Cardiac Surgery Chief Perfusionist

NHS Jobs; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts is seeking an experienced Strategic Lead for the Perfusion Service to set the service direction, drive clinical excellence, and ensure safe, efficient patient care across the organisation.

You will lead workforce development, governance, budget planning, and quality improvement while modelling Trust values and working with multi-disciplinary teams to optimise theatre pathways.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in perfusion services.
• Ability to lead governance, risk, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Strong budget management and cost improvement programme delivery.
• Expert clinical knowledge of perfusion and cardiopulmonary bypass.
• Experience in workforce planning, recruitment, retention and development.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior clinical and leadership for the Perfusion Service and act as lead advisor on perfusion matters.
• Set strategic direction for the service and lead long-term planning and transformation initiatives.
• Take overall responsibility for governance, quality, risk, audit and regulatory compliance.
• Oversee day-to-day operational delivery, capacity planning and theatre efficiency.
• Lead education, training and workforce development for perfusion staff and wider theatre teams.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Clinical leadership

Governance & risk management

Budget management

Workforce development

Education & training

Job description

In addition to the below summary, you need to familiarise yourself with the full Job Description and Person Specification documents attached to this advert.

Strategic Leadership & Management

Provide senior clinical and leadership for the Perfusion Service, acting as the Trusts lead expert and key advisor on perfusion-related matters. Set the strategic direction for the service, aligning with Directorate and Trust-wide objectives, and contributing to long-term planning and transformation programmes. Hold overall accountability for the safe, effective, and efficient delivery of perfusion services across the organisation. Lead workforce strategy, including establishment planning, recruitment, retention, and talent development to ensure a sustainable, high-performing service. Oversee and drive a high-performance culture through robust appraisal systems, performance management, and leadership development. Manage the allocated budget, with full responsibility for financial planning, cost improvement programmes (CIPs), and delivery of financial targets. Identify and lead service improvement, innovation, and transformation initiatives in response to changing clinical, operational, and financial demands. Ensure the embedding of Trust values, equality, diversity, and inclusion principles across the service.

Clinical Leadership

Maintain expert-level clinical practice in perfusion, operating at a highly specialist level and participating in the on-call rota as required. Provide professional leadership and expert guidance on complex clinical cases, ensuring the highest standards of patient care and safety. Lead the development and implementation of advanced clinical practice, policies, and protocols in line with national standards and emerging evidence. Ensure continuous improvement in clinical outcomes through benchmarking, audit, and adoption of best practice. Maintain advanced knowledge of cardiopulmonary bypass, associated physiology, and pharmacology, ensuring this expertise informs service delivery and staff development.

Governance, Quality & Risk

Take overall responsibility for clinical governance within the Perfusion Service, ensuring compliance with all regulatory, statutory, and Trust requirements. Lead on risk management, including ownership of the departmental risk register, ensuring risks are identified, escalated, and mitigated appropriately. Oversee audit programmes, quality assurance, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance patient safety and clinical effectiveness. Ensure robust systems are in place for infection prevention, health and safety, and regulatory compliance. Prepare and present governance, quality, and performance reports at senior committees and boards as required.

Operational & Service Delivery

Ensure the effective day-to-day operational delivery of the perfusion service, including capacity planning and responsiveness to service demand. Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and senior stakeholders to optimise patient pathways and theatre efficiency. Lead service planning and redesign to meet evolving clinical and organisational priorities. Ensure effective resource utilisation, including workforce, equipment, and consumables, delivering value for money.

Education, Training & Workforce Development

Create and sustain a high-quality learning environment for perfusion staff, wider theatre teams, and trainees. Lead education and training strategy for the service, ensuring alignment with professional standards and future workforce needs. Promote continuous professional development, research, and innovation within the team. Identify and address current and future training needs, ensuring staff are equipped to deliver advanced and evolving practice.

Organisational Responsibilities

Ensure robust business continuity, resilience, and emergency planning arrangements for the service. Contribute to Directorate and Trust-wide reporting, performance management, and strategic initiatives. Ensure full compliance with mandatory training and organisational policies across the team.

Professional Responsibilities

Maintain professional registration with the College of Clinical Perfusion Scientists of Great Britain and Ireland. Adhere to the standards and code of conduct set by the Society of Clinical Perfusion Scientists of Great Britain and Ireland. Act as a professional role model, upholding the highest standards of clinical practice, leadership, and integrity.

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts