest in gynaecological conditions and patient care.
• Experience in leading teams and patient assessments.
• Strong understanding of healthcare regulations and policies.

Responsibilities

• Oversee clinical services and staff coordination.
• Provide high-quality nursing care to patients.
• Support operational running of the clinical area.

Skills

Leadership

Excellent communication

Patient-centered care

Team collaboration

Problem-solving

Education

Registered Nurse qualification

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 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 to patients. The Gynaecology Outpatient department supports patients requiring gynaecological investigations and assessments. The Gynaecology Outpatient department delivers outpatient 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.

The successful candidate will have a keen interest in expanding their knowledge and understanding of gynaecological conditions. They will be supported by a team of clinicians, nurses, nursing associates and healthcare assistants to help ensure that patients receive the highest quality care possible.

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25000), and any role‑specific criteria.

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.

Responsibilities

• maintaining exemplary communication and fostering positive staff attitudes and behaviours.
• assisting with the smooth operation of The Early pregnancy service, Hysteroscopy, Minor Procedures, Colposcopy, Rapid Access clinics within the outpatient setting, as well as, regularly taking charge as required.
• responding effectively to changing priorities while providing clear leadership.
• contributing to policy and practice change arising from audits/feedback/complaints and be able to implement them within the outpatient setting.
• acting as a team leader whilst having a high degree of responsibility for the day‑to‑day operational running of the clinical area.
• acting 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 and maintaining professional competence, authority and credibility.
• working collaboratively with clinical nursing experts including Heads of Nursing, Clinical Teams, Consultant Nurses, Nurse Specialists and Practice Development Nurses in the development of expert, person centered care.
• develop, motivate and lead a team by using objectives in line with department, subspecialty and corporate goals in conjunction with the Gynaecology Matron and in their absence, providing professional leadership within the department ensuring that all staff use evidence based practise and adhere to the NMC code of professional conduct.
• demonstrate a high degree of motivation and innovation.
• communicate effectively with the departmental nursing team participating and helping to arrange monthly team meetings and ensure robust systems exist so that staff feel informed, to contribute positively to the effectiveness and efficiency of the teams in which he/she works.
• working with PALS and the complaints department with the Gynaecology Matron to ensure that areas of concern are addressed effectively and in a timely manner, providing a response as required.
• working as part of a multi-disciplinary team environment ensuring most effective use of all members of those professional teams.
• display strong leadership and positivity to the department team during times of increased pressure on resources, staffing crises, or bed pressures, working with divisional leads to assess risks across the division and how these can be minimised.

Service Delivery and Improvement

• demonstrate a logical, flexible and innovative approach to problem solving.
• demonstrate a logical, flexible and innovative approach to analysing complex data and acting upon the results.
• assess patients with complex needs, ensuring person centered care is planned to address identified needs.
• assist with the monitoring of key performance indicators, helping to identify trends and take action to maintain levels of acceptable performance.
• assist with ensuring the department objectives are set in line with the Divisional and Trust objectives.
• assist with leading the Patient First initiatives, ensuring this is implemented in the department and has a high profile.
• ensure that in the absence of the Gynaecology Matron any safeguarding issues are raised appropriately to lead nurses to enable investigation in relation to vulnerable adults or children.
• ensure that requirements for Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty assessments are adhered to.
• assist with ensuring equipment is regularly maintained and serviced in line with hospital policy and manufacturer's recommendations.
• assist with ensuring the medical devices folder for all equipment in the department is kept updated with any new equipment and training records are up to date.
• report/action any accidents, incidents or undue occurrences reported to you or witnessed by you in line with Trust policy using the Datix system.
• ensure proactive investigation of any clinical incidents, undertaking root cause analysis if indicated, ensuring action plans are developed as needed, in the absence of and in conjunction with the ward sister.
• assist in the risk management and health and safety in the workplace, by being proactive in raising risks with divisional management team and ensuring adequate controls are in place to manage these risks.
• work in collaboration with clinical leads in relation to national initiatives such as the CNST/ NHSLA, Care quality commission standards and NICE guidelines.
• contribute to the process of risk management within the Divisions particularly with regard to issues related to nursing and other professional matters.
• to contribute to a healthy and safe working environment by adhering to health and safety regulations and Trust policies including SHE assessments.
• assist in the management of the department budget under the guidance of the Matron. Help to ensure that pay and non-pay costs are examined monthly and examine ways to bring budget in line, or raise cost pressures with the Matron.
• work in conjunction with the Matron to ensure the principles of lean working are embedded into the department culture and reflected in practice, to ensure most appropriate use of resources both staff and consumables and raise standards of care. Assist in the management of IT systems required to ensure patient safety and data collection.
• Help to collect data and key performance indicators. Ensure these are displayed and communicated to staff.

Important Information for Applicants

A Note on AI Use in Applications

We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. 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-elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation. Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.

Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.

Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate 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. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.

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

At UHSussex we're proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK's largest acute trusts, we're a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard‑working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to deliver Excellent Care Everywhere for our patients, our people and our communities.

Whatever your role here at UHSussex you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us deliver Excellent Care Everywhere. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

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We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.